When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2008 and the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2008 at 26,0 ft versus Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 at 29,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2008 tips the scales at 468 lbs — 391 lbs more than the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 at 77 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2008's 320-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2008 carries 65 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.