New Here! First post...Bowrider question.

Hello,

Very active on other forums (motorcycles, cars, etc.)...

We have owned two previous boats (a while back) prior to kids...Now the kids are old enough to enjoy, so here we go!

We have owned a 17' Sea Ray Seville and a Caravelle 212 Interceptor. Both great boats for us. We live in Florida and would be taking it out on the intercoastal and some local lakes. Maybe along the shoreline if calm or in the Keys.

One thing I would like to improve on from the previous models but still retain the bowrider type...Have it ride higher, have a deeper hull, etc. The others were too wet of a ride when there was any amount of "chop".

Any recommendations for a larger bowrider in the 22' to 25' range? We are looking at boats about 5 years old or so.

THANKS in advance!!

Re: New Here! First post...Bowrider question.

Check out the dual console models from the salt water fishing mfrs. We've been "window shopping" considering trading from our 20' bowrider so we can take boat into salty coastal waters. So far, I like the looks of Sea Hunt Escape, Tidewater Explorer, Boston Whaler Ventura and Grady White Tournament models because they longer bench seating across the stern. Many of the models only have corner jump seats in the rear. They have outboards instead of I/Os.

One I really like is the Edgewater 205CX. It has a bench in the rear and a front bow ladder for easy entry when beached (similar to a deckboat). It also has the highest person capacity I've yet to find at 9 persons. As your kids get older they will probably want to bring along friends.

Re: New Here! First post...Bowrider question.

I recently sold my Cobalt 252. It was a very dry ride. That said, I also agree with the last post RE dual console boats...especially if you might find your way outside the inlet.

Re: New Here! First post...Bowrider question.

dsiekman said:

I recently sold my Cobalt 252. It was a very dry ride. That said, I also agree with the last post RE dual console boats...especially if you might find your way outside the inlet.

Click to expand...

I was gonna suggest Cobalt. Their hull design makes for a very dry ride. I am also a big fan of Whaler Dual Console models but they are a tad expensive.

Re: New Here! First post...Bowrider question.

Here's my boat except I have a 5.0MPI. Dry rider even in the bays
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XceqyEJfa84

Re: New Here! First post...Bowrider question.

Thanks for the comments!

I have my eye on a Rinker 232 Captiva...A higher ride according to all I have read...Seems like a nice one.

We'll see...