We finally got our new Amberjack 290

ANYTIME

ANYTIME

New Member
Dec 3, 2006
345
Northern Virginia
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
Yesterday, we took delivery of Moondancer, a new 2006 Sea Ray Amberjack 290 with twin 350 MPG MAG Horizon V-Drives impatiently waiting since purchasing in November 2006.

After going through all the systems while still alongside the dealer's dock, we took her out into the Potomac River for her "Maiden Voyage" (15 miles to the Quantico Marina) where we spent the remainder of the afternoon learning to dock her.

We are happy to report there is NO PUNCHLIST, everything performed flawlessly, except docking the boat. We just need more practice, practice and then even more practice and we will have it down pat!

We go out again today and our Sea Ray sales rep will work with us on docking some more until we feel more comfortable. Yesterday, we had a cold front come through, and there was some breeze that made it a little more difficult for us. Today's forecast is for more wind, so that will make for a more challenging day!!

We plan on enjoying Moondancer to the max while waiting to get our next toy, something a little bigger .

The Captain and Admiral are happy but tired! :cool:

Sam and Brenda
 
Sam and Brenda,

Congratulations, as I feel that the 29 Amberjack is an awesome blend between comfort and fishing.

Best of luck with her... :thumbsup:
 
Hey Sam... Congrats on the new boat. We still have a bit over 2 weeks before we take delivery of our new boat. Nice that you are getting docking practice in with some wind. Make sure to post some pics of your new pride and joy when you get the chance.
 
Have you ever ridden a jetski? I found that docking my 240DA, it was almost similar with my jetski, only 23 feet longer haha. I was with the salesman the first day I took delivery and docked my boat at the marina, let's just say the salesman was shocked on my skills to dock the boat in my slip between 2 boats.

Best advice, take your time, do not get frustrated and have fun docking the boat. :thumbsup:


Congrats on the purchase!
 
Congrats on the new boat. !2 more days till we pick ours up and I know we will need the docking practice also.
 
Sam, I will be at Quantico all afternoon getting some 420D maintenance therapy. Stop by and say hello--slip D21A

regards
Skip
 
Skip said:
Sam, I will be at Quantico all afternoon getting some 420D maintenance therapy. Stop by and say hello--slip D21A

regards
Skip
Click to expand...

Skip,

We were at the dock today (slip C-10A) from 1 until 4:45 trying to get on a "first name" basis with her. :grin:

We will be there tomorrow around 5:00PM or a little after if the winds are reasonable calm. Our mentor from PWM will be there to work with us on docking for a couple of hours.

We plan on Saturday, too...not sure what time yet. If the weather is calm and I am feeling brave, we may take her out of the slip to practice our docking procedures, both at our slip and the gas and pump-out docks.

Hope to see you soon,

Sam and Brenda
 
Congrats!!!! Ours won't splash for another 6-8 weeks :smt089 for season number 7! I have found ours (with outdrives) to be pretty darn good around the docks so hopefully you will get comfortable fairly quickly. Good luck and again....Congrats!
 
Sam,
A word of caution at Quantico--when the tide is really moving the entrance can be a bit tricky....the entrance can seem awfully narrow when 4 knots of current are moving you laterally on your approach. I've had to reverse and add some throttle a couple times when I misjudge my approach. When I come off plane out of the channel I will idle in from about 1/2 mile or so to really get a feel for the current's action on the boat. I then turn upstream, against the current..this allows me to precisely control my speed as I approach the Marina inlet. Be aware too that Bass Boats like to fly past the opening, sometimes no more than 100 feet off the breakwater....total idiots...so be sure you are sounding your horn as you clear the inlet. At low tide boats exiting the marina can be hard to see from up or down river.
Our ragboting brethren in the Marina only by exception sound their horns as they exit their slips on their kickers, so watch for them as well.

Look forward to meeting you
regards
Skip
 
Congratulations!

My advice on docking is to go out into an open area with no traffic and calm water. A bay works great for this.

