Moved up to a 290 Sundancer. Please advise the newbie.

matthewmiller01

matthewmiller01

New Member
May 14, 2008
1,007
Knoxville, TN
Boat Info
2008 290 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 5.0 MPIs (DTS) w/ Bravo III Drives
Kohler 5 ECD
Hello all. I just traded up to a 2008 290 Sundancer (used) with twin 5.0MPIs (DTS) with BIII drives, and generator. I have never had a cruiser before and I am seeking advice on the equipment on board. I am awaiting delivery (once I make slip arrangements) and so I have only read the few manuals that I have been able to find through information on this board.

1. Windlass (chain & rope) - I have never had a windlass. Do you use the windlass to raise and lower the anchor or just raise it with the windlass and toss out the anchor by hand? I have read up and understand to tie off the anchor line to the cleat vice leaving it on the windlass under tension. Must I open the deck cover to use it or can I keep it down while the windlass is operating?

2. Glomex Antenna - How good or bad is this? I tried to tune in a station on the test drive, but could not get any. We were under the roof of the dock at the time. Is line of sight with the sky necessary or not? We were also pretty far from any city, so the signal may have been very weak as well. Then, there is always the chance for operator error.

3. Pump-Out - How often is this necessary (assuming weekend use)? Do you pump out every trip or only when filling up, which may take a couple of weeks?

4. C70 - Where can I buy the navionics cards (West Marine, iboats, etc.)?

5. Hiding Places - Are there any to find (a la on the 280DA)? You don't have to tell me where it is, but I don't want to miss out on any possible storage space and I don't want to go looking for a pot of gold if there is not one to be found.

6. What is the most economical and efficient speed/RPM for cruising on twin 5.0MPIs with BIII drives? Yes, I realize how funny that sounds to ask about fuel economy.

This is my first cruiser and I am open to any suggestions or advice on anything that may help me. So please feel free to let me know. I will list the options that I have in case there is something not in the manuals about any of them. Thanks in advance for any information.

Here are the specs:
2008 290DA (Pewter Hull)
T-5.0L MPIs (DTS) with BIII drives
150 hours on the engines
Generator
Heat & A/C
Windlass (Chain & Rope)
V-Berth & Mid-Berth TVs and DVDs
Under Swim Platform Lighting
Camper Canvas
 
matthewmiller01 said:
Hello all. I just traded up to a 2008 290 Sundancer (used) with twin 5.0MPIs (DTS) with BIII drives, and generator. I have never had a cruiser before and I am seeking advice on the equipment on board. I am awaiting delivery (once I make slip arrangements) and so I have only read the few manuals that I have been able to find through information on this board.

1. Windlass (chain & rope) - I have never had a windlass. Do you use the windlass to raise and lower the anchor or just raise it with the windlass and toss out the anchor by hand? I have read up and understand to tie off the anchor line to the cleat vice leaving it on the windlass under tension. Must I open the deck cover to use it or can I keep it down while the windlass is operating?

Lower it with the Windlass. Not sure about the hatch. Is the windlass actually located inside the hatch?

2. Glomex Antenna - How good or bad is this? I tried to tune in a station on the test drive, but could not get any. We were under the roof of the dock at the time. Is line of sight with the sky necessary or not? We were also pretty far from any city, so the signal may have been very weak as well. Then, there is always the chance for operator error.

Amazingly Sea Ray may have not put a television that receives digital signals. Even in an 09. That may be your issue. On the other hand i have never gotten good reception with mine.

3. Pump-Out - How often is this necessary (assuming weekend use)? Do you pump out every trip or only when filling up, which may take a couple of weeks?

Depends on how much yo uand your family use it. No solids go into my head so if i am short on time when we leave the lake i take care of it the next time. I don't think we have ever actually filled the thing up.

4. C70 - Where can I buy the navionics cards (West Marine, iboats, etc.)?

You are heading in the right direciton on this one

5. Hiding Places - Are there any to find (a la on the 280DA)? You don't have to tell me where it is, but I don't want to miss out on any possible storage space and I don't want to go looking for a pot of gold if there is not one to be found.

