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The one thing I did not like in the Hydra Sports was the proximity of switches to the walk through on the windshield. i figured it would get kicked and damage would result. Anybody have problems with this?
I have a 06 290 w/ 2-250 4 strokes yamahas . Stepped down from 36 express w/ twin diesels . As far as performance ,ride ,fishability, family use ( 1 wife 2 daughters) you can not ask for a better boat. Never an issue w/ anything in 300 hours of use( knock on wood) Wellcraft gets a bad rap by some circles, but many a friends with lot more expensive rides have rode w/ me will theirs have been on hill.Wellcraft has had a few years w/ this model to really dial in setup. On a normal day I can go 125-140 nm run cruise or better and burn 130-160 gallons depending on conditions. Have friend / 06 Rabalo same size and setup , boat has been back to factory , had a whole new hull (Stress cracks) amonng other problems. He will burn 190-200 gallons on same trip as I described before. Not only have I had better luck w/ Wellcraft I also paid 50k less for boat. Would consider selling my 290 if interested I am lookingto step up in size to hopefully a 377 Intrepid.
I have a 2006 290 Coastal with 250 Yamaha 4-strokes. With three seasons and about 200 hours, I can't complain. The engines have performed flawlessly and the boat is a very nice blend of cruising, fishing, and water sports - not perfect for anything, but very good for everything. The fit and finish are a notch below Grady but the price is significantly lower. The boat is big 29 because of the beam and a relatively narrow walk-around.
Yamaha did a sea test on the boat with twin 250's which is available online at their website. The results are close to real life. I run about 4200rpm getting about 30mph and burning a pinch over 20gph for about 1.4-1.5mpg. I think the Yamaha test came in at 1.5+. The boat is wide and heavy (compare to new Grady 29) so the results are good.
There are a couple of things that could have been designed and engineered better, and Wellcraft has been responsive to a couple of issues that I had with the boat. They have made a few changes since it was introduced around 2001-2. The factory curtains are a bit cheap, and some of the hardware could have been upgraded, but overall the quality is pretty good.
I think that the 290 is Wellcraft's best seller, so there is a substantial used market especially in Florida.
When I bought my Coastal this Spring, I spent a weekend at my FIL's marina. He owns a 48 Viking, his one buddy owns a 47 Ocean, and the last buddy owns a 55 California. I took the 3 out for a spin. They spent the rest of the day asking each other why they didn't sell their boats and pick up what I had. Don't mistake it for a literal argument, but they were very impressed with what this 29' boat offered.
Best selling boat that Wellcraft makes, we have sold hundreds of them because there is not another boat around that you get everything the 290 has packed into it for mid 100s brand new. It is a comfortable ride, has a large cabin packed with amenities, and the wide beam really opens up the cockpit for fishing. PLus the gen and air package makes it comfortable to over night in with ease.
Love the walk thru windshield kids don't have to walk on sides. I had custom curtains made for mine in 08 . Factory curtains were not that desirable very pleased with new ones. I think you can tell by responses that 290 is a good choice. As far as not enough fuel capacity never been an issue w/me because has plenty range where I go plus more fuel is more weight. Will get pics. on for you w/ specs in next couple of days , going offshore tomorrow ,hopefully,if not then on Sunday. Only thing I would like is bigger fish boxes.( still hold 65lb wahoo no problem) Love gas generator no extra tank for diesel ,no algae very easy to maintain.
Are you looking for a cruising type boat that has some fishing capabilities?
Or do you want a fishing boat that has some cruising abilities.
2900VX better fishing....290 better cruising.
The 290 is bigger, beamier, less deadrise, significantly less fuel capacity, much short range, not good for long offshore runs but in return you get more room.
The 2900VX is a better offshore capable boat with 23 degree deadrise, long legs (300 gallons), better fuel economy, handles the seas better found offshore, and just plain better fishable.
So you have to ask yourself what is your primary activity...fishing or cruising, both can do both but the each only does one best.
BTW...I have never, not once, seen a 290 offshore where I fish 75 miles out to the canyons. Maybe they try but suspect they turn around within 20 miles of getting pounded and go back to catching croaker close to shore.
Here are a couple of pictures from a recent rough water trip to the Bahamas. The first is a 2500VX in a heavy head sea (we can debate what heavy means later)
These boats run extremely dry! It looks like that famous Rybovich commercial where the boat is buried in a wave but all the water is thrown away from the boat.
Here is a picture of the 2900VX in similar seas. Notice how the water is pushed out rather than up. Also, the boat is crushing the wave, not bouncing over it. I really think the 2900VX Hydrasports does a great job of being a comfortable mini-sport fish. The cabin sleeps 6 and the boat just runs hard. Like any walk around with a high center of gravity, I think the cruise speed is where you want to run the boat and not at the higher speeds.
I agree that the HS is more of an offshore pocket battle wagon where as the WC is more of a family fisherman, two different goals for two different boats.
I just repowered my 290 with Yamaha F250's. I am currently using the Revolution 4 blades, with 17 pitch. I have a set of Mirage 3 blades 19 pitch. Of the two, which do you guys think are the most economical for fuel consumption purposes?
With the gear ratio that the F250 has, they can spin a bigger prop than a Verado would on the same boat. Wellcraft rigs with 21p SWS props from the factory, so I would try a 19 Rev 4 first as you will more than likely over-rev the 17s. The Rev 4 should give you the best performance all around on that hull.
Hey Sundancekid you stated that the 290 comes from factory w/ 21p Sws . I have an 06 w/ twin f250. What could I expect in improved performance#s if I were to go to 19 Rev 4 -- Thanks
You should see better bite and less fuel burn at cruise and more top-end speed. Dropping in pitch may yield a slower cruise speed at the same RPM, but then again going to a prop with a lot more bite and less pitch like the 19 Rev 4 should reduce slip a good amount and the cruise speed may not fall off much at all.
Hydra Sports 2900 vx s Welcraft 290 coastal 
