290 express 1988

[giorgos]

I am looking at a 1988   290FX express fisherman. Any body owns this boat? The boat i am looking at has Mercruisers 350 (260HP). Any idea of what kind of cruising speed am looking to get? Any idea on fuel burn? Are these " good " boats on the water? Anything i should know about them?
Thank you.

Bob, If you see this, this is George from NY.

[seabob4]

George, how are you?  That was a Formula you were working on, wasn't it?  You get that done?

[SaltH2OHokie]

I am looking at a 1988   290FX express fisherman. Any body owns this boat? The boat i am looking at has Mercruisers 350 (260HP). Any idea of what kind of cruising speed am looking to get? Any idea on fuel burn? Are these " good " boats on the water? Anything i should know about them?
Thank you.

Bob, If you see this, this is George from NY.

I have a 1988 290 with 350's.  Mine are the vortec versions, so supposedly 315hp.  I do not have floscan, so I can't give you accurate numbers, but it is not easy on fuel.  I cruise around 3,000RPM at approx. 19knts at average load, light seas.  With the old wheels, my cruise speeds were slower, and I was averaging 0.7-0.8nmpg on offshore fishing trips, which typically saw 70-75nm run in each direction and trolling in the gulf stream for 4-6hrs.  Seas never seemed to cooperate with our planned trips, so I don't have any fuel numbers from a "smooth" trip...just heavy and heavier.  I've not gone back offshore, or any long trips since putting the new propellers on the boat.

Boat is certainly not what I would term a "battlewagon" and has lot of rattles, pops, bangs, etc. when running in heavy seas relative to some other boats I've run or been on in similarly snotty conditions.  For the price I paid for mine (cheap) and the overall space I've got on the boat, I just accept that for what it is and keep getting up.

I'd say in the price range they typically seem to sell in, they're good/great boats.  On the other hand, before I'd pay top-dollar for a cherry condition 290, I'd probably look to other boats in that size range...but that's just my $0.02 based on my particular usage.  

If you hit any specific questions, feel free to try me.

[giorgos]

George, how are you?  That was a Formula you were working on, wasn't it?  You get that done?

Hey Bob, I am going good. I still have the Formula, not done yet. I think i have the Grady sold and i am looking for a boat to fish for this season and i came across this 290 for 5000.00 which i think is a great deal (pending on starting the motors), It's the "owner died, widow selling" kinda deal.

[giorgos]

I am looking at a 1988   290FX express fisherman. Any body owns this boat? The boat i am looking at has Mercruisers 350 (260HP). Any idea of what kind of cruising speed am looking to get? Any idea on fuel burn? Are these " good " boats on the water? Anything i should know about them?
Thank you.

Bob, If you see this, this is George from NY.

I have a 1988 290 with 350's.  Mine are the vortec versions, so supposedly 315hp.  I do not have floscan, so I can't give you accurate numbers, but it is not easy on fuel.  I cruise around 3,000RPM at approx. 19knts at average load, light seas.  With the old wheels, my cruise speeds were slower, and I was averaging 0.7-0.8nmpg on offshore fishing trips, which typically saw 70-75nm run in each direction and trolling in the gulf stream for 4-6hrs.  Seas never seemed to cooperate with our planned trips, so I don't have any fuel numbers from a "smooth" trip...just heavy and heavier.  I've not gone back offshore, or any long trips since putting the new propellers on the boat.

Boat is certainly not what I would term a "battlewagon" and has lot of rattles, pops, bangs, etc. when running in heavy seas relative to some other boats I've run or been on in similarly snotty conditions.  For the price I paid for mine (cheap) and the overall space I've got on the boat, I just accept that for what it is and keep getting up.

I'd say in the price range they typically seem to sell in, they're good/great boats.  On the other hand, before I'd pay top-dollar for a cherry condition 290, I'd probably look to other boats in that size range...but that's just my $0.02 based on my particular usage.  

If you hit any specific questions, feel free to try me.

Thank you very much for your above reply. The boat i am looking at has Volvo in it, i think 350's, not sure, so my speed will be way less than yours, correct?
Any idea how low? I really have not too much detail on the boat yet, she is sitting at a marina who's owner i know very well and they want to get rid of it for what he owed to the marina. If i sell the Grady, they will put it in the water for me and test it.
You said that you would look for another boat b-4 you pay top dollar for a 290. What other boat(s) in that category you would consider "better" boat?
I am also looking for a 10 meter Trojan mid cabin if that helps you any on what i am looking for.

[seabob4]

George, I believe standard Volvo 5.7's were putting out 260 HP, so yes, definitely a drop off in speed compared to the Vortecs.  

If you were going to look at comparison-sized boats that are more "canyon capable", I'd think you'd be looking at boats like an Albemarle, Carolina Classic, Blackfin Combi, boats such as those.  But I doubt you'd find one the same condition as the 290 for $5K...

