Beam of a coastal 270

[fighterpilot]

Parker and Mcknew books list the Wellcraft 264/270 as a 270 Coastal in 1999. It has a 8'6" beam. Next they list just the 270 Coastal as being 2001 and later. The beam is 9'8'' What are the 2000 model?? Where are the listed beams for these two boats measured? I am interested in water line width, say at the stern. Will the waterline width be the same for both boats, just one is wider topside, hence a wider beam?? I am under the impression that the 2000 models had some boats in each category of beam width. Is that correct? Everything else being equal I want the wider beam, being under the impression it is also wider at the waterline and hence a little more stable at anchor or dockside. When I find a 2000 model for sale I don't know what the beam is. I found one close by and measured it--at the waterline it was 8'6". I didn't think to measure topside. Does any one know if the water line width on the 1999 270 is the same as on the later versions?? Thanks