Sea Ray 270 Sundancer (1994-97, 1999)
Built 1994–1999 by Sea Ray Boats
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About the Sea Ray 270 Sundancer (1994-97, 1999)
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1994–1999
- Builder
- Sea Ray Boats
- Length
- 29.92 ft
- Beam
- 8.5 ft
- Draft
- 3 ft
- Displacement
- 6,400 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- planing
- Propulsion
- sterndrive
- Fuel
- 100 gal
- Water
- 24 gal
- Holding
- 28 gal
- Water heater
- 6 gal · AC + engine · standard
- Generator
- factory option
- Bow thruster
- not fitted
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 100 gal
“Fuel Capacity (Gallons) 100 / (Liters) 378.5” — brochure (1996), rnr-marine.com · “100 gal (378.5 L)” — brochure (1999), rnr-marine.comSea Ray's own 1996 spec sheet (a scan posted by a dealer) gives 100 gal. The 1999 spec sheet also says 100 gal but describes a different hull (9'2" beam, 21-degree deadrise, 7,500 lb) from the 8'6"-beam 1994-97 boat.
-
Water 24 gal
“Water Capacity (Gallons) 24 / (Liters) 90.8” — brochure (1996), rnr-marine.com · “28 gal (106 L)” — brochure (1999), rnr-marine.comThe builder's 1996 spec sheet confirms 24 gal for the 8'6"-beam boat. The 1999 sheet's 28 gal belongs to the wider 9'2" hull, so it does not apply to the 8'6"-beam boat.
-
Holding 28 gal
“Holding Tank - Opt. (Gallons) 28 / (Liters) 106” — brochure (1996), rnr-marine.com · “28-Gallon holding tank” — search excerpt (1995), executiveboatandyacht.comThe builder's 1996 spec sheet lists a 28-gal holding tank as an option; the standard head was a portable toilet with pump-out. This replaces the 20 gal we listed before (from the HMY powerboat guide). A 1995 listing agrees with 28.
-
Water heater 6 gal · AC + engine · standard
“Pressure Water System & 6-Gallon Water Heater w/Exchanger” — builder (1999), rnr-marine.com · “Hot Water System/Exchanger (120V/60 Cycle)” — builder (1996), rnr-marine.comListed under standard equipment on both the 1996 and 1999 Sea Ray spec sheets; capacity is stated only on the 1999 sheet.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster not fitted
“Features and Standard Equipment ... Options/Accessories (full lists; no thruster listed)” — brochure (1996), rnr-marine.com · “Standard equipment, Individual Options and OPTIONS/ACCESSORIES lists (no thruster listed)” — brochure (1999), rnr-marine.comSea Ray's 1996 and 1999 spec sheets give complete standard-equipment and option lists; neither includes a bow thruster.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
“Features and Standard Equipment ... Options/Accessories (full lists; no thruster listed)” — brochure (1996), rnr-marine.com · “Standard equipment and OPTIONS/ACCESSORIES lists (no thruster listed)” — brochure (1999), rnr-marine.comNo stern thruster in either year's full standard and option lists.
-
Steering unknown
“Power Steering / Tilt Steering” — brochure (1996), rnr-marine.com · “Power Steering / Tilt Steering” — brochure (1999), rnr-marine.comBuilder spec sheets list power steering (power assist at the sterndrive) and a tilt helm as standard, but don't say whether the helm connects by cable or hydraulics, so no steering type is shown.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on standard engine, 7.4L hp — left blank rather than guessed.
Solid fiberglass deep-V (20 deg) hull shared with the previous 270; 8.5 ft beam makes it trailerable. Not built in 1998; returned for 1999 as the 270 Sundancer Special Edition. LOA includes pulpit; draft 1.9 ft drive up. Sterndrive maintenance items (bellows, gimbal bearing, risers) apply as on other MerCruiser I/O cruisers.
