Found a 1999 Sea Ray 290 and looking for opinions

[jabs]

Well it looks like we are going to check out the boat this coming weekend it's wrapped outside but they will cut a hole so we get into the interior. It's a three hour drive to see her. The asking price is $41,000 no trailer.

A few things I'm curious about are the twin 4.3 engines plenty of power and is it well equiped?

This will be our second boat we bought the other one last year in July and realized we need to upgrade. Just the wife and the two schnauzers but we enjoyed boating so much we decided we needed a few things.

We will have it inspected if we like it and try a sea trial in the spring. We will also need to trade our boat hopefully for around 11,500 and looking to offer $35,000 for sea ray.

Is there anything missing off the equipment list that would be something I would need.

BOAT DETAILS
Classower
Category:Express Cruiser
Year:1999
Make:SEA RAY
Model:290 Sundancer
Length:29
Location:Lakeland, MN
Builder:Sea Ray
LOA:29'8"
Beam:10'2"

• Bridge Clearance:8'8"
• Draft:2'3"
• Engine Model:Twin Mercruiser 4.3L V6
• Horsepower:380
• Propulsion Type:TWIN I/O
• Hull Material:FIBERGLASS/COMPOSITE
• Fuel Type:GAS
• Fuel:130 gallons
• Water:28 gallons

Spacious open and neutral interior. Fixed forward berth with dinette and doorway to private mid cabin.
Mechanical Equipment:
Air conditioning
Galley:
double burner cooktop, microwave, refrigerator, ample countertop and storage
Electonics and Navigational Gear:
Raymarine radar with closed array antenna, Remote spotlight, depth finder, Stereo with controls at helm, VHF radio, compass
Deck and Hull Equipment:
Windlass anchor, davit system on swim platform, cockpit cover, full camper canvas enclosures, fenders, cockpit carpet, wet bar in cockpit
SELLER DESCRIPTION

1999 SEA RAY 290 Sundancer, Wow, check out this clean fresh water boat! This is a very striking boat with sculptured lines and first rate accommodations. This boat offers about everything one could desire in a quality mid size family cruiser. This boat has the optional floorplan with the popular dinette table option. Topside, the cockpit includes a portside sun lounge and a removable aft bench seat in addition to a very stylish helm console. Also included in this package is a cockpit shower and wet bar, Raymarine radar with closed array antenna, Cockpit cover along with full camper enclosures, Windlass anchor, Remote spotlight, VHF radio, davit system on platform for dingy, bottom paint, Air Conditioning, VacuFlush toilet. Twin engine low hour boat in amazing condition at a great price - what more could you ask for?
Accomodations:
Spacious open and neutral interior. Fixed forward berth with dinette and doorway to private mid cabin.
Mechanical Equipment:
Air conditioning
Galley:
double burner cooktop, microwave, refrigerator, ample countertop and storage
Electonics and Navigational Gear:
Raymarine radar with closed array antenna, Remote spotlight, depth finder, Stereo with controls at helm, VHF radio, compass
Deck and Hull Equipment:
Windlass anchor, davit system on swim platform, cockpit cover, full camper canvas enclosures, fenders, cockpit carpet, wet bar in cockpit




Thanks for advice

Andrew

 

[steelheder]

I have a 2000 290 with all the options you have listed on the one your looking at. Mine has twin fuel inj 5.7's with Bravo 3 drives. Mine has all the power I need with plenty to spare when fully loaded. I can't speak to how well the 4.3's will push it, but I would be a little concerned if the drives weren't Bravo 3's. At a minimum I would take it for a test ride and see if it will work for you. There are plenty 290's out there with 4.3's and this topic has been discussed here before so you might do a search.
Any way good luck.

 

[jabs]

Thanks for the reply, are bravo III's standard in 1999?

 

[comsnark]

Ok. . .I never drove that boat, bBut I think it fair to say T4.3's in that sized boat would be described as "adequate power", not "plenty of power". Many swear by T4.3's in the 280DA. . . but if I was you, I would seatrial the boat to make sure that it has the right amount of get up and go.

 

[Pseudomind]

I would make my offer at $27,500.00. I am thinking you can probably get it at just a tad over $31,000.00 - $32,000.00.

Three was just a nice 1999 29 foot dancer here which just sold for less then the $29,000.00 asking price.