Can't help you here

6. What is the most economical and efficient speed/RPM for cruising on twin 5.0MPIs with BIII drives? Yes, I realize how funny that sounds to ask about fuel economy.

This is a matter of opnion.

This is my first cruiser and I am open to any suggestions or advice on anything that may help me. So please feel free to let me know. I will list the options that I have in case there is something not in the manuals about any of them. Thanks in advance for any information.

Here are the specs:
2008 290DA (Pewter Hull)
T-5.0L MPIs (DTS) with BIII drives
150 hours on the engines
Generator
Heat & A/C
Windlass (Chain & Rope)
V-Berth & Mid-Berth TVs and DVDs
Under Swim Platform Lighting
Camper Canvas
Click to expand...


See answers in your qoute
 
matthewmiller01 said:
2. Glomex Antenna - How good or bad is this? I tried to tune in a station on the test drive, but could not get any. We were under the roof of the dock at the time. Is line of sight with the sky necessary or not? We were also pretty far from any city, so the signal may have been very weak as well. Then, there is always the chance for operator error.
Click to expand...

As Alex suggested, it is very unlikely your boat had a Digital TV installed. I have seen several 2009 models that did not.

If you get a converter box and connect it in to the feed going in to the TV from the Glomex AMP you should be able to pick up stations reasonably well. I have see a couple 09 models that had analog TVs but had the Digital ready Glomex. Even if you have the analog Glomex it should work- mine does.

With all this considered, you will need to do some wiring changes if you plan to have cable TV at the dock but I'll answer that later if it applys.
 
1. You do not need to open the hatch to deploy or retrieve the anchor (assuming your line feeds well into locker).

2. It is not line of site to the sky like a satellite antenna but a metal roof will make it more difficult. It is not a long range antenna, the stations have to be fairly close to pick up. My original TV was analog but Sea Ray changed it out to digital for free prior to delivery of my boat.

3. I try to pump out every Sunday before I leave so as not to let it sit all week. I think it helps to cut down on the smell.

5. Mine has 2 that are not obvious: just under the mirror in the bow and just above the cushion in the salon, starboard side.
 
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When my anchor line was beginning to detoriate it would not feed smoothly into the anchor compartment and would often spool up requiring me to lift that hatch. It can get annoying but I tend to retrieve with foot pedals from the bow anyway so I can watch for problems. My biggest pet peeve is the slow deploy speed. So, sometimes I will take the line off the windlass and drop it manually. Amazingly fast!

As for "secret" compartments, the closet thing you will find to something being hidden is the storage under the main berth when you pull it up into the couch position. There's a panel that can be removed that provides a fair amount of space down to the hull. Its a PITA to access so I doubt you'll use it for anything you need to get regularly. We store a blender in there at times. There's nothing behind the head mirror that looks like its on a hinge. There's a little bit of storage under the couch if you have that rather than the dinnette.

Did you find the mp3 input?

We pump out at the end of the weekend assuming its been used. I just like knowing its empty when we start our next weekend. Don't ever let it over fill.

Be sure you figure out the most efficient way and order to put your canvas up or you'll probably end up wanting to torch the thing. Then always do it the same way and don't let others interrupt your routine.

Some other hints I learned.

Read the official 290 thread . . .

Don't leave a watermelon on the galley counter expecting your kids to watch it. It will fall and explode on the floor.

Don't let the tips of your fingers get caught in between the ladder rungs when you're pushing it back in. Same with the metal hinge on the cabin door top flap.

Those underwater lights from Barnegate Bay are notorious for leaking. I would add a bead of clear silicone around the the light and casing (as the manufacturer told me) to be safe. No problems with the replacements.
 
jason78 said:
As Alex suggested, it is very unlikely your boat had a Digital TV installed.

With all this considered, you will need to do some wiring changes if you plan to have cable TV at the dock but I'll answer that later if it applys.
Click to expand...

The salon TV was moved by PO to the Mid Berth and an HDTV was installed in the salon location, so I think I am OK there. I will have to check about cable at the dock. I am not sure if it is available.

