1997 290 DA Power twins or single

[see ray]

:smt100i would like to know if a 1997 290da with single BIG BLOCK with a B III drive is enought power to plane. The boat im looking at has a genny and air/heat, the added beam 10'2 and wieght, 10500 seems a lot for a single engine to push any comments will help !!!!

 

[mwph]

Your question was "enough power to plane". Yes I'm sure you can get the boat to plane.

I'll bet that other, more experienced guys will chime in with comments like ....I don't see a whole lot left over after that though.

I have plenty left over after plane but my boat is 4' shorter, somewhat more narrow and a lot lighter. No one will accuse you of being overpowered.

 

[bluebelly]

Back in 1997 Sea Ray was selling both the old model and new model at the same time. Are you talking about the model that was available from 94 through 97, or the 97 and later? I had the former and it was equipped with a 7.4 bravo 3 and it was plenty powerful enough. Take into account that two 4.3 v6 engines with alpha drives weighs about 1000 lbs more than the single engine set up. On a boat that size, that extra 1000 lbs will make the boat ride stern heavy and impact its "hole shot". The top speed on my 95 model was 38 mph with a light load and about 34 mph with a full load of passengers and fuel. I was even able to ski behind it.

Hope this helps.

 

[comsnark]

Depends what you are looking to do with the boat.

I am sure it will get onto plane with a single big block. . .but nobody, but nobody would accuse you of being overpowered.

The current 290DA is listed as 9200 lbs, and does not have a single engine option.

 

[J Levine]

I was making the exact same decision in 1998 when I was shopping for a used 290DA. I ended up with a 95 with the twins. At the time I was interested in power, dependablity and resale. I ended up having the boat for 5 years and replaced it with my current 370DA in 2004. In retrospect I think I would have been just fine with the big block. Servicing the twin V6's is basically a night mare because of how they are shoe horned in the ER and I didn't even have a generator. Two motors also consume more gas, along with twice the parts and twice the labor. Truth be known, at the time I wanted a boat with two motors because I was just cooler from a gear head prespective that one with a single. If I had to do it over again I would go with the big block, I have talked to a number of owners of this set up in this model over the years and no one has complained about lack of power.

 

[msd58]

I watertested one of these 290's 10'2" beam in the fall of 2007. The boat planned fairly easily with some significant bow rise at the beginning and had a top speed of about 28-30 mph depending on sea state. At top end speed, the engine was running wide open throttle. What I mean is it was floored. Nice dry ride very stable. The owner docked the boat into slip with very little with Bravo III outdrive.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I would love one engine to maintain as opposed to two. I would hate to head out on a long trip with one engine as apposed to two.

 

[dpmulvey]

A single 7.4 with a B3 should be fine. If she does not plane or rides stern heavy, add to the tabs. I would love that kind of room in the ER.

 

[keokie]

One 454 typically performs similar to twin 4.3's. My experience is that kind of wieght should have twin 350's.

 

[comsnark]

I was thinking the same thing. I have T-5.7's in a boat that is "about" 7,000 lbs.

I do not think I am overpowered

But then again. . my boat isn't a SunDancer.

 

[tdappleman]

When I was looking for my 270 I specifically wanted one with twins. I don't really like the lack of room around the motors but I really like the ability to limp home on one motor which I've done a couple of times. With the winds in my area, I don't know how a boat this size would really handle around dock with a single. I think these things are always compromises - and power (or lack of...) seems to be the biggest one. I'd do it all over again with the twins - I like the sound, maneuverability and the overall performance. I think the best thing is to ensure you do a good sea trial - bring some friends for weight. Good luck.

 

[Southpaw II]

I owned my '98 290 DA for about 6 years with T-5.7 Alphas. Top end was about 45 mph when it was new, but gradually slowed to about 38 mph after I accumulated a bunch of junk on board. At 10,500 lbs. these are heavy boats for their size. You can really tell a difference when you have lots of people on board. My dockmate had a '97 with the big block. We all know that every boat is a compromise...biggest thing I saw was the ease of starting with the 5.7 fuel injected motors and the docking maneuverability. If resale matters to you, just check the prices on these boats between single and twin engine setups.

 

[see ray]

thanks for the info!!!! the boat is the EARLY 290 DA with 9.8 beam . we are crusing lake erie (just the wife and i and ocassional friend, less than five people on board) it appears that the newer boats are more balanced, Just wanted an EXPERIENCED OPINION < thanks again .

 

[douglee25]

I don't own the boat you're looking for, but my 27' Larson (9'2" beam) comes in around 10k loaded and has a Volvo big block/duo prop combo. I've had 6 - 8 people on my boat and it planes very quickly. I rarely even use my tabs, and when I do, they are barely down. The boat manuvers and docks very well with the duo prop. I wouldn't hesitate to go with a single for that size boat. Save the twin screws for 30'+ boats. Your wallet will thank you as well.

Doug

 

[Good 2 Go]

My old boat was a 94 270 that had the 8'6" beam with 7.4 and Bravo III, I think about 7,000 lbs dry. Great power package if you can keep the Bravo III outdrive from dissolving away. I cruised at 28 -30 MPH hour burning 10 - 12 GPH, 3200 – 3400 RPM, can’t beat that for fuel burn. It topped out at an honest 42 MPH on GPS.

An old dock mate of mine had a 95 290 with the twin v-6s, he had to run the crap out of them RPM wise and burned 25 - 27 GPH to get the same speed range.

I would choose a big block over V-6 engines any day, big blocks are bullet proof for the most part. Mine had 925 hours when I traded it in and my guess has another 900 hours in it. It ran great, didn’t burn oil, just an all around great engine. The only thing better is the newer 8.1s in my new boat, they are awesome. You will plane with that package and as stated if loaded with people on the boat add some tab. Beside performance you should be thinking about longevity and maintenance issues also with big block vs V-6.

Good Luck

 

[84 SR268]

i thought aabout that too, i was shopping also for the 29 ,,,,,,twins are nice , with the second engine, but twice the maintance,, 2 sets of risers and manifolds two outdrives to maintain ETC,i would stay with the single 7.4