Beam: 9’1″
Draft: 1’3″ (motor up)
Displacement: 3,500 lb. (without power)
Transom Deadrise: 17 degrees
Bridge Clearance: 6’0″ (without top)
Fuel Capacity: 100 gal.
Max Horsepower: 450
Available Power: Single or twin Mercury or Yamaha outboards to 450 hp
More Information: seaveeboats.com
SeaVee’s new bay boat is a stretch — both figuratively and literally. At 27 feet in length, the 270Z Bay is the largest model in the category (also the smallest boat in SeaVee’s stable). Its sweeping sheer line stands in contrast to the low-profile foredecks associated with bay boats.
Yet the elevated casting platforms reflect the bay boat genre. Measuring 92 inches wide and 78 inches along the centerline, the foredeck is expansive. The aft casting platform measures 98 inches wide and 42 inches along the centerline. Diamond nonskid assures traction. There’s no motor splashwell; the outboard mounts on a SeaStar hydraulic jack plate.
All 17 hatches are resin-transfer-infused for a smooth underside finish. Among the lockers are fore and aft pressurized livewells (24 and 30 gallons), an anchor locker, a pair of 75-gallon fish boxes in the bow, two rod lockers that will accept 9-foot sticks, a 107-gallon forward dry storage compartment and a pair of 17-gallon release wells in the aft deck.
The helm leaning post will accommodate two, while two others can rest in a jump seat with a backrest that lifts up from the aft casting platform. A seat forward of the center-console has a 17-gallon cooler below.
The 31-inch helm panel on the center-console easily accommodated the flush-mount Simrad NSS16 evo2 display on my tester. A wraparound tempered-glass windshield protects a glove box on top of the console. Fiddled trays on either side are great for stowing tubes of sunscreen and sunglasses. A door at the front of the console offers access to helm rigging, battery switch and other accessories, but there’s no room to use this as a head compartment.
The 270Z features a cross-ventilated twin-step hull with a central air-reservoir unit that maintains the necessary air cavities to reduce drag at a wide range of speeds. It lifts nicely, planing at speeds as low as 15.5 mph.
Abrupt course changes at speed proved predictable thanks to a design that produces opposing pressure on the speed rails to prevent the hull from catching an edge.
The high prow and flaring bow knock down spray but also create more windage than you might expect with a bay boat. The hull draws just 15 inches of water.
Powered by Mercury’s new 350 Verado, the 270Z vaulted from 0 to 30 mph in 9.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 57.3 mph at 6,000 rpm.
Comparable Model: Pathfinder 2600 HPS