I am just saying I think you can do better and bit lower then $35,000.00, but once you offer the $35,000.00...too late:huh:

 

[Clam Bake]

I did not see a generator mentioned in the equipment list. Unless I missed reading it...

 

[steelheder]

I looked at a couple 1999 290's w/4.3's and both had Alpha 1 drives so I don't think Bravo 3 drives are standard. I do believe that the 4.3's will push the boat with Alpha drives but Bravo 3's would do better IMO. As for the price, 35,000 isn't out of line here on the West Coast if the boat is in great shape with low hours and documented maintenance. It sounds well equipped so that helps. Anyway, good luck and if at all possible I would still recomend a sea trial.

 

[jabs]

I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to boating and anything mechanical just trying to read everything I can so what are the issues surrounding Alpha I, Bravo II? I did a search but just found generic info. Just an update the boat does have Alpha Drives :huh:

I will be doing a sea trial if I decide to purchase it. For one thing it's a lot bigger boat and a lot more gadgets than I'm used too and secondly I have never captained a twin engine which should be interesting.

No it doesn't have a generator the only ones I have been finding in the Midwest with one are either salt water boats or single engine.

 

[kpetry]

We own that same boat. I would also describe the twin 4.3s as only "adequate". Be sure they are well tuned, and the props are in top condition, and you will be OK. Ours wasn't when we first got it and we really struggled. Mileage will run you about 1.2 mpg fully loaded. A wonderful boat overall, (we have the genny) but out-of-the-hole it is sluggish when fully loaded with 4 people and full fuel, which is how we run a lot of the time.

 

[Walz]

I have the 1998 version of the boat and love it. I agree with Kpetry about the performance with 4.3's. I think the price is high without a generator. I don't have a generator and it is the one regret I have about my boat.

And about other drives with the 4.3, they can only drive the Alpha 1, Gen II, not any of the Bravo series.

And as said many times on this forum, "Get a good survey, both marine and mechanical!"

Good luck!

 

[Subaru06]

I also did not see where there was a generator. I can't offer an opinion on either the engines, price, or what to look for on a 1999 290. However, I would do some heavy thinking before I purchased a 290 without a genny.

 

[jabs]

Yes, the genny is a tough one I go back and forth on it. Not a lot of boats in the Midwest with a genny. The ones I seem to find are asking low $60,000

I boat on the river and stay at different marinas a lot so having shore power is something I don't have currently is going to be a nice feature.

On the river are a lot of different anchoring locations and a genny would come in handy....

When running the engines are the electronics fairly limited, such as AC, heat, TV?

Thanks for the replys too it's a fairly large commitment but we are addicted to the boating life. Friday's can't come quick enough :grin:

 

[Loneranger]

I think having a generator is a huge advantage. You will not be able to run the air conditioning nor the microwave without shore power, generator or a bilge full of batteries and an inverter. The AC is the big thing for me here in TN. I am not sure how hot it gets for you.

Does this boat have the aft facing lounger on the port side? My 270 does and it is probably our favorite feature of the boat. I think only the 270 and the 290 have it.

John

 

[jabs]

I think having a generator is a huge advantage. You will not be able to run the air conditioning nor the microwave without shore power, generator or a bilge full of batteries and an inverter. The AC is the big thing for me here in TN. I am not sure how hot it gets for you.

Does this boat have the aft facing lounger on the port side? My 270 does and it is probably our favorite feature of the boat. I think only the 270 and the 290 have it.

John

Yes, it has the lounger/dinnette on the port side. The wife really wanted it. I was curious if the layout with lounge worked well so that's good to hear.

I am debating on the generator or how safe it is for a portable. I will have to read the long post on portable genny's again.

In Minnesota we get the extremes very cold winters and hot humid summers which I enjoy but it does get hard on the dogs so the AC would give them relief on the those long hot weekends.

Well I believe we are going to look at the boat next weekend and it's on an island in Superior so we have to take a hovercraft to see it. It's going to be a little mini adventure. Service records I was provided didn't show any mechanical problems so I will be curious how worn out some of typical maintenance items are in.

 

[Loneranger]

My wife and I both love the aft facing lounger. When we cruise for any distance, one of us drives and the other usually is on the lounger so that we face each other and can talk face to face. Whenever we even think about a different boat, if it does not have that type of sitting arrangement it is quickly scrubbed from the list.

John