Opinions - Tahoe and Sylvan bowriders

[keith2k455]

What's everyone's impressions of early 2000s Tahoe boats and Sylvan bowriders of the same era (20' bowriders). They both look good and I can't find much feedback on them via internet. The Tahoe is lighter (by almost 1000 lbs) with a lower dead rise than the Sylvan (16 vs 21).

I'm looking at 20' bowriders now and my experience boating has been on a Bayliner and Crownline for many years. It appears on numbers that the 20' Sylvan would ride better, but when comparing to the mid 90s Bayliner or 2000 sylvan, would the '04 20' Tahoe (Q4) ride that much worse?

Water test would be had as well, but I'm just asking the same question that everyone in history has asked before actually going on the ride.

Keith

 

[keith2k455]

Correction here is that both the Sylvan 20' and Tahoe 20' weigh the same. I know I may be over analyzing, but the Tahoe has all the features we would want, I just am looking for comparison on ride impression before I get a sitter for a day and drive to check it out. I would normally be boating on the Illinois river or lakes.

 

[Tim in TN]

I have a 2006 Tahoe Q6 and the only thing I really have to compare it to was a 1976 18' Mark Twain. The Twain rode better, I think because it was so heavy. My Tahoe doesn't ride bad and it's been a great boat. I did add smart tabs to it a couple of years ago and they helped the ride and perfomance in many ways.

 

[agallant80]

On a 14 year old boat I would be more interested in condition.

 

[keith2k455]

Yes, condition is key. In my 20s I bought a new H-D Sportster, many people told me to get a Dyna, it will ride better. I ignored them and after a few yrs and few thousand miles, wished I had gotten the dyna because the sporty just was beating me up. Point is, I want to avoid that here. Right condition is necessary for purchase, but I want to make sure I'm looking at the right boat for me too.

 

[thumpar]

What is the beam specs on the boats? A bigger beam will help the ride too. Why not look at another Crownline? I am kind of biased but love mine.

 

[keith2k455]

I have no problem with crownline, or any brand, just looking for some indicators to help. So wide beam, dead rise and weight, bigger the better for ride, but at some point need motor yo push. What about length, what two of these 4 would be a better guide? Length Beam Dead rise Weight

 

[southkogs]

I don't have any experience with either more than just being on one here or there. I've probably been around more Sylvans and would say while they're not a high end boat, I've never had any major concerns around 'em. A couple of them seemed to go very nicely.

Dunno' if that's much help.

 

[thumpar]

I have no problem with crownline, or any brand, just looking for some indicators to help. So wide beam, dead rise and weight, bigger the better for ride, but at some point need motor yo push. What about length, what two of these 4 would be a better guide? Length Beam Dead rise Weight

There is more to is than that. Dead rise is only the angle at the transom. The bow will usually have a different angle and many times has more effect on ride. My old boat had a higher dead rise angle than my Crownline but the bow didn't have a good transition and could not cut through waves at all unless you wanted to get beat up.

Beam helps with the side waves and seems to ride more level the bigger you go. It also gives you more room in the boat.

The weight will help with ride but cost more to run because you are pushing more.

Length has less to do with it unless you are talking about a big difference.

It just comes down to hull design for the way the boat rides. I can now cut through wakeboard waves at a good cruise speed if I take the trim in. The wife doesn't even complain.

 

[keith2k455]

Gotcha...all this wisdom is transferrin. This is why everyone preaches test ride. Overall hull design is maybe like drag coefficient on a car, many factors affect it and no 1 or 2 can be an indicator of overall performance. This does help, the good comments about Sylvans is also good hear. I've heard lots good about crowline and the guys on the Tahoe boards like how they ride as well. This helps comfort, but now decision is more complex.....good problem I guess.

 

[southkogs]

Crownline is probably the "premium" among 'em, especially in terms of fit and finish ... but none of them are something to be afraid of.