SDX 270 Outboard - thoughts?

G

ghengis86

New Member
Apr 9, 2018
20
Boat Info
Boatless...for now
Engines
boatless...for now
Hi all,

Maybe I have been under a rock, but have you seen the new bowriders and sport boats fitted with outboard power?

The 270 SDX OB looks amazing:
http://www.searay.com/Page.aspx/pageId/160944/pmid/366051/SDX-270-Outboard.aspx

Monterey has their M-65/M-45 OB options and I think a couple other manufacturers are coming out with this option.

The OB vs. I/O vs. direct vs. V-drive debates have probably raged for years, but I was always partial to the simplicity of an outboard, the lack of a giant hole in the transom, keeping it out of the water when not in use, etc. But, there's also the negatives of use for water sports, performing your own service (especially on newer OBs), etc.

If I could afford it, I would definitely go with the 270 SDX! But, I'm currently relegated to searchign for '98-'04 SunDecks in the 21-26ft range (posted a thread in the newbie section if you're curious).

What do you guys think about this trend to throw a 250-350HP OB on a traditional bowrider? Would you consider it for a sport boat option? Any drawbacks you see that would outweigh any benefits? You think more manufacturers will be offering this option or is it just a fad?
 
Last edited:
I sure hope the benefits outweigh the drawbacks since I just spent a ton on a new one....
 
paulswagelock said:
I sure hope the benefits outweigh the drawbacks since I just spent a ton on a new one....
Click to expand...
Nice! How do you like it? Previous I/O owner I'm guessing? You probably have a unique perspective as one of the few that are lucky enough to get to play with it!
 
I have been a large cruiser owner for many years. Then 3 years ago I bought a 270 slx. All of my boats were IO.
When we saw the layout of the 270 SDX we were intrigued. Then we started thinking of heading south for the winters in retirement in a few years. So we decided to pull the trigger and order a new 270 SDX outboard.
It was delivered a month or so ago, so my only use is the sea trial in the snow. It ran well, was amazingly quiet, and handled nicely. However, I have about an hour of experience running it so far.
Once the weather breaks, I will report more on performance.
 
I just pulled the trigger on a 290 SDX with twin 225's and its the best boat ive owned. Ive been back and forth between I/Os and Outboards over the years... 4 boats with I/Os and 3 with Outboards. I can't say this firmly enough - I will NEVER own another I/O. I took a chance on my last 330 Sundancer knowing the issues I have had in the past with sterndrives (only one was trouble free) believing if I spent more and maintained the boat like a pro I could be happy. WRONG. Outboard motors are engineered for the marine environment, installing a car engine in a boat is a recipe for disaster. With outboards when you're on the hook the gear is out of the water. I really like the look of the new 320 Sundancer with trip outboards, the simplicity and reliability of outboard motors just can't be beat... And in 2018 they are the most fuel efficient and quietest motors out there.

My 290 SDX has a tow point for watersports that clears the motors and with twin 225s theres plenty of power. The only thing i'm missing from my new boat is the ability to weekend on it, I loved my 330 for that. But lets be real, youre on these boats to enjoy the sun and weather, and the new deck layout of the 270 & 290 is awesome for that. They're party boats for sure.
 
paulswagelock said:
I have been a large cruiser owner for many years. Then 3 years ago I bought a 270 slx. All of my boats were IO.
When we saw the layout of the 270 SDX we were intrigued. Then we started thinking of heading south for the winters in retirement in a few years. So we decided to pull the trigger and order a new 270 SDX outboard.
It was delivered a month or so ago, so my only use is the sea trial in the snow. It ran well, was amazingly quiet, and handled nicely. However, I have about an hour of experience running it so far.
Once the weather breaks, I will report more on performance.
Click to expand...
Awesome and congrats!
 
Jmac572 said:
I just pulled the trigger on a 290 SDX with twin 225's and its the best boat ive owned. Ive been back and forth between I/Os and Outboards over the years... 4 boats with I/Os and 3 with Outboards. I can't say this firmly enough - I will NEVER own another I/O. I took a chance on my last 330 Sundancer knowing the issues I have had in the past with sterndrives (only one was trouble free) believing if I spent more and maintained the boat like a pro I could be happy. WRONG. Outboard motors are engineered for the marine environment, installing a car engine in a boat is a recipe for disaster. With outboards when you're on the hook the gear is out of the water. I really like the look of the new 320 Sundancer with trip outboards, the simplicity and reliability of outboard motors just can't be beat... And in 2018 they are the most fuel efficient and quietest motors out there.

My 290 SDX has a tow point for watersports that clears the motors and with twin 225s theres plenty of power.
Click to expand...

^^That was what really attracted me; motor and drive completely out of the water. Yes, you can do that with a lift or when on the trailer with an I/O, but the simplicity of just tilting it forward to get it out of the water can't be beat. I don't necessarily agree that I/O's are just car engines in a boat, but I do agree that there are inherent design 'features' of the I/O that lends to additional service needs that you just don't have with the OB. And with today's OBs, plenty of power and fuel efficiency.

With any OB, I like that a repower is relatively simple. But OB motors aren't cheap either!

