official 290 Amberjack thread

[Timothy Berlinski]

Is it a circulation pump or does it pump sea water from the petcock?

 

[William Miller]

Is it a circulation pump or does it pump sea water from the petcock?

Thru hull to a strainer to a valve also under the sink. In one position the valve fills the bait well. In the other position it feed the spigot near your toes on the driver's side.
The other spigot is fed from the fresh water tank/pump.
The sink and shower on the back are also freshwater.

If you go to searay website you can download an owners manual and parts manual. That will give you a good idea of how things work!
Good luck

 

[James Lee]

290AJ Owners. Throughout the years we've never had a reason to convert the dinette to a sleeper and therefore haven't done it. After spending last weekend on the boat we decided to drop the table and see how it sets up. Can anyone post a pic of their dinette converted and show what filler cushions go where, etc? I'm thinking we don't have all the filler cushions as we couldn't make a complete sleaping area. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[William Miller]

AJ290 LIFT BUNK BOARDS

looking for dimensions to install bunkboards on a new bunk boards.

I need the width to spread the bunks based in the flat stakes on the hull.
Also if possible the height of those strikes from the keel.

I'm hoping someone has a diagram or a link to the info.

Thanks!

 

[Geoff Palmer]

This doesn't seem to be a very active page, but...

I'm looking at a 2007 AJ 290 that seems to have the bolster broken off of the helm seat. Does anyone have suggestions for repair (if it's even around) or replacement? It looks like the brackets/hinges may have broken off, but boat is 30 minutes away.

 

[RAW BAR]

Can anyone tell me what the 2 holes are under the searay logo (not my boat, Google pic)

 

[AJSB]

Can anyone tell me what the 2 holes are under the searay logo (not my boat, Google pic)

Larger one is cockpit sink/livewell drain and the smaller one is the pressure relief drain for hot water heater.

 

[Nuno Fig]

Hello fellow Aj's. I recently purchased a 2003 290. As any boat of this vintage, there are a few things to address.

Here's what I have encountered so far:
Windshield vent actuator: replaced with one I found at Amazon...about $50.00
Horn: the dual horn from Sraray is no longer available, so I replaced it with one I found on Ebay...$26.00. It works, but you may have to widen the opening in the fiberglass a bit, and redrill for new mounting screws.
Most importantly: If you just purchased your boat, do not assume that the maintenance is up to date, even if the previous owner tells you so! I had to pull my boat from out from the water after had paid for the "splash" already, due to a stuck shift cable...simple stuff that costs you a bunch of money. I had to remove the outdrive and check the cable . The cable was fine, but it needed lubrication. Someone had removed the outdrive before and did not replace the rubber gaskets...saltwater got in and corroded the cable. Make sure you replace all the O-rings and gaskets when you remove the outdrive for maintenance!
I am pretty handy, so I do my own maintenance.
Another advice to all saltwater boats: flush your engines and drives with freshwater often, whenever possible!
I have twin 5.7L 350's with Bravo 3's. I am looking to add a freshwater flushing system as soon as possible.
Cannot believe that Searay would not have a flushing system as standard equipment.
Yes, you can use the muffs ( my seawater pick-ups are at the outdrive), but that is pretty difficult to do when the boat is in the water. Make sure you check the sea water pump impellers!
I also took the oportunity to replace the thermostats. Easy stuff to do, that will prevent a possible overheating issue.
Boat back in the water...let's see if I can go the season without any major issues...
I am checking the dashboard lighting now...don't seem to have light at the guages, any suggestions?

 

[RAW BAR]

Larger one is cockpit sink/livewell drain and the smaller one is the pressure relief drain for hot water heater.

Thanks. Question 2, boat is not in the water yet. Why would water leak out of the pressure relief drain for hot water heater hole?

 

[drumcutrer]

Thanks. Question 2, boat is not in the water yet. Why would water leak out of the pressure relief drain for hot water heater hole?

More than likely it’s a faulty pressure relief valve. I’m assuming this is happening when your water heater is on? I had the same issue; replaced the valve and good! Best of luck.

 

[RAW BAR]

More than likely it’s a faulty pressure relief valve. I’m assuming this is happening when your water heater is on? I had the same issue; replaced the valve and good! Best of luck.

I haven't turned it on, and the switch is off so I don't think so but I don't know what else would cause it.

 

[AJSB]

I haven't turned it on, and the switch is off so I don't think so but I don't know what else would cause it.

I don’t think the HW heater needs to be on for the pressure relief to release water. Once the water pump is turned on, the entire water system, cold and hot, is pressurized. A new relief valve is a cheap initial fix but could also just be a bandaid depending on the age of the heater. There’s also the possibility that the thru hull is plumbed to something else. Get in there and follow the drain hoses to confirm what’s connected and where.

 

[Nuno Fig]

Hello fellow AJ's.
By any chance does anyone know the diameter of the rubber hose coming from the Y commector to the thermostat housing part # 863456A1? I had to special order the hose assembly...meanwhile I am on vacation and cannot use the boat...I am thinking of going out and getting a radiator hose from an auto parts store to get me by until the new assembly shows up.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Geoff Palmer]

Has anyone found a good replacement horn for the OEM? Mine came with non-working original still in place with a non-matching replacement hanging in the anchor rode locker. I would prefer not to have to cut out the hole larger for replacement. Would consider trumpet horn mounted on arch but wonder how challenging getting wires through that would be. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[RAW BAR]

I don’t think the HW heater needs to be on for the pressure relief to release water. Once the water pump is turned on, the entire water system, cold and hot, is pressurized. A new relief valve is a cheap initial fix but could also just be a bandaid depending on the age of the heater. There’s also the possibility that the thru hull is plumbed to something else. Get in there and follow the drain hoses to confirm what’s connected and where.

Thanks AJSB. I confirmed it's coming from the water heater pressure valve as you said. Weird thing is that I haven't had the water pump on in a couple of months. Maybe some residual pressure from the last time it was on?

 

[Brian48080]

Hey all, I just closed on a 2001 290 Amberjack this past Thursday so I'll start piling in a bunch of questions here I'm sure. My wife and I are super excited about the vessel as its very beautiful. Pics to come as she's dirty now! We're coming from a 95 300 sundancer so the fit and finish on the newer amberjack seems much nicer, although it does seem to lack large storage like the dancer.

 

[Brian48080]

Finally getting her dialed in, and this past weekend got to put up the entire camper canvas that she came with. Quick question, do we know what batteries control what systems?

 

[Geoff Palmer]

Has anyone found a good replacement horn for the OEM? Mine came with non-working original still in place with a non-matching replacement hanging in the anchor rode locker. I would prefer not to have to cut out the hole larger for replacement. Would consider trumpet horn mounted on arch but wonder how challenging getting wires through that would be. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Still battling this issue and scheduled to launch next week so we can be on Lake Erie for the Eclipse. Any help is appreciated.