280SS/290SS Thread

I'm currently considering the purchase of an 02 290 SS with twin 6.2's and B1 drives.

I'm trying to determine the accurate weight of this boat as configured. SR lists the dry weight as 8,300 lbs, but not sure if this is the weight of the boat with one engine (lowest weight) or the weight with twin engines.

Can anyone shed some light on this. Any ideas as to the dry weight of a 290 SS with twin 6.2's?

Help is appreciated.

Thank you,
 
I have a buddy who is a metal fabricator. He has offered to make a polished stainless replacement for the original acrylic vent cover. Mine is cracked in the corner, but even so, the white acrylic doesn't match the gelcoat and the 280's could use a little "bling" anyway.

He claims that he can "burn" the SS into any shape I want, but once it's done, it won't be flexible. He has the original piece to use as a pattern, but when I removed it from the boat, it "relaxed" to being nearly-straight. When installed on the transom, there's probably about a 2-3" bend to it. My challenge now is to find a way to get measurements or pattern material to him so he can begin. Any ideas / tips?

It's probably obvious, but the piece in question is about 2.5" high and spans across both vent openings:
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This pic makes the acrylic look like a better match than it is - in person, it looks cheap IMO. If any 280 SS/BR owners are interested, I'd be happy to see if he can make additional ones once we get this one right...

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Sounds like an interesting idea. I always hated that piece also. I will let the new owner know about it as soon as I have one.
 
Hello All!

I am looking at purchasing a 2001 Sea Ray 290 Sunsport. It has twin Mercruiser 5.7L EFI 260 hp each Bravo I . I am having a hard time determining the top and cruse speed with the engine configuration. The seller is telling me WOT Top Speed is 52 and cruse ~38 (best fuel). Can anyone confirm these speeds are accurate?

Thanks!
 
For reference, I have a 300 SLX which is a slightly modified hull of the 290SS. Power is 300hp 350 Mags/Bravo 3s, and I have ablative bottom paint. WOT can range from 50-52, maybe 53. A good cruise is around 3400-3600 RPM and speed is around 34-36 mph (just divide by 100 basically). The 38mph cruise speed seems a little optimistic, but then again, it's not my boat.
 
With purchase of my new 290ss I just wanted to chime in to this thread with a few questions:

1. Mine has 8 pairs of speakers (2 in the cabin, 2 at the helm, 2 in the arch and 2 in the transom lockers) but no subwoofer. Where did the factory install the subwoofer? I think I saw pictures of it front facing to the right of the captains chair base. Does anyone have a pic?
2. Where is the stereo amp?
3. How do you turn off the pair of speakers in the transom locker? Is that possible?
4. Does anyone have a windlass that can share a few pics of its mounting?

Thanks!
 
I think I losing my mind! I can see/read any of the replies to the post in this thread? Can any help? Do I have a setting wrong?
 
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Hi all-

have a a problem I need help troubleshooting and with the holiday it looks like I have a few days to look at it on my own. I have a 2001 280 SS w twin engines that I got in 2014. Last used the boat 2 weeks ago with no issues and was out of town for the last week but according to the harbor master my boat has been beeping for the past 5 days. Looks like it was the low power indicator on the CO detector beeping. I checked the starboard engine and it had power, but nothing to the port. No other accessories working, depth finder, water pump, nor the hydraulic engine lift. I leave both battery switches on and there is a charger on board. Shore power connected and fridge and outlets working.

I assume my my port engine battery is dead, it's at least 3 years old. I don't know how long they are supposed to last, I only put about 20 hrs a year on them. I suppose it could be a fuse or a breaker somewhere, but I'm not sure where to check. The other issue is that I don't know how to open the engine compartment without the hydraulic lift so I could get the battery out to have it checked.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Jake
 
Considering a 290SS for my next boat. Is there any difficulty acquiring parts for these boats? Thanks!
 
If you are thinking of new flooring for the coming season, I have templates for the 2004 290SS.

Anybody know how many years this exact model was made? Wondering what years these flooring templates will fit?

I am a site sponsor and dealer for "Infinity luxury woven vinyl" marine flooring. www.thecanvasmedic.com Infinity is a great alternative to carpets, is antimicrobial, and very stain resistant.

Here are some pics of the install. I personally made the templates and the fit is much better than the OEM carpets. email for quote info@thecanvasmedic.com

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I have a buddy who is a metal fabricator. He has offered to make a polished stainless replacement for the original acrylic vent cover. Mine is cracked in the corner, but even so, the white acrylic doesn't match the gelcoat and the 280's could use a little "bling" anyway.

I thought I posted an update about this. My 280 now has a massive stainless steel vent cover in place of the original piece of acrylic. It turned out really well. I'll take/post some pics of it.
 
Has anyone ever addressed the "280 FLAW"? (scuppers)

For a boat that's so well thought-out in so many ways, that scupper design drives me crazy. For non 280SS/BR owners, they're not scuppers so much as a dump-water-and-debris-over-a-shallow-gutter-into-the-bilge system.

This system also features two huge through-hulls for our viewing pleasure. :mad: Water travels along the deck to the gutter surrounding 3 sides of the ER. Each side has 2 vertical scuppers in a shallow well. Here's a pic I found online.

