bowrider vs a aft cab boat

[ohfishcat]

ok we have a 16 ft bowrider 1200lb 50 hp out board, which we usually boat in the bigger rivers,,,been looking at a sea ray 240 sundancer aft cabin boat ,,,,,,was wondering pros and cons getting a bigger boat,,,,,my wife was concerned was worried about the boat sitting deeper in the water/ loading the boat/etc,,,,didnt know if it would handle wakes and stuff like that better or would be about the same,,,,,,guess im wonderin what differences there would be or should we be happy with our lil bowrider

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

A bigger, heavier boat should ride much nicer, especially in rough water. I went from a 16' Bayliner to a 20' Larson and noticed a huge difference in the ride over wakes. The Larson is much smoother.
The boat will sit a little deeper in the water but unless your boating in the super shallows it shouldn't matter. A 1' draft versus a 3' draft (or whatever it is) doesn't make much difference if the water is 10' or more in depth. Loading shouldn't be much different. The principle is the same, it's just bigger. Towing may be where you notice the most difference. Visibility will be reduced to the rear, drag will be greater. Going from a 16' boat to a 24' boat is a huge step up. It may even require a tow vehicle upgrade. Should you be happy with your boat? Absolutely. Enjoy it every chance you get. If you're boating in big water then I suspect you'd feel even more comfortable in a bigger boat after you get used to handling it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

One thing to keep in mind, do you cruise with other people often? A small (24ft) cruiser is good for 2 people + maybe 1 kid. Any more, and you have very little room. People don't want to be in the bow while cruising, and you have very little topside space.

But yeah, your ride quality is going to be in an entirely different planet. Much better wave handling capability. Of course, the fuel bill will also be on a different planet! A heavy 24ft cruiser with a v8 can burn about 6x the fuel you go through now.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

We love our 250 sea ray sundancer. Rides great, handles waves nice, lots of room for a 25 footer, nice cockpit layout, decent size cabin with head and i trailer it with a tandem trailer. 7,600 or so with the trailer. Once you go to a cruiser it will be tough to go back. BTW - 4 of us overnight and it's a Mid-Cabin.

My previous boat was a 86 210 Sea Ray Seville mid cabin - Pretty much the same layout as my 250 but the cockpit layout was not as nice. Great boat, Handled well (260 Mercruiser/Alpha 1) That style boat pops up quite a bit and it is one of the smalest boat with the mid cabin available I believe.

LK

 

[rbh]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

Party boat VS cruiser??

I do not know what year your looking at but the sundancer is a cruiser, deep V hull goes through wakes like a knife, half the jolt as most other non deep V's
24 foot is great for two people that want a mobile water condo with legs, per say, it is comfortable, add kids they have a play house.
Over nighting is were I believe they shine, self contained.
The engine should be no less than a 260 HP SBC or go big block.

 

[NYBo]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

Where to begin?

The Sea Ray will handle wakes and waves better (more weight and probably more deadrise plus no open bow to scoop water if you stuff the bow). It will have a deeper draft by a foot or two. It will eat a LOT more fuel. It will require a MUCH more robust tow vehicle- at least a 3/4 pickup. Loading on the trailer will be a lot more challenging.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

eh I'm gonna say a 24'er is still safely 1/2 ton territory... it will definitely use LOTS more gas and loading on trailer may be no tougher or much tougher depending on trailer setup.... my 28'er loads as easy as any other boat I've ever had now that I have my trailer setup right.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

BTW, Your first time waking up with hot bacon and eggs while watching the sunrise from your boat is one of those feelings that you just can't describe how cool it is

 

[NYBo]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

eh I'm gonna say a 24'er is still safely 1/2 ton territory... it will definitely use LOTS more gas and loading on trailer may be no tougher or much tougher depending on trailer setup.... my 28'er loads as easy as any other boat I've ever had now that I have my trailer setup right.

