Site Menu — Find Your Page
Bowrider Boats Mega Website
The Jeanneau (Cap Camarat) Cap Camarat 9.0 BR is a large bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Jeanneau (Cap Camarat) of France, a builder trading since 1957. On our measurements it works out at roughly 29 ft 6 in (9.00 m) of hull with a beam near 12 ft 6 in (3.81 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. French builder whose Cap Camarat range spans bowrider, centre console and weekender.
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.
Underway the Cap Camarat 9.0 BR behaves the way a well-sorted large bowrider should. It comes onto the plane early, holds a low tow speed without wallowing and tracks flat through a hard turn instead of skating out. The extra waterline length pays off in chop, where the bow keeps working rather than slamming.
Power is a 295-445 hp petrol stern drive package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. A stern drive keeps the transom clean and the engine low in the hull, which lowers the centre of gravity and gives that quiet, torquey feel off the mark that skiers appreciate.
Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Jeanneau (Cap Camarat) owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A healthy stern drive 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 Cap Camarat 9.0 BR. 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 premium boat from France. Jeanneau's Cap Camarat range is one of Europe's most complete day boat families, and the Bow Rider versions are exactly what the name suggests: forward seating with convertible cushions, a walk-through screen, a well-appointed helm and outboard power aft. What sets them apart is the breadth of configuration — the same hull is offered as a Bow Rider, Centre Console, Walk Around or Day Cruiser, so buyers pick the deck plan that matches how they actually boat. Hull design emphasises seakeeping for coastal European conditions, with sharp entries, pronounced spray rails and enough deadrise to stay comfortable when the mistral or the afternoon sea breeze fills in. Fit-out is genuinely premium, with proper joinery on larger models, quality upholstery, a concealed head compartment on many versions and thoughtful storage throughout. As part of Groupe Beneteau, Jeanneau offers extensive dealer coverage and reliable parts supply worldwide, and used Cap Camarats hold value well across the Mediterranean and Australia.
Options worth having on the Cap Camarat 9.0 BR 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 Cap Camarat 9.0 BR is US$113,000 - US$150,000 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. Jeanneau (Cap Camarat) has been refining that formula since 1957, and the Cap Camarat 9.0 BR is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.
The world's best selling bowrider size, Light, simple and easy to tow.
US$38,000 - US$52,000 new
The refined mainstream benchmark: quiet, dry, and beautifully finished for the money.
US$72,000 - US$95,000 new
A premium 25-foot bowrider renowned for its deep seating, convertible lounges, refined ride and exceptional finish.
US$155,000 - US$210,000 new
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
Buying Advice
Used bowriders are the best value in boating, and the worst, depending entirely on the twenty minutes you spend inspecting one. Most expensive faults are visible to a careful buyer who knows where to look — you do not need to be a marine technician, just methodical. Walk the whole floor in bare feet or soft shoes, pressing hard, especially either side of the helm and along the walkway to the bow. Any sponginess, flexing or creaking suggests water in the floor core, which is the single most expensive fault on a small boat. Then grip the outboard or drive leg and push up and down firmly while watching the transom from inside. Movement, flexing, cracks radiating from the drive cutout or rusty screw heads all point to a wet transom. Lift every hatch and look for staining, standing water and rust streaks in the bilge — a dry bilge after rain is a very good sign. Ask for service records and hours. Cold-start the engine yourself: it should fire within a few seconds, settle to a steady idle and pump a strong stream of cooling water. Grey or milky oil, a sweet coolant smell or heavy smoke are reasons to walk away.
Read the full article