Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 boat specs
Sea Ray
Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008
2008
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VS
Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 boat specs
Sea Ray
Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003
2003
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Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 and 300 hp for the Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003. 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 8 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 and its 320-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 with its 300-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeSea Ray
Makenot available
Model300 Select EX
Modelnot available
Model Year2008
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.95 m)
Beam9.80 ft
Beam - Meters2.95
Beam - Meters2.99
Beam - Inches116
Beam - Inches118
Deadrise21℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58.4 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (96.5 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail3.40 ft
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches41
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet29
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]32 ft. 2 in. (9.80 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail29.00 ft
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches348
Draft Minnot available
Draft Min2.10 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard496 Magnum? Bravo? III MCM DTS - 375 hp (280 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeinboard
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (239 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercruiser
Engine modelnot available
Engine model5.7L 350MAG Bravo I
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower300 hp
Operational Info
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity2
Headnot available
Head1
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity24
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower

Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 or the Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003?
The Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Sea Ray 300 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 boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 tops out at 300 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 is certified for 8. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 measures 118" wide, compared to 116" for the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 and Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003?
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 300 Select EX 2008 and Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 and the Sea Ray Sunsport 290 2003 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.