Which bowrider is best?

[jkust]

I wouldn't call the Chaparral entry level. Some will differ on this opinion but I lob the Tahoes/Suntrackers/BassTrackers/etc that you find at the big box stores I mentioned earlier as entry level. Personally I rank the three you listed in this order:

Chap
Bayliner
Stingray

There's nothing bad about any of them, just feature set that puts them in this order for me. If you're happy with the layout on the Bayliner or Stingray then by all means go buy it and be happy with the purchase. As for the price difference, a year newer does make a large difference as does any included options - bimini top, mooring cover, upgraded flooring, etc.

Yep, it is an entry level Chap but an order or magnitude above the Bayliner or the Stingray. The H20 Chaps were the response by Chap to the economic downturn back 'when' because their SSi line of boats was very expensive and over appointed for what is practical for most folks. The just didn't need a Mercedes on the water when a very nicely appointed Chevy would do. One reason the used SSi boats are such a bargain.

 

[Cecash]

I think I'm going to keep shopping with my eye on a lightly used newer Chaparral H20 18. I think that gives me the best of both worlds.

 

[husbus]

I think the brand snobbery is exaggerated, but then I drive a Dodge, not a BMW. Stingrays are known for being light and fast, so it might be a good fit for this situation. The engine and outdrive are the same, regardless of hull brand. In many cases, a newer hull of a lower-end brand has a more attractive and/or functional design than an older premium one, in my opinion.

 

[jimmbo]

My favorite little bowrider was a 78-79 Crestliner 550, with a prop rated 90 they could hit about 40 - 42 mph

 

[jbuote]

I think I'm going to keep shopping with my eye on a lightly used newer Chaparral H20 18. I think that gives me the best of both worlds.

Sounds like you have a plan..
I'm pretty much a newbie here, but to share a little of my experience...
My first boat was a learning experience on purpose. Figured out a few things, then went shopping for next step.

I found a used 1985 17' Jay Bee bow rider. Cosmetically it's an eyesore, but it's solid, stringers and transom are sound.
I got pretty lucky there actually, but DANG! the thing MOVES..
Cosmetics I can fix.

Like jimmbo posted:

My favorite little bowrider was a 78-79 Crestliner 550, with a prop rated 90 they could hit about 40 - 42 mph

Mine is NOT the same boat, but it has what seems like the same bow rise at the hole shot.. LOL.
Once it hits plane, it flattens out and screams! Still haven't gone total FULL throttle yet, but last time at about 3/4 throttle, maybe a touch more I got 42mph indicated on the pitot style speedometer.
I will be verifying this with a GPS next time out...
Previous boat only got to about 30mph, so this is a rocket to me.. Still getting used to it.. haha!

The hull is rated for up to a 115hp (which is what's on it), but 75% of the max rating is 86hp.
Would guess a 90hp on the same hull as mine would get 35 anyway... Plenty to pull a tube or skier.

Point is, you have options to find what you want for skiing/tubing.
Brand isn't necessarily a big issue.

Condition, layout for seating, and appointments you're looking for are the real key.

I don't think it's been mentioned, but you don't need to look for a boat that maxes out at 90hp..
You could look for a hull with a max HP rating of say 115-120hp that happens to have a 90 hp on it.
The 90 hp would be roughly 75% of the boats max hp rating.

Meets your lake restrictions, and has "Room to Grow"...

What you don't want, is to get a boat with a max HP rating of say 200hp, and then put a 90hp on it.
You will not be happy with the result.

Again, it seems like you have a plan in mind, and it sounds like a good one from this newbies view.
Odds are I've only mentioned things you already knew. If so, I apologize.

Just adding a little in the off chance it may help in the long run.

My best to you!

 

[vetplus40]

Stingrays are fun to operate in calm water, but will beat you do death in moderate chop. Stingrays also require trim tabs to be installed, otherwise the porpoising will drive you nuts.

 

[444]

Having driven a 3.0 mercruiser bayliner, IMO they are too doggy for what you want to do. I would much sooner take a 2 stroke 90hp outboard. My old boat had a mid 80's mercury 90hp inline 6, power was night and day different on my boat over my friend's 3.0 mercruiser boat.

 

[southkogs]

Having driven a 3.0 mercruiser bayliner, IMO they are too doggy for what you want to do. I would much sooner take a 2 stroke 90hp outboard. My old boat had a mid 80's mercury 90hp inline 6, power was night and day different on my boat over my friend's 3.0 mercruiser boat.

I've got the 3.0 in my Bayliner. It's no rocket ship, but it clobbers the 16' with a 100HP I learned to ski behind. Tubing is no problem for it, and I can have 4 of us on board and pull a skier - even slalom. If you're novice to experienced, the 3.0 can do the trick.

Not saying you don't want more ponies than that, but the right boat with a 3.0 will do fine for most water sports.

 

[nola mike]

I learned to ski behind a series of 16' ancient hulls with various 40 hp johnnyrudes. Best boat that we skied behind was my neighbor's brand new '87 17' thundercraft with a 3.0 alpha. Jerked a (130# high school) slalom skier out of the water, especially compared to our 2.5L OMC stringer. I'd probably have a hard time getting up on it now using a short double wrap ski 50+# later, but anything short of that on a lightly loaded boat and you'll have no problem, especially if you prop it for water sports.
I drove a new-ish bayliner with a 3.0 last year, and thought it was a very nice ride. Didn't scream, but was certainly quick enough.

 

[nola mike]

Ha, that totally sounds like snobbery to me. Kia's are pretty good cars for 2/3 the price of that BMW. Many times the companies are just playing to their brand loyalty, to people that can't/won't make an informed logical decision, or just don't want to be seen in a Kia...