'07 290 Sundancer...

DragonAnchor

DragonAnchor

Member
Oct 22, 2007
342
Falls Church, VA
Boat Info
290 Sundancer 2006
Engines
5.0 BIII
Well after a month of looking at 240DA's and planning on downsizing from 310DA we just couldnt make it work with the current tow vehicle and size change, so we decided to stay with a larger model.

The "Admiral" noticed this on our trip last week to test drive the 240DA:
View attachment 2153

GENERATOR OPTIONS
  • 5.0 kW Kohler® Gas: 120V/60 Cycle Includes Remote Start w/Muffler, Freshwater Cooling, Fuel Filter, Seacock & Seawater Strainer
INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS
  • Air Conditioning/Heating: 120V/60 Cycle (10,000 BTU)
  • Bottom Paint
  • Canvas, Cockpit Cover
  • Chartplotter/GPS: 7" Color LCD (Raymarine C70)
  • Dash, Gel-Coated: Nickel
  • Door, Cabin Entry: w/Screen Door
  • Refrigerator, Cockpit: Dual-Voltage (120V/12V) (In Lieu of Standard Carry-on Cooler)
  • Spotlight, 5" Remote-Controlled
  • TV, 15" Flatscreen: w/Remote DVD Player, Gaming System Port - Mid Cabin (Only Available with Salon TV Option)
  • TV, 15" Flatscreen: w/Remote DVD Player, Gaming System Port, Dockside Inlet & Antenna - Salon
  • Windlass, Rope/Chain: w/Foot Switches (Lofrans® Marlin)
OPTIONAL PACKAGES
  • Camper Canvas Package:
    Camper Aft Curtain (Std Aft Curtain is Deleted)
    Camper Top w/Boot & Vertical Storage
    Front Curtains
    Side Curtains (Bimini & Camper)
PROPULSION
  • (260 hp - 194 kW): T-5.0L MPI Bravo® III MCM (260 hp - 194 kW)
So we made a contingent offer & Sea Trialed it today.

Full tank of gas, Freshwater filled, 3 adults and an 8 year old. Seas were NOT calm, wind was blowing. It obvioulsy did not have the stability of the 310, but man did it handle like a dream! Great throttle response, Cruised at 23.7 knots into the wind at 3400rpm burning a shade over 20 gallons per hour (10+ per engine) Much better with the wind and seas at our back, but thats not really a fair test :grin:

The "story" is that someone bought it this past April, drove it all summer then decided to move "up" to a 310 or 330 DA. The engines have 90 hours on them and the Genset only 30 so it definately got run, just not alot of time spent on the hook it seems.

It runs and looks & smells new still. And best of all it comes with the 6year extended warranty !

It was said in another thread and it bears repeating. You look and look and look. Then finally you find one that you know is "The One"

I am glad we took the time and held off "settling" even at the last minute :grin:
 
I believe you just bought my buddy's boat if this was PWM. The "story" is true. He bought it this spring, business took off and he fell in love with the 310 and affordability was no longer an option. He just took delivery of the 310.

He babied it and it should be a great boat. The only consideration he gave me was he wanted a few more feet, he was trying to get me to buy it off of him but I am looking at the Sunsports rather than dancers.

Have fun if it's the boat I'm thinking of, it's a beaut.
 
Why did you go from a 310DA to a 290DA? To Trailer? but if you stillc annot trailer, why is the 290 better than the old 310? Just wondering ...
 
RT 240SD - It was PWM and I believe its the same boat. The "story" matches.

Alex - There is no easy answer. (Is there ever?) It was not specifically to trailer, tho it would be easier with the 290 vs the 310. The 240 was finally ruled out when we spent more time looking at it and figuring out that the vehicle we had would be at the top end of the safety margin in towing it.

I liked the 310. It was a 98, a bit older with carburated engines. and B3 outdrives. It really liked to drink the gas and there was always minor maint issues cropping up. Canvas would need replaced next season or the following. Nothing too bad for a 10 year old boat, but there was always something.

I like to tinker and didnt mind the minor stuff, it gave me 'excuses' to play around with the boat. But it drove the Admiral bananas.

Once we ruled the 240 out, we were going to just hang on to the 310 another 5 years or so and move up from there. In 5 years my daugther will be out of college (I hope) and it seemed like a good plan. Until the wife saw the 290 sitting there.

A brand new boat(practically), 6year warranty, Contemporary styling, 6year warranty, Shiney New Well laid out boat, 6year warranty... All added up to the Admiral insisting we seriously look at the boat.

So following some advice here, I went thru it with a fine tooth comb and found no issues at all. I also wasnt sold on the idea that "we just had to have a new boat this year" so I made them an offer on it significantly below their asking price and wrote them a check for 10%. (more advice from the board) half expecting to be shown the door.

It wasnt so low an offer to be insulting, but it was low enough to make it worth our while and the 10% check let them know we were serious.

We did some minor haggling on trade in value of my boat, winterizing both boats, adding a table socket and stand on the swim platform of the 290 for a grill. Spring delivery with dewinterization and detailing of the 290.

So with very little effort we came to an agreement.

Once we ruled out the 240, I was most definately done looking and had no plans for a new boat for a few years. But negotiating a great deal, and the Admiral getting all the things she wanted, I am very glad we made this deal.
 
