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Buying & Owning
Bowrider prices span an enormous range, from a few thousand dollars for an older stern drive runabout to well over two hundred thousand for a premium 26-footer. Here is how the bands break down.
New and used bowrider boat price ranges by size, brand and build material, with guidance on where the value sits.
Bayliner VR4 and VR5, Quicksilver Activ, smaller Stacer and Quintrex alloy rigs. Modest power, simple finish, but everything a family needs.
Sea Ray SPX, Chaparral SSi, Four Winns H2, Yamaha SX210, Quintrex 540-590 Cruiseabout, Bénéteau Flyer. This is where build quality, ride and features step up sharply.
Cobalt R-series, Sea Ray SDX and SLX, Malibu towboats, larger twin-outboard day boats. Superb finish, strong resale and features that genuinely change how you use the boat.
A five to eight year old mainstream bowrider from a strong brand, with full service history and low hours, typically costs 45-60 percent of new and has already taken the depreciation hit. This is where the smartest money in the market goes.
The bowriders that come up most often when readers ask us where to start.
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
15.5 ft fibreglass Bayliner bowrider with stern drive power — entry level pricing and a classic convertible bowrider layout.
US$26,000 - US$34,000 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
On the Water
A bowrider is not a cabin cruiser, yet plenty of owners spend nights aboard in sheltered anchorages and love it. With filler cushions, camper canvas and a small amount of planning, a day boat becomes a very comfortable floating tent. Look for a flat sleeping platform. Boats whose bow lounges level out with filler cushions, or whose rear seats fold into a full sun pad, give you two sleeping areas roughly the size of a double bed. Length helps: 6 m and above generally allows an adult to stretch out fully. Then look for camper canvas availability — a bimini with front, side and aft curtains that enclose the cockpit. This is the single feature that turns overnighting from an endurance test into a pleasure, keeping out dew, wind and insects. A boat with a factory camper option is far easier than retrofitting. Self-inflating camping mats over the cushions transform sleep quality and protect upholstery. Add sleeping bags or a fitted sheet set, plus a light blanket, because it gets cooler on the water than ashore. A portable toilet stowed under a seat, a 12 V fridge or good esky, LED lantern lighting on a second battery, insect screens, a small gas stove used on…
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