1998-2001 Sundancer 270 versus 2001-2005 Sundancer 280

C

CJgipper

New Member
Nov 5, 2019
20
Nashville and Anna Maria
Boat Info
1995 Pro-Line 240 sportsman

2000 Sea Ray 270 sundancer twin 4.3
Engines
Twin 4.3
I'm torn between which boat I should be looking at and would really appreciate your opinions.

The 98-01 270 is the 9'2" wide model, and the 01-05 280 would be the 9'5" wide model that essentially replaced the 270.

We will be trailering this boat. The 280 is 15" longer, 500 lbs heavier, and 3" wider. That's essentially the same for trailering in my book when the 270 starts at 9500 pounds dry on the trailer at 9'2" wide. I'm already trailering a 30' center console, and we're switching to a cruiser for long weekends. Our boys are 8, 10, and 12. Twin engines are a given.

The 280 has 10" more interior length and 3" more width. Honestly, I'm not sure where it went except maybe that entertainment cabinet? Is the bath bigger?

The deck layout seems to me to be the biggest difference. Where do you put a cooler on the 280? On the 270, it clearly goes to extend the port lounger. The 280 seems to lose a LOT of storage to the captains chair (instead of storage bench) and the wet bar. Is there any point to the wetbar? I'm just not sure how you'd use it. The 280 seems VASTLY more popular, but why is that?

The other difference seems to be power options. The 270's top out with the 210hp throttle body injected 4.3 twins while the 280's come with that and in 2002 get the 4.3 MPI and 5.0MPI models, the 5.0 available with bravoIII drives (although pretty rare and I really haven't seen many for sale).

So what's the better boat? Will there be a significant resale difference?
 
We owned a 280 DA for 13 years. Ours had the 496 MAG which is faster than the twin 4.3's. If you want dual power I would look for the twin 5.0"s you will get a 50 MPH boat. The 270 with the 7.4 is a bit underpowered, the 4.3's are fine. I have driven all 4 of these boats. The cooler in the 280 is stored under the sink any 280 you buy should have the cooler there. I would get a gen for sure. The 280 has much better seating. Good Luck...
 
Twins is a must for what we do. I'm not so concerned with speed as getting and staying on plane and cruise speed and range.

Twin 5.0 sounds great, but I havent seen that in my price range (sub 30k)
 
CJgipper said:
Twins is a must for what we do. I'm not so concerned with speed as getting and staying on plane and cruise speed and range.

Twin 5.0 sounds great, but I havent seen that in my price range (sub 30k)
Click to expand...
My 2003 with 350 hours, always in a covered slip, fresh water, sold for 48K just for reference...
 
When I was looking some 15 years ago I thought that having three sinks within ten feet from each other was overkill so I opted for the 270. I really like the lolypop port seat lounger to accomdate more seating. My wife sits with her feet extended every cruise.
I am predgudice but I love the layout of the 270. I have the 7.4 and unlike some, I feel it has plenty of power. I realize you wanted twins, but I can literally sit in the engine room and work on the motor. The boat is almost 30' long and handles great imo.
Good luck
 
boatrboy said:
When I was looking some 15 years ago I thought that having three sinks within ten feet from each other was overkill so I opted for the 270. I really like the lolypop port seat lounger to accomdate more seating. My wife sits with her feet extended every cruise.
I am predgudice but I love the layout of the 270. I have the 7.4 and unlike some, I feel it has plenty of power. I realize you wanted twins, but I can literally sit in the engine room and work on the motor. The boat is almost 30' long and handles great imo.
Good luck
Click to expand...

3 sinks? Ohhhh. Kitchen head and deck. Got it.

I thought the 270 lounger looked like a better and more open to everyone than the 280 little sectional. I like the 270 deck, but the 280 seems far far more popular. Just trying to figure on why
 
Last edited:
I always thought the wet bar in the cockpit was a waste of good space, but after having lived with it (we do not use it as a wet bar, making drinks and what not) It comes in really handi for quik cockpit cleanup and not having to go below to clean up after lunch, and when you are doing a cockpit wipe down it is really convenient for rinsing the rag.
 
CJgipper said:
The 98-01 270 is the 9'2" wide model, and the 01-05 280 would be the 9'5" wide model that essentially replaced the 270.
Click to expand...
FYI, the 280DA was made through 2009.

Resale? Probably a moot point. Given equal condition, the 270DA will obviously sell for less to start with. But resale value of each boat will likely adjust at the same rate.

The 280DA was very popular - part of it, no doubt, was due to the market in the years it was made.

