www.iFourWinns.com

So vista owners tell me what you think about this Searay Sundancer DA 270. Just looking but I need to know the pro's / con's of the Sundancer even thou I love the Vista. This is on ebay item - 230382545195

This boat is not far from me maybe 70 miles so I can go look at it within the next few days. I like the condition, big block, A/C, genset, etc

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... X:IT#v4-36

Thanks!!!

Hey FW -

From the listing, it looks like an exceptionally clean boat for a '99 (assuming they are recent pictures, something I would inquire about). To get some first-hand feedback on that specific model, I would encourage you to check out Club Sea Ray. Just do a search before diving in with your questions. CSR members are, not surprisingly, very brand loyal, but if you're asking for specific feedback on that year/model you'll probably get more valuable info than if you ask for a comparison to other brands. Regardless of the brand, there are those who would suggest a single engine boat of those dimensions/hull style can be a bear to handle at the docks or in close quarters.

Let us know what you learn!

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

We looked long and hard at the 270 Sundancers (not the special edition, which is an 8'6" beam and much like the 260).

We liked:

A lot of boat for a very reasonable price ... and that was even before "the crash"!

Lots of seating in the cockpit

Dual helm seat (sort of)

The port side dinette, plus a forward berth/dinette ... you can have the dinette up all the time!

Fairly large galley area

Good size mid-cabin

21 degree deadrise and a sharp forward entry .... good for rougher conditions

No arch .... a plus for trailering



Negatives:

A little more rocking at rest with the high deadrise

No cockpit refreshment center (of course our 268 Vista does not have this either)

Technically oversize to tow (I would not have worried about this, with a single engine and just a few inches over the limit)

A little dated looking

Hard to find with heat/AC

Don't think we saw any with generators

Slightly less fuel efficient due to the deadrise and the older engine management.

Don't consider anything other than the 7.4 engine. No Volvos available, just Merc. Make sure it's a B-3.


The one you are looking at seems to be VERY nice .... ALL the bells and whistles and very clean looking. Nice trailer too!

I want it!

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Two years ago, that boat would have gone for an easy $55,000.

We were looking in the $35K to $50K range. A common mid-hours unit with no heat/AC, no gen, with trailer, would be from $35K to $45K depending on year, overall condition, hours, options. They were hard to find on trailers with no bottom paint.

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Gordon / Sierra - great feedback!!! Thanks

I will let you know if I can get a look at it.

Pay close attention to the B3 drive as they tend to have corrosion issues! Otherwise nice boats. I found when shopping that the Sea Rays tend to be more dated than the FW

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Nice Boat with everything that you need. I like the forward birth. You don't have to mess with the table. Boat appears to be in excellent condition with a very nice trailer. I would look at it in person and try to find out what he wants for this boat. Survey would be required by me if I were buying the boat.

_________________
2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

I didn't see any problems on the one I looked at, with the B3 and corrosion, as long as the boat was a fresh water unit and did not live in the water all the time, and the anodes were kept in good shape (and were of the proper type for the water it's used in).

Your Excursion would pull it quite nicely, too!

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Pay no more than $28K for that 270DA.

Here is one in Holland , Mi , loaded and has twin 4.3L V-6's (more desirable)
http://ads.boatboss.com/135_Detroit/175 ... S_270.html

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I just noticed that you are comparing this Sea Ray with the 278 Vista in your previous post. Of course I would rather have that Vista but it will cost you another 30 grand. I would listen to Cap'n Morgan about the twin motors. It will be much easier to dock. Or you can do what I do. Sound several loud blasts and yell for everyone to run for their lives before I put her in there.

Well it was close to that when I first had the opportunity to dock my boat.

_________________
2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

I had a '92 Sundancer 270 before we bought our 298 Vista. Hands down I will never buy a boat without the walk through windshield again. I feel much safer personally, and for members of my family with the walk through.

I don't think Sea Ray offers walk through windshields on many, if any, of their express cruisers.

If that's important for you, its something to consider.

Nice looking boat though!

_________________
1999 Four Winns Vista 298, 5.0 VP DP
Goosepond Marina
Lake Guntersville
Scottsboro, Alabama

Looking at the pictures it looks like this one has a walk-through windshield, albeit with the steps on the cabin door.

_________________
Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

Agreed on the importance of a walk-through. This boat does have one with the steps molded into the cabin door. Sea Ray lost me as a 340 Sundancer buyer because that was among the features missing on my "must-have" list. The 340's replacement has one. That's one of the things that's so appealing about the V408 - you don't lose out on the walk-through because of the hard-top and their design is great.

But back to this 270... Where's your head at FW?

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I have never seen a pocket cruiser without a walk through windshield.

Oh, I just noticed that you had an old boat, I see older boats with out, but not new ones.

_________________
2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm not really comparing the Searay to the Vista that I was looking at in the other post. That Vista owner hasn't sent me any up to date pictures and he isn't coming off his price. I was mainly looking for comparisons between this Searay and Vista. All of your inputs really helped.

This Searay isn't looking good right now. I requested twice to come look at it and they are not responding with a date and time. I think they want to wait until auction end. They have 0 reviews and seem hesitant as far as viewing the boat. My 742 reviews tells me .....view the boat first.

They did say they have a lot INVESTED but they would not disclose the reserve price. I'm not sure any boat or upgrades are an investment but we will see how it goes. No deposit required so I may win it and then go look.