looking for our first boat

[want2boat]

We've been looking for a boat for a few months now and would like to buy something by next season. We're looking for a bowrider in the 18-20ft range. My brother has a 18-19ft Bryant that we've gone out on several times so thats kind of what we are comparing the boats we're looking at to. We haven't sea trialed any boats yet but one thing that we haven't found many of is a boat that feels as deep as his Bryant does. When standing/sitting in his boat the sides come up higher and it seems to us it would feel safer when out on the water. Is this something that we wouldn't notice once we're out? Is there a term for how low the floor is built into the boat that I could look for when looking at boats online? Are there makes out there that have a similar design?
Thanks in advance.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: looking for our first boat

The term you're looking for is freeboard.

You're in trouble because from what I've heard Bryants are top of the line. Kinda like driving a new BMW for your first car. Going to be expensive to keep up with that!

 

[want2boat]

Re: looking for our first boat

I understand that it isn't any safer technically, it just feels more comfortable to us and my wife thought it was safer. Definetly won't be heading out into a hurricane or its remnants when it gets to DE.

And apparently Bryant doesn't make many boats per year and there are next to none in the used market around us. We gotta get out and look at more boats to compare to but we want to be comfortable with the interior before we go for a sea trial, or maybe we're just over thinking it.

 

[charkelly]

Re: looking for our first boat

Check Out Cobalt. Idk If They Make Those Kinds But Just Check It Out

 

[ezmobee]

Re: looking for our first boat

I have a suggestion.....there are boats more geared for fishing that are still laid out kinda like a bowrider. They call them "dual console" boats. The ones I've seen appear to be much deeper than your typical bowrider. A quick google turned this up which is exactly what I'm talking about http://www.mako-boats.com/boat/?boat=3055

 

[want2boat]

Re: looking for our first boat

We're going to check out a a couple of boats one night this week that are near a boat dealer, we'll stop in and see if they have any dual consoles.