Considering a upgrade: 240 Sundeck to 290

[RichP]

We love our 2004 240, it looks and runs like new. Thinking it may be time to trade up to a 290 Sundeck. Looking for a more stable ride in rougher water but am hesitant to give up ease of use or the comfort of our 240.
Any thougts? Can anyone push us over the edge?

We have a down payment on a new 2009 and have until next week to back out......:smt119

 

[zboaterctf]

We love our 2004 240, it looks and runs like new. Thinking it may be time to trade up to a 290 Sundeck. Looking for a more stable ride in rougher water but am hesitant to give up ease of use or the comfort of our 240.
Any thougts? Can anyone push us over the edge?

We have a down payment on a new 2009 and have until next week to back out......:smt119

Just do it ... it is an awesome boat, trails great, rides great, handles big water well, and holds a ton of people / gear. We looked at the 270 SLX, 290 SLX, and 290 Sundeck - and selected the 290 Sundeck for sheer size, "people room" and towing. We love the flexible seating configuration. Options are personal preference and we did what works for us. We did get the vacu-flush, which I would recommend and is much better than the porta-potti. We elected not to go with frig since we keep it on the trailer or on a rack, and wanted the storage space. We passed on the grill for counter space and did not want the mess or risk of "hot grill" on kids hands (so we hang a Magma off the side), and passed on the ski arch to reduce height/cost of storage. We did GPS/plotter and upgraded stereo. I would not go smaller than the 375 HP – it is a good engine and I do not see the need to go to the 425 for extra cost and fuel burn. You may want to look at some of the "new" '08's still out there - I know there was a price increase on the '09's and you could probably negotiate a heck of a deal on an '08 that is still on floor plan. If you have a good deal on an ’09 with your trade, pull the trigger and enjoy …

 

[highslice]

We have a down payment on a new 2009 and have until next week to back out......:smt119

It's a great boat! We went with the 270 SLX, I didn't like the 290 SLX as much and I don't think the 290 Sun Deck was available when we bought. You will always miss the 240 a little bit (it was our first boat), but you will love the increase in size and the better big water handling. 496 Mag is an absolute must.

On both our boats we made the sale contingent on a sea trial, I wouldn't do it any other way! If they are forcing you to sign the dotted line before you sea trial, walk away.

 

[chuck1]

Rich,

The only negative for me was the trailering issues. Not sure what you have or even if you trailer??? You do know that you have to get wide load permits for it, plus I would have had to get a bigger tow vehicle. The 290SD is one sweet boat. I saw them being built at the Sea Ray factory then took a sea trail on the one that Sea Ray lets the TN Vols Coach use.

 

[avguy]

I thought the 290SD was just a re-badged 270SD. I was under the impression the 270 had an 8'6 beam & just assumed the 290 did as well?

 

[zboaterctf]

I thought the 290SD was just a re-badged 270SD. I was under the impression the 270 had an 8'6 beam & just assumed the 290 did as well?

Nope - it was a completely new hull (for '10 now called a 300 Sundeck) with a 9'1" beam ... however it only looks 8'6" on the trailer - it is deceptive on the trailer vs. how big a 260 Sundancer looks on the trailer due to height. Agree you should still get permits to be legal. I did need to move from a 1/2 ton (1500) Suburban to a 3/4 ton (2500) Suburban to tow it comfortably - and it tows extremely well on the Heritage trailer.