New member in Minnesota

[scca60]

Hello from the frozen north! I've been lurking for a while and soaking up the great information on this forum.

We just moved up from a 19 foot deck boat to our 270DA last year and couldn't be happier with the move. The quality of this 12 year old boat is amazing.

So far I've only had to replace a bum float switch in the shower sump and re-attach the hot water heater hoses that were not tightened enough to engage the compression fitting. The boat wanders a fair amount at idle speed, and there seems to be a bit of play in the steering. I'm not sure if it is the gimble, cables, or if this is just normal for a boat this size.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and thank everyone for the information they provide here.

Here's the gang hanging out on the St. Croix in warmer times...

 

[chuck1]

Mike,
Welcome aboard! Thank for putting your info in the signature sections. That sure is one good looking boat. Sure looks like everybody was having fun!

 

[Shining]

Welcome aboard Mike.
Nice boat.:thumbsup:

 

[beerman]

Welcome aboard. Nice looking boat.

 

[Sundancer]

Welcome aboard! The wander at idle is normal for a boat. You'll anticipate and adjust and pretty soon you won't even notice the wander. We all have it especially the single engine V's!!

 

[teekster]

Welcome, nice to see another tundra boater!

 

[Half Off]

Welcome Mike. Great looking boat. We are talking about making a trip up to the St. Croix next summer, I hear it's beautiful up there.

 

[Stray Cat]

Welcome from down river! I had a 270 for 7 years and also fell in love with that boat. After 5 years my steering developed more than acceptable play from side to side of the outdrive. The steering pin egged out the hole on the gimbal ring. After I had it all replaced it was much tighter, but I didn't notice any difference in the boats handling.

Great area to boat in. Been to Stillwater twice. We would like to attend the lumberjack festival thing....Have you ever been to it?

 

[dpvandy01]

DAMN:smt021......................................:smt021 first post and already knows how to put a bigger photo on the board. AM I JUST STUPID?????????????:huh::huh::huh:

on second thought don't answer that

 

[chuck1]

DAMN:smt021......................................:smt021 first post and already knows how to put a bigger photo on the board. AM I JUST STUPID?????????????:huh::huh::huh:

on second thought don't answer that

We would never think of answer it:lol::smt043:lol:

By the way, it is one sweet photo he "linked" to. That is what SeaRay Boating is all about. One big happy family having a good time.

ps: Linked is the key to bigger photos on the board.

 

[SCFinch]

Welcome aboard Mike- The St. Croix is beautiful water to travel to. I hope to make it up there again in the next couple of years.

 

[jimdavi]

Just purchased a new 2007 320 dancer and looking for a good slip deal, preferably on the Croix. any ideas?

 

[scca60]

Wow! Thanks for the welcome! I go away for a day, and my thread goes to two pages.

Half Off: It truly is a perfect boating area. It was one of the reasons we moved from a 19 footer to the 270DA...we wanted to be able to overnight in the national park area north of Stillwater.

Jeff: I love the 270DA. It's just the right size. It on the trailer, yet never feels cramped. I'll have to check the steering linkage, because I really think the excess play is adding to the wandering problem. I can move the outdrive an inch or so each way with the helm held tight. I have not yet spent Lumberjack days on the St. Croix (we got the 270 in late August last year). I hear it is a lot of fun though.

Lt. Dan: I wish I could take credit for some super secret interweb trick, but I just linked it to my ftp site that I get from Charter

Chuck1: You are absolutely correct! The photo is from the first day we took out the boat and I was still smarting from writing the check for my first big boat. After taking taking the photo, I just stood back and realized what a bargin it was.

jimdavi: St. Croix slips appear (at least to me) to be pretty expensive. The area between Stillwater and Afton seem to be the most expensive. An example of the higher end is Bayport Marina or St. Croix Marina (in Hudson). We've stayed overnight at both and they have fantastic amenities. Annual rental for a 40' is around $5000. The cheaper end is at Boomsite or River park marina. A basic 40' slip is around $3800. These prices are why I'm keeping the boat on the trailer in the dry storage at River Park in Bayport. Unlimited launch and retreval, use of their "yard" trucks for launching, and outdoor winter storage for $1450 annual.

Thanks again for making me feel welcome. When things get warmer, we should plan a St. Croix/Mississippi get together!

 

[teekster]

Wow! Although those slip fees are a lot, they are about half of what they are getting on Lake Minnetonka.

 

[River Rat]

Welcome, nice looking boat. You must be on the St. Croix on a weekday.

 

[scca60]

Welcome, nice looking boat. You must be on the St. Croix on a weekday.

Actually It's a Saturday in late August 07. If you head north of Stillwater (and watch your charts and depthfinder), you'll find lots of "private" beaches on the islands. Since anything over 30" has a hard time navigating up there it's not very crowded, especially for overnighting.