Help on cruiser purchase in 26-27ft size!

[Blind Date]

Is it the bow-pulpit that's leaking or the anchor locker? What year, make and model of boat? The Bomar hatch started leaking on my SeaRay and it was nothing more than an O-ring in one of the dogs used to latch it closed. Cost me a $1 to fix.

 

[cruisetheh2o]

Im thinking the pulpit - its an 89 Formula cruiser. Not sure whats involved fixing a leaking pulpit?

 

[Blind Date]

If the pulpit is mounted onto the deck versus integrated like my 250 Sundancer, I would think it's leaking though the mounting points. Still those would be well ahead of the cabin. My Larson Hampton had a bow pulpit that was an option on that boat so the deck was drilled into when it was installed at the factory. Still any leaking around it would have ended up in the anchor locker. I suspect the small bulkhead dividing the anchor locker and the v-'berth inside is where the problem is.

But I could be wrong. I am all the time, just ask my wife & kids!......LOL

 

[cruisetheh2o]

Help with final decision on cruiser for wife and I!!!!

Ok we have narrowed down to these cruisers, what would you go with if the decision was left to you guys. Would love to know!

95 Sundancer 27 5.7 Bravo 3
97 Sundancer 27 7.4 Bravo 3
96 Bayliner Ciera 2855 7.4 Bravo 3
97 Maxum 2800 7.4 Bravo 3
95 Maxum 2700 7.4 Bravo 3
95 Carver 26 5.7 Bravo 3
90 Formula 26Pc 7.4 Bravo 1

 

[GA_Boater]

Pick the boat with a Bravo.

Moved this back into your Help On Cruiser Purchase thread. Why start all over with the same questions from those helping you?

 

[cruisetheh2o]

Oh very sorry forgot i had this thread. They all have a Bravo LOL?

 

[jbcurt00]

Have you actually SEEN any of them in person.

They will all have used boat issues, which has the least problems for the price?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Well I'd look at the carver first....

Again tho it's all about condition, next a layout that you like....

You aren't likely to find ANYONE with personal experience with several different boats you want to look at... One guy who had a boat similar to x and loved it, another who had one like xx and hated it, another had the exact same one as xxx but the p/o hadn't taken care of it so it was junk, and yet another had one like xxxx but his wife hated the color......

Your question is unanswerable in the way you want it answered.
I know you think we aren't getting your question or that the right person hasn't responded yet but that just isn't the case.

Look at a bunch of them till you come across the one that you fall in love with the condition and layout, make sure the power/drive is up to snuff... Show us the add/details n pics, get it surveyed and if all is well, buy it.

 

[four winns 214]

As has been said many different ways (and many times), with the age of boat and price point you're at, it's all about condition, condition, condition of hull, engine and drive. Then think about layout and amenities.

 

[cruisetheh2o]

All of these boats are in the same very nice used condition. Used but not abused lets put it that way. I am really narrowing in on these 3 boats - a 97 Sundancer 270 with 7.4 B3 and 496 hours, a 94 Sundancer 5.7 B3 - new motor and drive, and a 97 Maxum 2800 7.4 B3 (new drive) I think the Maxum is the largest with a 9'7 beam. All of these come with a trailer but I think the sea rays would be easier to trailer if needed to take to other lakes etc? Worried on the 94 with the 5.7 that might be too small of a motor for that boat? Which of these boats will hold up more over time - Sea Ray or Maxum?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Hold up over time.... If they start out in the same condition and are cared for the same... In 30 years they will be in the same condition still....

The big block boats will obviously be faster but a single small block is plenty of motor if you aren't worried about top speed.... Likely an 8-10 mph difference.

As for trailering distance... A few inches or even a foot of beam make absolutely no difference in difficulty but could make a difference in legality... Anything over 8'6" requires permits.... While I have been towing my 10'6" beam wellcraft for years without permits and without issue it IS a gamble and it only takes one hard nose cop to make it a really bad day.... Check with your state and any others you would likely be towing in. They may have a recreational permit for cheap or you may be exempt with a boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

BTW sea ray, maxum, bayliner, and more are all built by the same company if that tells you anything.

What will last longer, a ford taurus or a mercury sable?

 

[Slip Away]

BTW sea ray, maxum, bayliner, and more are all built by the same company if that tells you anything.

What will last longer, a ford taurus or a mercury sable?

BTW, Maxum is no longer made. Brunswick stopped production several years ago.

Go with the 1997 Sea Ray 270DA. That boat needs the 7.4L and will be very seaworthy.

 

[psousa]

Regarding Maxum, never decides based on arguments like 'discontinued' (2009, by the way), 'Brunswick group part', etc. After reading TONS of things like that, I decided to bought a 99 Maxum 1900 SC and it was an amazing decision. I sold it only because I want a cruiser boat (around 25 foot) for the next boating season (and also because I sold it with profit ). Every parts are Perko, Bomar, Faria and other well known brands, therefore, acceptable quality stuff and all replaceable (all brands are still in the market). Original vinyl and cushions, in perfect conditions in spite of 15 years old (good quality materials)! Just saying...

 

[Blind Date]

I'd stay away from the 270 w/5.7. That's quite a bit more boat than my 250 and I'd want a BB. I didn't know they even offered that boat with a 5.7 - too small of a motor for that package. SeaRay sold a lot of those 270's which should tell you something. And you should be abe to find a nice one if your patient and/or willing to travel. Sounds like you figuring out what you want/like and then finding one worth buying. That's the right way to do it, not the other way around.

The SeaRay should hold its value better than the Maxum and be easier to sell when the time comes.

Compare the quality of the deck hatches and port windows between the SeaRay and Maxum. Also grab a West Marine catalogue and see how much prices can vary on these components. Then tell me what boat you think will hold up better over the years.

 

[smokeonthewater]

As I said before cheap stuff will be obvious.... These are 20-30 year old boats.... If hatches, windows, etc are crappy el cheapo stuff they will show that upon inspection... Try EVERYTHING on the boat... Every cabinet, valve, hatch, switch, and accy....

 

[Slip Away]

It appears like the OP got enough info at iBoats to move his questions to "The Authority" :lol:

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php...-270-Questions

Looks like our work on this post is done....

 

[smokeonthewater]

Well at least he'll finally have someone who can tell him which brand is better lol.....

 

[RGrew176]

Ok we have narrowed down to these cruisers, what would you go with if the decision was left to you guys. Would love to know!

95 Sundancer 27 5.7 Bravo 3
97 Sundancer 27 7.4 Bravo 3
96 Bayliner Ciera 2855 7.4 Bravo 3
97 Maxum 2800 7.4 Bravo 3
95 Maxum 2700 7.4 Bravo 3
95 Carver 26 5.7 Bravo 3
90 Formula 26Pc 7.4 Bravo 1

Any of the boats that have the Bravo III drive. You will love the handling of the dual/prop drive. It beats any single prop I/O hands down. If you do end up with the 27 Sundancer you will love the 7.4 Bravo III combo. I had a 1997 Bayliner 2855 Ciera with the 7.4 Bravo III and I absolutely loved how the boat handled. Also, it topped out at 51 MPH according to the GPS. I generally cruised around 30 MPH with that engine/drive combo.

Sometimes I wish I had kept that boat.