Official 1998 Sea Ray Sundancer 290 Thread

I posted this in another forum... I guess the wrong one.... anyway
Does anyone have knowledge of swapping 4.3's out and 5.7's in?? I have never been happy with the 4.3's, I feel they are just a bit too little power for the 11k pound boat.... Plus I have at least one head gasket blown, so I think if it's a reasonable swap I would entertain it..... I am thinking it should be fairly easy due to the fact that the 290DA came with that as an option..... TIA
 
I posted this in another forum... I guess the wrong one.... anyway
Does anyone have knowledge of swapping 4.3's out and 5.7's in?? I have never been happy with the 4.3's, I feel they are just a bit too little power for the 11k pound boat.... Plus I have at least one head gasket blown, so I think if it's a reasonable swap I would entertain it..... I am thinking it should be fairly easy due to the fact that the 290DA came with that as an option..... TIA

most of the stuff should bolt up especially if you have carbs and go with them on new. Your upper drives will need to be changed out and you’ll need new props. The coupler might also be different, but that’s an easy swap as wel

our 290 with 260hp 5.7s was a 48mph boat. It flew
 
most of the stuff should bolt up especially if you have carbs and go with them on new. Your upper drives will need to be changed out and you’ll need new props. The coupler might also be different, but that’s an easy swap as wel

our 290 with 260hp 5.7s was a 48mph boat. It flew
Do you recall the prop size and pitch you used??
 
fastest was with 14x19 3 blade stainless merc vengeance

my best cruising prop was a 14x20 4 blade aluminum quicksilver. 1.3mpg at around 3300/28mph
Do you know the ratio outdrive? (1:47 I believe... Alpha?)
Thanks for the reply...
 
Hey guys, awesome thread! Been trying all summer to find out more info on these boats and a fellow member introduced me to this forum. Just curious if anyone knows how the stern seat removes? I am not sure if mine is just stuck in position due to previous owner never removing it or if there is a special way to do it. Thanks.
 
Hey guys, awesome thread! Been trying all summer to find out more info on these boats and a fellow member introduced me to this forum. Just curious if anyone knows how the stern seat removes? I am not sure if mine is just stuck in position due to previous owner never removing it or if there is a special way to do it. Thanks.

Take the cushion off, pull the 2 pins along the back of the fiberglass base, it should then just pull out of the floor retainers.
 
Hey all, looking at a 1998 290DA locally. I'm 6'1, how is the V berth for 2 adults. I am finding we are too cramped in our 1995 250DA V berth. Also how is the access to the aft cabin?
 
Hey all, looking at a 1998 290DA locally. I'm 6'1, how is the V berth for 2 adults. I am finding we are too cramped in our 1995 250DA V berth. Also how is the access to the aft cabin?
Hey Ted, we bought an 01 290 this summer and the V is definitely tight for two. I’m 6’1” and my wife is 5’9”. We don’t really fit, so we add a folding table with a cushion on it. Not ideal, but it works! Lol
 
Hey Ted, we bought an 01 290 this summer and the V is definitely tight for two. I’m 6’1” and my wife is 5’9”. We don’t really fit, so we add a folding table with a cushion on it. Not ideal, but it works! Lol

I'm only 5'11 or so and I often slept on the pullout couch (we had the starboard couch layout) because the V is a bit tight for two. Especially if you have to hit the head in the middle of the night, I was on the inside and would have to climb over her
 
I'm only 5'11 or so and I often slept on the pullout couch (we had the starboard couch layout) because the V is a bit tight for two. Especially if you have to hit the head in the middle of the night, I was on the inside and would have to climb over her

How about the Aft cabin? Mine has tons of leg room but access is tight with the opening beside the kitchen.
 
How about the Aft cabin? Mine has tons of leg room but access is tight with the opening beside the kitchen.
Our aft cabin is across from the galley, and has its own door, which is nice. There’s plenty of leg room, but also tricky if you’re on the inside, with two people, and need to get out. My next boat will probably/hopefully be a 340, with a full queen forward berth in the V and the couch type setup in the aft. We should have actually tried laying down in each spot before we bought. That being said, we still love the boat, and added the table with cushion to solve the V legroom issue!
 
Hey all, looking at a 1998 290DA locally. I'm 6'1, how is the V berth for 2 adults. I am finding we are too cramped in our 1995 250DA V berth. Also how is the access to the aft cabin?

With the filler cushion in, it's do-able with 2 adults. I'm 6'4" and the wife is 5'2" so as long as she sleeps out toward the edge of the V berth and gives me 70% of it, we are good. Honestly, I'm not a fan of that weird "kidney" or "liver" shaped berth design. Not sure who's brainchild that was, but they need polysomnography lessons...LOL.

The aft cabin sleeps great, but only for 1 adult...2 adults is tricky. The pullout couch works good but should be a smidge longer.

Absolutely love the boat! It is awesome in every way but a little lacking in the sleeping department (my wife likes it but she's short so....). My old 268DA actually slept better.
 
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So getting back to repowering with 5.7's from 4.3's.... can one of you guys do me a big favor and measure the boss on the port side of the port motor as well as the stb side of the stb motor where the front mounts land..... Of course you lucky guys with v-8's....... I am thinking I am a bit short on the area that the forward mounts would land on.... Not sure if there was a difference in that when the boat was manufactured..... I would really appreciate it..... If I am short I am thinking that I could use some steel at a 90* angle and mount to the outside of the boss that is currently holding my 4.3's.........
TIA...
 
So I went and looked at the 1998 290 today. It has Plan B cabin and the wife and I could fit in the kidney shaped forward berth just fine. Does the dinette sofa convert to a bed as well? The salesman didn't seem to know.

We did a sea trial, and it ran along great. Has the dual 4.3, not as snappy as my 250 with a single 5.7, but man that newer hull design is so much more stable, it's incredible!

Nice boat needed a couple of tarps and a good cleaning, but decently equipped (windlass, heat/ac, brand new GPS etc). Probably will be putting an offer in on it. :)
 
So I went and looked at the 1998 290 today. It has Plan B cabin and the wife and I could fit in the kidney shaped forward berth just fine. Does the dinette sofa convert to a bed as well? The salesman didn't seem to know.

We did a sea trial, and it ran along great. Has the dual 4.3, not as snappy as my 250 with a single 5.7, but man that newer hull design is so much more stable, it's incredible!

Nice boat needed a couple of tarps and a good cleaning, but decently equipped (windlass, heat/ac, brand new GPS etc). Probably will be putting an offer in on it. :)

the couch converts to a good size bed but make sure they have the filler cushion

sorry just realized you said dinette. It also converts but I’m not sure what cushions are needed make sure they’re there
 
So I went and looked at the 1998 290 today. It has Plan B cabin and the wife and I could fit in the kidney shaped forward berth just fine. Does the dinette sofa convert to a bed as well? The salesman didn't seem to know.

We did a sea trial, and it ran along great. Has the dual 4.3, not as snappy as my 250 with a single 5.7, but man that newer hull design is so much more stable, it's incredible!

Nice boat needed a couple of tarps and a good cleaning, but decently equipped (windlass, heat/ac, brand new GPS etc). Probably will be putting an offer in on it. :)

Awesome.

I also have the B plan and absolutely love it. Without the table installed there is so much room to move around especially if you boat with more then one person. The couch is very comfy as is or as a bed. i nap there quite often. ;)

If you do purchase we are here for you if you have any questions..... or if you want to tackle some DIY jobs.

BTW under the v berth, floor and step there are compartments to look for water if there's a fresh water leak or intrusion by leaky seals or windows.

Please look below and click the link where I've collected some documents on the 98 290.
 

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