Bowrider

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bowrider

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

Maybe the question is 11k what denomination? since he's in Europe.

An g-morin, there are lots of center consoles with very comfortable bow seating. They can be the best general all-around recreational design.
The pontoon gives you lots of square footage above the waterline but are not the best boats below the waterline.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

Here is the link I found its a 2010 but I believe its new... http://www.stingrayboats.com/2010_180/

I did like the center console but I do have a budget in mind as well...from what I have found the center console is more money...But I will keep my eyes peeled and see what I can find. Thank You for the imput.

Glenn

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bowrider

Don't under estimate the value of a lot of open deck space and folding deck chairs. A big well deck on a fishing boat is not necessarily so bad - we used to have a pontoon that was just a big flat deck and a steering console. You could move your seats to wherever you wanted, lay out an air mattress, play shuffleboard or whatever on the big open space. It wasn't much a looker, but it was very versatile.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

well like I said the idea of a center console with comfortable seating in the front makes sense if I could find one affordable... by me there are a few whalers for 5-8k 82-92 condition varies but I know they are solid boats... all are the 17' montauk

 

[bergoff]

Re: Bowrider

I just scored this nice 1996and 17' starcraft for 5k. We love it so far and is a big step up from you little 18ft pontoon.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bowrider

...all are the 17' montauk

That's a "someday" boat for me. Love the 17' Montauk.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

As do I...I just do not know if that is practical for what I will be doing? I mean his didnt have much padding for sitting but it did have the open bow...seating for 5 maybe excluding the bow but seemed to be easily manuverable and decent ride even on the choppy cape waters... That is why I am doing my research because I have never operated a bowrider it just seemed to have all the requirements for what I was looking for but some did raise a good point at least the Whaler will hold its value as opposed to the garder variety bowrider.

Glenn

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

whats the low down on carolina skiffs.....i hear they are a inexpensive alterative to a whaler?? Obviously quality will be less but seems to be like an option for a center console???

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bowrider

Caronlina Skiff is more common down here by me than Whaler. I've never heard anything bad about them.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bowrider

they are great boats and tend to be lighter so they can get away with less power. They hold a mob of passengers. there's the J series (flat bottom) DLZ (some shape to the hull, basic open design) and DLX (whaler-type hull; finished inside)

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

I just need to take a few of these out for a rip and see which one is going to be best for what I am looking for I think... as much as I thought the bowrider would be best if I even went on the ocean I run the risk of bad waters and getting water into the open bow causing issues... and if I go with a center console like a whaler its a versitile boat could use it to fish, cruise, pull tubes and go one the ocean so there are more attributes i think to the center console at least for my budget... eventually a bigger deck boat or a cuddy could be in my future but for now I think a center console makes more sense unless I am missing something...

Glenn

 

[tkz]

Re: Bowrider

Man, that Starcraft looks sweet, and great deal ya got. I picked up a 1900 16 ft for 4 G's that I thought was a good deal. Nice!

 

[bergoff]

Re: Bowrider

Thanks we really like it.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bowrider

Look at dual consoles and walk-arounds too Glenn. Not necessarily for now, but for later. You might like those as a compromise between a bowrider and center-console in a bigger boat.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

Isc your boat a bowrider or a cuddy i couldnt make it out from the pictue...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bowrider

many bowriders made since the mid-80's have a dropped-down bow that acts like a scoop, as well as rounded off splash/rub rails that do not shed water, creating a "cool look" at the expense of an unseaworthy design. Avoid them.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

That is what i have been reading....for ponds and lakes wouldnt be much of a issue i would think, but in the ocean i would see a potential problem.

 

[bergoff]

Re: Bowrider

Its a bowrider. We've only had it out once on the Mississippi and it did great. It handled the huge wakes of some huge yachts that went by and the kids love riding on the bow. I just need to install a whale tale and a different pitch prop. I know it will suck to fish out of but I only do that once a year when I go to Minocqua WI. We will pry be tubing and skiing more anyways since we sold our pontoon to get this boat.

 

[g_morin]

Re: Bowrider

Ok fair enough....yeah a pontoon doesnt have the umph i would be looking for either...well thats why i presented the info out there to all you experts to give me the good the bad the ugly. Thanks for all the help thus far its much appreciated.
Glenn

 

[jkust]

Re: Bowrider

My take having boated for 39 years on small and midsized lakes is that pontoons aren't practical trailer boats. The trailers are extra long and unruly when the parking is tight. They are excellent second or third boats on the lift at your lake shore. I see them everywhere almost more than bowriders now as you can get one as powerful or as basic as you care to but they are all residents not trailered.
We don't do center consoles here for the most part but Bowriders are the most versatile choice. If your wife likes lounging, sport seating is the popular lounge spot. The bow however is treated differently by different manufacturers with some focusing on space and others not, some appoint the bow well and others provide tiny cushions and a spartan look.