tvojnyk
New Member
I am looking a 2006 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer. I has 4.3 v6's. I am concerned that it may not be enough HP because it does not have V8's? Is that a vaild concern?
2006 Sea Ray 290 Question
- Thread starter tvojnyk
- Start date
Yes it is. The concensus here seems to be that 4.3's are a little overworked. This subject comes up from time to time. I would look for a boat with at least 5.0's in it. My old 2000 290 AJ was a dog with 5.0 EFI motors.... Yes, that is a heavier and wider boat, but still.....
The 4.3's will be revving higher for the same speed and they will be worked quite hard..... Have a friend with a 29-ft Regal with 4.3's and he has the same issues.
The 4.3's will be revving higher for the same speed and they will be worked quite hard..... Have a friend with a 29-ft Regal with 4.3's and he has the same issues.
Cincy Aquaholic
Active Member
- Mar 15, 2009
- 1,329
- Boat Info
- 290 SS - 2016 Ford F250 Powerstroke
- Engines
- Twin 5.7 with Bravo 1's
Never been on one with a 4.3, but bear in mind there is no option for anything bigger than the 5.0's so don't bother looking for something with more.
The ONLY way for YOU to know if its enough is to test it yourself. Only you can determine whether it suits your purpose. I've never seen specs on the 4.3's but with the 5.0's you will get up to about 42mph max. Time on plane is very good. Probably less than 5 seconds.
380 hp versus 520. I personally wouldn't want anything less than the 5.0's but everyone has difference wants and uses. They may very well be just fine for yours. I doubt you will have engine "trouble" from overworking them just because they may be less HP.
The ONLY way for YOU to know if its enough is to test it yourself. Only you can determine whether it suits your purpose. I've never seen specs on the 4.3's but with the 5.0's you will get up to about 42mph max. Time on plane is very good. Probably less than 5 seconds.
380 hp versus 520. I personally wouldn't want anything less than the 5.0's but everyone has difference wants and uses. They may very well be just fine for yours. I doubt you will have engine "trouble" from overworking them just because they may be less HP.
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Ididntdoit
Well-Known Member
dimensionally this boat is a '01-'09 280 - like the 280 you could get this boat with a single 8.1 T4.3 or T5.0 - most of these boats were spec'd out with T4.3s - I'm sure they are adaquate (I know they were in my 280) - as a previous poster said - Don't buy a boat without water testing it - and make sure its loaded (people, fuel, water, gear) the way you will be using it!
pgplay18
New Member
- Feb 24, 2010
- 35
- Boat Info
- 270 Dancer 1999 9.2 Garmin 720
- Engines
- 454 Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drives
I have an 06 next to me in the marina that has the 4.3 and another about 8 down that has the 5.0 . Both owners are pleased with the performance but the owner with the 4.3 usally has 4-5 people on his boat max. They normally use it to go on short day trips. It all comes down to your intentions and use of the boat.
I have been looking at the 280-300's and have tested both. You really don't notice it uuntil you have 8 people in the boat and your loaded with fuel.
Good Luck
I have been looking at the 280-300's and have tested both. You really don't notice it uuntil you have 8 people in the boat and your loaded with fuel.
Good Luck
wvsundancer
New Member
I have the 280 with the single 496 had 8 people on the boat and got it up on plane with no problems. There is a 280 at our dock with the 4.3's and his does fine. The nice thing is that if you plane on keeping your boat in thw water you can switch to Aluminum props and do away with the corrision issues. 5.0's on most of the SD's I have seen are B3's.
Nacho Boat
New Member
- Sep 23, 2008
- 482
- Boat Info
- 290 Sundancer 2006, Kohler Generator
Northstar 6000 GPS
Towed w/Ford F-350
- Engines
- Twin 5.0L Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drives
It's really a call that you must make!
I have the 5.0's in mine, and I can say that I would like to have MORE POWER. However, you may be content just to boat with adequate power. It's a personal decision.
First, realize that you will get worse fuel economy with the smaller engines (most folks don't realize this, but the smaller the engines, the harder they have to work). Second, consider resale. When I sold my last boat, I had a lot of interest because it had the largest power package available. Most seasoned boat owners want the boat with the most power.
On my 290, I once had twelve people on board, and it took a while to get up on plane. If I had the 4.3's, I would still be trying to get up on plane.
You might be perfectly happy with either engine package. Again, it's a personal call, but you should try to experience both before you make a decision.
I have the 5.0's in mine, and I can say that I would like to have MORE POWER. However, you may be content just to boat with adequate power. It's a personal decision.
First, realize that you will get worse fuel economy with the smaller engines (most folks don't realize this, but the smaller the engines, the harder they have to work). Second, consider resale. When I sold my last boat, I had a lot of interest because it had the largest power package available. Most seasoned boat owners want the boat with the most power.
On my 290, I once had twelve people on board, and it took a while to get up on plane. If I had the 4.3's, I would still be trying to get up on plane.
You might be perfectly happy with either engine package. Again, it's a personal call, but you should try to experience both before you make a decision.
