New Sundancer 290 owner looking for must haves.

[starks1401]

Hey All...

My wife and I just purchased a 1993 Sea Ray Sundancer 290. This is are first jump into boat ownership. I grew up with boats, but nothing like this. We have two young boys and are planing on using it to run the Missouri River. I'm looking for insight on the must haves...and when I say must haves, I'm meaning toys, electronics and anything else you deem important. The boat came with an out dated stereo and questionable depth finder. It has a TV, but no antenna. What a great forum!!!

 

[AMFM3]

If you're overnighting & want the amenities then a generator is a must. Add in a DVD and you're good with kids.

Mark

 

[Studman]

Congrads and Welcome !

We have the same boat

 

[Quint4]

Welcome and read this thread dedicated to your model & Year Sea Ray:

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/37133-Official-(1990-1993)-270-290-DA-thread

 

[GrandMaster]

Hey All...

My wife and I just purchased a 1993 Sea Ray Sundancer 290. This is are first jump into boat ownership. I grew up with boats, but nothing like this. We have two young boys and are planing on using it to run the Missouri River. I'm looking for insight on the must haves...and when I say must haves, I'm meaning toys, electronics and anything else you deem important. The boat came with an out dated stereo and questionable depth finder. It has a TV, but no antenna. What a great forum!!!

What toys did the boat come with already? Air Conditioning? Generator, Windless. Those are the top three in my book, and a good VHF radio that has DSC (and AIS if you want all the bells/whistles) along with a back-up, floating hand held is a must have. Consider a combo handheld VHF/GPS.

For other electronics you may want to consider the following:
1. Good Multi-function display with GPS chartplotter
2. If you plan on boating at night I would have a radar if there is alot of other traffic on the river in your area
3. Forward scan sonar unit to avoid running aground.
4. I doubt an autoipilot would do you much good in a river cruising scenario.
5. You probably dont need an EPIRB on the river, but I would consider a less expensive PLB.
6. Fuel flow meters

 

[Loneranger]

What toys did the boat come with already? Air Conditioning? Generator, Windless. Those are the top three in my book, and a good VHF radio that has DSC (and AIS if you want all the bells/whistles) along with a back-up, floating hand held is a must have. Consider a combo handheld VHF/GPS.

For other electronics you may want to consider the following:
1. Good Multi-function display with GPS chartplotter
2. If you plan on boating at night I would have a radar if there is alot of other traffic on the river in your area
3. Forward scan sonar unit to avoid running aground.
4. I doubt an autoipilot would do you much good in a river cruising scenario.
5. You probably dont need an EPIRB on the river, but I would consider a less expensive PLB.
6. Fuel flow meters

I have a genset, AC, and windlass which are all wonderful. The others above are nice but I have boated on the Tennessee river for better than a decade without any of the above except for VHF and I really only use that to talk to the lock master. I do have fuel flow meters I am installing this winter though.

John

 

[Bucit]

Beer, beer and more beer. Maybe not important to the boys but it does come in handy. How about a grill? Many posts on here about types and where to mount them.

 

[Sadler]

Unquestionable depth finder.