1994 SeaRay 290 SD Single versus Twins Advice Needed

[ba2397]

My wife and I are/were in the market for a early model 290 for Lake of the Ozarks. We have found a boat we both love that is in amazing condition.

1994 SeaRay 290 Sundancer with 450hrs

Our only hesitation is with the Single 454 W/Bravo III.

We were thinking for this size boat we would need twins?

I would love some honest feedback on what we should expect with this motor on a 30ft boat? Our primary use is cruising, coving out, and boating to bars and restaurants. Not looking to win races.

Thanks in advanced

Brandon

 

[highslice]

My wife and I are/were in the market for a early model 290 for Lake of the Ozarks. We have found a boat we both love that is in amazing condition.

1994 SeaRay 290 Sundancer with 450hrs

Our only hesitation is with the Single 454 W/Bravo III.

We were thinking for this size boat we would need twins?

I would love some honest feedback on what we should expect with this motor on a 30ft boat? Our primary use is cruising, coving out, and boating to bars and restaurants. Not looking to win races.

Thanks in advanced

Brandon

I can't speak to the 454...But my brother has a 290 with a single 496 and BIII and it goes just fine. He slolams behind it, so getting a skier up is no problem.

 

[Quint4]

I had a '92 290 with a 454 and a B2. It was great with plenty of power. My son wake boarded behind it.

The B3 will probably be even better (dual prop).

 

[kpetry]

We had a '99 290 with twin carbureted V6s. That boat was WAY underpowered! Full tank of gas and 4 people, and it was all it could do to get on plane!

 

[Btcowboy]

I got the 94 290 with twin 4.3's and while I am by no means an expert like the twins over a single

 

[GrandMaster]

Docking an maneuvering at the bars & restaurants will be trickier with the single, but it can be done

 

[390pi]

I think for a lake, that would be fine. I'd go that route, for sure.
Less maintenance, too, not that it matters so much.

We primarily lake boat, too, but ocassionally in SF Bay, Delta and Pacific Ocean; I like the peace of mind twins provide when far from home.

 

[nozhol]

Bought a 1994 290DA when it was new with the twins. I liked the handling, but it was under powered if you had much weight in it. Once on plane it cruised ok. My brother-in-law has a Regal with twins and he re-powered with a couple of 350 Chevys. The things hauls at 50mph and gets great gas mileage to boot.

 

[CV-23]

The 1990 280 with twin 350's is a nice boat with plenty of power. Our 270 is your 290 and the 454 Bravo 1 works for us. We looked at a twin V6 270 and it was real tight in the bildge. Dual labor / my time for the V6's on a river we did not need. I do like the Alpha 1's though. The 350's/Alpha 1's would be worth it and the 280 was wider and easier to work on engines. I'll upgrade to a Bravo III outdrive when needed but the are $$$$. We run 38mph (gps) WOT when needed....speedo says 41mph and the V6's gain 3-4mph but are more stern heavy. With more research, I may have gone with the 280 w 350 twins but my 270 came with the perfect trailer and the 9ft beam is fine plus I'm maxed out with my 3/4 ton tow vehicle at 8 miles per gallon, Mike.