buying a boat

hi, im thinking of buying our first boat, im looking at bowriders as it looks like a good family boat, can anyone tell me whats the differance between between reg models and a capri or is that a very vage question.

ger

Re: buying a boat

ger said:

hi, im thinking of buying our first boat, im looking at bowriders as it looks like a good family boat, can anyone tell me whats the differance between between reg models and a capri or is that a very vage question.

ger

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Are you looking at bayliners or???

Re: buying a boat

Hi and welcome to the forum.
A bowrider come a couple of different configurations. (I don't know about capri or reg)

V hull or tri-hull

Tri-hulls are very stable but..they ride rough, they ride on top or the wave and bounce more.

V hulls 'cut' through the water.

Either way, make sure they have a bow rail.
The Coast Guard (Marine Patrol) around here have been stopping and advising people about the hazards of riding up front.

There have been a few accidents. People fell off!
Sure they may have been standing or not doing the right thing. (drinking is the biggest killer on the water)

Used responsibly they are safe.

Some families like the cuddy cabin, a little cabin under the front deck.
It's nice to store stuff, if the kids get sleepy (we know what that means) they have a place out of the sun to nap.
Not bad for adults either!

The other option is the deck boat, pontoon boat...HUGE platform to have fun on the water...most can get up to speed for towing tubes, etc.

Good luck..be safe and have fun!

Re: buying a boat

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Re: buying a boat

I'm pretty sure that Capri is a trade name for a bowrider model of Bayliner. Their capri's seem to have a little less freeboard than other models of bowrider. They sit in the water more like a Ski Nautique or MasterCraft (not that I'm comparing them!!).

Re: buying a boat

Welcome to iboats!

Yes, Bayliner used the designation "Capri" for its line of smaller bowriders and cuddies a number of years ago. There were also a couple of Fish & Ski models.

Where will you be boating and how many people do you plan to accommodate?

Re: buying a boat

if you want a good versatile family boat, look at center consoles.

Re: buying a boat

ger said:

hi, im thinking of buying our first boat, im looking at bowriders as it looks like a good family boat, can anyone tell me whats the differance between between reg models and a capri or is that a very vage question.

ger

Click to expand...

If you want to sleep on the boat than a cuddy cabin is the way to go if a larger boat is out of the question. My family and I love staying on the boat for days at a time. I have two sons (2&7yrs) they sleep at the bow and my wife and I sleep near the door inside the cabin. We use sleeping bags, and it's even better than camping in a tent. The kids love it and so do we.
Best of luck with whatever you choose...

Safe and happy boating always!!!

Re: buying a boat

Bowriders are excellent family boats. Put the kids in the bow where you can keep an eye on them. They love the spray and bouncing. They must sit when underway, to be safe. A bow rail is very nice, but not absolutely necessary.

I find bowriders to be much more versatile than center consoles. BRs have more and better seats, and are much more comfortable if the weather is cold or rainy. CCs have no shelter from the wind and rain, but are more roomier for fishing on a nice summer day

Re: buying a boat

Chris1956 said:

Bowriders are excellent family boats. Put the kids in the bow where you can keep an eye on them. They love the spray and bouncing. They must sit when underway, to be safe. A bow rail is very nice, but not absolutely necessary.

I find bowriders to be much more versatile than center consoles. BRs have more and better seats, and are much more comfortable if the weather is cold or rainy. CCs have no shelter from the wind and rain, but are more roomier for fishing on a nice summer day

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ya lost me bro

Re: buying a boat

Later model and larger bowriders have a porta pottie under the passengers windshield area to please the ladies. The advantages of a bowrider over a center console/open fisherman is more protection from the weather and comfortable seating.

Re: buying a boat

thesledhead said:

ya lost me bro

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I'm pretty sure he used CC for center console as opposed to cuddy cabin.

Re: buying a boat

gardnerJ said:

Later model and larger bowriders have a porta pottie under the passengers windshield area to please the ladies. The advantages of a bowrider over a center console/open fisherman is more protection from the weather and comfortable seating.

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A bowrider gives no more protection from the weather than a center console. You can put a canvas enclosure on pretty much any boat. If you're looking for protection from the weather, you want a cabin, full or cuddy. As long as you get a boat, yer gonna be happy

Re: buying a boat

many center consoles have room for a porta in the console. But many people (whether bow rider or CC) would rather not stuff themselves in that tiny hole to go, nor do they want to deal with cleaning it out. Plus if there's a head in there, you effectively lose your storage. So I suggest you start without one and see how your family adapts-add one later if it makes sense for your use. (hint: live wells make good potties for little girls).
There are lots of seating arrangements available in CC's. Some are stripped out to nothing (Parker's for example) which is not what most want for a family boat. Most have a large platform which is great for sitting, cruising, sunning and fishing, plus there's lots of storage under it. The boat manufacturers figured out how to make a versatile boat for all uses. Look at the Sea Hunt Ultra for example--very comfortable and roomy. A cc will almost always be roomier than a bowrider, making it as or more comfortable, and more pracical.

Re: buying a boat

One of my boats is a Capri but I think it is also the name of one of Tiger's ladies.

Re: buying a boat

I think it depends on what you want the boat for.Are you just going fishing,or just cruise or plan to stay on the water for a night or two? Really think about it and then buy.