Standard Propulsion in 290 Sundancer

[Mark Thompson]

I am in the market for a '08 290 DA and trying to determine whether to spend the extra money to upgrade to twin 5.0 Bravo 3s. Anyone out there with twin 4.3's willing to share your experience and level of satisfaction with this set up? I'd really appreciate hearing from you.

 

[gerryb]

Mark, tell us more about what you plan on doing with the boat, your desire to do your own maintenance (impellers) and where you are located. Generally, the consensus is the 4.3 setup provides plenty of power for the 280/290 models. The 5.0 (which is what I have) lets me better handle getting on plane with a larger group of guests aboard, and more top-end speed. I would be Ok with the 4.3's for the way we use the boat..

The stern drive is another issue. I prefer the new gen Bravo IIIs for performance, handling and smooth shifting (and easier impeller replacement) than the alphas.

Do a search as this topic has been covered many times on the site by experienced owners of both configurations.

 

[Mark Thompson]

The standard set up for the 290 are 4.3 Bravo 3s (as opposed to Alphas). We're in Florida so the boat will be used up and down the east coast and probably once a year to the Bahamas. I can't really see myself comfortably operating this boat much above 30 mph for any extended period of time but want to be able to get it up on plane while fully loaded. Most of the time it will be me, my wife and two sons onboard. As for maintenance, I'm about as far from a "do it yourself" kind of guy as you're likely to find - though I would like to change that and learn at least enough to save a weekend if something goes wrong. I appreciate your reply.

 

[driller]

mark-i have an 06 290 sundancer with the 5.0 bravo 3 option. at the 07 boat show this became quite the discussion between searay boat dealers. some felt the reduced weight approx. 100pds per engine would offset the hp difference.
i bought the 06 with 40 hours and put 54hrs on my first year.the times that i had a crowd, i really appreciated every hp those engines could muster to get up on plane.
is there a genny onboard as that is additional weight. as others have said, you really need to honestly decide on your needs.
driller
p.s. i operate in salt water and she came out with no corrosion but the marina changed all the zincs as they were 2 years old.

 

[Woody]

I would go with the 5.0. Should it ever happen that your down to one engine while offshore in rough weather you'll appreciate every hp. I personally wish the 280 was available with the 350's but that's me, I like the bigger engines.

 

[comsnark]

I have a 280SS with 5.7's paired to Alphas.

Personally, I can't discern any difference in handling or performance full tank/empty tank; 1 person or 4 people. The boat moves.

I had one day with 9 people on board. With 9 people and a full tank, I noted (with glee!)a 2mph impact on my W.O.T. performance. Boat got up on plane as fast as I was willing to move the throttles. Six of the nine passengers were on the Stern U seat. Nobody went below, and of course nobody was on the bow. Winds and water conditions were not stormy. . . but too rough for easy Jet Ski action.

You want the biggest engines you can afford. Just be careful that the "upgrade cost" of the engines does not actually exceed the "base cost" of those same engines.

 

[Dave S]

I don't recall anyone on the board with a twin V6 powered 290DA. But if you do a search you will find several discussions of powerplants for the 280DA. The 280DA is less than 600 pounds lighter than the 290DA so I imagine performance of the two boats would be similar with the same engines/outdrive combinations.

 

[everthing's irie]

I can give you limited input. We just bought an 06 290da with the twin 6's. I had the same concern when purchasing. We drove several boats with differnt combonations and I decided there is little differnce. The 8's seemd to get me on plane a little quicker but not enough for the price differnce. I've had 6 on the boat no one below, full fuel, full water, generator easliy on plane amd cruising at 40mph.

 

[Mark Thompson]

Thanks to all who took the time to respond. This was my first post on the site and I'm impressed with how helpful everyone has been. Lots of good advice.