The Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2005 vs Sea Ray SDX 290 Outboard 2022 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2005 at 29,0 ft versus Sea Ray SDX 290 Outboard 2022 at 31,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2005 tips the scales at 7 700 lbs - 670 lbs more than the Sea Ray SDX 290 Outboard 2022 at 7 030 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 Sea Ray SDX 290 Outboard 2022 tops out at 200 hp. Engine specs for the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2005 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 130 gal and 130 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sea Ray SDX 290 Outboard 2022 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2005 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray SDX 290 Outboard 2022 could be the deciding factor.