Access More Boat Tests
Already have an account? Login
SeaWell 290CC (2024-)
2 x 200-hp Mercury V6
Brief Summary
With an exceptionally high freeboard, lots of flair and a 21.5-degree transom deadrise, the SeaWell 290CC is intended for bluewater fishing. She’s more affordable than some in class and is built by a Brazilian company with over 15 years in the business.
Test Results
| RPM | MPH | Knots | GPH | MPG | NMPG | SM | NM | dBa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 650 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 384.8 | 334.4 | 57 |
| 1000 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 2 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 352.4 | 306.2 | 64 |
| 1500 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 287.1 | 249.5 | 70 |
| 2000 | 8.7 | 7.5 | 6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 189.3 | 164.5 | 72 |
| 2500 | 15.5 | 13.5 | 8 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 254.4 | 221.1 | 81 |
| 3000 | 23.6 | 20.5 | 11 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 280.4 | 243.7 | 81 |
| 3500 | 29.8 | 25.9 | 14.6 | 2 | 1.8 | 267.2 | 232.2 | 83 |
| 4000 | 35.1 | 30.5 | 19.5 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 234.9 | 204.1 | 87 |
| 4500 | 39.6 | 34.4 | 23.4 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 221 | 192.1 | 90 |
| 5000 | 45.2 | 39.2 | 31.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 188.9 | 164.2 | 90 |
| 5500 | 47.9 | 41.6 | 34.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 182.7 | 158.8 | 92 |
Specifications
| Length Overall |
29' 8.8 m |
|---|---|
| Beam |
9' 5" 2.9 m |
| Draft |
2' 0.6 m |
| Deadrise/Transom | 21.5° |
| Fuel Capacity |
145 gal 549 L |
| Water Capacity |
26 gal 98 L |
Acceleration Times & Conditions
| Climate | 5-10 wind; flat wave |
|---|
Engine Options
| Tested Engine |
2 x 225-hp Mercury V6 |
|---|---|
| Std. Power |
2 x 200-hp Mercury V6 |
| Opt. Power |
2 x 225-hp Mercury V6 2 x 250-hp Mercury DTS V8 2 x 300-hp Mercury Verado V8 |
SeaWell 290CC: A Taste of Brazil
Captain's Report by Capt. Ken Kreisler
Feijoada is one of Brazil’s most famous and revered dishes. Filled with tasteful ingredients and savory flavors, it typifies the country’s exciting passion for food and almost everything else including, at what may at first seem an incongruous comparison, boat building.
The shipyard was founded in 2008 and began taking the best of what it had learned about American boat building specifically in the center console sector. The company higher-ups then turned their ideas over to its research, design and engineering teams. With its well-known beaches, a 2,112+ mile coastline, tropical weather acting as an influence and a cadre of veteran and professional fishermen, the company came up with a line-up of purpose-built boats of which the 290CC is one of the entry-level models.
Adding just the right requirements in just the right balance, with a reasonable approach to space and layout and a competitive price point, SeaWell carefully builds its boats before shipping them to its Ft. Lauderdale, Florida facility for rigging and outfitting. Our look at the 290CC resulted in a positive reaction to this tasteful import.
Major Features & Notable Options
Major Features
- One-piece acrylic windshield
- U-shape bow seating with three, self-draining boxes
- Port and starboard removable fish boxes in the deck sole
- Port gunnel storage
- Aft bench seat w/livewell and storage
- Freshwater system
- Stainless steering wheel
- Stainless aft ladder
- Four rod holders on aft gunnel
- Hydraulic trim tabs
Notable Options
- Elite package featuring 2 x 200-hp Mercury V6 & Vessel View Screen, fiberglass hardtop with 4 rod holders on each side, 8 additional rod holders, 6 rod holders at aft seat, aft & bow spreader lights, saltwater washdown, holding tank, 1 livewell, Lenco/Bennet trim tabs, Jabsco electric toilet, deck and windlass freshwater washdown, 3 Rule bilge pumps @2,000 gph, fuel system and electronic fuel filter
- Power options include:
- 2 x 225-hp Mercury V6 + VesselView screen
- 2 x 250-hp Mercury DTS V8 + 7” VesselView screen
- 2 x 300-hp Mercury V8 Verado + joystick and 7” VesselView screen
- Simrad electronics package includes:
- Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer
- RS20S VHF radio
- AP44 AutoPilot controller unit
- xSonic SS175H-W/20 Chirp transducer 20° 1kW tilted element
- NAC-3 VRF Core Pack AutoPilot system
- HALO20+ radar
- NSS12 evo3S with C-MAP® US enhanced charts
- Fusion® marine stereo amplifier & 6 marine speakers
- 700W Italwinch w/anchor kit
- HTEC 12.000 BTU air conditioning
- Battery charger system w/shore power system
- TACO™ GS-280 outrigger kit
- Quick Gyro MC² X7 antiroll stabilizer
Bow
SeaWell packed a lot into the 290CC. From bow to stern, we discovered there is more than meets the eye aboard this sturdy, well-appointed center console boat.
