Arrived! 2021 SDX 290

Steve in Minneapolis said:
Thanks, Paul... I noticed that too. I actually didn't order it. But, yes, it's there. I guess a gift from SR. I like it, but didn't think it's worth $1k. For what I paid, it's perfect! Maybe it was our visit to the factory in October that gave us some positive karma? They would not let us tour, but the security guard was kind enough to let us take a pic by the sign.View attachment 94441
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Shame you could not do the tour. We got to climb all over our boat on the factory floor during assembly, and they gave us a VIP tour of the entire facility. It was a great experience.
Now for the long countdown until spring for you.....
 
paulswagelock said:
Shame you could not do the tour. We got to climb all over our boat on the factory floor during assembly, and they gave us a VIP tour of the entire facility. It was a great experience.
Now for the long countdown until spring for you.....
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I'm jealous. We really hoped we would get the chance. But, we understood... it would suck for everyone involved if someone came in from the public and ended up infecting the workers. Maybe in a few years when we order the next boat. She wants a 320 Sundancer... I'm thinking used if it ever happens... but we'll see. There's always Lotto.
 
Now that you have had the boat for a few months, have you had the chance to crawl all over it and give it thorough inspection while waiting for warm weather?
 
I would love to do that. But it’s still at the dealer for the winter. Temps around mid twenties today and highs below zero for the weekend. We can’t wait for spring. It’ll be delivered to the house in March 23.
 
Well, we now have about 80 hours on her... she hasn't been sitting still! We have had no run issues, and no issues with electronics or controls. We added some drive lube in the first few hours, but that's normal. It used about 1/2 a quart of oil during the first 20 hours too. Since then, it's stable.

As for quality overall, I'd give it an A-. There was an issue with the battery switch that was identified immediately on delivery. Easy fix. We have the fiberglass inserts for the tower, and on one side, it looks a little faded. I think it should have been caught at the factory, but may have been covered with plastic to protect it. The dealer should have caught it, and they had it all winter and could have fixed it. Lastly, the head door is a little bit out of alignment. They will fix it for me, but it's not high on the priority list. Basically it "sags" about 1/2 inch from the hinge not being aligned perfectly.

There is one design issue. The rear lounge seats lift from the front to access the engine compartment. And, the port seat lifts from the rear to access a storage locker. If you lift that port seat while the seat back is up, it puts pressure on the hinge. We didn't realize this, and ended up bending the hinge. They are going to replace it under warranty, even though it's really my fault. We certainly appreciate that result, but we will need to be careful about opening that hatch. We are waiting for the part, and it's going to be a difficult repair, I think. But, at the end of the day, they agreed to repair it under warranty, and that's how you treat someone you want to come back!

All of these are minor and don't impact how we use it, except the hinge. Overall, we love it. It gets compliments all the time. Everyone who's been on it has loved it. It handles very nicely around the dock, takes a wave much better than I had anticipated, and the upgrade stereo on it really rocks! I've been very impressed with the sound system, and I'm a bit of an audiophile.

We have the 350 engine. With just me and the wife, it will run about 43 mph. Over the weekend, we had 10 of us, full tank of fuel and water and got it up to about 37. Not bad! We don't care about top speed. At a slow cruise we use about 4 gph, and at a 3k rpm cruise, around 10 gph. All very respectable for a 29 foot boat.
 
Fantastic! Sounds like no regrets. 80 hours is a good amount of use. I bet you were frothing at the bit to get out there after the long winter.

Also, it's nice to hear feedback from a new purchase to see the current state of affairs at Sea Ray. I've heard that all boats (new and used) come with their issues regardless of age. All things considered, that sounds like as clost to a perfect product as possible. I recent bought a very "loved" 18" SR bowrider. Love my girl, but she has cost me a sizeable amount of money to get her beyond the years of neglect. I may have her for 10 years, but the new Sea Ray Out Boards really have my eye.
 
The title seemed right and we likely have the right people following so I wanted to add a few comments / questions.

We received our 2021 SDX 290 OB last month as well. We've had a couple of full days out and so far it's absolutely everything we had hoped for.

Two quick questions:
Cockpit Blue LED Lighting - I swear these weren't on when we took delivery and somehow they turned on at some point. Worse off, we can not for the life of us figure out how to shut them off. "Cockpit" switch seemed to be the most obvious but interestingly this doesn't shut them off and also doesn't seem to turn on the standard courtesy lights. Also, the accessory switch doesn't seem to do anything at all so that wasn't helpful. Our thru hull lights and "Hull" switch do work so I hope that means we know how to operate the switches. Anyone have an experience here?

Head Door Popping Open - This door does pop open on occasion particularly when handling rougher conditions at speed. We had asked the dealer if there was an adjustment or similar and he let us know it was a known issue and didn't really have a solution. It seems if the tension on the slide handle is a little sloppy. For the time being, a bungie cord keeping the latch in the closed position (left) seems to work decently well but we would probably add one of those rubber latches like on the pass through wind screen door when we are underway. Again, would love any input or thoughts from forum members.

