Official 290 Sundancer Thread

Has anyone installed a bow thruster in their 290DA? I found a kit online for around $1,200 and will have it installed professionally if I do buy it.

Does a bow thruster affect the planing ability at all? How effective would it be on a boat of our size?
 
I think it would be an awesome tool to have, but really not necessary unless you can justify the cost. I have to turn around in my narrow creek every time I come off our lift and do just fine without a bow thruster. I know they also come in handy docking anywhere - another tool to beat wind and current. I would not affect planing whatsoever. BTW, does the kit put it in and through the hull of the boat? I assume it does. If you have the need and can afford it, I say go for it. My 2 pearls...
 
Yes it does. That's some great information, thank you!

I'm going to be on a slip where you back in to the floating dock and tie off to a piling on each side of the bow. There is only a small 5 foot long finger, and I can see it getting pretty squirrelly.

This is a picture of the actual slip. Don't mind the boat there, it is the previous renters' and he has since moved it.

WP_001048.jpg
 
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Oh yes, I can see the potential for wind battles for sure. Looks to me like another tool at the ready will be invaluable. Please keep us posted of the project.
 
Bay B's said:
Oh yes, I can see the potential for wind battles for sure. Looks to me like another tool at the ready will be invaluable. Please keep us posted of the project.
Click to expand...

Yeah I plan to do that as a late summer project. Possibly sooner if I find that I really need it.

Richie, let us know how it goes.
 
pilot2fly said:
Has anyone installed a bow thruster in their 290DA? I found a kit online for around $1,200 and will have it installed professionally if I do buy it.

Does a bow thruster affect the planing ability at all? How effective would it be on a boat of our size?
Click to expand...

Installing a bow thruster (The Vetus Bow 55) was one of the 1st things I had done when I bought my boat. Money VERY well spent.

For me, the main reason is that I have the non-DTS Merc's and so the switch from Neutral->Idle isn't as smooth as I'd like, and even though you can do a lot of easy and fancy maneuvering just with 2 screws, sometimes you need just a little touch, and the bow thruster does that. And if you need a big push, it handles that as well.

No issues w/ planing at all, either getting on plane or staying there (when planing, the bow thruster is above the water line).

Finally, it fit perfectly well in the 1st storage bay under the main berth; room for the thruster and its own dedicated battery.
 
Excellent, thanks so much guys. I don't think I'll be installing a thruster this summer unless I find that getting into that slip is extremely challenging. It would be a good September/October project, but we will see. It's something I'm seriously considering and with the positive feedback that made it a whole lot better.
 
Does anyone know what hatches are on a 1995 290 DA. Im looking for gaskets for and parts for them
Any help appreciated
 
I understand why people want a thruster - on any boat - but let us remember it is 29 foot with twin screws - many of them bravo 3s. Work on your boat handling during low peak times - and pocket the money. Let me add this for the discussion . . . why do you think Sea Ray didn't offer it as an option? Especially when they have a huge mark-up on options and increased profitability for the corporate giant Brunswick?

To be totally honest, there was one windy weekend last season where I would have loved a thruster . . . but in a marina with 40 to 50 foot boats without thrusters - having one would be a bruise to my ego. Probably ridiculous - but the truth. Watch the wind, current and move slow and steady - and put the cash into your bigger boat fund.

pilot2fly said:
Has anyone installed a bow thruster in their 290DA? I found a kit online for around $1,200 and will have it installed professionally if I do buy it.

Does a bow thruster affect the planing ability at all? How effective would it be on a boat of our size?
Click to expand...
 
I have never had or used a bow thruster, but I can see why one on the 290 isn't a bad idea. My previous boat, A Carver 370 with IB diesels had not only the ARM (distance between the props) but the torque to instantly produce change in motion. I could thread the 370 into tight holes, in crappy conditions, that I would never try in my 290 even though it is almost 4 feet narrower.
 
ptallen said:
I understand why people want a thruster - on any boat - but let us remember it is 29 foot with twin screws - many of them bravo 3s. Work on your boat handling during low peak times - and pocket the money.
Click to expand...

If you have DTS, I would agree. w/o it though, the bow makes a pretty significant difference unless you're lucky enough to have *extremely* smooth shift linkages.
 
Does anyone have synthetic teak flooring on their 290? If so, could you please post some pictures? About to pull the trigger on plasdeck.
 
I have been thinking the same thing. How far are you going to go? To the OEM carpet or all the way? Price difference?????
 
I am considering going all the way out to the swim platform. I am however concerned that it may get too hot and fade. I got a price on a high quality marine carpet and then synthetic. The synthetic teak is not that much more expensive if you compare sq. ft.

my DOG HOUSE said:
I have been thinking the same thing. How far are you going to go? To the OEM carpet or all the way? Price difference?????
Click to expand...
 
Anyone have pictures of their 290 DA with teak flooring like plasdeck or nuteak?
 
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