Request information on Sea Ray Amberjack

Scott3430

New Member
Nov 11, 2019
10
Boat Info
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Come this spring I will be purchasing a new/used boat. And after many hours of research, I believe the Sea Ray Amberjack 290 will fill the needs and wants of my wife and I. We will be looking for the best boat in the years 2005-2008 or so. My main question is I know they come with a few different engine choices. In your opinion, which engines are the best?
 
If you're boating in salt water 350 Horizon V Drives
Inboards- slower/less maintenance /better handling around dock
Outdrives -faster/a lot more maintenance $$$$$
 
If you're boating in salt water 350 Horizon V Drives
Inboards- slower/less maintenance /better handling around dock
Outdrives -faster/a lot more maintenance $$$$$
Thanks, and yes, I would be using it in salt water. I see also, twin diesels v-drives were a option. Your thoughts on diesels?
 
Thanks, and yes, I would be using it in salt water. I see also, twin diesels v-drives were a option. Your thoughts on diesels?

Now that's different ball game I don't have them, I'm running gas big blocks but i have friends that do. The cost factor goes up considerably plus you have to be a preventive maintenance Guy. Don't mean to scare you, I wish i had them. Mabe someone else will chime in and give you there opinion. Good luck and welcome Aboard ! Scott just to be clear any boat you need to be big on PM.
 
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I had a 2005 29' with 5.7 motors, V drives was a great boat but in my opinion it was under power as I would use the trim tabs to help it plain off faster. Was great around the docks. I owned the boat for 6 years.
 
Thanks, and yes, I would be using it in salt water. I see also, twin diesels v-drives were a option. Your thoughts on diesels?

The diesels would be slick but I'd imagine finding them on the used market in a 29 footer will be nearly impossible...unless you are not in the USA???
 
Have you been on the boat and tried the sleeping arrangements?

I was looking to upgrade my 270 Amberjack and thought the 290 AJ would be good for us. On paper it looked great, found the sleeping arrangements didn't work. The v-berth is on an angle and cut off space for one person. And the aft berth is very short - only like 5'5". We thought it was suitable only for younger kids. Our plans included significant overnights so we had to pass.

Also, your home waters might influence your engine decision. If you have a lot of skinny water you might lean toward ourdrives since you can raise them up. A few years back a magazine did a test of Sea Rays that were identical except for the drives - v and stern. They basically found what cfd95 said. V drives are slower and less fuel efficient. They maneuver better at the dock, and handle better in bigger seas because the props stay in the water betters (under the boat). Stern drives are faster (in all measures), , can trim the boat betters, and are more fuel efficient.
 
I now believe I’ll be looking for a Amberjack 290 with the 350 Horizon V-drive set up. What would you consider low to medium hours on a 2006-2009 boat. Also I do like the hard top option, not sure if that is standard or not. Some of these questions may seem silly but I’m new to boats of this size. My old boat was a 19’ cuddy, in which I used in fresh water.
 
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Have you been on the boat and tried the sleeping arrangements?

I was looking to upgrade my 270 Amberjack and thought the 290 AJ would be good for us. On paper it looked great, found the sleeping arrangements didn't work. The v-berth is on an angle and cut off space for one person. And the aft berth is very short - only like 5'5". We thought it was suitable only for younger kids. Our plans included significant overnights so we had to pass.

Also, your home waters might influence your engine decision. If you have a lot of skinny water you might lean toward ourdrives since you can raise them up. A few years back a magazine did a test of Sea Rays that were identical except for the drives - v and stern. They basically found what cfd95 said. V drives are slower and less fuel efficient. They maneuver better at the dock, and handle better in bigger seas because the props stay in the water betters (under the boat). Stern drives are faster (in all measures), , can trim the boat betters, and are more fuel efficient.
Have you been on the boat and tried the sleeping arrangements?

I was looking to upgrade my 270 Amberjack and thought the 290 AJ would be good for us. On paper it looked great, found the sleeping arrangements didn't work. The v-berth is on an angle and cut off space for one person. And the aft berth is very short - only like 5'5". We thought it was suitable only for younger kids. Our plans included significant overnights so we had to pass.

Also, your home waters might influence your engine decision. If you have a lot of skinny water you might lean toward ourdrives since you can raise them up. A few years back a magazine did a test of Sea Rays that were identical except for the drives - v and stern. They basically found what cfd95 said. V drives are slower and less fuel efficient. They maneuver better at the dock, and handle better in bigger seas because the props stay in the water betters (under the boat). Stern drives are faster (in all measures), , can trim the boat betters, and are more fuel efficient.
I have not looked in to sleeping arrangements too much. It would only be my wife and I most of the time. But we would be staying on the boat on a average of 3-5 days at a time. I plan keeping the boat near Clearwater Florida. I do like the modern Marker 1 Marina with their High and Dry rack system. But at $17 per foot rate is a little steep, but maybe that’s the going rate.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Buy the best boat with the biggest available engines and v-drives. Most people who keep their boats in the water switch from I/Os to inboards once they have experienced the expenses of own an I/O boat. It is true they tend to be faster and more fuel efficient, but these advantages are clearly offset by the costs of ownership.
 

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