Ranking of 18-21ft bowriders and fish/ski boats

[carlton98]

I am looking to buy my first boat and would like a 19 to 21ft bowrider and or a fish/ski but with a lot more ski than fish if you know what I mean. I don?t want a ranger bass boat.

We have several here in my area to purchase, but when you look at a boat? it is just a boat. I have found several to choose from.

So my question is if you find a 2006 used boat with 50 hours on it and a 220 hp mpi engine stern drive, which would be the better boat? I have tried the NADA book, but that is worthless.

Here is a short list that I have come up with that are available to choose from.

Can you rank them in order and if you want to give any input that would be great.

All boats have the same 220 hp I/O and same basic features:

Monterey
Tahoe
Bayliner
Four Winns
Chapparal
Hurricane
Glastron
Cobalt
Bryant

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Ranking of 18-21ft bowriders and fish/ski boats

If all in the same condition and have the same maintenance records they would fall something like this on an expected price/initial purchase cost scale.

Cobalt
Bryant
Chapparal
Monterey
Hurricane
Four Winns
Glastron
Bayliner
Tahoe

That is sort of a ranking of "quality" but more a ranking of reputation. All boats made within the last several years are all pretty good. There really aren't any that you need to be too concerned about. Bayliner and Tahoe are budget boats. Glastron is lower mid range. Four Winns, Chapparal, Monterey and Hurricane are all solid mid-range boats. Bryant and Cobalt are at the high end of the spectrum.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Ranking of 18-21ft bowriders and fish/ski boats

If all in the same condition and have the same maintenance records they would fall something like this on an expected price/initial purchase cost scale.

Cobalt
Bryant
Chapparal
Monterey
Hurricane
Four Winns
Glastron
Bayliner
Tahoe

That is sort of a ranking of "quality" but more a ranking of reputation. All boats made within the last several years are all pretty good. There really aren't any that you need to be too concerned about. Bayliner and Tahoe are budget boats. Glastron is lower mid range. Four Winns, Chapparal, Monterey and Hurricane are all solid mid-range boats. Bryant and Cobalt are at the high end of the spectrum.

Agree entirely on your ranking order.

As far as fish-n-ski, you may want to look for a deck boat layout to make fishing a bigger priority than the normal runabout generally offers. The layout is more generally more conducive to fishing, especially up in the bow where they more easily accommodate an electric trolling motor. The bigger the V8 the better on a 20'er.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Ranking of 18-21ft bowriders and fish/ski boats

Welcome.

Only "first hand" knowledge that I can offer is that I am very pleased with my Chap. And, I would tend to agree with the above "rankings" that you received from previous posters. However, when it comes to buying used (as is said here many times), I would be more concerned about how the boat was used and maintained than about the brand. Ask for maintenance records. A 2006 year model with only 50 hours on it might sound good (and be good) but in reality, IMHO, I would prefer a boat that was operated more often and regularly. Just my .02.

Good luck with your search and keep us informed!