Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

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u096127

Recruit
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
4
I am new to boating on Lake Michigan. Want the smoothest ride possible but would also like the ability to carry 10 people comfortably. How much smoother of a ride is a 32 foot cruiser vs a similar size bowrider?
 
ziggy

ziggy

Admiral
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Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

even if they do make a 32' br what would ya want to take it out in the sxxt on the great lakes. ya stuff the bow and take on max water, yer hosed. closed bow imho. even if there is something out there in a br...
 
L

lkbum

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Sep 1, 2008
Messages
445
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

Picture010small1.jpgPicture010small1-1.jpgmyboat.jpg
I have a 2001 Chaparral 280 ssi (click on thumb) - 28', a little over 31' with swim platform, 9' 4" beam, twin 305 mercs with alpha drives, 150 gallon fuel, Vacuflush head. 10 adults - no problem.... I boat on an inland lake which has a severely confused chop on crowded weekends. Trim the tabs down a little and it will "mush" through anything without a hint of slamming (best speed loaded - 25 to 40 mph). For my needs, it's the best boat I have ever owned. Boat - about 6500 lb, fuel - usually around 700 lb, 10 adults - 2000 lbs or so... so you are approaching 5 tons with a bow rider. I've got 19" props and with the twins it gets up and goes better than most boats.... The pic is from a few years back at one of my daughters parties and as you can see, no one get's left at the dock.
 

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TilliamWe

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Dec 21, 2004
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6,579
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

Well, you ain't gonna carry 10 people comfortably on an "express cruiser". On a flybridge cruiser, maybe, yeah. But that is a COMPLETELY different kind of boating than a bowrider.
What are you really planning to do with this boat? Cruise, tube, waterski, park at the dock and drink, leave it on a trailer in the parking lot and go to the dock and drink, leave it at home and go to the dock and drink, what?
 
F

FlashJim

Cadet
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
20
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

Shoot ... I was going to say Crownline, but someone beat me to it!

"At's a big ole boat"
 
Chris-R

Chris-R

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Aug 31, 2010
Messages
183
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

It all depends upon what you're going to use it for. Will the boat be used exclusively for day trips? If yes, then a bowrider makes sense to maximize your deck space. Conversely, if you expect to use your boat for overnight/weekend trips where you'll be sleeping in it, then a cruiser type boat with a cabin makes sense. Either way, 10 people on a cruiser type boat is going to be super cramped, not to mention that your engines will be redlining just to get you on plane. If you're really going to have that many people on your boat, make sure to get lots of power or you won't get on plane.
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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50,234
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

I have had both, and i personally like a cruiser for lake michigan when it gets rough. stuffing a bow rider into a wave only makes for miserable boating
 
chriscraft254

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
2,445
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

All I got to say is, the next time you take your daughters freinds out, Include me! Haha:D
lkbum said:
View attachment 111911View attachment 111912View attachment 111910
I have a 2001 Chaparral 280 ssi (click on thumb) - 28', a little over 31' with swim platform, 9' 4" beam, twin 305 mercs with alpha drives, 150 gallon fuel, Vacuflush head. 10 adults - no problem.... I boat on an inland lake which has a severely confused chop on crowded weekends. Trim the tabs down a little and it will "mush" through anything without a hint of slamming (best speed loaded - 25 to 40 mph). For my needs, it's the best boat I have ever owned. Boat - about 6500 lb, fuel - usually around 700 lb, 10 adults - 2000 lbs or so... so you are approaching 5 tons with a bow rider. I've got 19" props and with the twins it gets up and goes better than most boats.... The pic is from a few years back at one of my daughters parties and as you can see, no one get's left at the dock.
Click to expand...
 
Chris-R

Chris-R

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 31, 2010
Messages
183
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

lkbum said:
View attachment 111911View attachment 111912View attachment 111910
I have a 2001 Chaparral 280 ssi (click on thumb) - 28', a little over 31' with swim platform, 9' 4" beam, twin 305 mercs with alpha drives, 150 gallon fuel, Vacuflush head. 10 adults - no problem.... I boat on an inland lake which has a severely confused chop on crowded weekends. Trim the tabs down a little and it will "mush" through anything without a hint of slamming (best speed loaded - 25 to 40 mph). For my needs, it's the best boat I have ever owned. Boat - about 6500 lb, fuel - usually around 700 lb, 10 adults - 2000 lbs or so... so you are approaching 5 tons with a bow rider. I've got 19" props and with the twins it gets up and goes better than most boats.... The pic is from a few years back at one of my daughters parties and as you can see, no one get's left at the dock.
Click to expand...

Oh boy. Can I get an invite to the next party? I'll even bring the food and drinks.
 
D

dsiekman

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
798
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

Chris-R said:
Either way, 10 people on a cruiser type boat is going to be super cramped, not to mention that your engines will be redlining just to get you on plane. If you're really going to have that many people on your boat, make sure to get lots of power or you won't get on plane.
Click to expand...

Don't count on that. This summer I had 10 adults on the boat in my sig. and had no issues whatsoever getting on plane...or hauling ***** for that matter. I will say, however, that the cockpit was a little tight. To the OP, I would tend towards a cuddy/express ILO a 30+ foot bowrider. There are not a lot of them which equates to "not a lot of resale market".
 
S

sethjon

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 8, 2010
Messages
692
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

u096127 said:
I am new to boating on Lake Michigan. Want the smoothest ride possible but would also like the ability to carry 10 people comfortably. How much smoother of a ride is a 32 foot cruiser vs a similar size bowrider?
Click to expand...

Not sure if there is 32' bw's. I've seen 29s. They are the best and most comfortable. Make sure you get a large bimini top and you[ll be in heaven.
 
Bluepike

Bluepike

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 14, 2009
Messages
88
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

When it comes to boating on the Great Lakes and cruiser vs. bowrider, The question is... do you want ten dry people in the cockpit or five wet people in the bow?
 
H

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

Bluepike said:
When it comes to boating on the Great Lakes and cruiser vs. bowrider, The question is... do you want ten dry people in the cockpit or five wet people in the bow?
Click to expand...

Depends on if the Swedish Bikini team is riding in the bow or not. :D
 
Volphin

Volphin

Lieutenant
Joined
Jun 5, 2011
Messages
1,405
Re: Cruiser vs. Bowrider?

"When it comes to boating on the Great Lakes and cruiser vs. bowrider, The question is... do you want ten dry people in the cockpit or five wet people in the bow?"


HELLO! Absolutely correct. I've had times when it turned very nasty very quickly. Consider that as well.

V
 
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