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Bowriders are the perfect choice for families, and the reason comes down to arithmetic. Everyone gets a seat, everyone gets a view, and everyone gets something to do.
Why bowriders are the best family boat: seating for seven or more, safe layouts, storage for everyone's gear and the flexibility to keep the whole family interested.
A 20-22 ft (6.10-6.71 m) bowrider carries eight to ten people comfortably. Two in the bow lounges, two at the helm, and four to six across the cockpit and transom. Nobody sits on the floor.
Deep lockers under every seat swallow towels, jackets, snacks and toys, so the cockpit stays clear and safe underfoot.
High bow coamings, grab rails on both sides of the walkthrough and non-slip decks are standard on modern boats. Look for a boarding ladder that deploys from the water, and consider a jet-drive model like the Yamaha SX210 if young swimmers are the priority.
A tow pylon or tow eye rated for the boat, plus enough lifejacket storage for the full capacity, should be on the checklist before you buy.
The reason families keep bowriders longer than other boats is that the boat adapts. Teenagers want to be towed, grandparents want shade and a seat, one parent wants to fish at dawn. One hull does all of it.
Add a bimini for shade, a chiller box for food and drinks, and a decent stereo, and you have a boat that gets used every weekend rather than once a month.
These are the bowriders our reviewers reach for when family is the priority. Every one keeps the three-zone lounge layout intact.
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
Sea Ray's entry point, and the most refined 19-footer in the class. Premium finish in a size anything can tow.
US$45,000 - US$62,000 new
A 20-foot deck-boat-width bowrider with outboard power and a huge social cockpit.
US$42,000 - US$58,000 new
The previous-generation classic. Millions of families learned to boat in one of these.
US$8,000 - US$22,000 used
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
Family boating rewards getting size right more than any other use. Too small and half the family sits uncomfortably; too big and the boat becomes a logistical project you use less often. Here is what each size band actually delivers. This size is the easiest boat to own. It tows behind a family SUV, fits in a garage, launches solo and costs the least to run. Four to six people fit, which suits a family of four with room for a friend. The limits appear in rough water and on longer trips. Light hulls of this length get bounced by a chop, and a full load slows the boat noticeably. For lakes, rivers, calm bays and short outings it is often the most-used boat in a family's history. This is where most families end up, and for good reason. Six to eight people fit comfortably, the hull has enough weight and deadrise to handle a seabreeze chop, and the boat still tows behind a mid-size SUV and fits on a single-axle or light tandem trailer. It is also the deepest part of the used market, which means better choice when buying and easier selling later. Bow lounges are long enough for adults, rear seating usually…
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