with 6 on board, you will need to keep people in the bow.
my 24' cuddy is supposed to be able to have 12 on board. maybe if I stuffed them below and stacked them like chord wood. 6 people is max that is comfortable on my boat.
I think I am a couple years away from the big lakes. There are plenty of large Michigan inland lakes within an hour of me to play on that have access to Lake Michigan. I am green. I might venture out into Lake Michigan a mile or less on a calm day but I don't want to push it. This boy has got to get his sea smarts first. But I am looking forward to the day of overnighting on a larger boat with friends and multiple destinations.
You are on the right track in your thinking. I know a guy that has more money than brains and his first boat was a huge cruiser with a fly bridge and twin screws. Baby steps. Something to consider if looking at Bow Riders. There are strict restrictions in order to carry passengers up front above No Wake speeds. Here in Canada at least, not sure about Michigan.
