back-to-back vs. sport seating

[sidechoke67]

I am planning to purchase a small (17' to 18') bowrider next Spring
to use as a family tubing/skiing boat, and also fishing for myself.

The I/Os seem to come in two basic seating arrangements; sport seating
(with a bench seat and larger engine compartments), and back-to-back
seating with two stern seats on the side of the engine. It seems that
the sport seating offers more storage - in the engine compartment. I
like the idea of puting a removable storage bin in there to store things.
Also, I am thinking that I could partially deflate a tube to store in there
on the way out/back (?)

The back-to-back has an extra seat, and seems like it should have
more total floor space (?) sine the area around the engine is "pushed
back".

Can anyone think of any other pros/cons with either arrangement?

For fishing, I am hoping to spend most of my time in the bow - but if I
take one or two people with me, someone will be standing in the back.
Would either arrangement make any difference when fishing with a buddy?


Thanks for any information!

P.S. My guess is that this has been discusses before, but a quick search didn't reveal any recent threads.

 

[QC]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

I like the sport seating for a variety of reasons. Although I will say that the "jump" seats on either side of the engine cover are the smoothest ride in the house . . .

Sport Seating

Pros) More "open feel", big sun lounge for Mom, big rear bench for Mom. Big storage area underneath. Solid pilots chair with side bolsters (big deal when making hard turns retrieving tubers etc.)

Cons) Usually more money, fewer places to lounge if you really, honestly will ever use the back-to-back lounges.

Back-to-backs

Pros) Usually cheaper, convertible lounges if you ever want to sleep on the boat, simpler entry from stern, less stepping on vinyl.

Cons) sliding stuff breaks (back-to-back lounge chair things), ugly, smaller storage areas, nowhere to stretch out in standard configuration, no side bolsters at helm

 

[KCook]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

QC already covered the main points really well. I just wanted to add that a fish-n-ski package with sport seating throws a new light on that big sunpad. As with a fish-n-ski the pad itself will be removable. That leaves a casting deck (sometimes finished off with carpet) with a mounting point in the center for a pedestal chair for fishing. These pedestal seats are only practical for quiet water, but that will be fine for creeks and small lakes.

For fishing another consideration is the swim platform. If the guy in the rear prefers to stand inside the cockpit while fishing, then this platfrom will just get in his way. He will want it to be small. But if he likes to fish sitting on the sunpad, or from a pedestal seat, then a big platform is Ok.

Different folks have different styles of fishing. And that will mean different boat layouts for different folks.

Short version: For lakes I prefer a fish-n-ski (sport seating), for fishing big (rough) bays I would go for the back-to-back type.

Kelly Cook

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

17-18 foot i would definately go outboard. the i/o takes up way too much floor space. both seating arrangements have there draw backs , and imho are about equal.

 

[Imback31]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

In almost all cases the sport seating boat will have less engine noise since there is a large pad overtop the engine.

Just another thing to think about.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

I was in the same dilemma, and quite frankly boat availability at the right priced decided it for me.

I ended up in a 19 ft. Stringray with the sport seating. I am very satisfied with the outcome. The storage under the rear bend seat, and to each side of the motor is more than I could want. I can keep all my life jackets, boat bumpers, tool chest, ropes, etc back there and still can put my deflated two person inner tube back there easily. Also, I have a similar thing to your plastic bin idea, but I have a five gallon white bucket back there, which I store stuff in, and have as an emergency potty (I have a potty seat that goes on top of it) for the kids.

So my vote is the sport seating.


May I also recommend you look at the Stingray 190FX or 195FX (the 195 is the 2005 or newer version). I think you will find a 19 ft Stingray weights about the same as most other manufactures 18 footer -- but gives you an extra foot of room, as well as capacity for 8 people versus the typical 7

http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/models04/models.php?model=190fx

No, I do not work for Stingray. I just struggled to find a roomy 17-18 foot boat, lucked out on finding a barely used 04 190LX, and really have enjoyed it.

