The Amberjack Compromise..

[WannaBeBoater]

I am just looking to here from owners about how they feel the Amberjack serves as a dual purpose vessel.. My family and I all love being out on the water and have had a couple boats in the past but most recently we are coming out of a 21 foot walk around. Previous to that we had a 19 foot bowlder. We enjoyed both but they definitely both had there weak points as well. The lacked a place for the kids to hang out or nap, out of the sun, while the walk around cabin was awesome but the boat lacked comfortable cockpit seating. Both would also be to small now as well since the kiddos are getting a little bigger.

We are currently in search of a Sea Ray Amberjack 270 that we hope will bridge the fishability aspect for me and also the comfort aspect for cruising with friends and family. We are also hoping that 07+ year model with the aft cabin will allow us the option to spend the night every once in a while, though i'm sure we will probably outgrow it as the kids get bigger..

I wanted a trailerable boat and unfortunately the 270 is probably more than my truck would want to tow on a regular basis, so we were also thinking about stepping down to the 250 but I have not been able to find any in my area to look at. It also bothers me that you lose the arch with the 250's, and I'm scared it would just be to crammed feeling in general.. It seems that maybe the cabin and the cockpit would be to small for either to be comfortable for their designated purposes. If someone has a 250 and has been happy with it let me know and I may try harder to track one down.

Last thing, In the 07+ boats is the 6.2 sufficient for planing and cruising in the low 30's? I feel like between the wife, 3 kids and all of our junk we usually pack a pretty heavy boat even before having friends on board...

any and all feedback is appreciated.. thanks

 

[estoltz]

Prince William Marina where I'm looking to buy my first boat has a couple of 270AJs. an 06 with a generator and an 09. We looked at the 06 but the wife liked the cockpit of the 260 sundancer better. I haven't purchased yet (still waiting to do a survey and sea trial) so I can't vouch for anything but they seem to have a good reputation. I'm working with Steve and I can say he has been very patient with me though I think I stress him out sometimes.

 

[Ididntdoit]

that era 270 AJ is the 260DA hull with the deck extended and a swim platform tacked on - the 6.2 is fine - that era 250 AJ is a cuddy cabin boat (no mid cabin) I dont believe they had shore power or a real head, fine if thats what your looking for (a lot lighter too) - if you need the space and amenities you would be far better off with a 240DA (over the 250AJ) just leave the carpet out and add rod holders and/or an aluminum arch.....I say find a way to make the 270AJ work.....

 

[WannaBeBoater]

Prince William Marina where I'm looking to buy my first boat has a couple of 270AJs. an 06 with a generator and an 09. We looked at the 06 but the wife liked the cockpit of the 260 sundancer better. I haven't purchased yet (still waiting to do a survey and sea trial) so I can't vouch for anything but they seem to have a good reputation. I'm working with Steve and I can say he has been very patient with me though I think I stress him out sometimes.

I actually saw those but the pricing was completely out of line for what I have seen everywhere else. I did like the facility and the staff very much however I'm working on a budget here and want to get the most for my money. I trust a good surveyor and private seller as much as an "as-is" deal from a dealer anyway and the pricing is about a 15-20k difference.

 

[WannaBeBoater]

that era 270 AJ is the 260DA hull with the deck extended and a swim platform tacked on - the 6.2 is fine - that era 250 AJ is a cuddy cabin boat (no mid cabin) I dont believe they had shore power or a real head, fine if thats what your looking for (a lot lighter too) - if you need the space and amenities you would be far better off with a 240DA (over the 250AJ) just leave the carpet out and add rod holders and/or an aluminum arch.....I say find a way to make the 270AJ work.....

This is good to know because there are a lot more 6.2's on the market than 8.1's.. Quite a few 350 mags too, which surprises me because I would think most would want at least the 6.2 in that boat. I guess the 350 may work for just a couple doing some day cruising

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

We started out with the same plans to cruise and fish and overnight when we got the 280SS. We found that it was possible for two adults and two kids on the seats out back with the camper canvas.

The 280SS I have for sale fishes great for the waters around the DC area. We bottom fish and troll and she raises fish all the time.

I have the trailer and it is ready to go. You are right it is a job to pull it for any great distance. I use it to haul out in the winter and do routine maintenance on the boat. Bottom paint and slime cleaning and the like.

We ended up not doing as much overnighting as we thought we would. The 280SS v berth is a little small but everything else is great about this boat.

The twin 5.7 L chevy small blocks will push this boat to a 30 32 MPH cruise and a 40 45 MPH top end all day. With the twins you do have backup and I used it once when a fuel pump fuse blew.

Now here is the sales pitch for this boat. It has everything except a built in generator. It does have an inverter for the times you need to use the microwave or coffee pot. The price for this boat will not have much more down side and it will get you into a boat much like the amberjack to see where your needs will run. We moved from a walk around to this boat and it served us great for 7 years.

We bought an ArrowCat 30.

Enjoy the search and good luck.

 

[WannaBeBoater]

We started out with the same plans to cruise and fish and overnight when we got the 280SS. We found that it was possible for two adults and two kids on the seats out back with the camper canvas.

The 280SS I have for sale fishes great for the waters around the DC area. We bottom fish and troll and she raises fish all the time.

I have the trailer and it is ready to go. You are right it is a job to pull it for any great distance. I use it to haul out in the winter and do routine maintenance on the boat. Bottom paint and slime cleaning and the like.

We ended up not doing as much overnighting as we thought we would. The 280SS v berth is a little small but everything else is great about this boat.

The twin 5.7 L chevy small blocks will push this boat to a 30 32 MPH cruise and a 40 45 MPH top end all day. With the twins you do have backup and I used it once when a fuel pump fuse blew.

