Amberjack 290 Seating Questions

[BK290]

I am a new boat owner and just purchased an Amberjack
290 with the fishing package. I have a question about the seating.
I thought the bench attached to the transom was removable, but
I looked at it today and see that it really does not come out unless you take all the screws out.
Also, next to the drivers seat is a double seat lounger, which I was also under the impression that it folded flat, if you wanted
to lay down, but as much as I tried to fold it flat it would only
move front and back. Am I completely wrong about these seats
or am I doing something wrong. Thanks in advance. BK290

 

[RichP]

What year is your AJ. My friend has an '08. The rear seat folds flat to the stern. I don't think this comes out but once put up it does not take up much deck space.

Passenger seat back rolls to 3 positions. Rear Lounger, Front Lounger, Back to back seating.

 

[Lord Farringdon]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2925223972981906216#

The link above is for a 270 Amberjack but might show some features similar to yours.

Terry

 

[b_arrington]

Congrats on your new boat!

Sea Ray has owner's mauals for most models on-line. Curiously, they don't have one for your 2004, but do have ones on either side for 2003 and 2005. Those models were basically the same as 2004. Take a look here for the 2003 version: http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/1C1_23_74DEJAK653N.pdf

The helm seat does not fold flat. It has the rigid fiberglass back, which can't fold up. Also, this model usually comes with a fish prep or bar area right behind the helm seat precluding use of that seat as a flat lounger. The left-side seat is a back-to-back folding lounger, which you probably found already.

For the back bench, I don't recall the specifics but the manual states it's a folding seat. This is a far better arrangement than a removable seat since it is self stowing; removable seats have to be stashed somewhere and take up valuable space.

If it's like my 270 AJ, you can simply fold the seat flat against the rear bulkhead. Just lift up the front edge of the seat, fold the stainless support legs up against the seat bottom, and lower the front of the seat to the deck. It is hinged at the top, and you'll need to push it back against the bulkhead but it should be pretty easy.

 

[papertrail]

yes, the back bench does come completely out. The back to back seat on passenger side folds flat.

 

[Youngin19]

I just purchased a 2005 AJ 290. I haven't had the back seat down just yet but the back to back seat does fold out flat. You will have two knobs that need to be loosened (if you are at the back of the boat and looking towards the bow they will be on the left hand side) and then you have the tabs on the rail of the seat (these are on the right hand side where the seat is mounted) that needs to be pressed in. Once you loosen the two knobs, press the tabs in on the seat rail and it will lay right out.

 

[morellop]

I am the new owner of a 2002 AJ 290. Reading the threads below I still cannot figure out if the aft bench folds away. I have removed it several times and have found it to be large and bulky. The brackets do not seem to articulate. The owner's manual refers to the bench as "Fold Out Aft Seat". Does anyone know how to fold it down?

 

[saltydogz]

I am the new owner of a 2002 AJ 290. Reading the threads below I still cannot figure out if the aft bench folds away. I have removed it several times and have found it to be large and bulky. The brackets do not seem to articulate. The owner's manual refers to the bench as "Fold Out Aft Seat". Does anyone know how to fold it down?

I take it to mean that with the older AJ 290, like mine, that the folding means that it folds up as you lift the hatch to get to the engines. I think with some newer models they designed it to fold down and out of the way.

I agree with you that its large and bulky when it comes to removing it, but I found that putting two fender bumpers under it makes it a lot easier to get those hing pins back in place by myself when take it off or putting it back.

 

[amberjack290]

I have an 07 290 Amberjack and have taken the aft seat out. It does not fold flat (as it should), but you need to take the pins out of the hinges and remove it from the boat.

As far as the passenger seat, as Youngin19 said, along with the screws on the port side there is a spring clip on the inside holding the seat in the upright position. Sometimes the track gets sticky, so it is easier with two people pulling while you release the spring clip.

This is my first season with the 290, and I'm looking forward to more Amberjack discussion.