It depends on the year. The early ones were 24' and 4300# dry, the newer ones are 25' and 5600# dry. I was thinking of the latter in my reply. Even that might be okay with the new "1/2 ton" pickups that out-haul the older 3/4ers. But getting one on the trailer single-handedly could be a challenge compared to a 1200# 16-footer.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

The best bang for the buck is the .... Bayliner 2150 Ciera Sunbridge Aft-Cabin.

 

[NYBo]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

The best bang for the buck is the .... Bayliner 2150 Ciera Sunbridge Aft-Cabin.

 

[rbh]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

OK then, here we go, > SF just got this party started LOL!!!

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

I'm a Sea Ray guy, But we had a 1987 Bayturd 2150 and loved it.

Yep, I said it on here. . :facepalm: .

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

I pull my 250 with my 1/2 ton avalanche and it pulls fine. It's all in the trailer setup. I pull it 70 miles every weekend. I also second the breakfast on the water is awesome.

LK

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

Oh, you mean a mid-cabin boat. An aft cabin vessel has a cabin at the rear of the boat, not the middle, like a 24' Sundancer would. Anyway...

I've cruised with 6 people on my Capri, and slept a total of 4...I don't know where the idea of carrying a max of two plus a kid on a 24' Sundancer comes from.

Cuddies and cruisers are awesome compared to bowriders. On bigger water you don't have to worry as much when you have to take a couple waves over the bow, which might be the end of ye if you were in a bowrider.

Sure, you'll spend more gas, but hey, it's just gas. It won't be like my future gas bill.

I found 20 life jackets on my Coho though

 

[rbh]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

Oh, you mean a mid-cabin boat. An aft cabin vessel has a cabin at the rear of the boat, not the middle, like a 24' Sundancer would. Anyway...

I've cruised with 6 people on my Capri, and slept a total of 4...I don't know where the idea of carrying a max of two plus a kid on a 24' Sundancer comes from.

Cuddies and cruisers are awesome compared to bowriders. On bigger water you don't have to worry as much when you have to take a couple waves over the bow, which might be the end of ye if you were in a bowrider.

Sure, you'll spend more gas, but hey, it's just gas. It won't be like my future gas bill.

I found 20 life jackets on my Coho though

^^^^^^


Thats "KIDS", plural.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

One thing to keep in mind, do you cruise with other people often? A small (24ft) cruiser is good for 2 people + maybe 1 kid. Any more, and you have very little room. People don't want to be in the bow while cruising, and you have very little topside space.

that's what I read

 

[rbh]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

that's what I read

I was kids, smokingcrater was kid.

Yup, you can jam more than 1 kid in a cuddy and still be comfortable.

 

[JoLin]

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

I've cruised with 6 people on my Capri, and slept a total of 4...I don't know where the idea of carrying a max of two plus a kid on a 24' Sundancer comes from.

Sorry, but I side with smokingcrater. Admittedly, the OP didn't share his planned use of the boat, so maybe he doesn't care about a standup head w/shower, cooking facilities, fresh water supply, black water holding tank, etc., etc. Linda and I weekend (or longer) often on Escapade II and it's been comfortable for the 2 of us. My 24' Chris*Craft express cruiser (virtually the same as a 240 Dancer) started to feel pretty small after 2 nights.

If all he needs is a cuddy for the occasional overnight, then yeah, he can afford to go smaller, depending on the number and size of passengers.

My .02

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: bowrider vs a aft cab boat

I think dealing with a trailer and ramp every time you want to go for a boat ride is crazy, with a boat that size. Leave it in the water where it belongs. Or dry stack and let someone else do the lifting. At least find a place where you can leave it in the water for a fews days or more.

going from a 16' outboard to a 24' cruiser is like going to the opera instead of the ball game. Totally different boating. Forget the fishing and watersports, but if you like sitting and looking it's great.

The one smart thing you can do is keep the 16' when you get the cruiser. Especially if you have children. You may find yourself using both at the same time.