official 290 Amberjack thread

Hi, I purchased an '07 290 AJ last year. My starboard wiper motor is starting to slow down in comparison to the port motor.
I'm at replacing it but at first look, I'm going to have to figure out how to get into the cabin ceiling access. Has anyone ever worked on s wiper motor and figure out how to start to remove some of the padded ceiling panels?

Re: official 290 Amberjack thread / seat question

Wondering if anyone has specifically replaced a 3010c in their 290AJ and if so, what they replaced it with?

My 3010c just gave out on my '05 AJ and it seems the new Garmins are too big. The 1040xs, which I guess is the new 3010 but with added features, is 1" wider and .5" taller. The 3010c barely fit. I have an 8212, but that is way too big and it is the same width, but 1" taller, at least according to the specs.

29' Amberjack anchor. Has anyone found an anchor, other than the original equipment one, that fits the roller without hitting the hull? I have an '08 & I've tried another plow anchor and it hit the hull.

I've read a lot of windlass threads. I'm still stumped on why our Sea Ra 2000 290 Amberjack windlass (Lofrans Progress 1) has stopped working.
The facts:
1. I did not know I was supposed to tie off the chain to the cleat to take pressure off the windlass. And we were pulled along in the wind several times, causing stress for both us and the windlass.
2. The windlass motor "slowly" died. whu-whu-whu-whu-whu......whu-whu......whuh. (while attempting to bring it in).
3. The control box is still clicking from helm switch, and nothing from up/down foot controls.
4. I took control box apart. Sanded the contacts, but it was in mint condition.
5. The red, round, 105A breaker in the DC breaker panel - port side, cockpit wall (next to battery switches) seems to be OK, as (like any trained monkey) I pushed it in an effort to reset in case it had tripped.
6. 3 batteries on board - 13.3, 13.4, 13.5 DC volts. They fire up engines no sweat. (multimeter works)
6. If there is an additional breaker or fuse in the circuitry, it is not apparent, and not shown on the wiring diagram. Not in the engine room, nor in the anchor locker. I just can't find it if it exists.
7. I confirmed continuity on the 3 or four connections from windlass motor to control box that I could actually reach (you need to be a contortionist to get in that locker)
8. Most important fact is that I'm not electrically inclined.
Anyone???



Not sure how to attach photos yet. Will work on that.

Jerzey Jeff

Jerzey Jeff,
Sorry to hear about the problems you are having with your Windlass..I have heard that the Progress 1 has had a lot of problems in the past. I have had a problem with the "finger spring" used to keep the rode and chain tight. I cant really help you with the electrical part as I havent had to do any yet, but I can show you where I downloaded the manual (if you havent already found it" that might help you with your troubleshooting. I hope its not the motor that has gone bad.. good luck.

http://www.lofrans.com/library
just type in Progress 1 in the title when you search. It will tell you its a retired product.

Help hasn't anyone with a 29 Amberjack replaced the anchor with a non OEM anchor.

Lowered the livewell console for better cockpit useage. Got rid of the sink, kept the storage and now have seating for that area. Lost maybe 2-3 gallons of the livewell.

Hello 290 Thread.....Just picked up my second 290. In 2006 I purchased a new 07 model had it 5 years, twin 5.0 I/O. Last month picked up a 2008 290 AJ with twin 350 mag Seacore with I/O only 129 hours on the motors. I am told this vessel sat for 9 years. Going though the vessel one step at a time new hoses, filters, every o ring you can imagine. The steering I am afraid might has some problems when turning starboard there seems to be a bump or a quick stop turning port is smooth. Any recommendations would be helpful. Thank you Nick

Hi guys ! my first post here, took delivery of a 05 Amberjack 290 this morning in the rain and
find that the transom storage lid is gone with the wind during transport. Please let me know if you have one laying around and want to sell or know any good salvage yard that may have it. This is my first Sea Ray so im pretty new. Thanks

Does other Sea ray share this part also?

I'll add to the SR Amberjack thread, I just (in November) purchased an 02 AJ from wifes co-workers boss...
been using it every weekend since April, and I noticed the floor by the stairs and is wet.
After doing some quick inspections, I found the starboard window seal is leaking, AND the cabin door is not sitting flush against the body, letting TONS of water in while it rains...

Anyone have this issue ?

The door closes fine and no issues with the bearings or anything, just doesn't close flush on the seal, allowing the water channel to pour in

TOMMY AMBERJACK290 said:

Hi guys ! my first post here, took delivery of a 05 Amberjack 290 this morning in the rain and
find that the transom storage lid is gone with the wind during transport. Please let me know if you have one laying around and want to sell or know any good salvage yard that may have it. This is my first Sea Ray so im pretty new. Thanks

Does other Sea ray share this part also?

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I'm pretty sure this part is unique to the 290 AJ. Technically, Sea Ray calls that area the Fish Box. Only the AJ series has that since it is/was Sea Ray's only model line with angler-centric features. My 270 AJ has a similar feature and lid but the box is smaller than the 290 AJ.

