Today’s sport cruiser market is becoming filled with look alikes but one stands out from the rest sporting a European flair and great layout. The new Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport has unique differences from the competition that aren’t only

cosmetic. Great looks and styling are only the beginning with the 290 Sun Sport. She’s got a solid deep-V design, 21-degree deadrise, and plenty of power to push her through even the worst days keeping you comfortable and dry.

The helm resembles that of a fine luxury car with a simulated burlwood dash, custom instrumentation and gauges, and a Euro style tilt steering wheel. Unique to Sea Ray is a compact electronic keypad with lighted ISO symbols for easy operation of other circuits. All accessories are neatly grouped on two ergonomically friendly illuminated keypads. Operational controls are perfectly placed for easy navigation and the helm seat features a flip up thigh rise bolster for added comfort and enhanced navigational view as well.

The cabin door features molded non-skid steps with grab rail for easy access to the foredeck. There’s lots of room to handle lines or fenders and there’s a standard anchor and chute with hawse pipe. There’s a huge anchor locker that provides enough room for not only anchor rode, but for lines and fenders as well. There’s a comfortable bucket seat for the navigator and entertaining in the cockpit is a pleasure thanks to the wrap around aft seating with storage beneath and the wetbar. Large items like skis and wakeboards can be stowed in the lighted storage area beneath the cockpit sole.

There’s a comfortable bucket seat with flip up thigh bolster for the navigator and entertaining in the cockpit will be a pleasure thanks to the wrap around aft seating and wetbar. There’s also a Euro-style aft lounge configuration available that features a large crescent shaped lounge, a double sun pad atop the engine compartment, and a starboard side walkway to the transom….something seen on much larger Euro-cruisers. Large items like skis and wakeboards can be stowed in the lighted storage area beneath the cockpit sole which is super handy as those items often clutter a cockpit.

There’s a sleek spoiler that’s perfect for lights, antennas, or a full enclosure. Sea Ray offers a precut camper enclosure that really provides great shelter. The aft lounge is different too with centered walkway to the integral swim platform.

Engine access is easy through this electrically activated hatch under aft lounge or the second configuration sun pad. This is a feature usually only seen on much larger boats. There’s plenty of room to perform routine maintenance and servicing. Our test vessel was powered with a MerCruiser 6.2 liter 320-hp gasoline engine coupled to a Bravo III outdrive. Keep in mind you can purchase this boat with twin engines including diesels and optional performance exhaust.

The cabin features a private enclosed head to starboard with Vacuflush sanitation. Forward is a large V-berth that has inserts to make a queen berth or a table for dining. To port is the galley that features cherry wood Formica and food prep surface. There’s a dual voltage refrigerator, lots of storage, and an optional microwave to help prepare the meals for the day.

When it comes to performance the 290 Sun Sport has a solid and stable ride due in part to her overall length of 29’6”, beam of 9’8”, and her dry weight of 8000 pounds. We found that the hull tracked well through the turns and accelerated quickly. The handling was responsive and smooth due in part to the power assisted steering.

Out on our test track we recorded a top speed of 50.5 mph turning 4850 rpm and the best cruising speed was 38.4 mph turning 3500 rpm, which burned 11 gallons per hour per engine. The 290 also clocked an impressive time to plane test of 4.8 seconds and a 0-30 run of 8.6 seconds. There was some significant cavitation coming out of the hole but propping could be the culprit there. Once the drives got a good lock in the water the hull trimmed out nicely and held a strong performance line

The Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport has great styling and layout without compromising any performance. If you are a performance minded boater who likes style and comfort in addition to results, then be sure to run the 290 Sun Sport and see for yourself what a great combination Sea Ray has put together.

For further information visit www.searay.com.

• Top speed for the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport is 50.5 mph (81.3 kph), burning 41.6 gallons per hour (gph) or 157.46 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport is 38.4 mph (61.8 kph), and the boat gets 1.75 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.74 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 204 miles (328.31 kilometers).


• Tested power is 2 x 350-hp MerCruiser 5.7.