Brandon270DA
New Member
- Sep 2, 2019
- 26
- Boat Info
- 1998 270 Sundancer DA "Wide"
- Engines
- 7.4L (454) Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drive
I've been around boats all my life but finally have one to call my own. Came across a 1998 270DA that was too good of a deal to let slide. It was poorly described, wrong year, didn't have any options listed and had bad pictures. PO passed and his wife doesn't have many answers, some pieces missing and some title issues but the boat is awesome - and most importantly my Admiral is on board with the purchase.
Now I just need to break it to my dad that 1) my boat is 1 foot longer than his Albemarle and 2) it isn't an offshore fishing boat. I have 4 kids, access to fishing boat and live 2 miles from the IC so a Cruiser fit the bill.
The boat is in good shape. Knew I had a good deal when I saw the generator, cruise air, heat, 3 batteries, and condition of the interior. I can handle all the cosmetics (scrub, remove mildew, compound, polish, seal, bottom paint) and most mechanical but need some help with specific boat things. I've read all 26 pages of the late 90's 270 thread and 100 other threads. New Burl instruments blanks and switches are ordered from Flouder Pounder. I want the matching steering wheel, too but $300 is steep when its a fairly generic piece (even if they don't look as nice as his).
First, the boat was last run in December 2018. It has been kept in a dry storage for 11 years by PO. It has bottom paint so must have been in the water at some point. It was probably winterized in 2018 and probably had non-ethanol fuel from the marina. I knew the 7.4 needed a water pump and that is getting fixed this week. Mechanic is going to look at risers while he's in there. I haven't started the boat but it turns over when I bump it. Figure I'd need to change the fuel, oil and maybe some bravo iii maintenance. 255hrs on motor according to gauge on dash. Any bullet point tips about what to do before I break something would be helpful! Same for the generator. I've never had one of these but they look fun. It bumps but figure I should change some fluids in it somewhere first and get it in the water. 155hrs on it. Can I run it while out of the water? I imagine it gets water from a separate thru-hull from the engine.
I'm missing the aft table. I've seen where I can buy aftermarkets but would like to find OEM the sunpad. Any help with this? What other years fit?
The boat came with (not in great condition) visors, sides, camper sides and camper aft curtain from Great Lakes. It, however, DID NOT have the frame/bows and bimini top or camper frame/bows and top. I don't want to drop $2000 on at top from RNR but I'd really like something to block the sun on the cockpit...and they are on sale for 2 more days.
With the batteries charged, everything in the boat turned on except the horn (maybe runs off compressed air from motor...) and the radio. Couldn't find any way to get the Clarion to power on.
There is one piece of cockpit carpet for the little step down. Again, Great Lakes, snap down but the rest of it is gone. I'm looking at getting the carpet, laying it out myself and having the edges sewn if the snaps are already in the boat. Can't remember right now.
The center section of the windshield is about and inch too wide when closed. Found this while cleaning yesterday. Didn't notice it when I bought it. Not sure if this was a replacement from another boat or if the sides are bent.
The bilge needs to be cleaned. A fair number of stress cracks in fiberglass in cockpit edges. No soft spots and stringers look good.
Hopefully, I can get some hours on the water before it gets cold! Always wanted to do the run from Coinjock Marina up to Norfolk Waterside and up the Chesapeake Bay - Maybe National Harbor or Annapolis.
Now I just need to break it to my dad that 1) my boat is 1 foot longer than his Albemarle and 2) it isn't an offshore fishing boat. I have 4 kids, access to fishing boat and live 2 miles from the IC so a Cruiser fit the bill.
The boat is in good shape. Knew I had a good deal when I saw the generator, cruise air, heat, 3 batteries, and condition of the interior. I can handle all the cosmetics (scrub, remove mildew, compound, polish, seal, bottom paint) and most mechanical but need some help with specific boat things. I've read all 26 pages of the late 90's 270 thread and 100 other threads. New Burl instruments blanks and switches are ordered from Flouder Pounder. I want the matching steering wheel, too but $300 is steep when its a fairly generic piece (even if they don't look as nice as his).
First, the boat was last run in December 2018. It has been kept in a dry storage for 11 years by PO. It has bottom paint so must have been in the water at some point. It was probably winterized in 2018 and probably had non-ethanol fuel from the marina. I knew the 7.4 needed a water pump and that is getting fixed this week. Mechanic is going to look at risers while he's in there. I haven't started the boat but it turns over when I bump it. Figure I'd need to change the fuel, oil and maybe some bravo iii maintenance. 255hrs on motor according to gauge on dash. Any bullet point tips about what to do before I break something would be helpful! Same for the generator. I've never had one of these but they look fun. It bumps but figure I should change some fluids in it somewhere first and get it in the water. 155hrs on it. Can I run it while out of the water? I imagine it gets water from a separate thru-hull from the engine.
I'm missing the aft table. I've seen where I can buy aftermarkets but would like to find OEM the sunpad. Any help with this? What other years fit?
The boat came with (not in great condition) visors, sides, camper sides and camper aft curtain from Great Lakes. It, however, DID NOT have the frame/bows and bimini top or camper frame/bows and top. I don't want to drop $2000 on at top from RNR but I'd really like something to block the sun on the cockpit...and they are on sale for 2 more days.
With the batteries charged, everything in the boat turned on except the horn (maybe runs off compressed air from motor...) and the radio. Couldn't find any way to get the Clarion to power on.
There is one piece of cockpit carpet for the little step down. Again, Great Lakes, snap down but the rest of it is gone. I'm looking at getting the carpet, laying it out myself and having the edges sewn if the snaps are already in the boat. Can't remember right now.
The center section of the windshield is about and inch too wide when closed. Found this while cleaning yesterday. Didn't notice it when I bought it. Not sure if this was a replacement from another boat or if the sides are bent.
The bilge needs to be cleaned. A fair number of stress cracks in fiberglass in cockpit edges. No soft spots and stringers look good.
Hopefully, I can get some hours on the water before it gets cold! Always wanted to do the run from Coinjock Marina up to Norfolk Waterside and up the Chesapeake Bay - Maybe National Harbor or Annapolis.