2006 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Step through the transom door and you’ll notice how the cockpit layout really works for social days on the hook—wraparound seating, a removable table, and a wet bar that keeps everyone out of the cabin fridge. The wide beam gives this 29-footer a surprisingly stable feel in chop, and those high gunwales are reassuring when guests move around underway. Below, the mid-cabin converts from a lounge to a private berth, so two couples can overnight without feeling cramped. The molded swim platform sits low to the water, making it easy to board from a dock or hop back on after a swim. Thoughtful storage everywhere means gear, fenders, and lines all have a home.

For warm-water, big-sun boating, the 290 Sundancer hits a sweet spot: large enough to handle afternoon wind and weekend boat traffic, yet still easy to dock in tighter marinas. The generous cockpit shade and full canvas enclosure let you stay out longer when the sun is high or a shower rolls through. Air conditioning with generator power keeps the cabin cool at anchor, so overnights in sheltered bays are genuinely comfortable, not a compromise. The moderate draft opens up access to shallower coves and sandbars, while the wide swim platform and open transom make frequent swims and dinghy transfers simple and safe.