Best Bowrider Boats: Smoothest Ride On The Waves

Bowrider boats are a popular choice for both new and experienced boaters. They are versatile, with comfortable seating, luxurious amenities, and good handling. They are also designed to be versatile and comfortable, allowing passengers to ride at the bow of the vessel while offering maximum sport speed for activities like wakeboarding.

When choosing a bowrider boat, it is important to consider the seating and layout, stowage, safety features, intended activities, and cost.

- Sea Ray SLX 350: This is Sea Ray's second-largest luxury deck boat, offering maximum comfort and luxury for a day on the water.

- Yamaha 222XD Jet Boat: Yamaha's smallest wake-series boat, which comes with impressive DRiVE technology and a SurfPointe wake surf system.

- Bayliner VR6: A popular choice for watersport enthusiasts and families who want to do some fishing and cruising.

- Formula 240: A sleek and easily trailerable boat that blends luxury and performance.

- Tahoe 210S: A simple yet comfortable and functional boat with all the amenities for a fun day on the water.

Luxury bowrider boat brands

Bowriders are a popular boat type among all kinds of boaters, from newbies to seasoned veterans. They are versatile, with comfortable seating, luxurious amenities, and good handling. They can be used for watersports, leisurely day cruising, or taking family and friends to waterfront restaurants.

There are many bowrider brands and models to choose from, but here is a list of some of the top luxury bowrider boat brands and models:

Sea Ray

Sea Ray offers a range of bowrider models, from entry-level to luxury options. The Sea Ray SLX 350 is one of their luxury offerings. It is a large deck boat with a spacious and comfortable seating area, a private air-conditioned cabin, and lots of storage space. It can accommodate a large group of people and offers a luxurious and entertaining experience.

Yamaha

Yamaha's 222XD Jet Boat is another luxury option. It is a small wake-series boat with impressive technology, including the DRiVE system for easy handling and the SurfPointe wake surf system for watersports enthusiasts. It has ample seating and storage, and its jet drive power makes it ideal for shallow waters.

Formula

The Formula 240 Bowrider blends luxury and performance. It features a sleek and elegant design, with a spacious bow and cockpit area, a versatile seating layout, and an extended swim platform. The Formula 240 offers a balance of comfort, entertainment, and speed, making it a great choice for those seeking a luxurious and sporty experience.

Tahoe

The Tahoe 210S is a simple yet functional bowrider. It offers comfortable seating, ample storage, and a powerful engine, providing a fun and memorable experience on the water. It has a unique U-shaped lounge and a smart storage system, making it a great choice for those seeking a blend of comfort and functionality.

Chris-Craft

The Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT is a bowrider that exudes class and elegance. It is designed with attention to detail, featuring leather and vinyl upholstery, a mahogany steering wheel, and a spacious layout. It offers various customization options, including stern or outboard drives, and a range of standard features such as a navigation screen and a stereo system.

Monterey

The Monterey 385SS is a high-end bowrider that defies the typical bowrider category, offering a sleek and luxurious experience. It features spacious seating areas, a well-equipped cockpit, and comfortable overnight accommodations. With its high-end touches and attention to detail, the Monterey 385SS provides a blend of performance and luxury.

These brands and models represent some of the top luxury bowrider boat options available. Each offers a unique blend of comfort, performance, and amenities, catering to different needs and preferences. When choosing a bowrider, it is important to consider factors such as group size, gear requirements, seating comfort, safety features, and engine type to ensure the boat suits your specific needs and enhances your boating experience.

Affordable bowrider boat brands

Bowriders are a popular boat type among boaters of all experience levels. They are versatile, with comfortable seating, luxurious amenities, and good handling. They are also used for watersports, fishing, and leisurely day cruising.

Stingray

Stingray has built a reputation for manufacturing comfortable and reasonably priced bowriders and deck boats. Their nine models range from 17 to 26 feet and come with features like portable MSDs, freshwater transom showers, and Bimini tops. While they may not be as flashy as some other bowriders, Stingray boats offer excellent value for money and are perfect for fun days out on the water.

Tahoe

Tahoe is known for its small and affordable bowriders, with models starting at just 16 feet in length. They offer "no haggle no hassle" pricing, making it easy for buyers to understand the bottom-line cost. Despite their low prices, Tahoe bowriders come loaded with tech features like touchscreen multifunction displays and Kicker stereo systems. Their smallest model, the T16, can seat up to six people and has enough power to tow riders on water toys.

Lowe

Lowe specialises in small and lightweight aluminium bowrider boats, with models ranging from 16 to 19 feet in length. Their boats are designed for both fishing and watersports, with features like livewells, locking rod lockers, and bow-mounted electric trolling motors. The Lowe Fish & Ski 1625, for example, has a hull weight of just 1,265 pounds, making it easy to tow with a modest vehicle.