[SaltH2OHokie]

George, I believe standard Volvo 5.7's were putting out 260 HP, so yes, definitely a drop off in speed compared to the Vortecs.  

If you were going to look at comparison-sized boats that are more "canyon capable", I'd think you'd be looking at boats like an Albemarle, Carolina Classic, Blackfin Combi, boats such as those.  But I doubt you'd find one the same condition as the 290 for $5K...

By top-dollar I more meant the $20k+ range...for $5,000, if it runs, I'd grab it up in a heartbeat.

But yes, Blackfin, CC, Albe, Topaz, Bertram, the rare but awesome baby Hatteras's etc. etc.  You'd probably still be looking at gas powered boats that need some love at $20k with those brands, but my point is that I'd personally rather drop that money on those boats after riding in mine on a few offshore trips.  With its (relatively) shallow V, small shafts, tight prop clearances, small rudders, etc. you'd have a lot of money wrapped up in getting the 290 on par with the above mentioned boats in terms of offshore use.  

Inshore, cocktail cruising, long weekends, etc...can't beat it...even at top dollar (ever been in a 31 Bert's cabin?), but the ride quality and rough water handling characteristics leave a little to be desired for me.  

Yes, I'd say you'd be turning more RPMs to see 18-19kt cruise. I can run 21kts at 3200 on a pretty day, which feels about perfect in terms of speed.  My new wheels are 4 blade vs the previous 3 blades and they made a huge difference in the boat (positive difference).  More stern lift, breaks over on plane sooner/easier, etc.

The exhaust is LOUD.  It exits right under your ears and you're standing on the motors, so it's just a DROAN that doesn't stop on those 3hr runs to go fishing.

Ride is very dry in most conditions for me.  

It seems to ride marginally better with a healthy dose of trim tab, but with the new wheels, takes less tab to get the same effect.

All 6 of my port-lights were leaking, damaged, didn't latch, etc, each having their own set of small issues, when I got the boat (and they are still in that condition because to replace them with acceptable replacements would cost more than I could justify).  I've seen 2 others that had the same malady.  They apparently didn't come with the heaviest duty port-lights.

Maintenance access to the motors is excellent.  We pulled my motor without having to even pull the hard-top.  You can jump down in the bilge and do a lot without too much effort, and if you need more room, pull all of the hatches across the helm deck.

In deck livewell fills with water on a regular basis, despite my best efforts.

If I come up with any other tid-bits I'll post again  

Again, despite my complaints with the boat, for the price they often seem to sell at ($15,000 and under), I think they're hard to beat.

I personally think the various Trojan's of that vintage are ugly, but that's just me  

[giorgos]

OK, the 290 did not work out, but i saw a very good looking 270 TM. She comes with new 5.7 260 HP inboards. Anybody has info on this boat?
I would like to know the weight also.

[RickK]

OK, the 290 did not work out, but i saw a very good looking 270 TM. She comes with new 5.7 260 HP inboards. Anybody has info on this boat?
I would like to know the weight also.

Start here http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=553

[giorgos]

Thank you but i saw that. They only show the 270 with outboards and not with inboards which is what i have. I need to know the weight because i want to buy a trailer.

[SaltH2OHokie]

Thank you but i saw that. They only show the 270 with outboards and not with inboards which is what i have. I need to know the weight because i want to buy a trailer.

If you find the weight of an outboard version, with motors...figure out the weight of those motors, subtract it out, and add about 450-475 per motor/tranny/shaft for your inboards...if you find a weight of outboard without motors, just add the 900lbs for your inboards and call it close enough.

Your choices in trailer capacities are realistically in 3500lb increments anyway (1500lb if you start playing with heavier duty axles, etc.) but I'd guess you're on the fine line between a tandem vs triple.  Have 2 friends, one with a 28 Carolina Classic and one with a 27 Albemarle.  I'd guess they're pretty close in weight to one another, and probably pretty close to your 270TM.  The CC has a HD tandem, the Albe has a tri-axle.  Neither has any trouble. With tri-axle you'd trade peace of mind in the capacity department for additional maintenance costs, additional toll costs, a slight additional weight, etc.

I will say I pull a lot of trailers (equipment, not necessarily boat) and I'd like as few axles as it takes to haul the load.  Scrubs the tires quite a bit to turn a tri-axle, and E and G range trailer tires aren't cheap.

[nyguideservice]

OK, the 290 did not work out, but i saw a very good looking 270 TM. She comes with new 5.7 260 HP inboards. Anybody has info on this boat?
I would like to know the weight also.

 I have seen a couple 27's with the inboards, but if these are new 5.7s I am betting they are 300 hp or greater. Also, take a look at the engine room with these, I bet it is pretty tight. I know it is going to be a little better on my 290xf, but still a little on the tight side. Good Luck, they are a nice machine. I have learned a bunch about the construction of these hulls with the addition of a kicker to my new ride.

Capt. Rich

[giorgos]

Thank you for your replies.