Helm seating on a 290DA

Cincy Aquaholic

Cincy Aquaholic

Active Member
Mar 15, 2009
1,329
Cincinnati
Boat Info
290 SS - 2016 Ford F250 Powerstroke
Engines
Twin 5.7 with Bravo 1's
New member . . .

I've been researching this boat as our first cruiser (coming from an '06 Four Winns H260) and really like the lines, size (I don't need a 32) and features. Cockpit seating isn't the best (wish it had the 260's seating arrangement) but I think it will suit us just fine. But it seems some boats I've seen have a double helm seat and some a single with a weird cushion next to it.

Any thoughts on this set up or any other issues I should know. I've read all of the threads re it on the board.
 
I have a 2006 and I like the helm seat alright - its pretty comfortable - two can fit but is a little awkward for two all the time. I really like the companionway off to the side instead of in the middle. Not happy about my engine hatch not opening though (have my own thread on that!).
 
Okiepic- do you know if there were any changes to the helm seating from '06 to '07? What about any other changes between those years on the 290?

dpvandy01- I've browsed 280's as well but at this point I think I've narrowed my preferance to the 290.
 
Cincy Aquaholic said:
Okiepic- do you know if there were any changes to the helm seating from '06 to '07? What about any other changes between those years on the 290?

dpvandy01- I've browsed 280's as well but at this point I think I've narrowed my preferance to the 290.
Click to expand...



06 and 07 are the same...
I agree, helm seating is good.
I wanted the 290 because of the full size V berth. No sideways sleeping for me!
 
The helm has plenty of room for me and my 5 y/o son. My wife and I can sit together there too, but we're pretty thin. It would be nice to have a forward facing seat to port, but I do like the port side cabin access and permanent steps to the bow without having to close the cabin door to get your steps up there like on the 280. I also do like the openness of the cockpit. No need to squeeze past people.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm liking this boat more an more. I think the open cockpit will be a huge benefit to us because most of our time is spent rafted up will people milling around from boat to boat. So, the extra space will be welcome yet more seating capacity isn't mandatory because would rarely cruise with more than 5 people.

I need to find one local so I can climb around on it before I get serious enough to sea trial some.

How is the aft cabin for someone 5'11" if i occassionally wanted to sleep back there.

Couple other things, how is the head room in the head when standing up. At 5'11" will I be able to be completely upright? On a 260 I had to hunch over some.

What is the length of the couch dinette?

What kind of speeds do you get out of the 5.0's?

Thanks again. Trying to learn as much as I can about this model before getting on board.
 
I'm 5'10" and plenty of headroom down below to stand. As I remember the aft. cabin has 6'0" of room.
It is still hibernating till 4/20....so can't help much more on measurments till then.
Try the SeaRay website...as I remember there are detailed #'s there.
 
How is the aft cabin for someone 5'11" if i occassionally wanted to sleep back there.
I'm 5'10" and 180# and the aft cabin is plenty long enough. If you are over 6' you could lay diagonal and still be without feet or head touching walls.

How is the head room in the head when standing up. At 5'11" will I be able to be completely upright?
I can stand up in the head with room to spare without hunching. I do often bang my head entering it though and it is a sharp and hard corner, ouch.

What is the length of the couch dinette?
Not sure why you need to know this, but it is just long enough for 2 skinny adults to sit side by side comfortably. You won't be sleeping there. The v-berth converts to a bench seat that adds a 3rd seat to the table.

What kind of speeds do you get out of the 5.0's?
I can top out at just over 40 mph, maybe 41 or 42 with full tanks, gear, and 4 adults and trimmed optimally. We rarely have glass to ride on here, so going that fast with boat wakes, swells, etc is a little nerve racking for the passengers. I did open it up on a glassy Nantucket Sound and got yelled at before I could perfectly trim it out.
 
Thanks! I was wondering if one of my kids would fit on the couch to sleep occassionally.

I run on inland freshwater which is almost always like glass. But being a speed demon isn't my goal.
 
Cincy,

I just bought a 2006 Sea Ray 290 DA with 5.0's. She can do about 44 mph. Like you, my family really liked the open cockpit (when you wakeboard or go tubing, it's great to have open space). We can take about 10 people out, several always enjoy riding while standing.

We really love the boat. I had a good friend try to steer me to the 280, but I thought the lines and layout of the 290 was much better.

Good Luck!

Nick
 
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