280 vs. 290/VR1
 

Anyone know how the two compare?? Cockpit space, Freeboard, Cabin Space, Handling, etc. etc. etc.

Thanks in advance!!

Took me 3 wives to get that one figured out...:lolhit:

VV that's some funny chit...:eek:

As for DK's questions:
I have not seen a VR up close but it does look like the deck is lower therefore there is less freeboard and less headroom in the cabin.
I read somewhere that the reverse chines are removed on the VR for some reason.
One thing I like about the newer VR vs. the 280 is the swim platform being part of the mold instead of a bolt on.
My guess is that a turnkey 280 can be had for a lot less $$ than a turnkey VR...:drink:

Are you only talking the VR or the SC also which is the VR with a raised deck?

VR1 but, Nevermind gentlemen.......... Not paying that much for insurance!!!!

I pay less than $600 per year on my 280.
Is the VR1 that much more?

I have my boat through Allstate and they will not touch it at all. They gave me a ballpark from an outside insurer and it was not pretty. I was honest on HP and speed, which didn't help, but better than being dropped when you have a claim!!!!

Here is a stripped VR, looks like it has a lot less freeboard

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...item3ca653a827

The Insurance Company I've used for my last three boats, Progressive, will only insure the boat if it has a power plant the factory would have installed. They have known exactly what the boats speeds would be with the given power.
I paid like $800 for my 1997 24' Super with the 415HP/502 and they knew the boat would go 75mph. With the 415HP/502 in the Velocity 280 they agreed with me when I said about 65. I’ve asked about with a 500HP/502 and they agree it will go 75. They won't insure the 99 280 with more than a 500HP. With a 500 vs. the 415 the cost goes up about 25%. If I build another engine for my boat, it will likely only be 500HP.
It seems to be all about how fast the boat will go and you pay for over 65mph. I can only imagine if you have a boat that goes 80. My bud with a 525sc in a 1997 29 Fountain pays more than double what I pay.
I agree with you DK, if you don't tell them the truth you may as well not have insurance.

I think if you look at some of the high performance boat insurance agencies your chances of getting a reasonable quote are much better. I found standard company's who mainly write home owners and car insurance policy's generally don't like/want to deal with any high performance boat policy's. I have insured a 29SC with a 525, agreed speed of 80 mph for not much more than your 28 cost. Definitely pays to shop around.

sl, My company will write a 290SC without any questions. But the VR1 even with stock Merc. power is a different animal in their eyes. For a 800 hp, 100 mph VR1 I would pay almost as much a year in ins. as I would in payments........ And we all know that the ins. price can change year to year.

That being said, I did get a quote from Wakezone and they were almost half the price that my agent quoted me, but still too much for me. Sure puts it in perspective. I think I will stick with my original plans of a 260 or 280!!!

You are right that if you go to an insurance company that specializes in these type of boats, you can do better.
The problem I have found with them is that you have to own a boat with a much higher (like 50K+) value to work with them. Maybe that has changed since I tried though...

I have an 04 290SC she does 70 to 71 on gps with a 496magHO, love the boat, the VR1 with the same power is about 5mph faster I believe, but after looking at a VR1 I really like my 29sc better, I'll trade the 5mph for the room. Progressive is good if you have a good driving record.

Markel insurance was the best deal for me , a lot of brokers offer them . National marine under writers is usally cheap if they will cover it . Worth a quick look and compare . Also should be easier if the boat is less than 10 years old .

The insurance on my 290 is in the low 600's. '05 290SC, 525 with everything and it can be had for what I owe.

Kevin

Kevin, what is the topend on GPS with the 525?

i think Kevin told me the boat when he got it was around 80 to 82 mph