The Sea Ray part number for it is 1785330 - 290AJ 05,LID,FISH BOX FBRGLS. I rather doubt Sea Ray would have any available as a replacement part but it would be worth a call to find out.

You could also try making your own. The 290AJ lid is listed as fiberglass, but on my boat it's a white acrylic plastic (parts manual says Plexi). If it were me I would consider making a new lid from a sheet of Starboard plastic - it's durable and works easily with wood tools. It can be gotten from West Marine but that gets really expensive fast for the size you would need. I found a couple of inline places that will cut sheets to size, then you can finish it and mount a hinge.
This is one place I found; I'm sure there are others. https://www.tapplastics.com

searsb said:

Re: official 290 Amberjack thread / seat question



I took mine out for fishing, never put it back. Love using folding deck chairs much more flexibility easily have room for 3. Got them at WM.

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I also took mine out for fishing
Much more room

I have a 2006 290 amberjack with twin 350 mags v drives and have a problem with the port engine not turning up past 4100 rpms
Any ideas?

Hey guys ! This may be a dumb question but how do I turn on the livewell and fill it up with water on the 05 Amberjack 290 ? I see the lever under the sink but how do I get the livewell to pump seawater in it ? Thanks

Tommy, I had an 07 AJ and now I have an 08. If the 07 is similar to your 05 there is a intake valve in the bilge that must be open first, once you flip the switch on the baitwell you may see water from the starboard faucet by the toe rail. That faucet must be closed and the valve under the sink must be open. The salt water comes up through the hull first into the salt water pump and then to either the faucet or on to the bait well.
In the 08, SR has a dedicated pickup and a separate pump for each. Hope this helps...Nick

Thank you so much !

I'm trying to add a Mercury Vessel View Mobile module to my '05 290 Amberjack. The boat has a Smartcraft SC5000 unit that works great, I just want to add an ipad.

tkyleq said:

I'm trying to add a Mercury Vessel View Mobile module to my '05 290 Amberjack. The boat has a Smartcraft SC5000 unit that works great, I just want to add an ipad.

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Hi ! I need to do the same thing because my smart craft screen is faded and hard to read, is it a direct replacement ? Thanks

Bought our first Searay last summer, 2004 290 Amberjack with 350 mag's and bravo 3 drives.
We love this boat for fishing and cruising. We only stayed overnight a couple different weekends. The V Berth is not big enough for me (6'). I will need to add on to berth towards the head i guess.
I put an older Garmin 4210 in the dash with an 18HD radar up top. Fit in dash great.
My port drive has about 6"-7" of slop and i need to do the JRMarine fix before May.
Drives need to be sanded and painted, replace anodes and add prop anode.
I want to add an autopilot but seems i need to switch over to hydraulic steering first.
I want to be able to run either engine when trolling so hydraulic seems like way to go.
Trolling engine is accumulating way more hours because only 1 engine is plumbed for power assist steering.
Looks like about 5 - 6 Canadian boat dollars to add hydraulic steering and autopilot.

When i bought the boat the port motor wouldn't rev up to specs. Guy said he just had a complete tune up done in spring on both engines because starboard wasn't running right. When he ran the boat after tuneup the port engine was lagging. I bought boat anyway and it took 4 hours to run boat home. Boat got up on plane but had to have port engine throttle 3/4 or more to get 3500 rpm and if i pulled back on starboard throttle the port would loose rpm's. I spent many hours trying to figure this out. Got a mechanic to come put his computer on engine and go for ride, but it it never had any codes related to an rpm/loss of power issue. So i kept banging my head off dash trying to figure it out over next couple weeks.
Anyway in the tuneup they replaced rotors,caps,plugs,wires,fuel filters and changed oil. I have receipt for this. I decided to buy new rotor,cap and wires in case they were bad from store. I started with changing out the wires, i didn't just pull one and replace it same way, i pulled wire replaced it and made sure it was same on starboard motor. Well when i got to 7 and 3 wires, i think (it was last summer), they were reversed. I switched them and took boat for a ride. Both motors pulled up equally and ran awesome. I called the mechanic that did the work, needless to stay he said somebody must have been in there messing with wires. Ya right, guy i bought it off of has never had grease on his hands. I just can't figure out why no codes showed up on computer. Anyway both engines run great now.

I fish on the great lakes and seems like a full tank of fresh water does not last a full day when i am constantly washing blood off the deck, top of cooler, swim platform etc. with deck the hose.
I am going to try and splice into a/c fresh water intake and use that for wash down so i would have endless supply. If anyone has did this please fill me in on details.
VHF needs to be replaced, it works but mike cord is a mess.
All in all this boat is in awesome shape but needs a few minor things.

I would love vesselview also but need to get these other things off my list first.
Sorry for the long winded first post.

JackAzz said:

I am going to try and splice into a/c fresh water intake and use that for wash down so i would have endless supply. If anyone has did this please fill me in on details.

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FYI, I did exactly this on my 290AJ. I don't have all the installed pics but here are a few. I used 2 Groco PNC Series check valves so the pump wouldn't pull from the AC and lose prime. Feel free to PM if you have specific questions.