Closed on the boat on saturday, thought I would share some pics
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Great photos, and a great looking boat! Have to keep the Admiral happy, and I'm sure you will be thrilled with it too. Good luck and all the best with it. Give us an update in spring when you get to take her out.

Barry
 
Well. . now it makes sense. You just wanted a *new* boat. And I do know what you mean about not wanted to necessarily upsize.

I went through the same process when trading a 22' sailboat for a bigger sailboat. First I realized that that a larger sailboat would give me draft problems, then I realized that a larger sailboat would be used identically to my current sailboat.

So I bought a 28' SeaRay. . and kept the Sailboat. The SeaRay is used FAR differently than the sailboat -> and is available on those occassions when the SeaRay is down for mechanical.

Right now, I can't even consider upgrading because I am out of dock/bulkhead space. And I am NOT buying a larger property.
 
DragonAnchor said:
We did some minor haggling on trade in value of my boat, winterizing both boats, adding a table socket and stand on the swim platform of the 290 for a grill.
Click to expand...
Congrats on the new boat!!!:thumbsup: I'm very interested in the grill set-up your putting on her...Post some picts. of it once you have it all done. I'd like to do something like this on my 280 if possible.
 
congrats on the boat-i am glad`to see another 290. i purchased an 06 in may with 44hrs and just got put away with 92hrs on it.
i really enjoyed the first summer and the boat gets a lot of attention on the water.
the 5.0bravo3's worked perfectly and looking forward to the spring.you are going to love the boat
driller
 
Just posted in the other thread, gonna make the BIH 08 Run !

RiverRat;
I will definately post pics of the Grill post install.

Driller;
Is your's a late 06 build? When doing research on mine, I didnt think this style was offered in 06. Mine was listed as an 06, but in checking SeaRay.com archives, there is no listing for a 2006 290 DA.

In checking my HIN it is a 2006 id number, but the style and layout is the new 290 style that SeaRay lists as starting in 07. So I have been at a loss as what to call it. An 06 290DA or an 07 290DA.

Since SeaRay lists the 290 as starting in 07, I have been calling it a 07. But I want to be accurate in calling it what it is so that any questions I have about it reflect the true boat.

Thanks to all for the good wishes. We look to put 100+ hours on this boat next season!
 
DragonAnchor said:
Just posted in the other thread, gonna make the BIH 08 Run !

RiverRat;
I will definately post pics of the Grill post install.

Driller;
Is your's a late 06 build? When doing research on mine, I didnt think this style was offered in 06. Mine was listed as an 06, but in checking SeaRay.com archives, there is no listing for a 2006 290 DA.

In checking my HIN it is a 2006 id number, but the style and layout is the new 290 style that SeaRay lists as starting in 07. So I have been at a loss as what to call it. An 06 290DA or an 07 290DA.

Since SeaRay lists the 290 as starting in 07, I have been calling it a 07. But I want to be accurate in calling it what it is so that any questions I have about it reflect the true boat.

Thanks to all for the good wishes. We look to put 100+ hours on this boat next season!
Click to expand...

Sea Ray did offer the 290 in 2006. It was brand new in 2006. Sea ray's archives don't show it probably because it was originally going to be called the new 280DA. That never happened because there was too much demand for the 280DA so they changed the name to 290DA and continued to produce the 280DA. In fact if you look at Sea Ray's image web site for 2006 models it is shown there along with all the other models and if you look for an owners manual it is also available. http://www.searay.com/owners_manuals.asp?tab=&year=2006&folder2=2006_290_SUNDANCER
 
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DragonAnchor said:
In checking my HIN it is a 2006 id number, but the style and layout is the new 290 style that SeaRay lists as starting in 07. So I have been at a loss as what to call it. An 06 290DA or an 07 290DA.

Since SeaRay lists the 290 as starting in 07, I have been calling it a 07. But I want to be accurate in calling it what it is so that any questions I have about it reflect the true boat
Click to expand...
Congratulations on your new boat! What are the last 4 #'s of your HIN? If the last 4 numbers are B606 then the boat was built in Feb(B) (March would be C) and so on. 2006. and a 06 model. If your boat HIN ended in J607 then it was built J(Oct)06 but an 07model. Does that make any sense?? I just confused myself.:grin:
 
Re: '06 290 Sundancer...

Thanks Dave !

guess I didnt dig deep enuf.. sig changed.

I found the owners manual you linked, but not the image website.
 
HIN - SERT8064A606

so that would mean it was built Jan 06.... not necesarily a late 06 build.


Thanks for the Link Dave, I can now see the 06 290 DA images.

In looking at the specs, the 280DA and the 290DA are virtually identical except for some styling and layout features. Do you think the 290 will eventually replace the 280? It seems they are/have made both for 3 years now.
 
The one thing that bothers me about my new 290 is the foam padding and the fabric on the v-berth. SeaRay did a great job in the materials, fit, and finish throughout. I wonder why in such a visible area, they decided to save themselves $100. It shows horribly in their ads. I think the first thing I'm going to do is go to an upholsterer and have denser foam and vinyl that matches the sofa applied to the v-berth.
 
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