Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

[Mats Kinnby]

As it says, im looking for a well equipped single engine Sundancer in the size of 290.
I prefer the single engine version with the 330HP 7.4 Litre Bravo III drive.

This is a big and heavy boat, but nevertheless I am curious about the mileage, since as you all know, once the excitement of purchasing a new boat disapears - it will still need fuel year after year...

I searched the web for information, but only found information about the twin engine models, and that information was a bit scary...

Im not afraid to put money on gas, but it would be a good thing to know how much it will need, and compare with the 270 model of the same yearmodels.

Apreciate all your experience out there and I hope someone can estimate the consumption per hour or per mile.

Thanks in advance!
Mats

 

[LiFeStArTs@FoRtY]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

On that size boat, I really think you'd be better off with twins. I know in some years like the early 90's, the 290 was more of a glorified 270 with a 9'6" beam and the 7.4 would good there, but if it's a real 290 with 10' beam, it's going to struggle. HTH.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

Don't expect a significant difference between the single big-block and twins. That's a big, heavy boat. The single engine is going to work hard to move it. I wouldn't expect an issue with the 270 and a 7.4. It's got a narrow beam and is 2000 lbs lighter than the 290. I'm surprised to see that they offered twin 4.3's on the 270- I wouldn't want to have to work on them!

I think you'll want twins in the 290, but I've been wrong before. At least do a comprehensive sea trial beforehand with a 'normal' load of passengers and fuel.

Good luck!

 

[LiFeStArTs@FoRtY]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

That's good advise John about loading her up for a sea trial before finalizing a deal. I wish I would have done that with my current boat. I'm sea trialing another boat today and it will be LOADED.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

A brand new 290 gets around 1.3 - 1.4 MPG. A 15 year old one will probably be just over 1 MPG at best cruise.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

That's good advise John about loading her up for a sea trial before finalizing a deal. I wish I would have done that with my current boat. I'm sea trialing another boat today and it will be LOADED.

When I trialed mine, passenger load was me and 2 heavyweights. We had a half tank of fuel and all the owner's 'stuff' was still aboard. Honestly, it was a lucky coincidence. Not sure I would have thought of it at the time.

In the case of the OP's 290, that sucker weighs 8500 lbs. dry- 1000 lbs more than mine. Loaded up she'll run 10,000. Trialing it with a near-empty tank, no gear aboard and a couple of average sized passengers is going to yield very 'optimistic' results.

My .02

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

1 mpg is probably a close guess. It should get a bit more, but is a good round number to work off. As far as twin verse single, thats all a personal choice. Although the twins will get a bit worse economy, a single big block will most likely suck fuel at a close rate to the twin motors.

Club Sea Ray has a LOT of owners, and a good 290 following. Head over there and see what you can dig up.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

I generally think of fuel useage in Gallons per hour (vs miles per gallon). For that vintage boat, a good rule of thumb is that you will use 0.1 X the horse power being used in gallons per hour. For instance at wide open throttle - 330 HP is being used, you will burn 33 gallons per hour (and going about 30 mph or so which gives about 1 mpg as stated in previous posts). At half the horse power (like 3/4 throttle position), you would use 16.5 Gallons per hour and be going around 18 mph or so for a little over 1 mpg. At idle you would only be using a couple of gallons per hour and going maybe 6 miles per hour which would give you about 3 mpg at idle speed.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

A brand new 290 gets around 1.3 - 1.4 MPG. A 15 year old one will probably be just over 1 MPG at best cruise.

Why would an older one get worse MPG? Are the newer ones that much lighter?

 

[45Auto]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

My experience has been that mechanical devices, such as engines, tend to wear and lose performance with age and use (come to think about it, so do I ! ). Obviously a new engine would get new engine mileage, but a 15 year old I/O very seldom performs as well as the brand new one, especially if the old one is carbed as opposed to the fuel injection on the new one.

 

[Mats Kinnby]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

Thanks guys!

Nice to hear some opinions about the consumption, cause i havent got a clue.
Sounds like its about twice the consumption my current 20 ft DC with a 150hp V6 two stroke outboard Johnson uses, and i couldnt guess it should use any less than that. Will be nice to get rid of the two stroke exhaust smell as well, since its a pain in the A** when cruising at low speed.

Since i am looking for a family weekender like the 270 or 290, i guess the extra weight of the 290 isnt adding that extreme to the consumption that one would guess, since its also a longer and wider boat, its a better hull that moves lighter in the water.

Price range should be around 35?000 USD, so im keeping my eyes out for a year model around 1996-1997, I also like the design of both inside and outside of those boats.

Any hints of what one should look out for, or what to pay extra for?

Thanks
Mats

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

Last year I went from a single carb'd 7.4 in a 25' bowrider to twin injected 5.0's in a 29' express similar to the 290 (see sig. boat). To be honest, I haven't seen a real difference in consumption. To be fair, the old single had about 400 hours and the new twins have less than 200. One REALLY important point...if you are used to handling a 20with an outboard around the docks, adding ten feet of boat in an I/O config. will be a whole new ballgame. You may want to reconsider your single vs. twin decision just for ease of low speed handling.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

Google, SeaRay forum, you will find hundreds of Sea Ray owners on it and they can give you all the advice that you could ever want.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

Mats,

You'll get 1.5 miles per gallon maximum, probably less. As stated above.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Thoughts about a Sea Ray Sundancer 290 - 1996-1997 year model - Mileage?

Why would an older one get worse MPG? Are the newer ones that much lighter?

Also Dave, the engine model Mats refers to (a 330hp 7.4) would be carbureted. The newer ones would all be fuel injected. Fuel injection wins the MPG war every time it is fought.