I think the boat would handle 502's just fine but I would want to have 280 K-planes and external steering on it. There is a guy from Canada that runs the Shootout at LOTO in a 290 with 800 HP motors in it (now that boat is a bit of a handful). cbgenrl's '97 290 with stock 7.4's and Edelbrock Performer Air Gap intakes and 700 CFM Holleys runs low 70's on GPS and is not ill-mannered at that speed. Most of the 290's you see are 7.4's. I've seen a couple that had 454 MAGs and a few later model ones with the 6.2L MPI's. I can't recall seeing a 290 with 502's. Would be interesting to know how many were made and if any ever had blue motors in them. There were also a handful built with singles.

From what I've seen the MX 6.2L MPI boats and the 7.4L/7.4L MPI boats run almost identical speeds.

I would not hesistate to buy 502's. Just need to put your hours (I have 250 behind the wheel of mine) in learning the boat and the conditions it can and should not be run flat out. Safety first! I run labbed 3 blades but have heard numerous times the boat is even more well mannered with 4 blades.

When I was looking i did find one 290 with a set of 502's but the boat was just trashed upon personal inspection.

Ideally i would have liked to have found one with 454 Mags but have zero regrets about my purchase.

I was replying to PQCRAZY

If I remember correctly Mike at Lands end Marina had one made with 500 HP's in it, k-planes and external steering would be a must have of course as well as I would run a 4 blade Bravo as well. One of my favorite boats was the 290 with a nice big block set-up, nice handling and good all around fast big lake boat.

454 mags would be a nice set up - and not much of a noticable difference from the 502 mags. Probably would be my first choice.

back in 1999 when I ordered my second 290 I was at the factory talking to then owner Kevin Herdis.he told me when they designed the 290 back in 1989 /90 it was ment to be a twin small block boat but everybody was caught up in the big block phaze so all the feedback they got from dealers was to put big blocks in them,

I think the CG would probably be a lot better with small blocks. I wonder if they ever built any with the 350 HP 377 cu.in. Scorpions in them? That might have been the ultimate setup...especially if the Scorps had Stainless Marine manifolds installed on them for a little extra HP and weight savings.

My 91 has 502 carbs and I think the hull handles it fine. A buddy of mine has 7.4s in his 98. The only difference I can tell is my props turn in and his out...causing a little difference in ride. Also, a year and half ago there was a 290 with 502 mags for sale in the classifieds OSO. It was a nice looking boat.

Just for curiosity what does your 91 with 502's run ?