'06/'07 290 thoughts

B

Barney

New Member
Jun 6, 2007
8
Hi all:

I'm new to the forum but love it! We are thinking of moving up from our 240 for more room, etc. We currently use our 240 in the bay but the ocean is close by. We sleep in her occasionally and have 2 to 6 people on her when we go out or at the dock. We like new (not handy at all!?!) and we like the layout of the 290 and the price (ballpark low $100,000) fits into our budget. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Barney
2006 240 Sundancer
 
Just a bit of history. The current 290 Sundancer was going to be the 280 Sundancer, and be its replacement.

Many Sea Ray fans were vocal on not liking the layout of the new model. Thus the 280 continues. Latest I heard, the 280 continues to outsell the 290 in volume and the designer of the 290 and some other models was fired.

In my opinion, the new 290 Sundancer has a nice profile. It’s the layout that is the issue.

On the positive side, the 290 has a dash that makes room for electronics far better then the 280. Also, some people do not like the steps in the door. The 290 does not have this. The cockpit feels very open.

On the negative side, you loose the port lounge and a lot of seating space. The cabin feels much smaller on the 290.

In the end, style is a very personal thing. Only you can decide.
 
Thank you,

I agree on layout, but it is always good to get someone else's take on a thing - the history of the 290 is intersting as well. Makes sense now that the spec.'s are so similar. The only difference I see is the 290 is a little heavier. So, I would assume they would handle rougher water the same as well. Not selling as many seems like a two edged sword, maybe better deal now but harder to selll later... Thanks again,
Barney
 
It obvious to me the 290 styling is here to stay regardless of initial reaction. Just look at the new 310 and you'll see the path Searay is taking with this syling change. With everyday that passes the styling of the old 280 and 300 looks dated. Not to say they aren't great boats, they are. I had a 300DA for 5 years and loved it, but there is a lot to like about the new look, and let's face it the modern look is an eye catcher and that's where you'll see the crowds at all the boat shows. At the Javitts show in NYC the salespeople standing by the 280-300-320DA's were very lonely while there a line of folks waiting to board the 290 and 310's.
 
We each make our choices based on whatever criteria is important to us. If you like the 290DA then by all means you should get one.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't purchase one. My 260DA which I have had for 10 months, has given me a lot of time to reflect on what I would want in a larger cruiser. What remains number one though on my list of why I would choose one model over another is the people carrying capacity in the cockpit. Now I don't want to sound too snooty about this, but the 290DA will not seat as many people in the cockpit as my 260DA. That's because of the cockpit layout. The cockpit area of the 290 is larger than my 260DA but when it comes time to seat people, the 290DA comes up way short. In fact it probably won't seat any more people than the new 240DA which has a similar cockpit layout. To me that is a show stopper.

On the plus side, I do like the looks of the 290DA and I like the high freeboard as well. The cabin is a lot more friendly now that they offer a separate dinette area as an option.
 
Dave,

When they freshened the 260DA in 2005 I think they must have had a actual boater in the design department at the time. Lots of storage added under the seats around the entire “U†shaped seats in the back of the cockpit.

Even little things like the way they cut the cockpit carpet so you can open the engine hatch with out unsnapping a thing just has common sense and user friendly into the design.

The way the door to the swim platform was engineered into the gunwale so it fits and looks good open or closed is a nice touch.

Unfortunately this user friendly, common sense approach did not carry over to other model redesigns.
 
When I was at the boat show I compared the 310 and 320 extrememly closely. The money was similiar on the two boats. I personally liked the 320 better because of the space available. There is a guy in our area with a new 290 and he loves it. There is a guy on the dock with an older 330 (96) and he hates my boat - a 320. Hates the arch says it is too tall. Design is preference. I bought my first S-R in 2000 and am partial to that era - probably why I went with the 320 over the 310. Granted I really liked the additional space over the 310. Good luck -
 
Presentation said:
Dave,

When they freshened the 260DA in 2005 I think they must have has a actual boater in the design department at the time. Lots of storage added under the seats around the entire “U†shaped seats in the back of the cockpit.

