Sea Ray got a jump on the evolving popularity of outboard-powered runabouts with the introduction of the 270 Sundeck Outboard. It's hard to believe today, but the idea of hanging an outboard motor on the swim platform of an open-bow cruiser was considered radical at the time. (When Power & Motoryacht magazine reviewed the 270 Outboard in 2015, the term "X-Treme" appeared in the very first paragraph.) But as the article went on the say, a deck boat like the 270 Sundeck is a natural for outboard power and the subsequent popularity of this boat says it all. Powered by a single outboard, the 270 OB has less draft than sterndrive power and better top-end performance by a wide margin. With her spacious full beam cockpit and enclosed head compartment with sink and vanity, the 270 seats as many as 15 people while underway. On the downside, the outboard engine takes up space on the swim platform making it less useful for swimming and diving. Built on a relatively slender hull with 8 feet 6 inches of beam, a single 300hp Mercury Verado outboard delivers a top speed of over 40 knots. The SDX 270 is the same boat with sterndrive power.