Late 90’s -2000 bowrider/deck suggestions for newbie?

[nola mike]

I'm sure I'm the exception, but my 19' bowrider routinely/easily handles 4 adults and 4 kiddos. We've loaded a couple more in there in a pinch. Not sure what everyone else is doing on their boats, but for tubing/cruising, not an issue. My buddy has a 22' bowrider that feels palatial in comparison when we go out. We have a large river that we use in lieu of a head
I got it for $4k 10 years ago, had planned on it as a starter boat. I now have no plans to get rid of it any time soon. A big factor will be how much work do you plan to do on your own? $2k a year buys a lot of parts, but not a lot of labor. If you don't have a lot of experience boating, I think you're better off getting something smaller until you know what you want and get comfortable boating. I think a bowrider in the 20-21' range with a v8 would be a good place to start. Would take care of 90+% of what you're trying to do it sounds like. Nice summary by briangcc .

 

[beaverliner]

check out the Chris Craft 260 (or 262) sportdeck... if you can find one in good shape (like the one I sold two years ago) it might just be the boat you are looking for...

 

[jkust]

I'm sure I'm the exception, but my 19' bowrider routinely/easily handles 4 adults and 4 kiddos. We've loaded a couple more in there in a pinch. Not sure what everyone else is doing on their boats, but for tubing/cruising, not an issue. My buddy has a 22' bowrider that feels palatial in comparison when we go out. We have a large river that we use in lieu of a head
I got it for $4k 10 years ago, had planned on it as a starter boat. I now have no plans to get rid of it any time soon. A big factor will be how much work do you plan to do on your own? $2k a year buys a lot of parts, but not a lot of labor. If you don't have a lot of experience boating, I think you're better off getting something smaller until you know what you want and get comfortable boating. I think a bowrider in the 20-21' range with a v8 would be a good place to start. Would take care of 90+% of what you're trying to do it sounds like. Nice summary by briangcc .

I don't think you are...two of my summer homes are on lakes and I spend a ton of time on the water and checking out the boats that come by the dock. I see plenty of old boats overloaded all the time. Some of the old pontoons just get crazy as they almost sink from taking a wave. They are just happy to be on the water and the rest is secondary. Everyone has different expectations out of boating. Same reason I see so many 600hp tritoons but they never even go 20mph and ten hour per year, 23 foot, 150k wake boats. Some want nice and palatial and some just want to be out on the water.