Even little things like the way they cut the cockpit carpet so you can open the engine hatch with out unsnapping a thing just has common sense and user friendly into the design.

The way the door to the swim platform was engineered into the gunwale so it fits and looks good open or closed is a nice touch.

Unfortunately this user friendly, common sense approach did not carry over to other model redesigns.
Click to expand...

Yes.........I would say they really did a nice job on the revised 260DA. And as far as the cockpit goes, it is very "roomy" for having a limited amount of space as well. In my opinion you really don't gain any more people seating capacity until you get into the 320DA. That makes the 260's cockpit design all the more remarkable.
 
This string got me thinking.

I hope Sea Ray’s designers are listening.

Take the current 290DA.
Keep the current dash and profile.
Put the door back in the middle. Make sure it has a screen door.
Change the cockpit so it’s like the current 260DA.
Change the cabin so it’s like the current 280DA.

Bingo, the perfect mid-sized express cruiser.

Modern style and profile, useful and roomy cockpit that can hold lots of people and lots of storage, and, dare I risk sounding like a mini-van fan, lots of cup holders and great cabin layout.
 
That's why I went from a 260 to a 320 - I love the styling. To me the 260 is a great boat. It has been a great boat since 1999 and into it's current style which evolved not a drastic change. I do like the exterior lines on the new 290 and 310.
 
Dave S said:
You just described the 320DA! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

And the 320 is a very successful model!

The above would get you an updated model to slide between the 260DA and the 320DA that would actually exceed sales forecasts, unlike the current disappointing sales of the 290DA and 310DA.
 
Any thoughts on how is the head room down below in the 260 vs. 280 vs. 290? Head room in head as well. I feel like the hunchback of notre dame at times in our 240. Thanks.
 
The 260 is not super roomy. More roomy than the new 240.
 
Barney said:
Any thoughts on how is the head room down below in the 260 vs. 280 vs. 290? Head room in head as well. I feel like the hunchback of notre dame at times in our 240. Thanks.
Click to expand...

More room in the 280/290 then the 260.

You can take a dump and not have to be leaning forward the entire time.

Standing you may still need to tilt your head, oh, and aim! :lol:
 
the couple of inches in the 280 was a huge difference to me compared to the 260. I can stand up and take a shower in the 280, couldn't in the 260. I have to say that I like the cockpit layout of the newer 260's better than my 280. But the perminent dinette in the 280 is great.
 
skolbe said:
The 260 is not super roomy. More roomy than the new 240.
Click to expand...

The 2000 to 2004 240 is roomier than the new design 240 and has more headroom... Although I like the new design 260 way more than the new 240's.
 
I recently upgraded from the 260 to the 320. Before I pulled the trigger I went down to the dealer with my wife and kids and spent a good deal of time on larger Sea Rays. I initially though before going in that the 300 was going to be my next boat. Having the luxury to look at a boat, then another side by side was useful to us. Able to see if I could actually sit on the toilet without any part of my body touching the door on the head! Checking out the sleeping arrangements etc. The extra room in the cabin and the cockpit layout sold us on the 320.

Needs/wants vs budget always seems to be a challange.
Good luck and enjoy the process
 
I have to agree with the general theme, all the boats below (in size) the 320 are trade off's - twins vs. single - cabin layout styling vs. room, etc. The 320 appears to be the next step up (room and style and power), however so is the price the next step. Ballpark a left over 2006 320 mid 100,00's vs. 2006 290 low $100,00's
 
I would like to see a 330. Give me 10 more inches of length and 7 more of width on the 320 and I'm happier. Put in a dinette like the 280 and a wider mid cabin and I'm happier. Add a convection oven/microwave (GE Advantium) and a larger refrig and I'm happier. Sea Ray, make me happier.

As for the 290, it would not take much to make it perfect as others have noted. To have a 280 and 290 does not make a lot of sense from a business perspective. I will always be a 280 fan and think it is still one of the finest sport cruisers ever made by any manufacturer.

M
 
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