Looking for Opinions on Super Bowriders

[Begester]

We are looking at replacing our 24 foot Sea Ray Cuddy Cabin with a super bowrider and I'm looking to get some insight from people who own them. The specific boat we are looking at is a Sea Ray 290 SDX w/ twin outboards, but I'm looking to get opinions on the boat style in general.

For those who have them, what do you like and dislike? 29 feet for a bowrider is huge...do you ever feel like it's too big? I'll be operating it on Charleston, South Carolina and we are mainly operating on coastal (salt) water. Also planning on doing some distance stuff up the ICW and possibly trailering it to Florida once a year for a keys trip.

If you currently have a boat like this, I'd love to hear some perspective. Everyone around here seems to have center console boats, which just seem too fishing oriented for us.

 

[Stinnett21]

I often wonder how those with the monster center consoles, pontoons and bowriders keep them covered and clean. Yeah I know everyone does at first but over time my prediction is that's going to get tiring. Probably sour grapes on my part. I just don't have that many friends lol. The bow of a cuddy is easy to care for.

 

[racerone]

The people who buy these monsters new do not have to worry about upkeep / fuel prices.------You just pay the marina monthly fee for covered storage and maid service.-----Always been that way.

 

[JimS123]

I live on the Niagara River. A gazillion boats locally. That said, the availability of covered storage is very slim. The boats that enjoy those facilities are classic wooden cruisers that have long term owners that are willing to pay whatever it takes to protect their babies.

I never heard of maid service. A real "boatman" has pride and joy in personally taking care of their classics.

We also have a Top 100 Searay dealer locally. He sells some of the type boats you talk about, and also docks them in his first class local marina.

The type of person that buys a mega outboard bowrider is a millennial with an awesome job that has never owned many boats before. He is the type that isn't into a "cruiser" because he doesn't travel with the boat and has no need for overnight accommodations. They go 2 miles to the sandbar and hang out, or if the weather is bad they have a party at the dock.

The dealer does all their maintenance, and hauls and launches the boat. After a few years, they tire of it all and move on. Lots of those big bowriders for sale on the used market.

To answer your question, yes it would be too big for me. It would not be cost effective. When we party a trailerable 25 footer is all that is needed. We go out with no more than 6 or 8. It certainly is not a "vacationable" boat since it has no amenities. For a day boat its overkill. If money is no object, go for it.

 

[roffey]

People buy what they can afford. Some take meticulous care and others just use then and sell it and I think this goes for types and makes of boat. Personally I don't think you can judge someone by the boat they have, lol. I wish I could give an educated opinion other than I currently have an I/O and think the outboards are the way to go.

 

[paulswagelock]

29’ bow riders are actually mid sized at this point. sea Ray, Regal, Monterey, Formula, Four Winns - all making open bows getting all the way up to 50’ now.
Specific to your question - the SDX290 is a nice boat, extremely spacious layout and maximum use of the space. However, the beam forward design is functional for the interior but not so much for shedding waves. I think you will roll over the front on 3’ or up if not careful. I have the 27’ version and it will not throw the water out to the sides but rather forward on a hard stuff.
not sure what type of water you will encounter, but keep it in mind. Also, the fit and finish on the Sdx is not up to the competitors like Regal, Cobalt, etc. It is not terrible, but not as nice. Cheaper materials, more basic design, function over aesthetics.
All of that said, it is a nice boat and you won’t find the same amount of room in anything less that a 32 footer. Just know it’s limitations and slot in the market.

 

[harringtondav]

Sorry @Begester , you were looking for serious responses, and got one or two from my count. So I hate to pile on. But if I had deep enough pockets, I'd look at this. Mother of All Bowriders.

The 430 Super Sport Crossover | Build It Online | Formula

Enter the Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover, a revolutionary new concept that is destined to change the performance boating experience. Find a dealer!

www.formulaboats.com

 

[Begester]

This is great perspective. I've always considered myself a "boatman" and have been on the water most of my life. Never really considered the bigger bowriders until I saw the price of similar dual consoles and the creature comforts that these big bowriders seem to offer. I do all my own (meticulous) maintenance and also am cognizant on the fuel burn, even though gas is pretty cheap here these days. Dual vs single engine is also a big consideration, I have no desire to go 50+ mph or 40 miles offshore, but we do plan on some distance cruising up and down the ICW. The simplicity of a smaller center console where I could hose it off, run water through the engine, and throw the cover on is a big selling point, but the lack of relaxing space is a drawback. My Sundancer takes at least 30-45 minutes to clean and flush after each outing..on a good day. The center consoles just don't have the "family fun" space though, especially since we aren't really into fishing.

 

[southkogs]

Boats like that are too far out of my tax bracket

But I get to drool over a few of 'em every now and again when I do work for some of my clients. Got to do a project not long ago that got me a look at some of the Scout boats - WOW.

 

[paulswagelock]

This is great perspective. I've always considered myself a "boatman" and have been on the water most of my life. Never really considered the bigger bowriders until I saw the price of similar dual consoles and the creature comforts that these big bowriders seem to offer. I do all my own (meticulous) maintenance and also am cognizant on the fuel burn, even though gas is pretty cheap here these days. Dual vs single engine is also a big consideration, I have no desire to go 50+ mph or 40 miles offshore, but we do plan on some distance cruising up and down the ICW. The simplicity of a smaller center console where I could hose it off, run water through the engine, and throw the cover on is a big selling point, but the lack of relaxing space is a drawback. My Sundancer takes at least 30-45 minutes to clean and flush after each outing..on a good day. The center consoles just don't have the "family fun" space though, especially since we aren't really into fishing.

