Re: Walkarounds - appropriate as run-about?
For my purposes, the center console layout is unbeatable. Most avereage sized cc boats have the helm seating, and also seating in front of the center console. Bench or jump seats at the rear also show up from time to time. The front casting deck can serve as a good sundeck if need be. 4 stroke outboard would be far more practical, gets the engine out of the boat, gives you more room, and you still have the quiet operation and low emissions. I have found that women don't like outboards because they make the boat seem too "fishing boaty". There is some irrational belief that an I/O boat is a better option, somehow more sophisticated. I have heard this vocalized from a large amount of ill informed women who go off of the memory of their fathers old fishing boat. My better half loves my CC contraption. She likes the fact that there is no carpet to get wet, no motor doghouse in the way, and plenty of sundeck out front. In the end, you have to decide what you will use the boat for, how many people on average will be on board, size of lake, etc. The standard issue 19 foot open bow runabout with I/O is what the vast majority of families use.