The Sea Ray Aft Cabin 370 1997 vs Sea Ray Sundeck 290 2017 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sea Ray Aft Cabin 370 1997 measures 38,2 feet overall (1997), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray Sundeck 290 2017 at 29,2 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray Aft Cabin 370 1997 tips the scales at 24 000 lbs — 17 529 lbs more than the Sea Ray Sundeck 290 2017 at 6 471 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 370 hp for the Sea Ray Aft Cabin 370 1997 and 380 hp for the Sea Ray Sundeck 290 2017. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray Sundeck 290 2017 carries 85 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Sea Ray Aft Cabin 370 1997. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sea Ray Aft Cabin 370 1997 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Sea Ray Sundeck 290 2017 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 Aft Cabin 370 1997 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sea Ray Aft Cabin 370 1997 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sea Ray Sundeck 290 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.