Engines fitted
-
MerCruiser 7.4L V8 sterndrive (Bravo II / Bravo III) — 330 hp, gas, single
standard
HMY gives a single 330 hp 7.4L; owners say it became standard for 1996-97 (optional before) and report 300 hp 7.4L Bravo II boats, matching JD Power's 300 hp spec for 1994.Sources: hmy.com · clubsearay.com · jdpower.com
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MerCruiser 5.7L V8 sterndrive (Bravo II) — gas, single
standard
Owners in the Club Sea Ray model thread say the 5.7 Bravo II was base power in 1994-95 and again on the 1998-99 Special Edition.Sources: clubsearay.com
-
MerCruiser 4.3L V6 sterndrive (twin) — 190 hp, gas, twin
factory option
Twin 4.3s were an option in 1994-97 per owners; twins and diesels were dropped for the Special Edition. The 190 hp rating comes from search-result snippets only, not a page read.Sources: clubsearay.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
factory option
“Generators - Remote Start w/Muffler ... 120V/60 Cycle 4.0 kW Kohler Gas” — builder (1999), rnr-marine.com
The 1996 spec sheet's option list offers air conditioning but no generator, so the generator option is confirmed for 1999 only.
-
Kohler — 4 kW, gas
factory option
US 120V/60 Hz option; the 220V/50 Hz export boats got a 3.5 kW Kohler gas set instead.“120V/60 Cycle 4.0 kW Kohler Gas; 220V/50 Cycle (Int'l) 3.5 kW Kohler Gas” — builder (1999), rnr-marine.com
Generators are often replaced or added — check the unit's own plate before ordering parts.
Manuals and brochures online
- Document Sea Ray Documents & Manuals library (spec sheets and owner's manuals searchable by model and year, 1960-2027) — searay.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
No well-sourced problem reports found yet.
Engines & parts
MerCruiser 7.4 (454) V8 gas parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “MerCruiser 7.4L V8 sterndrive (Bravo II / Bravo III)”
GM big-block base; Marine Engine Depot and others sell 7.4 L engines and parts, and cast-iron riser kits run a few hundred dollars. Manifold and riser replacement is the main recurring expense.
Parts sources: Marine Engine Depot, Power Boat Supply
Common problems (2)
-
Manifold and riser corrosion exhaust
As with other gas marine V8s, internally rusted manifolds and risers can let water into the engine; periodic replacement is standard practice.powerandmotoryacht.com
-
Rough running and won't rev under load fuel
Common troubleshooting threads trace this to fuel delivery (filters, pump, carburetor) or ignition timing problems.justanswer.com · youtube.com
Maker’s service schedule (8)
| Engine oil & filter change | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Most four-stroke outboards and sterndrive engines require an oil change either annually or every 100 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “The fuel filter on your engine should be inspected or replaced per the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, usua” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 300 hrs or 3 yrs | “How often should my seawater pump impeller be serviced? Every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Spark plugs inspect / replace | 300 hrs or 3 yrs | “How often should spark plugs be changed? Every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test closed (freshwater) cooling only | 5 yrs | “How often should coolant be changed on engines with closed cooling? Every 5 years.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Transmission fluid change sterndrive gear lube | 1 yr | “Gearcase lubricant in outboard and sterndrive lower units should also be changed annually or at the service interval spe” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Lubricate steering linkage and check power-steering fluid sterndrive | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Mercury Marine recommends lubricating the steering linkage and checking the power steering fluid level in ... MerCruiser” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Check power trim fluid level sterndrive | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Power trim and tilt fluid level should be checked annually or every 100 hours.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
Service part numbers (4)
| Oil filter | Mercury Quicksilver 35-866340Q03 | “Part number: 866340Q03 ... for MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard engines except V6 engines with the oil filter mounted o” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com · “14957 FILTER, Oil (1 required per assembly) ... 35-866340Q03 - Oil Filter” — dealer, marineengine.com |
| Fuel filter carbureted engines (Rochester 4-barrel): filter inside carburetor fuel inlet |
Mercury 53336T | “For use on MerCruiser 3.0L, 4.3L, 5.0L , 5.7L and 7.4L engines with Rochester 2- and 4-barrel and MerCarb” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Bravo sterndrive / inboard with pre-2000 engine-mounted plastic sea water pump |
Mercury Quicksilver 47-59362Q01 Also: Sierra 18-3087 |
“For MerCruiser engines with engine mounted, 2-piece, plastic sea water pumps.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com · “Included water Pump Impeller 59362Q01 fits Pre-2000 plastic seawater sea pumps. WILL NOT work on newer (2000+)” — dealer, midnightmarine.net |
| Thermostat standard cooling, 160 F |
Mercury Quicksilver 807252Q5 | “Thermostat 807252Q5 is for V6 and V8 MerCruiser engines ... made by General Motors (model year 1987-2016)” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
MerCruiser 5.0 (305) / 5.7 (350) V8 gas parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “MerCruiser 5.7L V8 sterndrive (Bravo II)”
GM small-block Chevrolet base engines, so internal parts are everywhere. Marine exhaust manifolds and risers for 1983–2002 small blocks are sold by many aftermarket makers (Sierra, Barr, Osco and others) through Power Boat Supply, Hardin Marine, Basic Power Industries and similar stores; Mercury sells genuine parts through dealers.