Which is best for you? Only you can answer that. Have you actually been on either boat yet - or are you trying to figure this out based solely from a computer? Best thing is to get on 'em. Given equal power, the 280DA will plane better - but that's not to say that the 270DA has issues - it does not.

However, with your budget of under $30K, it's probably going to be hard to find a 280DA in nice condition - while you will have an easier time of finding a 270DA in better condition at that price. Which, I believe, is what WV 320 was eluding to in order to help you with your decision.
 
Lazy Daze said:
FYI, the 280DA was made through 2009.

Resale? Probably a moot point. Given equal condition, the 270DA will obviously sell for less to start with. But resale value of each boat will likely adjust at the same rate.

The 280DA was very popular - part of it, no doubt, was due to the market in the years it was made.

Which is best for you? Only you can answer that. Have you actually been on either boat yet - or are you trying to figure this out based solely from a computer? Best thing is to get on 'em. Given equal power, the 280DA will plane better - but that's not to say that the 270DA has issues - it does not.

However, with your budget of under $30K, it's probably going to be hard to find a 280DA in nice condition - while you will have an easier time of finding a 270DA in better condition at that price. Which, I believe, is what WV 320 was eluding to in order to help you with your decision.
Click to expand...

We've been on both. I think the 270 cockpit is more open and feels more connected and spacious. It also has more storage under the captains seat and such plus a place to set a large cooler at the end of the lounger. I just can't figure out the point of that wetbar. It seems to reduce space and storage without providing much extra value.

What you're saying about the years they were made makes a lot of sense. That could account for the seeming difference in popularity.

I have candidates for both the 270 and 280 in the price range. I've also considered spending a little more to get the twin 5.0L 280. Really, I think the driver for me considering the 280 is the bigger engine choices (twin 4.3 MPI and twin 5.0L).

Why would the 280 plane better with equal power when it's 10" longer, 3" wider, and 500 pounds heavier at the water?
 
Last edited:
CJgipper said:
We've been on both. I think the 270 cockpit is more open and feels more connected and spacious. It also has more storage under the captains seat and such plus a place to set a large cooler at the end of the lounger. I just can't figure out the point of that wetbar. It seems to reduce space and storage without providing much extra value.

What you're saying about the years they were made makes a lot of sense. That could account for the seeming difference in popularity.

I have candidates for both the 270 and 280 in the price range. I've also considered spending a little more to get the twin 5.0L 280. Really, I think the driver for me considering the 280 is the bigger engine choices (twin 4.3 MPI and twin 5.0L).

Why would the 280 plane better with equal power when it's 10" longer, 3" wider, and 500 pounds heavier at the water?
Click to expand...
The wet bar is simply a personal preference - some consider it a plus to have a sink to wash hands in while still up in the cockpit, some would rather a different floor plan and be fine with going down below to wash hands. This one is all personal preference - neither way is "right" or "wrong". I had a 260DA, which had basically the same cockpit as the 280DA and I liked having the sink with the storage underneath, along with the floorplan/seating it had. I kept A LOT of stuff on board and never was in need of extra storage. But again, this is ENTIRELY a personal preference thing.

For the 280DA under $30K... really check it out WELL. Full survey - both hull and mechanical (although that should be done for either boat). You might find a case where someone just needs to get out of it quickly, but for the most part, if it's under $30K it's probably not going to be in as nice of condition. Although, as noted above, location can have an impact, too.

The 280DA planes better because it has a better hull design.

In the end, you just need to indentify what's important to you, not me or anyone else. You seem like someone that looks at the fine details - maybe it would be a good idea to make a "priority" list. But be careful with - sometimes you can go insane looking at too many fine details and trying to compare all of them from one boat style to another. Sometimes, you just have to ask yourself "Which style FEELS better?"
 
Lazy Daze said:
In the end, you just need to indentify what's important to you, not me or anyone else. You seem like someone that looks at the fine details - maybe it would be a good idea to make a "priority" list. But be careful with - sometimes you can go insane looking at too many fine details and trying to compare all of them from one boat style to another. Sometimes, you just have to ask yourself "Which style FEELS better?"
Click to expand...

Yep, that's me. I cannot go by "feel". Not in my vocabulary.

Better hull design; that works for me.

I'll get a full survey on any of them, regardless of price.

My priorities are:
v berth, mid berth, and convertible dinette for our family of 5 to have room to crash
air conditioning to be able to sleep in the south (Florida, Carolinas)
Twin engine redundancy
100 mile range MINIMUM
beam 9'6" or less and total weight minus trailer under ~10500 (towing capacity)

Everything else is kind of a want. Faster? Sure. Better finishes? Sure.
 