 

[oops!]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

i use my boat in lakes. i fish, ski.
im doing a major refit. im loosing the loungers. putting in captains chairs and putting in bench seats all the way down either side.
storage is the main reason. but it will give me lots more floor space for fishing.
repair of the loungers is another big thing. your constantly messing with them.
good luck

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

Honestly I don't like either of those traditional setups. I like the Sport seating configurations but without the sun pad on back. Instead I like to also have the seats on the side of the engine compartment. This gives quite a large, open deck space even on smaller boats. My 17' is set up that way and it's comfortable with 4 adults and a couple of small kids.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

Thanks for all the great information! I really appreciate it!

At the risk of hijacking my own thread...

sickwilly, I was about to post that I think the Stingrays look really sharp, but I'm planning to tow with a minivan and think they are too heavy for me. Then I noticed in another thread that you tow yours with a Honda Odyssey. I have an '08 Sienna that has a max tow rating of 3,500 - but I tend to be pretty conservative, and don't intend to tow over 80% of that. That means a total towing weight of 2,800 - which means a total dry boat + trailer weight around 2,500 lbs. So, if I do go I/O, I am pretty limited in choices. In fact, I was thinking that I may be down to a Glastron 175 from '97 - '05, or an '03 or newer Bayliner 175 (although there are others - Wellcraft and Larson made 17' boats with I/Os under 2K lbs dry weight for a few years). According to specs, my Sienna can tow up to 3,500 lbs, and still have 800 lbs of payload in the van. Most of my boating friends say that I'm being too conservative, but that is me.

Are you still happy towing the Stingray with your Odyssey? I read that you have 80K miles on the Odyssey, so it sounds like it has worked out well for you.

tashasdaddy had a good point about outboards having more room - plus they tend to be a bit lighter.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

You are in my boat (i.e., situation) exactly, except for wanting the fishing set up.

I struggled with buying a boat for a long time because at the time I did not want to buy a SUV/Truck and boat at the same time. I actually got on the phone with a Honda engineer before doing so, and then targeted every 17-18 foot used boat I saw in the area. My process was to first go to their website and Nada values and look for weight. I wanted something with a weight with engine at 2750 or less. Next I looked at adult capacity and weight. Again, I got Tennessee (where I live) Wildlife on the phone and got the specifics about capacity. We wanted to be sure we could put two families of 4 in the boat (we have small kids). It turns out that a 18 ft boat with a capacity of 7 adults or XX weight can operate with 8 people in it, if its well under the weight limit, and likewise, you can get a ticket with only 4 people in it if your boat if total load is over the weight limit. The 7 or 8 person ratings is a guideline.

When I saw the used 19 foot Stingray locally, I looked at it fully expecting it to exceed my weight limits, and it did not.

I am still tow it with the van and am quit happy with how it tows. I have plenty of acceleration. I have surge brakes and have no problems stopping. I feel totally safe. 14 trips to the lake and I have only had minor slipping of the front tires one time on a local ramp, and you could see oil sheen on it.

I will tell you, I got a ton of advice about not towing with a minivan, not towing with a non-frame vehicle, etc. Half the advise was good. Go to Toyota and see if you can speak to an actual engineer. Stay away from the guys in the service department. Also, see what you can find out on some of the Sienna forums. I imagine you will have a similar experience.

In terms of prep, I did add a tranny cooler and heavy duty power steering cooler. This is what constitutes the "tow package" for my van.

I tow in D3 (which is my non-overdrive) keep the RPM high, and still get 13 MPG. I will also say, it tows better than my old S-10 blazer towed my malibu skier several years back.

I think you will find that you have several good options from 17 to a light 19 foot boat that you can tow just fine.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: back-to-back vs. sport seating

Thanks sickwilly! Yea, it sounds like I am going through the same process as when you bought your boat. Our final van choices earlier this year came down to the Sienna or the Odyssey - mainly due to those being two of the better minivans for towing. We had the towing package installed at the factory (tranny and PS cooler, heavy duty alternator). I've also been to the Sienna forums quite a bit. So far, I feel comfortable with the idea of towing with the Sienna, knowing I'll stay comfortably under the limits.

Now I've got all winter to continue researching and wait for the late winter boat shows.

Thanks again!