2022 Limestone L-290DC

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

What a pleasure it is to see Limestone® boats back in production and back on our lakes and rivers. Limestone® boats were for years a favourite choice of boaters and cottagers throughout the Great Lakes, Georgian Bay, and the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands.

They were known for their solid construction and accommodating ride when the going got rough. That reputation was well earned and owed in big part to Limestone® designer, renowned naval architect Mark Ellis who studied under legendary Deep-V hull designers, C. Raymond Hunt & Associates.

Limestone®, along with many other manufacturers, went through a rough period but has been resurrected as The Limestone® Boat Company with corporate headquarters in Collingwood, Ontario and manufacturing facilities in Tennessee. Well known and respected Aquasport saltwater center consoles and Boca Bay inland center consoles share the same ownership and manufacturing facilities. Mark Ellis is still involved in Limestone® design as its lineup expands.

The L-290DC Dual Console Classic Day Boat is one of Limestone’s latest model. It is tied as the largest in the Limestone® fleet which spans six models of center console, runabout, cuddy cabin, as well as the dual console L-290 DC bowrider design.

In true Ellis fashion, it has a significant deep-vee hull with 22.5-degrees of deadrise at the transom. The L-290DC also holds true to Limestone’s classically recognizable profile with a smooth upward sweeping sheerline, sharp entry prow, and a tall protective fiberglass-framed windshield with side wings. The hull not only looks great, but is also reinforced with a Kevlar keel, stem, and chines.

The L-290 DC comes standard with a fiberglass hardtop supported by a powder coated frame, two opening ports for fresh air, recessed speakers, and LED spreader and courtesy lights. Double-wide helm bench seating features individual flip-up bolsters, flip-up armrests, a footrest, and cupholders between the two seating positions. A classic mahogany steering wheel faces a modern dash with digital switching, 12V, and USB outlets.

Opposite the helm seat on the port side is an L-shaped lounge, aft of which is a fold-away transom bench seat in two sections. This allows access to the portside dive door, which itself provides excellent access to the water for diving enthusiasts, but also for anyone wanting close access for swimming, fishing, or watersports.

A transom walk-thru on the starboard side provides ready access to the molded and integrated swim platform with integrated telescoping swim ladder. Mounted on this platform is your choice of twin Mercury® outboard engines, either twin 250 XL Four-Stroke DTS (Digital Throttle and Shift), or twin 300 XL Verado® with or without JPO (Joystick Piloting for Outboards). Both power choices may be ordered in Warm Fusion White.

Aft of the helm station on the starboard side is a standard L-shaped wet bar with Corian countertop, sink, and removable 65-quart cooler. A hinged access door to the left of the helm leads to a spacious head compartment complete with electric head, counter with sink and storage, opening privacy skylight, LED lighting, and an unusual but practical quarter berth.

Moving forward, a U-shaped lounge with storage fills three sides of the large bow area to provide ample seating. A bow table with synthetic teak surface is standard and drops down to provide a huge sunlounge with the standard filler cushions. Built-in speakers are provided as well as USB outlets, drinkholders, and bow cover. Up front is an anchor locker with anchor windlass with thru-stem anchor and remote helm switching.

Additional standard equipment includes both insulated and uninsulated in-floor storage. Two large fishbox storage compartment (also great for storing beverages with ice) total 74 gallons. Other items include electric trim tabs with indicators, AM/FM with Bluetooth stereo with speakers, freshwater shower, raw water washdown, and a starboard side windshield wiper with washer.

Limestone® white gelcoat with Navy double chine striping is standard, and you can optionally choose from several other colours and striping. Additional options include single or twin 12-inch multi-function chart plotters with depth sounder. Radar, Vessel View Mobile, autopilot, VHF radio, weather receiver, and Active Engine Trim are all available.

You may also want a windshield to hardtop connector panel with side and aft curtains, a cockpit tonneau cover, docking lights, underwater lights, spotlight, a shore power charger package with inverter, synthetic teak decking, hot water heater, a removable cockpit table with synthetic teak surface, or a ski pylon.

Air conditioning for the helm and head/quarter berth compartment is available, as is a retractable SureShade system over the cockpit. You may also choose a summer kitchen to replace the cockpit wet bar. It includes sink, refrigerator, and grill. A standalone butane grill is also available.

The refreshed Limestone® model lineup will be welcomed by many knowledgeable and discerning boaters, and this L-290DC Dual Console Classic Day Boat highlights the best of what this renewed brand is offering.

2022 Limestone L-290DC Specs

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