between 2 boats - bravo III or not to Bravo III

C

crunchberry

New Member
Sep 15, 2009
5
Sandusky, OH
HI all -
So its between a 2007 290 DA with a generator (supposedly a 14k upgrade) 89 fresh water hours and 2 5.0 mpi engines

vs.

a 2007 290 DA without generator but with bravo III's, 40 saltwater hours. Other than that - both are same boat. we are in freshwater but figure the 40 hours saltwater will wash out pretty fast.


Need input fast - thanks!
 
The genny is only worth it if you are positive you will get good use out of it. Many times, a small portable Honda will do the trick. (Everyone... Let's not get into the discussion about "how to use a genny" - it's been beaten to death on more than a few occasions.)

Alpha drives on the other 290? B2?

With a twin set-up, it's likely less of an issue than a single. But, the B3's will still give better performance.

Ultimately - do yourself a favor and take them both out. It's really the only way you are going to be able to make a good decision. We can only offer you our advice - but that's subject to our opinion. My opinion is the B3's are more important than the genny. But, someone down in Florida may very well say the opposite, you know?

Obviously, fresh is better than salt. But, that's not to say that salt is bad. It largely depends on how it is cared for. Have a mechanical survey done... take it for a good test ride.
 
Last edited:
Assuming Alphas in Boat A? If they are both the same price, you are getting a better 'deal' with Boat 1 as the GENSET is an expensive upgrade and helps raise/maintain value. The difference between BIII and Alpha is approx. $1000, maybe less.

BUT... the BIII is a much better drive than the Alphas for many reasons. In fact, consider this.. If you take the entire current SeaRay sport cruiser line up which consists of 10 boats and add-up all the boat/engine/drive configurations you'll come-up with a list of about 75 lines listing each boat and it's engine/drive options. Of that long list, only one line has ALPHA in it. I don't have anything against an alpha drive but on technical merits, I agree with Searay's engineers/marketing teams to phase out the older style alpha drive for this size boat. The additional cost to go to a Bravo is minimal and you get a much better piece of hardware.

Any guesses which cruiser still offers the ALPHA drive..btw?
 
Thanks for both inputs.

We can not take them out on test drive, both are in different states. Marine M fiscal year end is on Sept 30th and they are trying to get rid of their inventory and get cash.

So supposedly we are getting a decent deal. We are trading in a 10 yr old 280 sunsport anniversary edition which we really do love, bought last year from same dealer so they know the boat. Very fast boat - 600hp but we can't sleep on it if we visit the islands.

Would love to take the two boats out - but buying basically sight unseen.

How much faster are bravoIII's than regular 5.0mpi? Anyone know? Generator boat Does not list if they are bravoII's or not. I am thinking standard engine config. Don't really need a generator unless bouy out somewhere I guess. Never had one before.

There is actually two more that I am looking at but not thru MM. I really like the salesman at MM - he has been working with us for years and IF I buy one - would rather buy it thru him but shall see...
 
I bet both boats have the bravo IIIs - probably just listed wrong - I dont think you could get the boat with alphas - also get the genny if for no other reason than re-sale
 
If they are the same price... I would go with the generator for one reason - resale... If not, and the one without a generator is 10K or more less, then go with Bravo III boat...
 
I also didn't think the 290 came with Alphas but am not 100% sure. You need the manufacturing report for each boat from Searay that lists the configuration and options. Surprised your sales guy hasn't out this all together for you...?
 
crunchberry said:
Thanks for both inputs.

We can not take them out on test drive, both are in different states. Marine M fiscal year end is on Sept 30th and they are trying to get rid of their inventory and get cash.

So supposedly we are getting a decent deal. We are trading in a 10 yr old 280 sunsport anniversary edition which we really do love, bought last year from same dealer so they know the boat. Very fast boat - 600hp but we can't sleep on it if we visit the islands.

Would love to take the two boats out - but buying basically sight unseen.

How much faster are bravoIII's than regular 5.0mpi? Anyone know? Generator boat Does not list if they are bravoII's or not. I am thinking standard engine config. Don't really need a generator unless bouy out somewhere I guess. Never had one before.

There is actually two more that I am looking at but not thru MM. I really like the salesman at MM - he has been working with us for years and IF I buy one - would rather buy it thru him but shall see...
Click to expand...
If they are both through MM would they ship the one to look at? The dealer I bought my 280 from brought it from their Ohio store to their Wisconsin one so we could look at it. Its alot of boat to buy sight unseen>
 
Definately get the genny.

Definately do not buy the boat sight unseen.

The drives don't bother me that much. With a single engine - get BIII. With two, I don't see the need. 40 hours of salt water is nothing. 3 years of soaking in salt can be huge.

Definately get a survey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
MM is certifying this boat and it comes with a one year - everything warranty.

We have very good relations with this MM store and the sales guy - though understand about buying this boat sight unseen.

Should I still do a survey with a one year warranty - they are saying its going to be like a brand new boat. Probably a very dumb question....

I am asking for the specs on both boats, have not heard back yet.

Must be a boat show promotion going for the sales guys at SeaRay since the pressure is on - lol.
 
The genset 89hr boat is on e-bay now with an opening bid of 65k and a buy it now of 74k and it says it has bravo IIIs
 
crunchberry said:
HI all -
So its between a 2007 290 DA with a generator (supposedly a 14k upgrade) 89 fresh water hours and 2 5.0 mpi engines

vs.

a 2007 290 DA without generator but with bravo III's, 40 saltwater hours. Other than that - both are same boat. we are in freshwater but figure the 40 hours saltwater will wash out pretty fast.


Need input fast - thanks!
Click to expand...

according to the Sea Ray archives, only BIII's were offered on that boat http://www.searay.com/Page.aspx/pmId/81082/pageId/10250/view/Overview/Past-Models.aspx

click on the Propulsion tab.
 
If it's a single b3 is best. If you plan On overnighting, get the genny too. Notice how said too. Wait for the right boat. These are not it!

On that note, b3 is more expensive to maintain.
 
I had a 2006 290 Sundancer. Now im in a 2008 340. They only come with Bravo 3s. They did come with a different engine in 2006 4.3 vs 5.0. The extra weight added by the generator and the top cabinets will require the 5.0 for speed. The 290 Sundancer was supposed to replace the 280 model. Have you cosidered a 280 Sundancer..its the same space and size wise?
 
Yeah. . .the spec sheet on SeaRay site is clear. The Mercruiser options are 4.3 engines or 5.0 engines. . .both with BIII's. There was also a volvo option. Confirm that both boats have 5.0 engines -> the 4.3 was standard.

ABSOLUTELY survey the boat. Unless you consider $75K to be throw money. Especially since you are contemplating buying sight unseen. You can really screw up a boat even with only 50 hours. Also, when I was shopping insurance recent survey was a *requirement*.

For this amount of money, I would also consider an engine survey (by a Mercruiser mechanic) in addition to the hull survey.

You need to give the boat a SERIOUS water test. Your 280SS had bigger engines pushing considerably less weight. The 290DA will NOT move the with the same "snap".

Are you running salt or fresh? If running Fresh, I wouldn't worry and be happy. If you are running salt, consider adding a closed loop cooling system to the boat.

I can't speak to the Genny beyond the other solid advice in the thread.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,162
Messages
1,427,561
Members
61,070
Latest member
Justrite
Back
Top