Bowrider

[g_morin]

I currently have a 14' fishing boat 5hp outboard, trolling motor all that but after a weekend in the cape with my buddies 17' boston whaler cc my wife has said ok you need a better boat! great for me but I just want to make sure a bowrider is right for what we will do... minimal ocean, lakes with tubes etc, some fishing mostly just for fun no kids just friends...

Glenn

 

[rallyart]

Re: Bowrider

Bowrider sounds like a good choice but you could look at a pontoon. A lot depends on where you can store it and how you will pull it. It's nice having size but for some reason bigger always seems to take up more space.
(Of course, a good inboard wake boat makes for better tubing and swimming but the price goes up)

 

[JEBar]

Re: Bowrider

take a look at ones designated as "fish and ski" .... they are basically a bowrider that is equipped for both fishing and skiing .... they come in all sizes and powered by a wide range of horse power motors .... our use for a boat pretty much coincides with what you have outlined and for us, a fish and ski fills the bill

Jim

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bowrider

Bowrider or Dual Console are good choices. Pontoon boats have lots of room, but do not handle rough water very well. No ocean for sure, and if the bay gets rough, forget it.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

ok well I can tell you it will be for minimal for sea for now... I will eventually upgrade when we move closer to the water but for now it will be for family fun now...

Glenn

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Bowrider

Then take a look at pontoon. You cant beat them for family use and comfort.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

what about for pulling tubes etc... and keep in mind I will be towing the boat as well...
Glenn

 

[kawakx125]

Re: Bowrider

if you like watersports then a pontoon isn't the greatest, fine for pulling kids around at slower speeds but they just don't handle as well or generally have the speed to throw adults around. granted there are some high hp tri-toons out there that i hear handle better, but i can't imagine them handling as well as a v hull bowrider

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Bowrider

if you like watersports then a pontoon isn't the greatest, fine for pulling kids around at slower speeds but they just don't handle as well or generally have the speed to throw adults around. granted there are some high hp tri-toons out there that i hear handle better, but i can't imagine them handling as well as a v hull bowrider

A Tri-Toon on an Inland Ocean.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bowrider

I would expect (no prima facie knowledge) that Pontoon boats would be a drag to load and unload onto a trailer. A DC or BR will be alot better for pullling tubes.....Stick with an OB, to save weight.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bowrider

I would expect (no prima facie knowledge) that Pontoon boats would be a drag to load and unload onto a trailer. A DC or BR will be alot better for pullling tubes.....Stick with an OB, to save weight.

They actually load much easier than a bowrider. Shallow launches are no problem and both types of trailers pretty much prevent getting a pontoon on the trailer crooked.

 

[Gosub]

Re: Bowrider

A Tri-Toon on an Inland Ocean.

Just watching that vid you can see the guy back out of it in the turns. I can make those turns without backing off, the deep V just leans into the turn. The last thing I would want to do with skis or a towable is to back off and power back on.

I've never driven a pontoon, you just don't get them here on the Mediterranean coast, but I don't think I'd want one for my kind of boating and conditions.

 

[tkz]

Re: Bowrider

Hi Glen, I am new to boats period, but I picked up a 16 ft glass 1990 Starcraft this summer and have been having a blast with it. It is a open bow, I/O, 4 cyl. Just had my adult kids, their spouses, and my Grandkids tubing last weekend. First time I ever pulled a tuber. We all had a blast. I really like this boat for several reasons, easy to tow, launch and retrieve, get thru pretty shallow water ok, pretty good maneuvering on lake, pretty good power, had two people on a tube at once no prob. I can seat 6 comfortably. Also, I have only been on a inland lake, so I cannot help much there.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Bowrider

How did riding around in a 17 ft Whaler give you the idea of getting a bowrider?

You might be better off with something like a deck boat.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

well based off of what I currently have I which is a little fishing boat it got me thinking and I like the idea of a party boat without going with a pontoon boat which is why I was leaning towards for the bowrider plus they are a dime a dozen for a pre-owned. Right now I am just trying to learn about brands...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bowrider

plus they are a dime a dozen for a pre-owned. Right now I am just trying to learn about brands...

Lets clear up a couple things
Dime a dozen - cheap but may cost you thousands in maint/repair once you buy the "cheap" boat
Brands - meaningless when you are buying used boats, it is all about condition and being able to assess that condition

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bowrider

Start with your budget for buying ... then figure out what kind of things you like (# of seats, power, hull style, etc., etc.) ... then start window shopping a little. Depending on where you live, boat buying will become like picking lobsters from the barrel in a few weeks.

I've always suggested people go to the dealerships and crawl around different types of boats (bowriders, pontoons, center-consoles, walk-arounds, etc.) to see what they like.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bowrider

How did riding around in a 17 ft Whaler give you the idea of getting a bowrider?

My thoughts exactly. You tried and liked one of the best all-around boats ever made and you want to get a bowrider? Guess why BR's are cheap and lots of used ones being dumped on the market, and people seldom sell their whalers--or other satisfactory boats.

And since you know you may change your use, since you never can sell a boat for what you paid for it (except whalers) get a seaworthy family boat now for the lake and you are set when you get to the coast.

I even spotted a whaler in the canals of Venice a couple years ago!

be a trend setter.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

I looked at a deck boat but my budget is less that what I can find those for... and I know Whalers are great it just got my gears turning...I am not going to pretend to know a whole lot about boats but I do know I do not need a cuddy cabin as it will not be required... a center console is a great boat but my wife like to lay around and that will be a big deciding factor on the up coming purchase. The only reason I was looking at the bowrider style is because it has the open bow and lots of seating so she can have what she wants and I can have what I want and even brand new for under 11k! I plan to spend less than that but still...you get the idea. My buddy is a fisherman in the cape so the Center Console is perfect for him but like I said prior minimal ocean for me mostly lakes and ponds etc so a huge boat is not needed 18-19' and my truck needs to be able to pull it as well so we need less than 3500lbs as well total trailer weight. Boat I will look into the boats suggested and take the advice on the cheaper doesnt mean good...
Thank You
Glenn

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Bowrider

...even brand new for under 11k! I plan to spend less than that but still...you get the idea.... so a huge boat is not needed... 18-19' ...

Where did you find a New 18 ft Bowrider for under 11K?
Does that include the Engine and Trailer?