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The Quicksilver Activ 605 Bowrider is the European answer to the entry-level American bowrider, and it is built with Mediterranean and Scandinavian day boating in mind rather than lake cruising.
At 6.05 m (19 ft 10 in) it fits standard marina berths across Europe and tows easily behind a family car. The deck plan favours walkaround access with grab rails and non-slip moulding, so moving forward while under way feels secure.
The seating is convertible in the classic bowrider way. Bow lounges with filler cushions, a swivelling companion seat, and a rear bench that becomes a sun pad. A removable table converts the cockpit into a dining space for lunch at anchor.
Mercury FourStroke power from 115 hp to 150 hp gives a 28-32 knot top end and an economical 20-22 knot cruise. Outboard power also means minimal winterisation, easy servicing in any port, and a clean, usable stern area.
Owners rate the 605 for practicality rather than luxury: the finish is functional, the mouldings are simple, and everything is easy to hose out. That makes it a very good charter and first-boat proposition, and a sensible used purchase where a low-hour Mercury is the main value driver.
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
Engines & Drives
Electric propulsion has arrived in bowriders, and it is genuinely excellent at some jobs and clearly not ready for others. The technology is not the limitation — energy density is. Understanding that makes it easy to judge whether an electric bowrider suits your boating. Silence and instant torque transform the on-water experience. Conversation at cruising speed, no fumes, no vibration and no exhaust smell at the swim platform are luxuries that petrol boats cannot match at any price. Maintenance almost disappears: no oil changes, no fuel system, no winter fogging, no impellers on some designs. Running costs per hour on domestic electricity are a fraction of petrol, and low-speed use — sundowner cruising, no-wake zones, tender duty and lake boating — is where electric already wins outright. Planing a bowrider takes a great deal of power, and battery packs store far less energy per kilogram than petrol. A typical electric bowrider today offers perhaps thirty to sixty minutes of hard planing, or several hours at displacement speed, from a pack that dominates the boat's weight and cost. That is fine for short blasts and long slow cruises, and inadequate for a day of towing skiers or a long run to an island. Fast charging at…
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