Materials & Sizes
Every length on this site is given in both feet and metres, because boat sizing is one of the few areas where the whole world genuinely uses both. Here is what each size band actually gives you.
Bowrider lengths from 16 ft to 28 ft in feet and metres, with capacity, towing weight and the right use case for each size band.
The bowriders that come up most often when readers ask us where to start.
The world's best-selling bowrider size, in its most accessible form: 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
The previous-generation classic. Millions of families learned to boat in one of these.
US$8,000 - US$22,000 used
Four to six people, 90-115 hp, and a trailer weight most family cars can tow. Perfect for lakes, rivers and sheltered estuaries. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, easy to store, and the boat most first-time owners should consider.
The heart of the market. Seven to ten people, 115-250 hp, and enough hull to handle a moderate chop. Tows behind a mid-size SUV. This size band accounts for the majority of bowriders sold worldwide.
Ten to twelve people, 250-350 hp, and a genuinely capable open-water hull. You will want a full-size tow vehicle and a tandem trailer. This is where wide-beam social layouts and refreshment centres appear.
Twelve to fifteen people, often twin outboards, and marina berthing rather than trailering for most owners. These are day boats rather than runabouts, with galley modules, heads and serious range.
