First boat 92 290 da

PlumCrazy4spd

Member
Aug 24, 2019
35
Boat Info
1988 270DA
Engines
Twin 5.7
Hey guys I've been looking around for a little bit, ideally would be small enough to trailer (twice a year) for maintenance and storage for the winter etc. I came across a 92 290 last year and it had sold already, fast forward a year and I find it for sale again. Single merc 454 with 185 hrs +-. Looks clean for a 27 year old boat. My father always had Sea Rays so I'm trying to stick to a boat that hads "reasonable" resale value and parts readily available. One thing I am a little concerned about potential rot in the transom and stringers after reading pascoe's reviews... I'm not looking for an offshore vessel to go 80 miles fishing with. Just looking to have fun around Narragansett Bay and maybe take a trip or two to block island. This particular boat seems to have been updated a little bit, newer faucet, vinyl flooring, little things of the sort, but it also has a sideshift bow thruster. And I'm honestly not quite sure how I feel about it. If it was installed correctly great. But I'm leery of a shoddy installation considering it requires holes being put in the hull. The boat itself is cheap, and he's interested in my bike with a little cash on top. Or $7900 cash. He mentioned his new boat arrived and needs to get rid of this to avoid slipping two boats. You guys think this is a little too old? A decent starter boat? Do you guys think a $7900 boat is worth a surveyor etc? Thanks in advance.
Anthony
 

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Hey guys I've been looking around for a little bit, ideally would be small enough to trailer (twice a year) for maintenance and storage for the winter etc. I came across a 92 290 last year and it had sold already, fast forward a year and I find it for sale again. Single merc 454 with 185 hrs +-. Looks clean for a 27 year old boat. My father always had Sea Rays so I'm trying to stick to a boat that hads "reasonable" resale value and parts readily available. One thing I am a little concerned about potential rot in the transom and stringers after reading pascoe's reviews... I'm not looking for an offshore vessel to go 80 miles fishing with. Just looking to have fun around Narragansett Bay and maybe take a trip or two to block island. This particular boat seems to have been updated a little bit, newer faucet, vinyl flooring, little things of the sort, but it also has a sideshift bow thruster. And I'm honestly not quite sure how I feel about it. If it was installed correctly great. But I'm leery of a shoddy installation considering it requires holes being put in the hull. The boat itself is cheap, and he's interested in my bike with a little cash on top. Or $7900 cash. He mentioned his new boat arrived and needs to get rid of this to avoid slipping two boats. You guys think this is a little too old? A decent starter boat? Do you guys think a $7900 boat is worth a surveyor etc? Thanks in advance.
Anthony

I had spent the past year looking for that exact boat...until I ended up with the boat I ended up with; 1995 290 w/2004 aluminum trailer, twin 4.3's, windlass, generator, heat/ac, hot water, electric head w/macerator, couch vs dinette seating, color blue (preferred) and new canvas, batteries and charger. I bought it from the original owner who put a ton of money into it over the years including all new hoses. The bad; it was a warm salt water dock queen with severe mildew, one locked up engine and one outdrive shot due to corrosion. The good; other than stated above, everything works properly. I have $5k into the boat/trailer including shipping from GA to NY. I've found a good engine and outdrive and can do the work myself. I also discovered that I like the newer style better.

Would I do it again this way? Maybe...but only if the hull was solid which mine is. I removed most of the interior and it cleaned up perfectly. As the trailer alone is worth a portion of what I have into the boat, and I currently have the time to commit to cleaning/repairs, I took a chance on this boat. In another thread I have posted about a complete NOS electronics package I've purchased for install.

From what I've found over the past year it seems that the price is good for the boat...IF the hull AND engine are solid! I'm actually glad that I ended up with the 4.3's over the 7.4 I thought I originally wanted. Many have indicated that the twins are much easier to handle and replacing one is much cheaper. The downside is that there are two engines to begin with...

Unless you're willing to take the chance which I did it would be worth spending a little money to have the hull and systems checked out by a professional. Otherwise the 290 seems to be the perfect boat for my use on Lake Ontario.

Gary
 
Oh man, if this includes the trailer it'd be a done deal! Haha. I'm torn between the single vs twin. I've heard the pros and cons for both and while I would love the maneuverability of twins, like you I'll be doing the majority of my own maintenance / engine replacement should it need to be. And boy does it looked cramped with two engines . It's a pretty bare bones boat. No AC no generator. Which is ok for now. He mentioned the windlass is getting tired, though it still works and he has a "wiring issue" somewhere. Mentioned when he hooked new batteries up he blew two fuses for the tv and radio. When he replaced the fuses they still don't work. Bad ground maybe? Short? Idk. Trying to go look at it later today. If time allows
 
Oh man, if this includes the trailer it'd be a done deal! Haha. I'm torn between the single vs twin. I've heard the pros and cons for both and while I would love the maneuverability of twins, like you I'll be doing the majority of my own maintenance / engine replacement should it need to be. And boy does it looked cramped with two engines . It's a pretty bare bones boat. No AC no generator. Which is ok for now. He mentioned the windlass is getting tired, though it still works and he has a "wiring issue" somewhere. Mentioned when he hooked new batteries up he blew two fuses for the tv and radio. When he replaced the fuses they still don't work. Bad ground maybe? Short? Idk. Trying to go look at it later today. If time allows


It's getting to be end of season and it will cost him to store it, which he clearly doesn't want to do.

Make an offer!
 
Don't worry about Pascoe. He was a little dramatic in his presentations. Take a look and sound the transom. Dead thud is bad. High ping is good. Then make sure to have it surveyed. A major problem on a boat like that isn't worth fixing. Remember the only thing that works on an old boat is the owner. Good luck.
 
I had one for 5 years with the single 7.4 engine and loved it. I would be a bit concerned with only 185 hrs on a 1992 engine....doesn't add up.
 
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I had one for 5 years with the single 7.4 engine and loved it. I would be a bit concerned with only 185 hrs on a 1992 engine....doesn't add up.
Repower lol, I'd be skeptical too if it was 185 original hours
 

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