Parts sources: Power Boat Supply, Hardin Marine, Basic Power Industries
Common problems (2)
-
Manifold/riser failure and water in cylinders exhaust
Cast-iron manifolds and risers rust internally or their gaskets fail, letting water back into the cylinders; small amounts cause hard starting and rough running, large amounts hydrolock and wreck the engine. Service roughly every 7 years in fresh water and about 5 in salt.powerandmotoryacht.com · forums.iboats.com · justanswer.com
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Overheating from scaled manifolds cooling
Rust and scale inside the manifolds restrict cooling flow and cause overheating under load.powerandmotoryacht.com
Maker’s service schedule (8)
| Engine oil & filter change | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Most four-stroke outboards and sterndrive engines require an oil change either annually or every 100 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “The fuel filter on your engine should be inspected or replaced per the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, usua” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 300 hrs or 3 yrs | “How often should my seawater pump impeller be serviced? Every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Spark plugs inspect / replace | 300 hrs or 3 yrs | “How often should spark plugs be changed? Every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test closed (freshwater) cooling only | 5 yrs | “How often should coolant be changed on engines with closed cooling? Every 5 years.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Transmission fluid change sterndrive gear lube | 1 yr | “Gearcase lubricant in outboard and sterndrive lower units should also be changed annually or at the service interval spe” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Lubricate steering linkage and check power-steering fluid sterndrive | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Mercury Marine recommends lubricating the steering linkage and checking the power steering fluid level in ... MerCruiser” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Check power trim fluid level sterndrive | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Power trim and tilt fluid level should be checked annually or every 100 hours.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
Service part numbers (6)
| Oil filter | Mercury Quicksilver 35-866340Q03 | “Part number: 866340Q03 ... for MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard engines except V6 engines with the oil filter mounted o” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com · “Includes: Oil Filter Oil Filter 866340Q03 Fuel Filter 802893Q01 ...” — dealer, midnightmarine.net |
| Fuel filter carbureted engines (Rochester 2-/4-barrel, MerCarb 2-barrel): filter inside carburetor fuel inlet |
Mercury 53336T | “For use on MerCruiser 3.0L, 4.3L, 5.0L , 5.7L and 7.4L engines with Rochester 2- and 4-barrel and MerCarb” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Fuel filter MPI engines with Gen III cool fuel module (filter page: 2004 and newer; kit page: 2002 and newer) |
Mercury Quicksilver 35-8M0093688 | “Fits 2004 and newer Mercury/MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard engines with Gen III (3) fuel cooler” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Bravo sterndrive and inboard engines with engine-mounted sea water pump (2-piece plastic pump per Mercury) |
Mercury Quicksilver 47-59362Q01 Also: Sierra 18-3087 |
“For MerCruiser engines with engine mounted, 2-piece, plastic sea water pumps.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com · “Water Pump Impeller 59362Q01” — dealer, midnightmarine.net |
| Thermostat standard cooling, 160 F |
Mercury Quicksilver 807252Q5 | “Thermostat 807252Q5 is for V6 and V8 MerCruiser engines ... made by General Motors (model year 1987-2016)” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| 100-hour maintenance kit (oil filter, fuel filter, drive seals) MPI engines with Gen III cool fuel module (2002 and newer) |
Mercury 8M0147053 | “Mercury 8M0147053 MerCruiser 5.0L, 5.7L, 6.2L, 8.1L and 8.2L V8 MPI ... 100 Hour Maintenance Kit” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Model sources (5)
hmy.com · clubsearay.com · jdpower.com · rnr-marine.com · rnr-marine.com
Other Sea Ray models
- Sea Ray 300 Sundancer (1994-97) 1994–1997
- Sea Ray 330 Sundancer (1995-99) 1995–1999
- Sea Ray 340 Sundancer (1999-2002) 1999–2002
- Sea Ray 370 Sedan Bridge 1991–1997
- Sea Ray 380 Sundancer (1999-2003) 1999–2003
- Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge 1996–2003
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.