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The Axopar 29 Sun Top is a large bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Axopar of Finland, a builder trading since 2014. On our measurements it works out at roughly 29 ft 0 in (8.84 m) of hull with a beam near 12 ft 3 in (3.75 m), which places it squarely in the trailerable family bowrider class: one vehicle, one trailer, one afternoon of prep, and the boat is in the water. The Scandinavian disruptor: twin-stepped hulls, walkaround decks and cult status.
Layout is classic bowrider and that is the whole point of the boat. Twin lounges run forward of the windscreen with a walk-through to the anchor well, the helm and companion seats sit amidships behind a wrap screen, and a full-width lounge spans the transom for sunbathing and socialising. Around 13 people fit aboard comfortably in sheltered water. Cushions lift out, backrests fold and filler pads convert the cockpit from a conversation pit into one long sun bed in a couple of minutes.
On the water the 29 Sun Top is easy to like because nothing about it is demanding. Trim it out, settle into a mid-throttle cruise and it holds course with a finger on the wheel. Turns are progressive rather than sharp, wake crossings are soft, and the boat is forgiving of an inexperienced driver — an underrated quality in a family bowrider.
Power is a 290-435 hp four-stroke outboard package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. Keeping the machinery outside the hull frees up stern storage, simplifies servicing and removes the bellows and gimbal wear items that punish neglected stern drive boats. It also lifts the swim platform clear of the exhaust.
Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Axopar owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A healthy outboard package pulls a slalom skier out of the water cleanly and tows children on an inflatable biscuit all day without protest. Skis, ropes and vests live in the under-floor and under-seat lockers so nothing sits underfoot while the boat is loaded.
Anglers do well out of the 29 Sun Top. The bow converts to a casting deck once the cushions are stowed, there is room to swing a rod without hitting the screen, and lockers swallow tackle, nets and a cooler. It is not a dedicated fishing boat, but it catches fish and it still takes the family out the next morning — which is the entire argument for owning a bowrider.
Build and finish sit where you would expect for a luxury boat from Finland. Axopar arrived in 2014 and rewrote expectations for European day boats. The signature twin-stepped hull is extraordinarily efficient, letting a single outboard push a 28-footer at high cruise speeds on modest fuel, and the ride in chop is what buyers talk about most — dry, planted and far more capable offshore than its lightweight construction suggests. Layouts are modular rather than traditional: the Spyder, Sun Top and Cross Cabin versions of the 22, 25 and 29 hulls can be configured as open bowriders, walkaround day boats or weekenders with a cabin, all on the same platform. Finish is Scandinavian minimalist, with brushed surfaces, teak-look decking and clean helm ergonomics rather than plush upholstery. Prices are firmly premium and demand has stayed so strong that used values have barely moved, which is unusual for a new brand. For owners who want a bowrider-style day boat that can also handle a genuine coastal passage, Axopar is the modern benchmark.
Options worth having on the 29 Sun Top are the practical ones: a bimini for shade, a decent bow and cockpit cover so the upholstery survives being stored outside, an upgraded sounder if you fish, and a stereo package that can be heard over the engine. On fibreglass, a ceramic coat or a good polish once a season keeps the gelcoat looking new and protects resale.
As a used buy, check the same things you would on any bowrider in this size band: transom firmness, stringer and floor soundness, hours and service history on the engine, steering and trim function, and the state of the upholstery seams, which are the first thing to fail on a boat that lives uncovered. Boats from this builder hold their money well, so a tidy example will not be cheap, and that is usually a sign you are buying the right one.
Our price guide for the 29 Sun Top is US$150,000 - US$198,000 new, which moves with engine choice, trailer, tower and how recently the boat was refreshed. Judged as a whole, it does what people buy a bowrider for: cruise, tow, swim, fish and entertain in one boat, without asking the family to compromise on any of them. Axopar has been refining that formula since 2014, and the 29 Sun Top is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.
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US$38,000 - US$52,000 new
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Featured Boat of the Week
This week we are putting the Bayliner Bayliner DX2000 in the spotlight, and it earns the spot. At 20 ft 2 in (6.16 m) long on a 8 ft (2.44 m) beam, this is a bowrider that reads the water well and still feels roomy enough for a full day out. A 20-foot deck-boat-width bowrider with outboard power and a huge social cockpit. Power comes from 115-150 hp mercury fourstroke outboard through a outboard package, and the fibreglass hull keeps the ride settled when the afternoon breeze puts a chop on the surface.
Seating is rated for 8 people, so there is space for family, friends, towels, eskies and the tow rope without anyone climbing over gear. Owners tend to buy it for family, water ski, leisure — which is exactly where it shines. Fuel is 30 us gal (114 l), and on the second-hand and new market you should expect to land somewhere around US$42,000 - US$58,000 new depending on hours, trailer and options.
Our full deep dive covers the layout in detail: bow lounge comfort, helm ergonomics, the rear entertaining area, storage that actually swallows a weekend, plus standard features, popular options and honest notes on where the boat compromises. If the Bayliner DX2000 is on your shortlist, start there — and check back next week, because the featured boat changes every week as we complete more full model reviews.
Featured Bowrider Article
On the Water
The layout is the whole point of a bowrider. Open the bow, seat people where the view is best, and the same hull becomes a picnic boat, a swim platform, a ski boat and a fishing boat. Here is what each area does and what to look for. Two facing lounges run forward from the windscreen, usually seating two to four people, with backrests moulded into the hull sides and cushions over deep storage lockers. Longer lounges are worth seeking out because they allow adults to stretch out and double as sun beds at anchor. Good bow areas include filler cushions that turn the whole space into a single sun pad, an insert table for picnics, drink holders, speakers, a bow ladder or step-through gate, and a cover or tonneau for towing and rougher water. Check the depth of the bow sides too — shallow sides feel exposed at speed. The helm seat should adjust fore and aft, offer a flip-up bolster for standing, and give a clear sightline over the bow when the boat is planing. A dash with room for a chartplotter, clean switch layout and readable gauges makes every trip easier. Opposite it, the companion seat may be a simple bucket, a…
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