SeaRay Amberjacks

S

Scratch1Flattop

Member
Joined
May 27, 2006
RO Number
21432
Messages
21
Hi All,
A quick question. What is the major difference between the Sundancer line and the Amberjack line?
 
Cockpit and interior lay out.

AmberJack is more on the Fishing side and Sundancer is more on the Cruiser side.
 
Can you cruise in style in an Amberjack?I'm looking at a 27'. I like the 29' but I'm thinking too much boat for me. I fish, not alot but I do enjoy it on occasion so a straight cruiser like a Sundancer might not suit me.Any opinions?
 
the Sundancer has an aft cabin ( V drives) and a different cockpit layout.

the Amberjack has no aft cabin (straight drives ) and the cockpit is set up more for fishing.

Amityville ???......... you lookin at the AJ at True North ?
 
"AJ at True North" Have no idea what that means but I am in search of an Amberjack 2-4 yrs old. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
V drives as opposed to straight drives--what's the difference? Hope I'm not annoying trying to pick your brain .
 
A quick explanation is ..... " V " drives are tranny's that have input and output shafts on the same end....(allows extra space for an aft cabin).

.... " straight drives " are trannys that have input and output shafts on opposite ends. ( similar to a automotive tranny )

Unless you choose I/O's
 
Hey Don,
You've got answers, I've got questions.
What about I/O's as compared to inboards? Is the handling similar? Service? Fuel consumption? My only experience is with outboards. I hear about the advantage of twins in maneuvering, but does that apply to any twins? Thanks again.
Charles
 
Yes........ AJ's are beamier boats.

Charlie: It all depends on your personal use and preference..... each application has its pros and cons. I prefer inboards.....for the reason I leave my boat in 12 months a year and they require less maintenance......but thats just me.

What footage AJ are you looking for ??
 
with I/O's you will gain a small aft cabin.........but not with straight drives.
 
Another observation---
On twin engine boats, I'd expect to see two sets of levers; one transmission set and one throttle set. On alot of helm photos of boats with 2 engines, I'm only seeing one pair of levers. What gives?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robski97

29' amberjack is a great boat!

Rob

Click to expand...


Great is an understatement, it is a well laid out boat, has a big beam, it can handle nasty seas, it is qiuck and gets up on a plane real fast, and the quality is awesome.

I owned a 2003 290 Amberjack that hat IOs, if I did not want a larger boat this boat would of been a keeper.

I am not a fan of IOs, but on the south shore of LI, and the size of the boat it was the only choice.

You will not be disappointed with this boat.

Walter
 
if they're I/Os, there would normally only be one set of levers. Each lever is for one shift/throttle. Inboards would have seperate shifters (on left) and throttles (on right).
 
I own an 02 290 Amberjack with the fishing package. I bought it new and have over 500 freshwater hours on it. It has twin 305,260HP engines with Bravo III drives turning 20" pitch set propellers. It is just my wife and I and we prefer the bigger cockpit of the AJ over the sundancer. I had some initial problems with the boat, mostly minor stuff, but still a hassle. I think I got a Monday boat. I have owned 6 Sea Rays and never really had any problems with them.

I also have a generator, had a couple problems with it, but it runs beautifully and is very quiet. My boat runs out at about 40 on the GPS and cruises at 28 turning about 3700 RPM.

The boat has a bigger feel than it is and is very ease to maneuver around docks. Being inland on Dale Hollow lake in TN. I can not tell you how it handles in rough water, but it rides well where I use it. I had a 270 Sundancer before and there is no comparison in the ride. The 290 is way better.

You say that the 290 is a little big for you, but if you can afford it, I would buy the 290 especially if you are going to leave it in the water and not try to trailer it. I would not go with the V-Drives in it because from what I have heard it does not perform well and is harder to work on because of the room the transmissions take up in the engine compartment. With the IO's you have room to get in to most systems.If you can, check both out and see what I mean. The advantage to the
v-drives, especially in saltwater, would be the maintainence factor of the outdrives (more susepticle to corrosion).

I would reccommend finding one with 350's versus 305's because the bigger engine has more torque, will get out of the hole faster and hold you on plane at lower rpm's. Fuel comsumption would be about the same.

Would I buy another one, you betcha, just wish I had gotten off to a better start with this one. All is well now, it just took some work. I hope that we can some day buy a used 34 Amberjack and that would be my last boat (getting old).

I hope this helps you out and be glad to try and answer any other questions you might have. My e-mail address is rrol3935391rb2@gr5taol.com

Good luck,

Bill
 
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