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The Stingray Boats 198LX is a mid-size bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Stingray Boats of United States, a builder trading since 1979. On our measurements it works out at roughly 19 ft 10 in (6.04 m) of hull with a beam near 8 ft 6 in (2.60 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. Efficiency-focused bowriders with a patented hull that delivers big speed on small power.
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 10 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.
The ride is what most owners talk about first. Deadrise through the forward sections knocks the top off bay chop, the running surface aft keeps the boat stable at rest, and the hull sits level when six people crowd one side to watch a skier. Inside the bay it feels planted and predictable, which is exactly what a family boat needs.
Power is a 140-210 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 Stingray Boats 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.
Fishing is the quiet strength of this hull. Pull the bow cushions and the forward lounge becomes an open casting platform with clear access all the way around the bow, and the rear lounge lifts out to open up the transom and side gunwales. Ten minutes of work turns the family boat into a genuinely capable fishing boat, and ten minutes the other way turns it back again before anyone gets home.
Build and finish sit where you would expect for a entry level boat from United States. Stingray is the efficiency specialist of the bowrider world. Its patented Z-Plane hull produces measurably more speed and better fuel economy for a given horsepower than conventional deep-V designs, so a Stingray with a modest 4.5 litre stern drive or a mid-range outboard will often out-run rivals with far bigger engines. For owners watching running costs across a long season, that is a genuinely meaningful advantage. Every hull is built with a one-piece moulded stringer system and closed-cell foam flotation, which keeps the boats stiff and quiet, and the company still hand-finishes gel coat to a standard above its price point. Layouts are conventional bowrider fare — deep bow lounges, walk-through transom, in-floor ski storage and swivel helm seats — without the surf systems and towers of the premium brands. The 191DC, 198LX and 212SC are the models most often seen, and they represent excellent value on the used market for buyers prioritising economy and simplicity over gadgets.
Options worth having on the 198LX 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. At this end of the market condition matters far more than model year — a well-kept older boat beats a neglected newer one every time.
Our price guide for the 198LX is US$40,000 - US$53,000 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. Stingray Boats has been refining that formula since 1979, and the 198LX 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
Ownership
Getting towing right is the difference between spontaneous weekends and a boat that stays home. The mistake almost everyone makes is comparing the brochure hull weight to their vehicle's tow rating — two numbers that have almost nothing to do with real towing. Start with the dry hull weight, then add the engine if it is quoted separately, then fuel at roughly 0.75 kg per litre, plus batteries, safety gear, water sports equipment, an esky and the trailer itself. Trailers add 250-450 kg for single-axle and 400-700 kg for tandem. A 5.5 m aluminium bowrider quoted at 600 kg dry usually tows at 1,200-1,400 kg. A 6.5 m fibreglass boat quoted at 1,600 kg often tows at 2,400-2,700 kg. Always use the loaded figure and aim to stay well under your vehicle's rating rather than at it. Up to about 1,200 kg loaded — small aluminium bowriders to 5 m — a mid-size sedan, wagon or compact SUV with a proper tow package is usually sufficient. Between 1,200 and 2,000 kg, mid-size SUVs and utes handle the job comfortably. Above 2,000 kg, which covers most fibreglass bowriders over 6 m, you want a full-size SUV, ute or truck rated for 2,500-3,500 kg. Beyond 2,500 kg…
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