If single engine is an option, there are lots of additional choices. For A center console, the Robalo 242 ex is very family friendly and has good seating room and a usable head. Regal makes a nice 26’ ob, Crownline has a nice 28 and 29’ ob, and Sea Ray has the 270 sdx which is super popular.
How rough can the water get where you operate - that might rule out certain boats.

 

[Texasmark]

29’ bow riders are actually mid sized at this point. sea Ray, Regal, Monterey, Formula, Four Winns - all making open bows getting all the way up to 50’ now.
Specific to your question - the SDX290 is a nice boat, extremely spacious layout and maximum use of the space. However, the beam forward design is functional for the interior but not so much for shedding waves. I think you will roll over the front on 3’ or up if not careful. I have the 27’ version and it will not throw the water out to the sides but rather forward on a hard stuff.
not sure what type of water you will encounter, but keep it in mind. Also, the fit and finish on the Sdx is not up to the competitors like Regal, Cobalt, etc. It is not terrible, but not as nice. Cheaper materials, more basic design, function over aesthetics.
All of that said, it is a nice boat and you won’t find the same amount of room in anything less that a 32 footer. Just know it’s limitations and slot in the market.

Totally agree having BTDT with an 18' Caravelle tri-hull back in the early '70's. Mono hulls have solved a lot of the problems of rough ride (deep V design) and water over the bow (higher gunwale off the water) and the length you are mentioning helps solve the problem unless you get into some really big water and bad weather. If you go offshore, the name of the game is Flare, Flare, Flare, and even then a solid foredeck and windshield can be a necessity at times. BTDT

 

[dingbat]

The center consoles just don't have the "family fun" space though, especially since we aren't really into fishing.

Define “family fun” space.
Define “fishing boat”

You’re going to find that “fishing boats” have the best rough water hulls by far.

40 miles from your home dock is 40 miles whether your 40 miles offshore or 40 miles down the ICW. How are you getting home?

 

[tpenfield]

We are looking at replacing our 24 foot Sea Ray Cuddy Cabin with a super bowrider and I'm looking to get some insight from people who own them. The specific boat we are looking at is a Sea Ray 290 SDX w/ twin outboards, but I'm looking to get opinions on the boat style in general.

For those who have them, what do you like and dislike? 29 feet for a bowrider is huge...do you ever feel like it's too big? I'll be operating it on Charleston, South Carolina and we are mainly operating on coastal (salt) water. Also planning on doing some distance stuff up the ICW and possibly trailering it to Florida once a year for a keys trip.

If you currently have a boat like this, I'd love to hear some perspective. Everyone around here seems to have center console boats, which just seem too fishing oriented for us.

You will miss the cuddy cabin for storage. Although many of the traditional I/O boats that have been converted to outboards have a lot of space where the inboard engines used to be . . . just not as accessible.

Space-wise for day boating it will be great. Overnighting . . . not so much. If you get in the the 32 foot + range, then you can find bowrider boats that have a mid cabin, getting you the best of both worlds Cuddy & Bowrider. 29 feet is not all that big vs. what is on the market for bowriders, so you might want to look at the larger ones for comparison.

I looked at the Sea Rays in consideration for my next boat, but I did not think they used the space as well as some other brands.

Check out the Cruisers 338 OB as well as the Formula 290BR, 310BR, 330CBR, and the Chaparral 307 and 337.

I've also found some cuddy versions of larger center consoles (35-38 feet) that would be pretty much as good as a large bowrider.

Sort of depends on your budget and if looking at new or used.

 

[QBhoy]

Definitely a warm climate machine. I’ve had the bow cover off my boat about 4 times in 5 years. Haha.

 

[Begester]

Thanks for the insight. A dry ride is one of our concerns. Aside from possibly purposing the nose, how does your 27 handle wind waves of ~2 feet up front? I've noticed these boats don't have near the flare that center consoles do.

29’ bow riders are actually mid sized at this point. sea Ray, Regal, Monterey, Formula, Four Winns - all making open bows getting all the way up to 50’ now.
Specific to your question - the SDX290 is a nice boat, extremely spacious layout and maximum use of the space. However, the beam forward design is functional for the interior but not so much for shedding waves. I think you will roll over the front on 3’ or up if not careful. I have the 27’ version and it will not throw the water out to the sides but rather forward on a hard stuff.
not sure what type of water you will encounter, but keep it in mind. Also, the fit and finish on the Sdx is not up to the competitors like Regal, Cobalt, etc. It is not terrible, but not as nice. Cheaper materials, more basic design, function over aesthetics.
All of that said, it is a nice boat and you won’t find the same amount of room in anything less that a 32 footer. Just know it’s limitations and slot in the market.

 

[paulswagelock]

Thanks for the insight. A dry ride is one of our concerns. Aside from possibly purposing the nose, how does your 27 handle wind waves of ~2 feet up front? I've noticed these boats don't have near the flare that center consoles do.

It does fine with those size waves but even at 2’ it might be a little wet occasionally from the spray, depending on where they hit and the wind direction. Not unsafe by any means though in 2’.