JimG said:
1. You do not need to open the hatch to deploy or retrieve the anchor (assuming your line feeds well into locker).
Click to expand...

I will likely be on the bow whenever I am setting/retrieving anyway, so that is good.

Cincy Aquaholic said:
As for "secret" compartments, the closet thing you will find to something being hidden is the storage under the main berth when you pull it up into the couch position. There's nothing behind the head mirror that looks like its on a hinge. There's a little bit of storage under the couch if you have that rather than the dinnette.

Did you find the mp3 input?

Some other hints I learned.
Read the official 290 thread . . .

Those underwater lights from Barnegate Bay are notorious for leaking.
Click to expand...

I have found the place under the main berth and I do have the salon couch. Good.

I have found the MP3 input, but I have the cable (from the last boat) to actually control my iPod with the stereo and helm remotes vice just a port for sound. So I will have that one covered once I install it.

I have read the entire 290 thread. There is a lot of useful info there. Thanks to all who have contributed.

Are Barnegate Bay lights the factory ones? I know the PO had them installed after purchase, but I will have to find out if they were the Sea Ray ones or aftermarket.

Thanks for the information!!!
 
The barnegate bay lights are the ones SR uses. They look like old school car headlights in a plastic housing that mounts them at an angle.
 
Did you turn the glomex on? There is a switch inside the cabinet above the tv. Also if you want to get rid of the "stripper pole" setup I can post a couple pics on what I did...saves space and a better setup.
Enjoy a great boat.
 
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Cincy Aquaholic said:
The barnegate bay lights are the ones SR uses. They look like old school car headlights in a plastic housing that mounts them at an angle.
Click to expand...

From your description, it does sound like the ones that are on the boat.

Groucho said:
Did you turn the glomex on? There is a switch inside the cabinet above the tv. Also if you want to get rid of the "stripper pole" setup I can post a couple pics on what I did...saves space and a better setup.
Enjoy a great boat.
Click to expand...

I did turn it on and try to adjust the gain (?). Again, we were under the dock roof and we were pretty far from the source (or even a city). I am interested in seeing your setup. Please post some pics.
 
I too have a 290. There is one hidden compartment no one has mentioned. The headboard of the forward V-berth opens up to reveal hidden storage. You can IM me for more info on this boat. I have all the books and I purchased the C70 CF card.
 
jerryd5515 said:
I too have a 290. There is one hidden compartment no one has mentioned. The headboard of the forward V-berth opens up to reveal hidden storage. You can IM me for more info on this boat. I have all the books and I purchased the C70 CF card.
Click to expand...

What?!?!? What headboard? Mine is a mirror that doesn't open. Got any pics of yours?
 
I am heading to boat this weekend and will send pictures. It is not a true headboard, but the padded area under the mirror. If you pull on the top edge, it will open and reveal a compartment. I'll send pictures.
 
jerryd5515 said:
I am heading to boat this weekend and will send pictures. It is not a true headboard, but the padded area under the mirror. If you pull on the top edge, it will open and reveal a compartment. I'll send pictures.
Click to expand...


That would be great. Thanks!
 
I think I'm gonna have to climb aboard mine this weekend! Do you recall if it's designed to be opened and used as storage?
 
Well, i'll be damned!! I can't believe I never knew that was there. It even shows up on the parts manual. That looks like a great hiding place for certain things because it sure doesn't look like it would open on mine.
 
That's funny. I never knew the v-berth compartment was there...
I can't wait to get to the boat now...
it'll be like opening a xmas gift!!!!!!!
I hope there's money in there... lots of it!
 
magster65 said:
That's funny. I never knew the v-berth compartment was there...
I can't wait to get to the boat now...
it'll be like opening a xmas gift!!!!!!!
I hope there's money in there... lots of it!
Click to expand...


I can't wait to check mine either!!!
 
Mine had a small box with a golden inlay design of a large sailing ship and a white bearded Captain at the helm. I turned a small gold key and slowly opened it. The lid was hard to move at first, but then I heard the squeaking sound of the rusted hinge and a small voice that said, "Your gold is gone!" The box then fell to the floor in a pile of dust.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
 
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