The scuppers are the vertical plates near each dirty well in the gutter:

y4morePxl7fr3SgQ8_2x8087HVDyr6PQK3N3Btpz_Jxfg4mFbOTYkQ1RTqaX8XqcntNdYPHAhZWJMoI3hG_pLlnSUHGkthXwvW5Vuuk8z_VxGKV_E-lOwYnrE7hy_XLuYHjsyWnbOYNgDhPUS2Ox_gmZgoUqbYSXAI0fSclD1SkvSkqEdAVuU3QMrq9Be_hcGdhPzWbjiKB_T0k7sZbxOJRwQ


Issues include:

- The deck is just-barely high enough to be self-bailing, so it really isn't.
- Even modest amounts of water flowing into the gutter will overflow into the ER (and bring debris with it)
- The covers on the scupper ports are easily clogged
- Water and dirt collects in the wells and frequently needs to be cleaned out
- In twin installations like mine, the shelf below the scuppers is home to items such as the trim and macerator pump. (I don't know where they put it in the singles) As it turns out, water and trim pumps don't like each other. Add salt, mix.

Possible solutions:

- Enlarge the holes in those covers
- Drill holes in the "wells" at each scupper and route that water directly the center bilge/pump
- Plug the scuppers, drill holes in the wells and route water to a sump
- Combination of these

280's have a sump in the center hold for the head drains, but that's powered after the battery switches and on the far side of the gas tank, so I think I'd have to put a sump in the ER.

How about:

Enlarge the holes in the fwd scuppers to make them more effective, and cut a small drain in those wells routed to a sump so the wells don't keep water. Plug the aft scuppers, and drill larger drain holes in those wells. Use one of the aft scupper through-hulls for the sump discharge... Wire the sump to a battery.

I hate sump pumps, and hate what they cost. I would probably assemble my own with a plastic container, switch, valve and bilge pump. I don't think I'd cover it. Uncovered and low enough, it could also act as another emergency bilge pump.

Other ideas or suggestions?
 
I really want to see that vent cover! I had one of the side vent covers come off and lost it. $550 later I have a new one that has been painted but it is not a perfect match. I thought it would look nice to have SS one's like the newer model boats. Post a pic and maybe we can chat with your buddy about making some for mine.

The 290 has a similar scupper issue. I hate how dirt collects in it. Looking forward to what you come up with.
 
Hi Guys,
Just jumping into this post. Considering buying a 280SS. What are your thoughts on 1999 vs. 2000? Do you think the 40th anniversary with the arch is worth it? Your thoughts on having the microwave, sink, and fridge in the cuddy? I live in Minnesota and there are a few for sale and they all are a bit different. Last one I saw was a 2000 in Iowa with the galley option and low hours. I'm considering going for it. Cheers Brett
 
It's overall not a huge issue, but the 2000 model addressed the scupper issue that I just whined about! (I don't know how well they addressed it, but they changed it)

I personally prefer the larger sink console to the skinny one of 2000...

I think the arch looks great, but I don't have a need for one, and since I tow mine, I'm glad I don't have an arch.

An extended platform would be nice - esp if you swim off the back. No platform and twins means that an outdrive is right there waiting to be kicked by an unsuspecting swimmer.
 
Hey all,

Just bought a 2008 Sea Ray 300SLX with twin 350 MAG's and Bravo III's,. We're trying to determine the "best" cruise RPM's for the boat. I've seen several boat tests/reports which shows 3500rpm is the most efficient (most range), but I'm wondering about engine longevity. Our previous boat, 280 CC with twin 5.7L's, seemed to be very happy at 3000rpm - 3200rpm, 300SLX seems to be happier at higher rpm's but I'm worried about engine longevity. What do others with similar engines cruise at?

Also I'm wondering what outdrive trim angle do others use with their 300 SLX? We're noticing the trim doesn't seem to make much difference with the speed of our boat, just a slight reduction in vibration, which seems counter intuitive based on experience with previous boats and frankly physics!
 
Hey all,

Just bought a 2008 Sea Ray 300SLX with twin 350 MAG's and Bravo III's,. We're trying to determine the "best" cruise RPM's for the boat. I've seen several boat tests/reports which shows 3500rpm is the most efficient (most range), but I'm wondering about engine longevity. Our previous boat, 280 CC with twin 5.7L's, seemed to be very happy at 3000rpm - 3200rpm, 300SLX seems to be happier at higher rpm's but I'm worried about engine longevity. What do others with similar engines cruise at?

Also I'm wondering what outdrive trim angle do others use with their 300 SLX? We're noticing the trim doesn't seem to make much difference with the speed of our boat, just a slight reduction in vibration, which seems counter intuitive based on experience with previous boats and frankly physics!

I had a 2011 300 SLX with the 350 MAGs/BIIIs.

I remember 3500RPM got me 30MPH almost like clockwork. On a calm day, I'd trim up just a bit and squeeze out 31-32MPH, which would obviously up the fuel efficiency. Too much out of the water and the boat oscillates annoyingly.

My mechanic qualifications are non-existent, but I think for cruising RPMs, there's probably little difference between 3k-3.5k in terms of engine wear and tear. If you were doing 4.5k-5k all the time, that's a different story.
 
Resurrecting this thread. Any 280/290SS owners care to comment on whether sleeping two people in the cabin is comfortable? I went and looked at a 290SS yesterday, and the V-berth seemed a little cramped for 2 normal sized adults. Misconception on my part?
 
It is tight depending on how big you are. I’m 6’3” and sleeping was pretty uncomfortable. Berth also angles upwards towards the bow which was also annoying.

Berth is great for a nap or a place to crash after having a few too many beverages, but it’s not a great overnighter.
 

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