Do smaller bowriders still exist?

[edwardh1]

By small I mean in the 17 ft less than 100 hp engine size. I look at dealers in so carolina and everthing seems to be 18 ft and up, to get a windshield. Motors are 115 130 150 etc.

what happened to the smaller bowrider for mainly 2 people , or an occasional 2 more?
maybe its like guns and cars everyone wants them bigger here in the U.S.

you can buy a center console but people in those seem to be always standing up in the wind

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

Check out Bayliner's web site. I was just on there and they have a neat little outboard 16' and they still have the 175 17's.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

On the new boats, they seem to have added so many amenities and designed the boat with things that take up space, it is hard to justify the selling price of a 16', when you can get an 18' with so much more room for very few additional dollars.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

Why in the world would you want to buy a NEW boat (just my opinion here)?

Look for clean and well maintained boats 1-4 years old. They're literally half the cost (or even less). Depreciation is a real killer and you'll nearly ALWAYS be upside down on a loan, never able to resell it for what you have into the boat.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

Haven't seen anyone making smaller than the 18 foot versions for sometime. Bayliner makes the smallest I'm aware of in an outboard as ezmobee mentioned in a 16 ft model, (http://www.bayliner.com/get/id/1681) but that's pretty rare nowadays.

Bubba got it right with the new vs used. It's all in what you want.

I've been through numerous boats and new exactly what I wanted, and ordered it exactly as I wanted it. There's a cost to it, but I think the benefit outweighs it.

Good luck in your search.

 

[edwardh1]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

The big used problem to me was the motor , not the boat- who knows if the provious owner ran it hot 3 times etc etc. I am almost afraid to buy a used boat unless its from someone I know

anyone seen any tests /reports on the 16 ft bayliner outboard - it might be TOO small. the bayliner 17.5 is the right size but only comes with a stern drive. Around here people buy outboards 10 to 1 sterndrive

 

[JimS123]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

Reasons for new.

May not have a loan involved at all so its not an issue.

Full warranty for a few years meaning no out of pocket repair bills.

Don't want someone else's hand me downs.

Smart dealers put their new buyers to the front of the line for services.

Don't want to waste time dealing with the process of finding a used boat.

Want to get what I want, not what the previous owner wanted.


Bottom line, different strokes for different folks. Money is just a tool I use to obtain the toys I want.

Very well stated. To add one more point......my neighbor buys a new boat every 3 or 4 years. Keeps them outside uncovered in rain, snow and ice. They clean up real well and then he puts them in the garage to sell. He usually gets a good price too. But I'd guess a few years later the unsuspecting new owner put his foot thru a rotten floor.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

If a boat rots from 4 years outside, it's not much of a boat to begin with.

"Full warranty for a few years meaning no out of pocket repair bills." Not in the real world!

Bow riders of the current style are already cramped, so the small ones would be way too cramped to be desirable. I had the 16' starcraft BR from the late 60's and it was way more roomy than today's 18's.

 

[mrcool]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

Wow, The Glastron SSV 170 looks like a very cool boat!! hopefully they are getting back to their sporty designs.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

get a donzi sweet 16

yeah i know not what you wanted but man are they small and sweet.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

If a boat rots from 4 years outside, it's not much of a boat to begin with.

Waterlog it all summer and don't dry it out, then go thru several freeze / thaw cycles all winter? Then do it for 4 years in a row? I don't think so....LOL That floor is trashed, no matter who built it.

The problem is that too many boaters just don't get it...that's why the used ones go so cheep. But then again, maybe you'll get lucky!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

edward.....are you stuck on a bowrider?

If not, I currently own (and would highly recommend) a Hurricane Deck boat. They make a 172 OB (16' 9" in length) (http://www.hurricaneboats.com/boats.cfm?model=SS172ob)

Will run very nice on a 90HP motor, and seats 6 (if it includes kids, I've had 8 on it) I was looking for a bowrider, came across this and now I'm a big fan of deck boats vs. the bowrider.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

edward.....are you stuck on a bowrider?

If not, I currently own (and would highly recommend) a Hurricane Deck boat. They make a 172 OB (16' 9" in length) (http://www.hurricaneboats.com/boats.cfm?model=SS172ob)

Will run very nice on a 90HP motor, and seats 6 (if it includes kids, I've had 8 on it) I was looking for a bowrider, came across this and now I'm a big fan of deck boats vs. the bowrider.

The hurricane 172 is really a bow rider/deck boat "hybrid", and might be just what you are looking for. Check one out, I think you will like the bow seating much more than the smaller brs.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

That little Hurricane is neat!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

That little Hurricane is neat!

Yeah, i have one now (2002) and just bought a 2010 188.....

Amazing the space and functionality of the boat.

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

Bayliner 160 OB

http://www.bayliner.com/get/id/1681

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

I agree to buying a pre-owned boat. However, let him buy one. Someone has to buy the new one and then sell it...so that there used one available!!!

 

[edwardh1]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

the main attraction of a bowrider to us was the windshields. c console boats dont seem to have much windshield coverage and in spring and fall my wife complains about the wind affecting her eyes.
i dont mind used boats- my boat bfore the one I just sold was used, bought without a motor, I then bought a new motor, best of all worlds cept hard to find.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

Check out Bayliner's web site. I was just on there and they have a neat little outboard 16' and they still have the 175 17's.

I need to get my eyes checked. I got the impression from this reply that you are recommending he consider a Bayliner!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Do smaller bowriders still exist?

I need to get my eyes checked. I got the impression from this reply that you are recommending he consider a Bayliner!

We just came back from the boat show. The new Bayliners are actually pretty nice. The fit and finish is much improved, the materials like hardware and upholstery are much better and their designs are superior to many, in that there is much more usable storage and people space.

However......the price has evolved as well.

Might just as well spend $6,000 or $7,000 more and get the entry level Searay.