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How You'll Use It
For a lot of owners the boat never tows anything and never catches a fish. It anchors somewhere beautiful with music playing and a cooler full of drinks, and that is a completely valid way to use a bowrider.
Sandbar days, sunset cruises and lunch at anchor. How to choose and set up a bowrider for pure leisure boating.
Prioritise beam over length. A wide 22 ft (6.71 m) boat with a full 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) beam has far more usable lounging area than a narrow 24 ft (7.32 m) hull.
Look for filler cushions that convert the cockpit into a continuous sun bed, an extended swim platform, and a transom that converts to aft-facing seating.
Shade first: a bimini or T-top changes how long people stay aboard. Then a good chiller, a freshwater transom shower, a boarding ladder that reaches deep, and an audio system that sounds good at anchor rather than only at speed.
Underwater lighting is a gimmick right up until you use it at dusk in clear water, at which point it is the best money you spent.
These are the bowriders our reviewers reach for when leisure 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
Fifty thousand is a genuinely useful bowrider budget. It buys a new boat with a warranty, a nearly new mid-size boat, or a large premium boat a decade old. Which route gives you the best boat depends on how much maintenance risk you are willing to carry. At this level, new means entry-level: aluminium bowriders around 4.8-5.5 m with 90-115 hp outboards, or the smallest fibreglass models from mainstream builders with modest sterndrive or outboard power. Trailer, basic bimini and a simple sound system typically fit inside the figure. You get a warranty, dealer support and zero unknown history — real value for first-time buyers. What you sacrifice is size and equipment: expect vinyl floors, manual canvas, single-battery wiring and few luxury touches. Two to five years old is where the budget stretches furthest. The same money buys a 5.8-6.4 m boat with 150-200 hp, a better-finished interior, a decent bimini, upgraded upholstery and often remaining warranty on the engine. Depreciation has already taken its biggest bite, reliability is still high, and the trailer, cover and safety gear are usually included. For most families this is the smartest fifty thousand in the market. The same budget also buys a ten-to-fifteen-year-old premium bowrider of 7 m…
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