Most Researched Bowriders of 2020 - 01/04/21
BoatTEST Newsletter January 4, 2021
BoatTEST's Most Popular Bowriders
Bowriders were the first runabouts to focus on expanding passenger space for a boating family by eliminating the foredeck and adding seating. The concept was such a success that now cuddy sportboats account for less than 3% of all runabouts built in the U.S. Bowriders range in length from around 15’ (4.57 m) to more than 40’ (12.19 m) and have evolved into some of the most versatile entertainment platforms on the water.
Following is a look at the most researched bowriders of 2020 by brand. Happy New Year from the BoatTEST.com team.
Test Video
Chaparral 280 OSX:
Luxury Boat from a Veteran Builder
Chaparral Boats has been building boats since 1965 and the company is known for its luxurious family-focused models that place a premium on comfort, quality build and amenities. In 2020, the 280 OSX launched the manufacturer’s luxury outboard-powered bowrider series. She boasts high-end features like a 7” (17.78 cm) multifunction touchscreen display at the helm, an EFX electric arch that folds down to clear bridges, convertible lounges in the bow and cockpit and a hullside door.
A great example of the versatility built into the 280 OSX is the side-by-side bucket seats at the helm. They adjust individually so the driver and a companion can be comfortable, but when the family arrives at the sandbar, the entire seat structure swivels outboard to starboard so the seats now face the cockpit. More...
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Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 338 OB:
A Big Boat Builder’s Bowrider
Cruisers Yachts has been building runabouts since 1954, but is mostly known for its large cruising boats. The 338 is the smallest boat in its line, but she is built in the same factory by the same shop floor personnel and with the same materials that go into the company’s million-dollar flybridge cruisers. The 338 Bow Rider comes standard with twin 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards that propel her into the mid-50s.
At 32’10” (10.01 m) long with a 10’10” (3.30 m) beam, she has lots of seating in the cockpit and bow. She can also serve as a weekender thanks to her private cabin. Belowdecks, she has standing headroom, a wet head and can sleep two in luxury. Her rust-colored upholstery gives her a decidedly upscale look, which is right where she is marketed. In addition to her arresting lines is the pallet of gelcoat colors available, including battleship gray, black cherry red, and the black seen above, in addition to white. More...
Test Video
Draco 27:
Scandinavian Bowrider for North America
The Draco 27 is one of the few bowriders built in Europe being marketed in North America. Given the short season there, bowriders are remarkably ubiquitous on the thousands of inland lakes in Northern Europe and along the coast as well. As can be seen by her flag, the Draco is from Norway, and her hull was designed by the naval architects at Windy, the country’s largest builder of cruising powerboats. She can be powered with up to a 400-hp engine.
The overall feeling of the 27 is a straightforward dayboat with space for a crowd and one of the largest bow seating areas in class. The aft seat in the cockpit converts to a variety of positions and the bucket seats swivel so a captain and companion can join the conversation. For overnight excursions, a tent-like canopy fits over the bow section and the bimini top is one of the largest we’ve seen. She has a decidedly Northern European feel, and for those who want something different, this boat should be considered. More...
Test Video
Formula 310 Bowrider:
Choice of Power is Just the Beginning
Because of her sweeping lines, courtesy of designer John Adams, her available painted hulls, her luxurious amenities and, of course, price, the Formula 310 is in a class of her own. Formula bowriders historically were all sterndrives, but things are changing fast at Formula. The 310 BR was configured for outboards for the 2021 model year and immediately went to the top of the charts for this brand. By adding a fiberglass hardtop that has an integrated sunroof, then cruising canvas, she becomes a three season all-weather vessel for day boating nearly anywhere.
Deciding to offer the 310 BR with outboards or sterndrive power is an example of the individuality that Formula offers with every boat the company builds. The Formula Flex program lets an owner choose every detail down to the hullside stripes and upholstery piping, so the vessel can be personalized. No two are exactly the same. Painting the motor cowlings to match the hullside graphics not only makes them look cool and part of the boat, but it also protects them in durable paint. More...
Test Video
Regal 26 OBX:
Helping Set the Trend
Five or so years ago, Regal Boats was at the forefront of the big outboard-powered bowrider trend, and the 26 OBX that we tested three years ago still commands a large share of Regal researchers in class. We selected this bird’s eye view image because it explains why. It’s hard to see how a 26-footer could seat any more guests and that makes her well-suited to watersports and entertaining. Note the robust, comfortable helm and companion seats. She comes with a long list of options so owners can configure the boat for their intended use.
She has a stepped hull, so she is as efficient as Regal can make her. Indeed, we clocked her at 50.5 mph WOT powered by a single Yamaha 300. More...
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Test Video
Sea Ray SPX 230:
An Attractive Option for a Budget Buyer
Sea Ray builds bowriders in three different series – the up-market SLX, the deckboat SDX and the entry-level SPX. While the SDX 250 captured more research sessions than the SPX 230, since she is strictly-speaking a deckboat, we did not put her in this list. The SPX 230 is the “value-oriented” bowrider model from Sea Ray. There is a lot to like about this boat even though she is “affordable,” so it’s little wonder she is getting a lot of attention.
She has the same hull, the same Quiet Ride sound-absorbing construction, the same wiring, rigging and everything else that can’t be seen that Sea Ray puts in its larger SLX versions. What that means is that she delivers the same ride and handling people expect from a small Sea Ray. This is important, because there are some “entry-level” mass-produced brands that are strictly for protected, flat water. Not so for the SPX 230, which has a 19-degree deadrise at the transom in her V-bottom. She also comes in an outboard version. More...
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Test Video
Tahoe T16:
Affordable Entry-Level Fun
Tahoe’s T16 is one of the smallest bowriders on the market, and therein lies her appeal. At a nationally advertised price of $17,595, she’s powered by a 60-hp Mercury and comes standard with a trailer. At just 2,200 lbs. (1,000 kg), she is easily towed and should fit in most garage bays (21’5”/6.52 m) so storage and operating costs are minimal.
Tahoe’s parent company, White River Marine Group, saved production costs on the T16 by creating her mold with a 3D printer. That savings is passed on to the consumer. More...
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Test Video
Yamaha 252SD:
Leaving the Jet Appellation Behind
With the new 252SD, Yamaha pushed the boundaries of what a 25’ (7.62 m) bowrider can be. Notice that we didn’t say jetboat because the company’s intent is for consumers to look at her as a bowrider and not a jetboat. Yamaha stepped up its game in every area, comfort, technology, handling and fit-and-finish. In fact, there have been so many advances in improving steering these vessels, the jets are no longer an issue – except on the positive side. She has a 20-degree deadrise, and as can be seen in the photo above, she has a higher freeboard than some bowriders this size.
One of the advances in the boat is the Connext Touchscreen. It has several features including fuel level, battery voltage, bilge pump and blower activation, water depth and time permanently docked regardless of which screen is selected. At the top of the display are seven icons to select alternative screens. And that’s just one of the new features. More...
Boating News of the Week: Episode #34
We wind up this year’s Weekly BoatTEST Reports videos with an interview with Brunswick’s CEO predicting the next couple of years of boating activity. Then, we'll take a look at the affordable Alumacraft Competitor FSX 185, see the first video of Cruisers Yachts’ 42 GLS Crossover, check out Chaparral’s 23 Surf in action, and get a look at Everglades’s only dual console – the 340DC – and Absolute’s new 50 Fly. As always, there is boating news and a quiz for serious captains. More...
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