Center Console & Helm
Cockpit
Aft
Performance
The SeaWell 290CC proved to be a spirited performer on the day of our sea trial. We had two people aboard, 60% of fuel and a test weight of 5,200 lbs. (2,358.68 kg). With the throttles nailed at 5500 rpm, we hit a top speed of 47.9 mph and a best cruise at 3000 rpm, traveling at a comfortable 23.6 mph. On our out-of-the-hole shots, we hit 30 mph after 9.4 seconds.
With our tabs is the up position, we noticed little bow rise. While traveling at high speed and leveling our 290CC a bit, she hummed along nicely even while putting the boat through a series of S-turns and hard-over maneuvers. In addition, with the bow flare knocking down any potential spray, we stayed nice and dry throughout our time on the water.
Summary
Hailing from Brazil, the SeaWell 290CC is a newcomer to the American market. Once built to exacting standards, the boats are shipped stateside and outfitted and rigged according to owner’s specifications at the company’s Ft. Lauderdale, Florida facility. Her amenities are all there to maximize a day out on the water. Four Mercury outboard engine options, from 200-hp to 300-hp models, will fit any power need.
She has a long list of standard and premium options. With so many center console models to choose from, SeaWell offers one which just might have the right price point for your next boat.
Remember, life is better on a boat!
Test Video Summary
Overview
The SeaWell 290CC is a new center console getting a lot of attention because she is designed to make boating more accessible and affordable for a broader range of boaters. BoatTEST’s Captain tested her with twin Mercury 225 V6 outboards.
“We did run maybe 10 miles or so offshore earlier through some pretty nasty stuff, and I was impressed that I wasn’t getting wet in here.”
Mission And Intended Owner
- Built To Do: Family days, entertaining and fishing
- Designed For: A broader range of boaters looking for an accessible, affordable center console
- Locus Of Operation: Protected waters and offshore
Design Overview
- Bow: A decent amount of flare that diverts spray away from the cockpit
- Windshield: One piece, with no joints
- T-Top: Few partitions to impede vision
- Lighting: Courtesy lighting throughout the boat
Specifications
- Length Overall: 29 feet
- Beam: 9 feet, 5 inches
- Draft: 2 feet
- Bow Sun Bed: About 5 feet, 2 inches long by about 5 feet, 10 inches at its widest
- Console Seat: 42 inches wide
- Helm Seat: 46 inches wide
- Transom Seat: 4 feet, 6 inches wide
- Fish Boxes: 42 inches deep, port and starboard
- Cockpit Floor: 7 feet, 7 inches wide by about 3 feet, 9 inches
- Gunwale Height: About 27 inches, rising to about 39 inches forward
- Head Door: 16 inches wide
- Head Headroom: About 6 feet, 3 inches
- Transom Step-Over: 6 inches
Test Conditions And Test Weight
- Sea State: Protected water for the performance runs; earlier, about 10 miles offshore in some pretty nasty conditions
- Load: 60% fuel and two passengers
- Test Weight: About 5,200 pounds
Performance
- Tested Power: Twin Mercury 225 V6 outboards
- Top Speed: 47.9 mph at 5,500 rpm
- Best Cruise: 23.6 mph at 3,000 rpm
- Fuel Economy At Best Cruise: 2.1 mpg
| RPM | MPH | MPG |
|---|---|---|
| 3,000 | 23.6 | 2.1 |
| 5,500 | 47.9 | — |
Acceleration:
- 0–10 mph: 2.7 seconds
- 0–20 mph: 5.7 seconds
- 0–30 mph: 9.4 seconds
Sea Trial And Handling
- Planing: Gets right up on plane, starting with trim tabs fully down
- Bow Rise: Not much; the horizon stayed in view from a standing position
- Trim: A slight starboard lean was easily corrected with the trim tabs
- High Speed: Feels good
- Visibility: Great, through the jointless windshield
- Comfort: Padding underfoot, a bolster that drops for seated running and a footrest
- Turns: S-turns and hard-over turns with less lean than expected
- Noise: Quiet, with the windshield blocking much of the wind
- Spray: Stayed dry offshore in rough conditions, even with the wind in a direction that should have brought spray aboard
“The boat actually doesn’t lean as much as I would have thought it would, I like that.”
