[dknoxking]

I agree with Bill. I sold my 290DA. It was very tight for my wife and two kids (12 & 18). 5 Kids??? Time for a house boat! :>)

Thanks Nacho Boat -

Really appreciate it - May be leaning towards a Carver cabin cruiser (smallish flybridge) in the 30' range (early to mid-1990's), and the express-cruiser style boat may have to be put on hold for a while (sadly):smt089.

Other than it not being for a large family, how did you like your 290DA?

Thanks Again - David

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

Love my 290DA. Still feel like its one of Sea Ray's best looking small to mid-sized cruisers. The proportions just look right to me. My only gripe has been the lack of wrap around bench and port lounger. And I would've done away with the gimick that is the main berth converting to the couch thing. I hate tearing a bed down and making one so we never used the couch feature that it converted into. Instead, they should've put a plusher mattress (we added a memory foam) and more easily accesible to the storage and AC unit underneath. Minor complaints most have with every boat.

 

[dknoxking]

Thanks again Cincy!

I have to agree, the proportions of that boat look great! Has a speedboat look to it...So, for now, I will likely have to settle for a big "box-like" boat to cart my 5 kids!

 

[matthewmiller01]

Love my 290DA. Still feel like its one of Sea Ray's best looking small to mid-sized cruisers. The proportions just look right to me. My only gripe has been the lack of wrap around bench and port lounger. And I would've done away with the gimick that is the main berth converting to the couch thing. I hate tearing a bed down and making one so we never used the couch feature that it converted into. Instead, they should've put a plusher mattress (we added a memory foam) and more easily accesible to the storage and AC unit underneath. Minor complaints most have with every boat.

I definitely agree with Cincy! I have the same (small) disappointments with the boat. But, to me, it looks better than all the others of similar size. I have no idea what it is, I have thought the rake of the arch maybe, but it looks the best.

 

[susanandlance]

I also agree, the newer 290, is one sweet looking boat!!

 

[magster65]

I think the 290 is too small for 7 people... kids need space more than adults! When you're crowded like that things get cluttered and messy... not the ideal way to cruise in my opinion. To keep the family happy and out of each others face is in your best interest. Babies now are 10 in no time! I have my lady and 3 kids (8, 9 and 12). With the 5 of us it's borderline for my liking. I want to step up in size (as much as I can afford :smt001) at some point soon because of this.
If you don't mind the tight quarters... go for it! I bought my boat because I liked it but I must say... during the poker runs... while dockside surrounded by incredible, beautiful 80 mph boats... it feels good when the crowd is looking at mine! The 290's really stand out from the crowd. The 310 and 330 look great too. I will miss my 46 mph top speed and my 20 gph at 30 mph :huh: when I move up but like Cincy says... all boats are a give and take. There is no perfect boat.
We all need 4 boats... or 3 at least. :grin:

 

[nra4ever]

Hey dknoxking,

Sorry have not been looking much at boating as the season is over here in Indiana. I have to agree with what has been said so far. Space for me is fine since its just the two of us. Probably would be ok with a couple of small kids but after that its tight. I have had an issue with weight as was mentioned earlier. Some of the weight problem could be not knowing how to use the trim tabs properly.

Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck! Welcome aboard

 

[dknoxking]

Thanks NRA4ever.

This is a great forum -

FYI - I am going to look at a 1993 Carver Sedan 300 on Friday. Completely different than the 290DA, but i will have to settle for now. Perhaps the 290 is in my future when kids start going there own way....

Take Care!

 

[nra4ever]

well how did friday go? we would like to know what you finally sellect and see some pics with a review of the boat.

happpy boating!

 

[dknoxking]

Actually looked very good! I have made an offer! Broker and I have gone back and forth a bit on the price, but I hope we can make this happen. FYI, it is a 1993 carver 300 Sedan that looks to be in real good shape! And, yes, I will have a survey before any final purchase!

Thanks, David

 

[bottom knocker II]

Sounds liie everyone on here loves that 290 but I thought it was a terrible design. under powered and did not get up on plane very well. Swin platform seems to create a cavitation problem. Does anyone else experience that? Couldn't take it anymore and sold it !!

 

[matthewmiller01]

So sad to hear that. I love mine! What, exactly, do you mean by the swim platform creating a cavitation problem? I don't think mine does it, but not exactly sure what you mean.

On the other hand, the one thing about the swim platform that occurs on mine is that it "pops" on waves when I'm anchored and waves come from behind. I think, had they made a better curve on the bottom of the swim platform, the waves would have rolled up and out the bottom of the swim platform vice "popping" because they have no place to easily escape from the bottom of it. Of course, if there were less weight in the rear of the boat, it might help out too.

Does anyone else experience this as well?

 

[Groucho]

Yes,The waves have nowhere to go when they slap up against the back of the platform, mine does this too....Some vents or baffles might have been a better design. The couch is never used, we leave it down because we have the memory foam too. I like the bed though.

I'm happy with my 290, and I bought it because of the layout. Having said that a 320......

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

Wow I never had an issue getting on plane and definitely o cavitation which is a sign of being trimmed up too far. Mine pops on plane and is a great cruiser. 44 mph is fast enough for it. First person I've heard that didn't like it.

 

[ptallen]

Well, it is official. The deal is done on our 2007 290 Dancer. Thanks to everyone who answered our questions. Now - the painful wait to get the boat to our slip next week!

Any advice on sheets/bedding, grills, any cool after market upgrades? Also, has anyone ever installed a TV/DVD in the aft cabin? I know it was an option but don't know how involved a project it is.

 

[Covedog]

Deal is now officially done on our 1999 290 Sundancer - misc maintenance and hull paint underway now. I'll go north and sail her south to our float in a couple weeks on a (hopefully) nice spring day for a 4 hour cruise. We're looking forward to the larger boat having owned a Chaparral 215 for the last couple of years. It'll also be nice to have twin screws again. The 290 has been babied and showed like new, and both the surveyor and mech inspector agreed. She has twin 4.3 mercs and should have felt a little underpowered, but during the seatrial (in 25 Kt winds and 4 ft seas) she performed well and came up on plane quickly even straight into the weather. The 10' plus beam and loa around 31' combined with dry displacement of around 10.5K makes for a comparably larger feel in both livability and being seaworthy.
I'm looking forward to more participation in the Searay forum!

 

[MT Pockets]

Good luck ptallen and covedog. I think you guys will be very happy with your choice as we all seem to be with our 290's.

 

[ptallen]

Did the 06-08 290 Dancer come with a cover for the instruments/helm? Any suggestions on where I can get one?

 

[matthewmiller01]

Mine has a canvas cover that goes over the entire dash. It has snaps to hold it in place.

 

[magster65]

Well... I sold it. Someone came along and gave me the right offer so that's it. There's five of us now... growing kids and the 290 wasn't big enough. Now... my 290 friends... if you were moving up to a bigger boat, what would you buy? I was looking at 320/340's but have started to like the idea of being able to look out the window from the dinette... and command bridges are kinda' cool...
All opinions welcome thanks :smt001