Now here is the sales pitch for this boat. It has everything except a built in generator. It does have an inverter for the times you need to use the microwave or coffee pot. The price for this boat will not have much more down side and it will get you into a boat much like the amberjack to see where your needs will run. We moved from a walk around to this boat and it served us great for 7 years.

We bought an ArrowCat 30.

Enjoy the search and good luck.

The 280 is a nice boat and I've seen your ads on various websites... I wish you luck with the sale but for me, I am looking for something a little newer since my funding bank will only go back to 2005-2006. Also I prefer the fold away transom seating and think yours may be even harder to tow than the newer AJ270 with the 8'6" beam... Someone will grab it up I'm sure.. thanks

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

Glad to hear you have seen my adverts. I went through the funding mill with my new boat and totally understand. Towing is a challenge with this boat it is more a capability to avoid haul outs for maintenance. Make sure you post pictures of the new boat when you find it.

Remember there is no replacement for displacement. You do not need to use all of the power you have but if you do not have it you can't use it. :smt001

 

[Xplicitlnck]

Towing is over rated. Get a slip and go fir the 290 aj. An absolutely gorgeously lasted out boat. Sundancer inside and roomy fishing platform with very comfortable seating outside. And u get to keep the aft cabin. Fast and economical (for a boat). My dock neighbor has one and I love it

 

[WannaBeBoater]

Towing is over rated. Get a slip and go fir the 290 aj. An absolutely gorgeously lasted out boat. Sundancer inside and roomy fishing platform with very comfortable seating outside. And u get to keep the aft cabin. Fast and economical (for a boat). My dock neighbor has one and I love it

I thought about going that route, but i do like to be able to tow the boat.. The Marina i would keep it in is on the river but I like to fish the bay. The bay would be to far from the marina to cruise the boat out there for fishing. The bay is also to far away from home to slip it there. Being able to tow allows me to go put in on the bay when i want to fish and put in at the river when i want to cruise..

I would much prefer to leave it slipped at the bay but I don't think we would like driving over there every time we were going out, especially with friends along. Plus the river offers some cool hangouts and waterfront dining in a close proximity to where we put in and in general smoother cruising waters.

Not slipping the boat also frees up about 180-200 a month to put back into the boat budget.

 

[themikehyde]

Slip in in colonial beach and you are midway'ish between the bay and northern va. Our slip is 130/mo. I can set you up in a nice 280, unfortunately it is not in the year range you are looking for for financing, but also alit less (40k), with the trailer.

 

[Xplicitlnck]

I thought about going that route, but i do like to be able to tow the boat.. The Marina i would keep it in is on the river but I like to fish the bay. The bay would be to far from the marina to cruise the boat out there for fishing. The bay is also to far away from home to slip it there. Being able to tow allows me to go put in on the bay when i want to fish and put in at the river when i want to cruise..

I would much prefer to leave it slipped at the bay but I don't think we would like driving over there every time we were going out, especially with friends along. Plus the river offers some cool hangouts and waterfront dining in a close proximity to where we put in and in general smoother cruising waters.

Not slipping the boat also frees up about 180-200 a month to put back into the boat budget.

Well that's all personal preference I can't help ya there. Personally I hate trailing. To much work. Im a boater aka lazy lol. I would go with mikehydes idea and leave it in a marina right in the middle of your two favorite spots

 

[jpl2407]

I thought about going that route, but i do like to be able to tow the boat.. The Marina i would keep it in is on the river but I like to fish the bay. The bay would be to far from the marina to cruise the boat out there for fishing. The bay is also to far away from home to slip it there. Being able to tow allows me to go put in on the bay when i want to fish and put in at the river when i want to cruise..

I would much prefer to leave it slipped at the bay but I don't think we would like driving over there every time we were going out, especially with friends along. Plus the river offers some cool hangouts and waterfront dining in a close proximity to where we put in and in general smoother cruising waters.

Not slipping the boat also frees up about 180-200 a month to put back into the boat budget.

Slipping the boat sounds like a perfect excuse to get more boat time in, fyi, have a 250DA and I find its too small for any more than 4 people.

 

[WannaBeBoater]

Slipping the boat sounds like a perfect excuse to get more boat time in, fyi, have a 250DA and I find its too small for any more than 4 people.

That's good to know... my wife saw an 09' 250 Sundancer and thought we should go take a look at it.. I'm still trying to push her into another walkround, just with a better layout. Maybe a Scout Abaco 262 or something. Granted, I think will lose that battle....lol

 

[MikeWood]

I have an '08 amberjack that I bought for the exact reason you're thinking about. I needed a combo boat that would be comfortable for family cruising, swimming, etc.... But would also work for fishing. The amberjack does this fairly well IMHO. I don't trailer so I can't comment on that, but If you have any other specific questions, let me know.
Mike

 

[WahooUSMA]

I have an '08 amberjack that I bought for the exact reason you're thinking about. I needed a combo boat that would be comfortable for family cruising, swimming, etc.... But would also work for fishing. The amberjack does this fairly well IMHO. I don't trailer so I can't comment on that, but If you have any other specific questions, let me know.
Mike

I spent a lot of money on a custom trailer for my 290 Amberjack - After two tows to the marina with pucker factors of 10 en-route, she now sits comfortably in her new slip.

 

[sdleo26]

I have a 2004 AJ. This is my 4th season with it. It's the perfect combo boat. If you like to fish and also cruise with your family/ weekends on boat etc, it's a great choice. I do less fishing these days and often find myself looking at 350 DA's but I could never see a gorgeous dancer with a yellow fin on the carpets!!!