Glastron

Glastron has a long history of building runabouts and bowriders, and they now offer eight outboard models ranging from 18 to 24 feet. Their boats stand out for their spacious wraparound cockpit seating, which is a result of redesigning their bowriders specifically for outboard power. The Glastron GX 210 Sport is an excellent choice for watersports enthusiasts, with features like an oversized swim platform, a ski locker, and a four-speaker Bluetooth stereo system.

Outboard bowrider boat brands

Bowriders are a popular type of boat, especially for families, due to their versatility and comfortable seating. They are used for day cruising, watersports, and fishing.

There are many bowrider boat brands that offer outboard engines, and here are some of the most notable ones:

Bayliner

Bayliner is known for its sterndrive-powered bowriders, but they also offer the Element E21, which is an entry-level, outboard-powered bowrider. The E21 has a deep transom platform and wing platforms on both sides. It has a self-bailing cockpit and offers ample storage space. With a top speed of 41.5 mph, it can easily be used for watersports like skiing and tubing.

Four Winns

Four Winns offers the HD 220 OB, which is a 22-foot bowrider that can accommodate up to 10 people. It has a unique running surface with a pad keel that provides excellent performance and handling. The HD 220 OB has a spacious cockpit with L-shaped seating and bucket seats at the consoles. It also features a head compartment and a broad platform in the bow area.

Monterey

Monterey's M45 is a variation of their M4 sterndrive model, equipped with a 250-horsepower Mercury Verado outboard engine. It delivers a quiet and economical performance, reaching a top speed of 50 mph. The M45 has a comfortable helm station and elegant styling, with wrap-around lounges in the cockpit and ample forward seating. It also includes a changing room and a portable head under the portside console.

Glastron

Glastron has a history of embracing outboard power for their bowriders, and the GT-180 is their modern take on the classic GT-160. Rated for up to 150 horsepower, the GT-180 offers excellent performance and handling. It has high coamings, thoughtful padding, and good handgrips, making it a secure choice for families with small children. The GT-180 also offers ample storage space, including a large centerline ski locker and a cavernous glove box.

Sea Ray

Sea Ray's 21 SPX OB is a versatile bowrider that offers both sterndrive and outboard power options. The outboard version maximizes interior space, providing room for up to 12 passengers. It has a spacious cockpit with an L-shaped lounge and a broad portside bench. The bow area has a sun pad that can also be converted into an aft-facing couch.

Starcraft

Starcraft was one of the earlier companies to reintroduce outboard power to bowriders with their SCX 210 OB EXT. This boat offers solid performance, reaching a top speed of 48 mph. It has a spacious cockpit with bucket seats for the driver and L-shaped seating for passengers. The SCX 210 OB EXT also features a convenience center with a sink and lighted cup holders, as well as ample storage compartments.

These brands offer a range of features, performance levels, and pricing options, so it's important to consider your specific needs and budget when making a decision.

Crossover bowrider boat brands

When it comes to crossover bowrider boat brands, there are several options available that offer a blend of performance, luxury, and versatility. Here are some of the top brands in this category:

Boston Whaler

Known primarily for their centre console fishing boats, Boston Whaler introduces the Vantage series, a unique breed of crossover bowrider boats. The Vantage models appeal to both anglers and family boaters, offering fishing features alongside their renowned unsinkable construction. The Vantage 280, for example, provides versatility with its ability to handle offshore fishing and coastal bays, while also delivering performance for watersports and comfort for family cruising.

Edgewater

Edgewater's dual-console crossover bowrider boats are known for their high-quality construction. The Edgewater 230CX, for instance, is a true crossover with features for both fishing and family fun. It's built using Single Piece Infusion construction, resulting in a stronger and lighter boat with fully finished bilges and compartments, backed by a lifetime limited hull warranty.

Yamaha

Yamaha's jet-driven bowriders defy easy categorisation, blending performance and innovative design. Their range includes models dedicated to wake sports and standard runabouts. The Yamaha 222XD, for instance, comes fully outfitted with tech features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and drive-by-wire technology, as well as family-friendly perks such as wireless phone chargers and Chill-Cool upholstery.

Seating and layout

When choosing a bowrider boat, the seating and layout you go for will depend on how you plan to use the boat and how many people you'll be entertaining.

If you're a small family who don't plan on having lots of people on board, a smaller boat will likely do the trick. But if you're planning on entertaining a large crew, you'll want seating options that allow people to spread out and get in and out of the water with ease.

If you're planning on spending a lot of time on the boat, you might want to consider a food prep area or a small head.

To keep your passengers safe and comfortable, look for features like boat access, entertainment features, cup holders, lighting and sound packages. As bowriders tend to deliver speeds that can toss crew around, seat layout and grab rails will also be necessary so that your passengers feel safe and secure.

If you're planning on doing a lot of wakeboarding, waterskiing, wake surfing or inflatable towing, you'll need increased horsepower. If you plan on hosting a lot of people, look for a bigger build with a reinforced body and superior interior materials, which may better support the longevity of the vessel.

Frequently asked questions