“So the bow has a decent amount of flare where it just diverts all that off of you, I was really surprised.”
Engine Room Or Mechanical Compartment
- Access: Mechanical space under the cockpit sole, with batteries and battery switches
- Main Electrical Panel: In the head compartment
- Overhead Height: About 6 feet, 3 inches in the head
Features Inspection
The Helm
- Seat: 46-inch bench with two flip-up bolsters
- Wheel: Tilt base
- Windshield: One piece, for good visibility
- Compass: Centerline
- Displays: Two 12-inch Simrad multifunction displays
- Charging: Dual USB
- Switches: Push-button switches for the electronics
- Controls: Mercury engine controls, trim tabs and livewell controls
- Audio: Fusion head unit
- VHF: Simrad
- Engine Start-Stops: Yes
- Cubbies: Two, for small accessories like a phone
- Footrest: Padded
- Rod Holders: Five on the back of the helm seat
- Cooler: Room under the helm seat
- T-Top: Six rod holders on each side, Fusion speakers and LED lighting
“One thing that I might like to see is some armrests added in here.”
Anchor Locker And Ground Tackle
- Anchor Roller: Fully forward
- Cleats: Two 8-inch pop-up cleats, port and starboard, plus a midship cleat
- Anchor Locker: With a freshwater rinse
- Windlass: Quick windlass, with controls at the bow and the helm
Boarding Amenities
- Transom Door: With a 6-inch step-over
- Freshwater Shower: At the transom
- Ladder: Telescopic three-rung stainless steel ladder on the swim platform
Cockpit Arrangement And Equipment
- Fish Boxes: 42 inches deep, port and starboard
- Rod Holders: Port and starboard
- Cockpit Table: Two receptacles for pedestal bases
- Padding: Along the gunwales for bringing in big fish
- Transom Seat: 4 feet, 6 inches wide, with a baitwell and wet storage
- Cup Holders: Port and starboard
Bow Arrangement
- Sun Bed: Padded, with SeaWell stitching and grab rails on both sides
- U-Shaped Seating: Remove the center cushion and support
- Storage: Underneath the bow seating
- Audio: Fusion speakers
- Rod Holders: In the bow and along the sides
- Console Seat: 42-inch bench with storage underneath
- Freshwater Rinse Hose: At the bow
Interior Spaces
Head:
- Entry: 16-inch door on the port side of the console
- Headroom: About 6 feet, 3 inches
- Fixtures: Toilet and sink
- Storage: A few compartments
- Electrical: Main electrical panel
Advantages And Disadvantages
Advantages
- Designed to be accessible and affordable
- Dry ride offshore in rough water, thanks to her bow flare
- Less lean in turns than expected
- Gets on plane easily with little bow rise
- Jointless one-piece windshield with great visibility
- Quiet helm
- Generous head headroom of about 6'3"
- Convertible bow sun bed and U-shaped seating
- Quick windlass with dual controls
Disadvantages
- No armrests on the helm seat
- 2.1 mpg at best cruise
- Range and fuel capacity need confirming (see note)
Related Boats
SeaWell 345XL (2024-)
2 x 250-hp Mercury DTS V8