Back your boat. Do some turns in reverse in each direction. Stop, go forward for a bit then reverse again. Repeat this backing straight and in each direction. Develop a familiarity with how your boat will respond to steering in both direction and throttle adjustment.

Once you feel comfortable go back to the slips. Best if you can find two empty slips next to each other so you are not close to another boat.
 
Well, so far...so good.

On day #2 it was too windy to practice docking, so we wanted to check out what we had learned about the boat. When I went to start the generator, she would crank, but not start up. I call the dealer and within a couple of hours, their technician drove to our marina and replaced the solenoid. The boat was manufactured in late 2005 and this month was the first time the generator had been run as she was still in shrinkwrap when we bought her. The technician told us that because the generator sat for a year and a half, it had probably caused the shaft on the solenoid to stick.

Yesterday, day #3 the weather was much better, so we checked out the generator, which started instantly, and got to work on practice docking in the late afternoon/early evening. Everything went well, except for the Dock Master's assistant who didn't recognize us or the boat and told us to get out of the marina if we didn't belong there. The admiral let him know we did belong, and we continued practicing.

When done, knowing that snow was in the overnight forecast, zipped up the canvas and spent our first night on Moondancer. She stayed warm and snug, but....being a little over 6' tall, the v-berth wasn't terribly comfortable for Captain. The mattress was not quite as soft as the 8" California King we have at home, but we did get to sleep.

We drove home the next morning to tend to the rest of the family, three Standard Poodles who were extremely happy to see us. In their 10 year life, we never left them alone overnight before.

Again, our sincere thanks for all the kind words of advice you have offered.
 
Yes, for a six - footer the V berth is a little short! On the old board (SRO) there was a post with pictures, diagrams, measurements, etc. from someone who had built a portable "extension" for the 290 AJ V birth! I was amazed, but not so much that I made one for "Reel A Lure". There's a solution for everything.

Good Luck. Sounds like you are well on your way!
 
Congrats on your new 'Jack". As someone that got his boat very much acquainted :grin: with other peoples anchors,pilings, and slips whilst I was learning how to dock ,please allow me to give some advice that worked for me. The best thing is read all of the advice that all of these great guys and gals provide knowing that you may not live the same scenario but by remembering what you have read apply it to your situation when docking. Second , I truly applied the theory that, how hard you hit will depend on how fast you are going, I tell you learning how to "stop" the boat helped big time. Finally what helped me big time was learning from 2 different captains how and when do apply their docking approach, whenever there is no wind and no current I will use the twin screws alone to dock, but when there is a strong wind and current I know that I have to use the steering wheel and both screws on idle giving it a bit of punch on whichever one needs it.
Most importantly,BE CALM, as you are approacjinh your marina go thru the steps to dock and PLEASE do NOT argue with the wife unless you want to see those diabolic stares coming from the bow when you are telling her what to do :smt043 All the best.
Chris
 
I was waxing the 420's foredeck and watching MoonDancer from across the fairway. A beautiful boat, and some good close quarters maneuver in Quantico.
Here is to many happy hours aboard!

regards
Skip
 
We spent a few more hours on Moondancer today. The wind was up, and being the coward I am (Sam talking now), we didn't untie her from the dock. Today was my first chance to see if I could somehow get to the seacocks and strainers to service them.

We stopped off at Lowes and purchased a six foot length of 1.0" inside diameter schedule 80 PVC pipe and a 90 degree elbow to attach to one end. I cut about 10" of the pipe off with my trusty hacksaw and took my new "tool" along with a new spanner wrench into the engine compartment.

Now, I am a pretty big guy, 6'1" and weight just over 250. In addition, I sport a steel right knee, so I am not too limber. I am pleased to report that I was able to open and close all the seacocks and clean all 5 of the active strainers. The 6th strainer is for the macerator overboard, so I didn't mess with it.

Here's hoping for a nice day tomorrow to get underway and see if I can drive our new toy.

Sam...
 
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