94-97 290 DA versus 98-01 270 & 290 DA

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EricW

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Mar 11, 2008
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29597
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94-97 290 DA versus 98-01 270 & 290 DA

Newbie here, looking for opinions for my next boat. I'm stepping up from my 89 220 DA to one of these 3 boats. I'm looking hard now, and hope to find my next boat within a month or two.

Cabin layout?
Cockpit layout?
Midcabin functionality?
Sleeping space of forward berth?
Performance with twin V6's?
Generator OK with twins? (space/weight)
Swim platform?

Thanks a lot,

Eric
 
We have a 2000 270 with twin 4.3's . Our boat before was a 26 ft Rinker , in the cabin we gained the dinette larger galley and a little bigger bathroom. The front V birth is a little small. We have spent up to a couple of weeks on board and the cabin layout is good.( I sometimes wonder if the 280 would have a little more space , maybe in the V birth.When we first started looking I wanted a boat with a bucket type helm seat ( Rinker had that) after being out in the 270 I really enjoy the double helm , my wife can sit with me if it is rough , or on calm days she likes the lounger on the port side.As far as the twin V6's I think they are great , with fuel fuel(100 gal) and water(65 gal) I can do 45 mph wot.I really don't think that they burn much more fuel then the Rinker with a single 5.7 We don't have the generator so I put in 2 6 volt golf cart batteries and a 1500 watt invertor. We have a 8 ft inflatable on Weaver davits and the swim platform is still ok for boarding ( port side) When we anchor the dinghy is in the water and the platform is fine
 
Thanks for the reply --

On your 2000 270, can two people fit on the helm seat? In photos, that seat looks kind of tight for 2. The flipup bolster looks like a great feature though.
 
Mostly day cruises with wife, son, and friends/relatives with kids. Some anchoring for an afternoon at the local swim spot. Occasional overnighting, maybe once a month.
 
we have a 95 290DA with twin 4.3LX and genny. with the v6's it does not sit low in the aft end like the v8's do and I can hit in the 43-45 mph(gps) range without too much fuel burn. We also have the add on swim platform (first year for it swimplatforms.com) the lsyout for 2 adults and 2 kids is great much more than that and it is crowded. We had 6 adults and 8 kids one day crusing around a local lake pulling a large tube (4 kids at a time) came up on plane fairly well as long as everyone wasnt hanging by the back at the same time. sleeping. the most so far is 4 but the kids love sleeping under the canvas in good weather. the mid birth is storage during the day and will sleep 2 adults at night well. so far we have not used the dinette for sleeping. sleeping space of the forward berth is good however the admirial will disagree. you have a sliding pad with a filler cusion that gives the birth an angle she gets the port side and complains her feet fall off. I have tried that side with no issues? looking back the only question you asked i didn't hit on was space in the engine room with twins and genny easy there is none. a mouse would concider it a small condo. I can get to most everything but it's not easy it took me hours to fill the trim tab oil one day. I just could not reach it no matter how I stood on my head.
 
The double helm seat is ok for both myself and another to sit at. The flip up bolster is great I use it alot if I need to be watching things closer ( in crowded areas , docking etc) . I know i had more engine room space with the last boat, single 5.7 but I don't think I would ever own a single again after having twins.
 
Eric, if you're looking for a nice cruiser and don't want to put any more money into the boat, I have a mint 2002 Four Winns 268 Vista. Has a single 8.1Gi Volvo Penta w/their DuoProp. Boat will cruise economically at 3400 RPM, 35 MPH. Sleeps 4 adults comfortably. I'll let it go for $38,000. No water or oil in my bilge. Call me at 631-431-6916. Eric!
 
Eric,
A late reply....
I've got a 94 270 and it's great, except for a few things and the reason I'm going with a 290.
It badly needs a genny and with one nite a month AC is a necessity if it's summer. I could take or leave a second engine, but would prefer one. I wish it had a walk thru windshield, but none have that.
Also, the galley is a one person deal. Two people in there moving around it too tight. Four people is very tight for an overnight.
Get the 290.
 
Eric,
I had a '94, 290 DA for about 3 years and have owned a '99 270 DA for 7 years. Both boats have been the single engine models, so I can't help you with questions about twins on these boats.

Here are some of my thoughts about your questions:

Cabin layout?
Pretty similar between the 2 boats. Personally, I prefer the 270 DA, for some reason it seems more open to me, however I had the dark blue interior and carpet on the 290 and I have the lighter colors on the 270, so the colors may have something to do with it.

Cockpit layout?
I prefer the 270 cockpit a lot more than the 290. I like the starboard side lounge, it provides great seating for guests who can talk with the captain, or the others in the seats behind the captain. The flip up captain seat easily holds 2 people, assuming they are not "super-sized" and enjoy each others company.

Midcabin functionality?
I prefer the 270. It is easier to access and seems just as roomy as the 290 was.

Sleeping space of forward berth?
The 290 has the edge here. The 270 V-berth is smaller. If you are 6 ft. you are going to have trouble sleeping in the 270 V-berth. Make sure you lay in the V-berth, preferably with your significant other and try it out before you buy if you are planning on sleeping up there. We always use the mid-cabin and have the kids sleep in the V-berth.

Performance with twin V6's?
Can't help you there, I was happy with the single on either of these boats and never felt the needs for twins. The 270 with it's counter-rotating props is far superior to the 290 as far as backing up or docking with a single.

Generator OK with twins? (space/weight)
Didn't have one on either boat.

Swim platform?
The 270 seems bigger and has worked out great.

As you can tell from my responses, I like my 270 more than my 290, which is probaby why I have had it longer and still have no desire to sell it. Inbetween the 290 and 270, I owned a '97 330 with V-drives. That is a great boat, but more than we needed for just cruising to resturants and going on day cruises.

Good luck, you won't be disappointed with either boat.
 
i looked outside today at 270,280,290 , i liked the 280 outside best
ive not been inside one yet,what years have the counter rotation props?
is your 270 at 8.6 or a 9.2 beam, do singles have the wider beam?
it looks like the 280 is just a few inches wider then a 270
is the 280 post lounge ax from the cockpit bigger or straighter on a 270 vrs a 280?
is there a ice maker on the 280? outside
 
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