What am I looking for?

Hello,

After some occasional sailing, rowing at college and a years service in the Navy I am looking at boating again.

But in which boat?

Let me list my requirements and wishes:
room for 8 (family + guests)
2 sitting areas
head compartment
outboard powered (out of water when unused and possibility to use smaller engine than usual), single engine
hardtop / T-top with weather curtains
easy access to water (more than a single transom door)
a wetbar / sink / barbecue arrangement with cooler would be great

What do not need / like is:
speed
trailerbility
fishing gear (esp. swivel chairs, livewell, rod holders,...)
a pontoon

My ideas are the following types of boats:
dual console
bowrider (What is the difference from a DC?)
deckboat

The market is huge and I would welcome hints on suitable boats.

Thanks in adance,
Jan-Einar


P.S.:
To give you an idea what I muse about is something like the Whaler Vantage 270 but that cannot be the only one...

Re: What am I looking for?

Hi, and welcome to iboats!

Good write-up. The only thing missing is the type of water you boat in, which plays into your question about the difference between a bowrider and dual console boat.

A bowrider or deck boat will give you a bunch of plush seating and is a good choice for protected waters. They're designed to carry a group of passengers comfortably and have minimal utility for fishing, though of course one can fish off any boat. They're built for water sports and lounging.

Now, that Vantage. Manufacturers will typically make 3 versions of their fishing/rough water boats- a center console, a dual console and a walkaround cuddy. The difference between a DC and a bowrider/deckboat lies in its seaworthiness and suitabllity for rough water. The DC (like its 'sister' CC and WAC) will have a deeper-v hull and self bailing cockpit, heavier duty hardware, etc. Water that comes aboard will mostly just empty right out again without running to the bilge. Taking a wave over the bow isn't any big deal, where it could be in a bowrider. There isn't as much upholstery and capeting to care for. The interiors are more austere, with snap-out seat cushions. The entire boat can be emptied and hosed down easily.

Given all the 'creature comfort' features you want, you're probably best off shopping bowriders and deck boats unless you need rough water capability.

My .02

Re: What am I looking for?

Why not a pontoon? You don't care about speed or performance & a pontoon would give lots of room & comfort.

Re: What am I looking for?

To answer your questions:

JoLin:
Use will be on a small river.
So no roughwater capability required.
But the rugged outfit of a DC versus a bowrider (now that you mention I do see) is attractive.

superbenk:
A pontoon is just not my peace of cake: I would like to be in a boat, not on a pair of tubes.
There might be a registration / insurance problem with these, too.


Thanks,
Jan-Einar

Note: I am based in northern Europe, so some things which might be standard to you are strange here and vice versa.

Re: What am I looking for?

Jan-Einar said:

Use will be on a small river.
So no roughwater capability required.
But the rugged outfit of a DC versus a bowrider (now that you mention I do see) is attractive.

Click to expand...

No doubt about it- a DC is a more 'manly man' type of boat, but for your use it'd be akin to buying a capable offroad truck to drive to the shopping mall. Your call, of course, but some of your wants (like wetbar/sink/barbecue) are probably not offered in the DC class.

Re: What am I looking for?

Stupid question, but what's a "DC"?

Re: What am I looking for?

superbenk said:

Stupid question, but what's a "DC"?

Click to expand...

Dual Console. Very little difference in concept between it and a bow rider. Bow riders and dual consoles typically have a a walk through windscreen. Aluminum boats tend to be called Dual Consoles while glass boats of the same concept tend to be called bow riders. Either one can have bow seating. Some aluminum DC's are set up primarily for fishing and have raised decks. Some bow riders can be converted for fishing but in standard form are primarily set up for seating.

An SC (single or side console) are very popular on many aluminum fishing boats.

Idea: What am I looking for?

Idea: What am I looking for?

Stingray 214LR
+ Suzuki 140
+ Atlantic towers WA "tee" hardtop monted low (6?6" headroom is enough for us)
+ portable grill

Sounds silly or fine?