I think the combination of the hull design of a bowrider with the simplicity of an OB is perfect. I think I'll still be going the I/O route for the next 3 years or so and see how the market shakes out with these boats. And the plan would be to find one a couple years used, maybe even with some transferable warranty remaining, and trade up. I HATE DEPRECIATION!
 
ghengis86 said:
^^That was what really attracted me; motor and drive completely out of the water. Yes, you can do that with a lift or when on the trailer with an I/O, but the simplicity of just tilting it forward to get it out of the water can't be beat. I don't necessarily agree that I/O's are just car engines in a boat, but I do agree that there are inherent design 'features' of the I/O that lends to additional service needs that you just don't have with the OB. And with today's OBs, plenty of power and fuel efficiency.

With any OB, I like that a repower is relatively simple. But OB motors aren't cheap either!

I think the combination of the hull design of a bowrider with the simplicity of an OB is perfect. I think I'll still be going the I/O route for the next 3 years or so and see how the market shakes out with these boats. And the plan would be to find one a couple years used, maybe even with some transferable warranty remaining, and trade up. I HATE DEPRECIATION!
Click to expand...

You can find good deals out there... I bought my 290 with 25 hours at the end of last season for $135k, MSRP was $188k... She was used for two weeks before me.

Outboards are definitely the way to go in my opinion, that being said, you can get into a brand new I/O setup for significantly cheaper, for obvious reasons... And yes, I/Os are literally car/truck engines that have been "marinized" and dropped in a bilge. Most out there seem to be Chevrolet/GM 5.7, 6.2, 8.1, etc. But no matter how hard you try to prep that motor for marine use you still have the massive hole drilled into your transom. I had big problems with water and oil leaks into my bilge that took many hours and headaches to correct. Never again.
 
I like the idea of OB's but have one question/concern:

With all that weight of double or triple OB's hanging in back of the stern, doesn't that have a negative affect on the weight and balance and make it more difficult to get up on plane?

I can see that once you're on plane it wouldn't make a difference because the water is supporting the weight of the motors but it would seem that it would take longer to get up on plane.

Would someone who has used both I/O's and OB's please address this for me?

Mike
 
My boat is 500 pounds less than the equivalent IO version. Planes quicker.
 
Jmac572 said:
You can find good deals out there... I bought my 290 with 25 hours at the end of last season for $135k, MSRP was $188k... She was used for two weeks before me.

Outboards are definitely the way to go in my opinion, that being said, you can get into a brand new I/O setup for significantly cheaper, for obvious reasons... And yes, I/Os are literally car/truck engines that have been "marinized" and dropped in a bilge. Most out there seem to be Chevrolet/GM 5.7, 6.2, 8.1, etc. But no matter how hard you try to prep that motor for marine use you still have the massive hole drilled into your transom. I had big problems with water and oil leaks into my bilge that took many hours and headaches to correct. Never again.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Just like a used car that's only a few model years older, with low miles and good maintenance, someone else has taken the 'new' depreciation hit. I have bought new cars too, as there are other advantages (business deductions, warranty, service, etc.). So I'm not opposed to new, but I think you get the best bang for your buck, finding a little older model, with some warranty left.

Agreed on the hole in the transom. I know people - especially here - have great experiences with their I/Os. My family has had both and actually (and an atomic 4 in a sail boat!) now that I recall, no major service issues with either. Maybe we were lucky? We did do most of the service ourselves.
 
Gofirstclass said:
I like the idea of OB's but have one question/concern:

With all that weight of double or triple OB's hanging in back of the stern, doesn't that have a negative affect on the weight and balance and make it more difficult to get up on plane?

I can see that once you're on plane it wouldn't make a difference because the water is supporting the weight of the motors but it would seem that it would take longer to get up on plane.

Would someone who has used both I/O's and OB's please address this for me?

Mike
Click to expand...

I can't speak to this directly, but I'm only looking to have one OB, so I don't think that weight issue is a huge concern for my particular application.

I see paulswagelock just cleared up that weight issue; 500 lbs less!
 
Lots of advantages with outboards, but I would have a hard time giving up the full width swim platform on the back on my I/O. Looks like water sports would be harder as well
 
ygbsm said:
Lots of advantages with outboards, but I would have a hard time giving up the full width swim platform on the back on my I/O. Looks like water sports would be harder as well
Click to expand...

Yes, same thoughts here too. Also, I have younger kids who love to tube and I also want to get my oldest skiing. A full swim platform is a little safer protecting the outdrive (jet boat even more so) and getting on tubes/skis is easier as well. Looks like you give up a larger sun pad on the back (compared to older model sun decks/bowriders) too.
 
the new SDX models have a huge sun 'couch' on the rear. The 270 OB also still has a full swim platform.
Very smart design.
 
Unless I'm missing something, the 270 OB's swim platform is pretty much cut in half by the motor.

366051_p_t_135x90_image16.jpg
 
Maybe semantics. Full in width, but not full in accessibility. But do many people get in/out right over the drive on an I/O with a swim platform? I never did. Getting skis and on a tube might be harder with the OB there
 
Depending on how you use the boat would determine which engine. Personally, we use our boat for water sports, swimming and picnicking. The outboard is just in the way when using the swim platform. Yes, there is room on either side of the OB but, you can't sit several folks on the platform splashing their feet in the water. Also, the OB is exposing swimmers to the prop. I'm in fresh water and may have a different opinion if it were used in salt water.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,182
Messages
1,428,053
Members
61,088
Latest member
SGT LAT
Back
Top