Here is something to consider. The twin 5 liter engines will come with Bravo Three outdrives. Great drives to drive. Maintenance and repair not so much depending on location. I will say the bulk of the money we spent on mechanical work for our 280 was for the B3. One drive, twelve years easily $15k; Drive shaft, seals, gimbal bearing, transom assembly (corrosion failure), prop cleaning and tuning, bellows replacement, etc.

Given the choice, the older single aluminum prop B2 might be a better choice over the B3 stainless duo props as found on the older Sea Rays. In any event the Bravo series drives in either flavor are more complicated than the Alphas attached to the 4.3 v6 and more expensive to repair.

And on that note, do as Dennis suggests, but keep in mind you are aiming at boats that are old enough to vote. At twenty years you potentially are facing headaches, so buy the boat in the best condition you can find for your budget.
 
Henry Boyd said:
Here is something to consider. The twin 5 liter engines will come with Bravo Three outdrives. Great drives to drive. Maintenance and repair not so much depending on location. I will say the bulk of the money we spent on mechanical work for our 280 was for the B3. One drive, twelve years easily $15k; Drive shaft, seals, gimbal bearing, transom assembly (corrosion failure), prop cleaning and tuning, bellows replacement, etc.

Given the choice, the older single aluminum prop B2 might be a better choice over the B3 stainless duo props as found on the older Sea Rays. In any event the Bravo series drives in either flavor are more complicated than the Alphas attached to the 4.3 v6 and more expensive to repair.

And on that note, do as Dennis suggests, but keep in mind you are aiming at boats that are old enough to vote. At twenty years you potentially are facing headaches, so buy the boat in the best condition you can find for your budget.
Click to expand...
I get that. I'm pretty good at maintenance and repair.

I'd rather see a boat just old enough that it's had a lot of stuff replaced than not quite old enough to have had those problems. And I hate seeing one that has been sitting. Nothing ever works right on those.
 
Not a lot of 270s out there with twins......from someone that owned a 280, two things suck - the range and complete lack of storage space - sea ray used every inch of that boat for something....My 280 had twin alphas and my 300 had twin BIII - I can tell you the BIIIs required WAY more maintenance and way more $$$ (especially at 10+ years old) Alphas are WAY cheaper to replace too. I think I rather maintain a boat with two alphas instead of one with one BIII.

Look for an '06 or '07 290 - nicer looking, modern styling and 25% more fuel capacity - same dimensions as a 280
 
So I'm considering the 280's more now. Is there any noticeable difference between the 2001 4.3 TBI engines at 210HP and the 2002 4.3 MPI engines at 220HP?
 
Ididntdoit said:
Not a lot of 270s out there with twins......from someone that owned a 280, two things suck - the range and complete lack of storage space - sea ray used every inch of that boat for something....My 280 had twin alphas and my 300 had twin BIII - I can tell you the BIIIs required WAY more maintenance and way more $$$ (especially at 10+ years old) Alphas are WAY cheaper to replace too. I think I rather maintain a boat with two alphas instead of one with one BIII.

Look for an '06 or '07 290 - nicer looking, modern styling and 25% more fuel capacity - same dimensions as a 280
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. The recurrent theme of higher costs on the B3's just for a little extra speed doesn't do it in my book. If I really need more hole shot, there's always adding a blade to the props.

Those 290's are very nice, but probably a little more than I'd like to spend at this time. I bet they're much bigger inside since they aren't counting any external swim platform.
 
CJgipper said:
So I'm considering the 280's more now. Is there any noticeable difference between the 2001 4.3 TBI engines at 210HP and the 2002 4.3 MPI engines at 220HP?
Click to expand...
As far as performance is concerned? No. Maybe side-by-side in a "perfect condition" test - but no "real" difference. The MPI should be a slight bit better in terms of fuel economy... but "slight bit better" in boating terms means "not even close to being noticeable"... ;) In my opinion, I would put the EFI vs MPI thing WAY down on your priority list.
 
Lazy Daze said:
As far as performance is concerned? No. Maybe side-by-side in a "perfect condition" test - but no "real" difference. The MPI should be a slight bit better in terms of fuel economy... but "slight bit better" in boating terms means "not even close to being noticeable"... ;) In my opinion, I would put the EFI vs MPI thing WAY down on your priority list.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I figured 5% wouldn't make too much difference in the real world unless there was some other aspect I was missing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,161
Messages
1,427,497
Members
61,069
Latest member
Peter61
Back
Top