Bowrider Boats for Sale

Bowrider Boats: what to know

Seating in the bow, seating in the cockpit, engine at the back. The bowrider is the default family boat: easy to swim off, fine for towing a tube, and big enough that nobody has to sit on the floor.

What to check before you buy

• Sterndrive or outboard. A sterndrive sits lower and leaves a clean transom. An outboard is simpler to service and lasts longer in salt.
• On a sterndrive, ask about the bellows and the gimbal bearing. Both are service items and both are an expensive surprise.
• Sit in the bow and look closely at the deck seams. Water gets in at the bow before anywhere else.
• Check the canvas. A replacement bimini and cover runs well over a thousand dollars.
• Run the blower, then put your head near the engine bay. A smell of fuel in an enclosed bay ends the viewing.

Common questions

What is the difference between a bowrider and a deck boat?

A deck boat carries its beam further forward, so there is more room and more seating in the bow. A bowrider has a finer entry, which generally means a better ride once there is chop on the water.

Is a sterndrive or an outboard better?

An outboard is easier and cheaper to service, tilts clear of the water when moored and survives salt far better. A sterndrive gives you a clear transom and a proper swim platform and is quieter at cruising speed. For most buyers on fresh water it comes down to price.

What size bowrider suits a family of five?

Nineteen to 21 feet seats five comfortably with room for gear. Below 19 feet it gets tight as soon as the cooler, the tubes and the life jackets are aboard.