Official 290 Sundancer Thread

It does alot, thanks, plus your other thread is invaluable! Do you have any idea what speakers you would put outside on the rear?

I can't put my sub where you did as that is where my monster cooler lives. How much would the sub be affected behind an open cabin door?
 
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I would probably use the same JL audio 7.7's but I may go with the different grill that has more mesh to conceal them more. I think I would keep them lower on the transom under the hatch. I don't think there is enough room any higher up. keep me posted on your progress.
 
My sub is in the box on which the helm seat mounts, facing aft (adjacent to the cockpit fridge door). What about mounting yours there?
 
Just picked up a 94 290 a few weeks back, simply love the boat. Looks greta runs great, just have a ton to learn about the boat and boating in general
 
I have seen several post here regarding stereo upgrades, but I cannot find any info where everyone ran their amp ground wire. Is there a bus bar behind battery switch panel or electrical panel in cabin? I plan on mounting amp in mid cabin cabinet. Any tips appreciated.
 
I simply attached my ground to the ground terminal on one of my batteries. Seems to be interference free.
 
I ran the positive to the switch because I didn't want my amp always drawin off the same battery. So it will draw from which ever of the two I have selected or from both on that switch.
 
Re: Official (new design) 290 Sundancer Thread

Looking at going to a 290 06/07 from my current 280 DA. How many of these were actually made with a single 496 or single diesel? I would love a single diesel, but I assume the very few made went to Europe.
I dont even see 496 single as an option on the parts manuals, but some of you on here have that option.. was it special order or just very uncommon? At worst I would like to pick up one with twin 4.3's were they available with Alphas or only Bravo 3's? I hate dealing with the corrosion on the B3's. Much prefer alphas for this size of boat.
 
I have never seen one with a single of any fashion. The performance of this boat with 5.0's and B3's is stellar. Corrosion is not an issue on this vintage if you just replace the Zincs.
 
I recall seeing someone on here with a single but never a diesel. No idea how that option came about but a single 496 with 375 HP would seem waay underpowered to me. I think the 5.0's with 520 HP is just right. A little more wouldn't hurt. I wish I had 5.7's for the occasional busting across the lake.

Also, my Bravo 3's have not the slightest sign of corrosion but I'm not in salt water either.
 
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Thanks for info. I have heard the later B3's are better for corrosion with the extra anodes on them. Still a lot of hardware sitting (rotting) in the water for a 29 footer. I am wondering if the guy who was posting in this thread with a single 496 had a custom rigged or ordered boat.. All the tests of this model do not list a 496 as an option either.
A single 496 would push the 290, I dont know about it being underpowered. It would work hard to plane with a full load though, due to the extra weight vs the 280 DA single engine. I like single engines due to ease of repair or maintenance. I will Definitely sacrifice planing time or top end speed for that.
More questions. the white powder coated windshield was an option vs the grey color?
Any of you drive a 2002-2008 280 DA, comparisons on ride quality? I want something a bit more stable and the flatter bow deck is appealing to me. I find the 280 has a bit more roll then I would like. If the 290 has this too I may go for a 320 or 340 instead.
 
It looks like cruising fuel economy with twin 4.3s (if I could find one) would not be much different then the fuel burn of a single 496 anyways, if not equal. 5.0s might eat a bit more. Nothing worse then having a smaller boat that burns a similar amount of fuel as a larger one.. aka 290 vs 320 w/ sterndrives. Its alot more boat.
 
Hey Cincy,

My stock amp is wired to the port single battery. Is that correct? Did you wire yours to the STBD bank?
My speakers are JBL, is that the stock ones or has the PO already changed things?
One more. If I go with the JL 6.5's vs 7.7's, how much am I giving up? I am going to run the 10" sub.

Thanks.

BTW. Check your PM's.
 
That would be me with the single 496. I bought it as a leftover brand new. Would I rather have twins....yup....but the price was right.I'm only on an inland lake about 32 miles long, and our area we spend the most time in is 10 miles from dock. The 496 just purrs! No problem on plane with 8 people and 1/2 tank of fuel and water. A breeze to work on too. BTW...I just had installed the extended swim platform for www.swimplatforms.com WOW....what a difference. Fit is pretty good and it looks like it should have come from SR.
 
Hey Groucho, congrats on the swim platform. I want to do the same someday. I wanted to do it the last time it was pulled for bottom paint, but the funds just were not there. Someday...
 
Hey Cincy,

My stock amp is wired to the port single battery. Is that correct? Did you wire yours to the STBD bank?
My speakers are JBL, is that the stock ones or has the PO already changed things?
One more. If I go with the JL 6.5's vs 7.7's, how much am I giving up? I am going to run the 10" sub.

Thanks.

BTW. Check your PM's.

Actually, I think my power cable for the amp is connected to my dual battery switch so I can select either of those two batteries to have it draw from. I think those JBL are aftermarket but I'm not positive. I thought mine were Panasonics but I could be wrong. I'm not sure what kind of real world difference you will get from the 7.7's but I was told by the stereo shop I bought through that it would be pretty noticable. Bigger of course is better. Maybe send an email to JL directly? I think the 7.7 were worth the money for me because they sound really great.
 
Some people viewing this thread have questioned grill mounting locations on our 290s. Here's a pic of the aft end of mine.

880f7baf-eeb6-4770-8d63-1b9c5e805c4a_zpsbfc21d90.jpg


If you look, you can see some of my other mods too. First, I moved the flag from where the cup holder is on the port side. I don't know who (dealer or factory) mounted it there. It follows no convention or standard that I know of. Then I put the lighted cup holder there instead of repairing the gel coat. I also put a lighted cup holder on the STBD side for symmetry. Also, when I bought the boat, I had the dealer install the Magma grill mount on the aft port corner (opposite where the flag is now). I like the placement of everything now. One thing to note, the flag pole is now on the side of the ladder. Some people may not like this placement because of this. I don't mind it and, from what I know, the convention is to fly the flag from the aft, STBD corner anyway. Anyway, I just wanted to show my setup. Hope this helps those looking for some options.
 
Matt- couple things. What's that big hole on the port side of your transom?? I noticed they went to the 2 latch system I thought they abandoned for your boat. Makes it harder to get in and out so I'm surprised an '08 has that design. Did your cockpit cover come with the boat?
 

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