What options to consider for next Bowrider

[Tafflad]

I have a great boat ... a Maxum 1800 SR3, which I improved with a wakeboard package (Tower, High Five prop, Smart Tabs)

Now thinking about changing my boat for next year (probably something 12 months old)... and if the Maxum range was still going would probably have gone up a couple of sizes and bought the Maxum 2000SR3.

However Maxum are no more ... and welcome advice over what else to look at ........... I'm in UK ... and not all the US boats are imported here ... although many of the bigger names are ..
Sea Ray, FourWinns, Larson, Bayliner, Cobalt, Rinker. Glastron, Chaparral, Crownline, Monterey, Campion

I would have gone for the Cobalt 200 which is advertised as $34k in US, unfortunately the UK dealer ... sells these at $89k ... (staggering mark up)

Looking for a quality bowrider, max length 23'
Inboard / out drive
I need a good power to weight ratio ... so usually means avoiding the base level engine ... i.e. in my Maxum the 3.0L would have been too sluggish, but it is fine with the 4.3L

As watersports is prime ... MUST have a bathing platform, and ideally a walk-thru transom for ease of access to it.
My boating is in-shore, need a decent deadrise .. so no flat bottomed lake boats.


The Rinker 226 ticks most boxes ... but welcome suggestions.

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

Have a look at Bryant's. Bryant only builds like 400 boats per year to keep the quality high. Brynats rep is right up there with Colbalts. Rumor going around that Cobalt bought a Bryant and cut it up to see how it was made. Bryant has dealers in the UK

Bryant Boat Dealers UK

 

[Tafflad]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

I did look at Bryant 2 yrs. ago .... liked the 'no wood' - hand laid build, issue then was the price ... I'll take another look.

 

[jkust]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

Bryant is a nice boat. One of the dealers by me started carrying them and couldn't give them away. Don't know exactly why other than the sales guy said their was no advertising support. I like some of their innovations but dislike their helm design compared to many others. As for the no wood idea, the good qualities of wood are hard to top and wood is actually a good thing not a bad thing. Regardless that can be argued all day along with all the fantastic benefits of a 3.0 per the 3.0 owners. In any event, many of the boats you mentioned are all very different price points and since many folks have a budget to adhere to, maybe we can start there.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

It's hard to argue with a Cobalt or Bryant as they're both no-wood composite boats with excellent build quality and outstanding customer service from what I've heard. Cobalt's been around a lot longer, but that's really of little consequence. If you've got the 18'er fight now, I wouldn't go for less than the 22' option as a 20' really doesn't add a whole lot to your current equation. Get the small V8 at a minimum for a 22' boat, but the bigger the better in most cases. When I upgrade to a Cobalt 23-24' boat, I won't settle for anything less than a big block.

 

[Tafflad]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

....When I upgrade to a Cobalt 23-24' boat, I won't settle for anything less than a big block.

Our fuel coats are a major concern here .... equiv to $8.26 per US gall
I wish some of the names I gave above would consider putting in a sports diesel, like the Yanmar BY 260 or even the Volkswagen Marine TDI 265-6

Guess that won't happen until your fuel prices double from what they are.

 

[Captain Four Winns]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

I went from a 1900 Maxum to a Four Winns Horizon 2300. I like the Volvo Penta engine and transmission better, there is an L-Shape seating arrangement which leaves more room in the main cabin and there is a reverse seat onto the swim platform that makes watersports and even fishing off the back very comfortable. There is a day head and walk through windshield. Also power engine compartment lift and access to fresh water flush for the engine is helpful. The Horizon has a deep V hull for choppy days and here in San Diego we take it out fishing in the open ocean.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

Kind of ironic. I just traded in my 2008 Maxum 1900SR3 for a new boat (see signature). I was also very pleased with the Maxum but got the dreaded "get a new boat" disease. Good luck with your search and let us know what you decide on. Lots of great boats to choose from.

 

[jkust]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

Our fuel coats are a major concern here .... equiv to $8.26 per US gall
I wish some of the names I gave above would consider putting in a sports diesel, like the Yanmar BY 260 or even the Volkswagen Marine TDI 265-6

Guess that won't happen until your fuel prices double from what they are.

Let's hope they don't add an additional 5$ in taxes to get us there.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

Kind of ironic. I just traded in my 2008 Maxum 1900SR3 for a new boat (see signature). I was also very pleased with the Maxum but got the dreaded "get a new boat" disease.

I have it but am refusing to let it beat me. I agree with another poster up top. You really have to add some size to make a difference. Adding another two feet to a bowrider really will not let you add that many more people. Its just a litlle more comfy

 

[Billdc]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

I have the Campion 645 bowrider and love it. This is my first boat so I don't know what to expect but I have been very happy with the quality of the build. I would imagine that fuel is more of an issue for you so maybe the 5.0L would be enough, the 5.7GXi is thirsty. I'm not sure what the prices are like, but I'm pretty sure you will like the boat.

 

[Tafflad]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

I agree with another poster up top. You really have to add some size to make a difference. Adding another two feet to a bowrider really will not let you add that many more people. Its just a litlle more comfy

Don't want to add people ..,.. the reason for wanting to go a little bigger is simple ..... the Maxum 1800SR3 has no bench seat ... just the jump seats either side of engine box ... great layout for watersports, as gives loads of room for kitting up.
As most boats come with a bench (or even better L shaped) - that means I lose about 2' or so of space, so need a longer boat to stay with same usable cockpit area.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

I went from a 1900 Maxum to a Four Winns Horizon 2300. I like the Volvo Penta engine and transmission better . . .

What does the engine-type matter? Volvo and Merc use the same GM engines, so I'm not sure how you make much of a distiction there aside from exhaust manifold design. The Merc Bravo and Volvo Penta drives both use cone clutches, so with pretty much any V-8 application they will shift pretty much the same. I would understand the argument of Alpha I/II vs Volvo, though.

 

[Tafflad]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

Had a look at Bryant current range ... deadrise is pretty flat, anybody know what they are like in choppy water ?

 

[Tafflad]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

They don't sell the inboard range bowriders in UK ... only OB powered ... which loses the bathing platform

 

[jkust]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

While not one of the traditional big names, Yamaha's line of bow riders are second to none in my opinion. If you are into water sports (as suggested) I don't know of any boat that is set up better for it. The swim platform area is pure genius and the rest of the boat is almost as imaginative in it's use of space.

The new generation of Jet boats such as Yamahas, are what all I/O's wish they could be IMO. The flatter engines allow for some amazing innovations. I'm actually suprised there aren't a lot more of these around. If we had a cabin on one of the shallower lakes, Id consider one for sure. I can't speak of thieir quality or ride but the sure look nice on paper.

 

[Tafflad]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

The new generation of Jet boats such as Yamahas, are what all I/O's wish they could be IMO. QUOTE]

I had a jet boat previously ... has some good points, but it messes up water & wake behind boat, which is important for me ... as prime use is watersports.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: What options to consider for next Bowrider

Yeah, while I do think the newer Yamaha boats are a great value and look good to boot, they seem to have a lack of deadrise which will probably translate into some rougher water. Also, for wakeboarding/skiing, the jet boats tend to have a rock-hard jet stream in the middle of the wake which can be problematic, especially with the twin engines.