Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 boat specs
Sea Ray
Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008
2008
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VS
Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 boat specs
Sea Ray
Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008
2008
View full specs →

Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 and the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 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 290 Select EX 2008 at 29,0 ft versus Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 at 29,0 ft. At 77 lbs and 83 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 375 hp for the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 and 375 hp for the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 13 gal and 13 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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.

Bottom line: The Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 and Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeSea Ray
MakeSea Ray
Model290 Select EX
Model290 Sun Sport?
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.95 m)
Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.94 m)
Beam - Meters2.95
Beam - Meters2.95
Beam - Inches116
Beam - Inches116
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58.4 cm) Twin: 24 in. (61 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail28 in. (71.1 cm) Twin: 28 in. (71.1 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] meters0.71
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inches28
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (96.5 cm) Twin: 35 in. (88.9 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (101.6 cm) Twin: 37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail7,700 lbs. (3,493 kg)
Weight - Detail8,300 lbs. (3,765 kg)
Weight - kg3492.66
Weight - kg3764.81
Weight - lbs.77
Weight - lbs.83
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet29
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches6
Length [over all with swim platform]32 ft. 2 in. (9.82 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]32 ft. 2 in. (9.8 m)
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches354
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard496 Magnum? Bravo? III MCM - 375 hp (280 kW)
Engine/s standard496 Magnum? MPI Bravo? III DTS - 375 hp (280 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492.1 l), Standard power: 117 gal. (443 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492.1 l), Usable fuel: 117 gal. (443 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity24 gal. (90.8 l), Gray water tank: 20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacity24 gal. (90.8 l), Gray water tank: 20 gal. (75.7 l)
Maximum capacity3,000 lbs. (1,360 kg)
Maximum capacity3,000 lbs. (1,360 kg)
Maximum people12 @ 2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
Maximum people12 @ 2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 or the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008?
The Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 or the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008?
For trailering, the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 has the edge at 77 lbs dry weight versus 83 lbs for the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 and Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 share an 9 ft. 8 in. (2.95 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 and Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 13 gallons and 13 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 and Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 and the Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport 2008 are built by Sea Ray. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.