The Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray SLX 310 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 2008 at 29,0 ft versus Sea Ray SLX 310 2022 at 31,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray SLX 310 2022 tips the scales at 10 787 lbs — 10 710 lbs less 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 125-hp advantage over the Sea Ray SLX 310 2022's 250-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 13 gal and 13 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sea Ray SLX 310 2022 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray 290 Select EX 2008 could be the deciding factor.