Thanks all, excited to be a Sea Ray owner and part of the community.
 
Castro said:
The title seemed right and we likely have the right people following so I wanted to add a few comments / questions.

We received our 2021 SDX 290 OB last month as well. We've had a couple of full days out and so far it's absolutely everything we had hoped for.

Two quick questions:
Cockpit Blue LED Lighting - I swear these weren't on when we took delivery and somehow they turned on at some point. Worse off, we can not for the life of us figure out how to shut them off. "Cockpit" switch seemed to be the most obvious but interestingly this doesn't shut them off and also doesn't seem to turn on the standard courtesy lights. Also, the accessory switch doesn't seem to do anything at all so that wasn't helpful. Our thru hull lights and "Hull" switch do work so I hope that means we know how to operate the switches. Anyone have an experience here?

Head Door Popping Open - This door does pop open on occasion particularly when handling rougher conditions at speed. We had asked the dealer if there was an adjustment or similar and he let us know it was a known issue and didn't really have a solution. It seems if the tension on the slide handle is a little sloppy. For the time being, a bungie cord keeping the latch in the closed position (left) seems to work decently well but we would probably add one of those rubber latches like on the pass through wind screen door when we are underway. Again, would love any input or thoughts from forum members.

Thanks all, excited to be a Sea Ray owner and part of the community.
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The blue lights are on a dimmer switch, and I think it's marked Accy. It's next to the cockpit lights. Push it down multiple times to dim in incremental steps. Or, push it and hold it down and they gradually get dimmer. I wish they were red instead... and could be dimmer. Cruising at night with them on is tough - they are too bright even on the lowest setting.

The head door is an adjustment. Mine is slightly crooked, but the dealer said they'll fix it soon. I added a little bit of very small weather strip to the edge of the door. The reason is that when you close it, it strikes gelcoat against gelcoat, and I think it'll eventually crack. That bit of rubber kept the door from closing tightly. Dealer made a small spacer to move the latch away from the door about 1/8 inch, and that solved it. You could try to loosen the screws on the latch, and move it slightly closer to the edge of the door, and that may help.
 
Ahh! I appreciate the reply! I kept expecting an on/off so never noticed the dimming change. That makes sense.

I'll definitely check out the door with those reccos so thanks a bunch for those as well.
 
Tell us about the factory. Are any other brands built there? Gossip and trivia.
 
Arminius said:
Tell us about the factory. Are any other brands built there? Gossip and trivia.
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They didn’t let us inside due to COVID. The guard was nice and let us take a pic. That’s all I’ve got.
 
Just like Area 51. Really nice looking new boat. Marc Antony could have changed history if he would have had a ram like your anchor at Actium!
 
Arminius said:
Tell us about the factory. Are any other brands built there? Gossip and trivia.
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I was in the Tennessee factory in 2018 before COVID. Great tour. Got to see and board our boat on the line. Only SR built there. They were doing all SLX and SDX series there at the time for sure, don’t remember seeing SPX there, assume that was done at the southern factory. The 400 wasn’t around quite yet but I heard that is built in florida.
 
We’re seriously considering a 270 SDX OB what’s your opinions on the head compartment on these SDX’s beautiful boat guys.
 
Havana Shamrock said:
We’re seriously considering a 270 SDX OB what’s your opinions on the head compartment on these SDX’s beautiful boat guys.
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I have had the boat since 2018. The head is a day head, and usable for its purpose. I am 6’6” tall and 210 pounds. I can use the head in an emergency readily, but obviously in a seated position. There is enough headroom. My wife is typical size and can use it comfortably. She can change in there, but it is a bit of a struggle.
I did change out the faucet to a single knob high rise. The pull out sprayer is useless and how do you wash hands and hold down the button….. I would skip the head upgrade. It adds a cabinet, but makes the head much tighter.

If you search my posts you will find my details on fit and finish, performance, etc.
I have an entire list of suggestions I shared with SR that would make the boat better, they invited me to present to design and engineering about a year ago. Hopefully they will make it into the refresh.
 
Good info if any dealers have one in stock doubt it, I’d love to step on one to get a feel for the size. Obviously I’d want the OB model so we can rack store it. was also looking at videos on the 250 SDX it bigger is better no? Thanks for your input I’ll search your threads.
 
The 250sdx is a nice size, but definitely tighter in the main cockpit area. It was too small for us, but has the new port side pass through design which makes the bathroom a cuddly/head combo.
 
paulswagelock said:
Shame you could not do the tour. We got to climb all over our boat on the factory floor during assembly, and they gave us a VIP tour of the entire facility. It was a great experience.
Now for the long countdown until spring for you.....
Click to expand...
 
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