The SeaVee 290B shares similar attributes of her larger cousins in a more manageable sized trailer friendly package.
October 31, 2018
By Florida Sportsman Editor
Trying to build a scaled down offshore super console with all of the features found on the full sized edition jammed into an easy to trailer 29-foot package is a balancing act. You'll need the ride of a bigger boat which might be the simplest obstacle to overcome. You'll also need to add features like baitwell and insulated fish box capacity along with plenty of room for your crew to work around each other. Working with limited square footage of deck space, this is where things get tricky. Careful consideration of how much room should be devoted to each only comes from years of experience and from dealing with experienced offshore anglers on a personal level. After spending a day putting the SeaVee 290B Open through her paces offshore I can say with confidence that SeaVee has landed on their feet with this model.
For the ride, SeaVee boats are well known for being awesome performers on not so awesome days offshore and the 290B was no exception. This boat took everything we threw at her with a smile in seas approaching 6-feet at times and never a hiccup. The 25-degree deadrise impressed all of our crew with her soft landings and in a moment of disbelief our camera boat filmed us leave the water completely without making a sound upon re-entry. Big boat ride, check.
Next they'd need to add sufficient insulated storage and live bait capacity. Beneath the forward deck is located a 440-quart insulated box which should be more than enough to satisfy any offshore pelagic hunter's needs. Should you require more, an additional 240-quart hold in the cockpit deck can be used as either a fish box or live well. A pair of 180-quart non-insulated wing boxes forward store rods and gear nicely. A 60-gallon live well in the transom along with an additional 15-gallon adjacent pitch well are both standard equipment.
The 290B is offered with a full sized hard top or Key West style top with or without a low profile second station. The Key West style top proved to be a perfect fit for maximizing the use of fishing space available. This option offered more than enough shade to the helm area while freeing up some elbow room for anglers working forward of the console.
As a base model the 290B has all you need to get started in the world of serious offshore fishing. If you like a fully tricked out rig, optional luxury equipment available includes any accessory you'd find on the full sized version of this style of boat. For the offshore warrior who needs a boat that follows you home on a trailer to the larger sportfish or yacht in search of the perfect tender, as far as having big boat qualities in a manageable package goes, this sub-thirty footer gets the job done.
SeaVee 290B Open specifications
Length: 29 feet 6 inches
Beam: 9 feet
Draft: 20 inches
Deadrise: 25 degrees
Weight: 5900 pounds (dry)
Fresh water: 34 gallons
Holding tank: 16 gallons
Fuel: 251 gallons
Maximum horsepower: 800 (2-engines)
Base price: $148,000.00 with 2-250 HP
The SeaVee 290B shares similar attributes of her larger cousins in a more manageable sized trailer friendly package.
The SeaVee 290B shares similar attributes of her larger cousins in a more manageable sized trailer friendly package.
The benefit of 360-degree walk around fishability is immeasurable on an offshore game boat.
Don’t let her down scaled hull design fool you, the 290B is a serious performer in nasty weather.
A wide open deck plan as seen here is ideal for unobstructed battles and multiple hook-ups.
Below the spacious foredeck insulated compartments including matching 180-quart wing boxes and a larger 240-quart fish hold in the cockpit adds another option.
This forward entry console access provides a ton of extra dry storage along with easy access to console electrical systems.
Like on any serious fishing machine you’ll find abundant rod storage on this SeaVee for the ready position access or standby alike.
A recessed electronics box allows for anti-glare setback for MFD’s and a dry place to keep phones and wallets when the weather turns nasty.
A no-nonsense leaning helm station fits the sporty profile of the 290B perfectly.
A high volume 60-gallon live well joins an additional 15-gallon pitch bait well across the transom.
The aft facing tackle center on the helm seating features a hide-away cooler slide/seat.
More storage along with access to bilge systems here prove not an inch of space is wasted below deck.