For comparison my 93 w/ 502mags will run 68-69 GPS in pretty much everyhting

Iam on my 3rd 290.the 1st was 1995 carb.the 2nd 1999 efi and the 3rd 2000 efi all 3 are 7.4 mercs.the 95 carb I bought new , ran great never had any problems other then if it sat for a couple of days you had to pump to start,it ran 65.5 gps.the 1999 efi ran great never had a problem I also bought new when I sold it it had about 520 hours on it and ran 67.3 gps.the 3rd is a 2000 efi with about 250 hours.I bought it used and it runs 70.5 on gps.the 95 had 23 mirage plus and the other 2 have 25 mirage plus.I like them thats why Iam on my 3rd 290.as far as the engine hatch goes, install the relay from eddie marine,they work great!
as for the sliding door you can install a flip latch on the buttom track to keep the door open so you dont have to used the upper lock.
When I ordered the second 290 I was at the factory and asked about the anchor locker,at that time I was told they were going to discontinue that option because alot of people didnt secure the anchor and they had issues with a lot of spider cracking on the bow.

Hey Bob,whats up!
I remember running next to you the day you picked up your 290,I was in my 2nd 290 and I think you were a couple of miles faster then me.
and I had the 7.4s and you have the 6.2s

I'm looking at a 98 with 7.4 carbs (310 hp) which I believe is what they did call the 330 at one time. Looks like the crab and the EFI were rated at the same hp.

Hey Tom
I remeber that day well. As I recall you had a 1/2 a tank of fuel and were by yourself. I had 3 in my boat and a full tank. I agree that I only was a couple of MPH faster but I accelerated faster and had close to a 1000' on you after crossing Grass Lake.
I also was able to chase you down in Lake Michigan in 5 footers after I saw you heading north when I was southbound.
Not rippin on your 99 just plugin my 02 that is still for sale.
A 02 with less that 150 hrs for $55K delivered and no lookers?
I'm very surprized!!!
Last year I turned down $58K for trade on my RV. BIG mistake!

I've been watching the 29's for a year now and I've noticed a lot of the same boats still for sale. I've been told this markets been pretty flat. Smaller single engine and muchn larger twins seem to be the big movers.

I remember Grass lake and like I said you were a couple of miles faster.But my 99 weight alot more then your 2002 ,
transom shower,weekend package,2 -7.4s versus 6.2 and alot more options that add alot of weight fast.
as far as lake Michigan I was running with a broken trim tab and a sick girl in the back seat,I dont know if I give you that one.
besides I dont think either one of us could run top speed with 5 footers.

It seems like a lot of boats have been for sale for a long time!
I must have been one of the lucky ones,I sold my boat within
1 1/2 week close to my 55k asking price.

Another friend put his 2001 290 up for sale in May and was sold within 2 weeks .
I quess alot has to do with location and how honest you are,and a little luck

I always placed the anchor in one of the large "lockers" in the floor of the cockpit. You just need to buy a small PFD or some other cushion to keep it off the hull while it's in there.

The 290 I owned ran real strong. It would run about 69 MPH. The original HP was like 300 but I'm not sure what, if any, additional HP was obtained by the different carbs. I was the second owner. The original owner added different carbs and got rid of the mufflers. It's loud but not obnoxious. All I know was my friend had a 272 Formula with twin 330's and the 290 was faster by almost 5 mph!:D

It still tickles 69 MPH GPS. cbgnrl did a hot pass by us last Friday and she looked good going by at WOT.