BOWRIDER USA | American Bowrider Boat Brands & Models

#1 · Fibreglass · Entry level

Bayliner

United States · since 1957

The highest-volume bowrider builder in the world, and the boat most families step into first.

Bayliner has sold more trailerable bowriders than any other builder on earth, and that scale is exactly why the brand matters. Parts are everywhere, dealers are everywhere, and a used Bayliner is the easiest bowrider to value because there are always dozens of comparable boats listed at once. The modern VR and DX series lean on outboard power, wide beams and deep bow lounges, while the older stern drive 175, 185 and 195 hulls still dominate the affordable end of the used market. Build quality is aimed squarely at value rather than luxury: expect vinyl rather than stitched leather, moulded liners rather than timber joinery, and a sensible list of options rather than a bespoke build sheet. What you do get is a forgiving hull, a genuinely family-friendly layout and the lowest cost of entry into fibreglass boating. For a first boat that will tow skiers on Saturday and carry six people to a sandbar on Sunday, Bayliner remains the default answer worldwide.

Outboard and stern drive · 6 models reviewed

VR4 VR5 VR6 DX2000 185 Bowrider

Bayliner bowriders

#2 · Fibreglass · Premium

Sea Ray

United States · since 1959

The benchmark premium production bowrider: better finish, quieter ride, stronger resale.

Sea Ray sits a clear step above the value brands in fit, finish and ride refinement, and it is the brand most owners upgrade to rather than away from. The SPX range covers the mainstream trailerable sizes from around 19 to 23 feet, while the SDX range moves into wide-beam, big-cockpit day boats that carry ten people without feeling crowded. Sea Ray hulls are known for tracking flat through a hard turn and for keeping spray down, which is why they are chosen so often by owners crossing open bays rather than pottering around a lake. Inside, the difference shows in small places: thicker upholstery foam, better drainage, deeper lockers, sensible hardware placement and helm layouts that still make sense after a long day. Resale is consistently among the strongest in the class, so the higher purchase price is partly recovered when you sell. For a family that wants one boat to cruise, tow and entertain, Sea Ray is the safe premium choice.

Outboard and stern drive · 4 models reviewed

SPX 190 SPX 210 SDX 250 SLX 230

Sea Ray bowriders

#3 · Fibreglass · Premium

Chaparral

United States · since 1965

Premium-feel bowriders with clever seating and one of the best ride reputations.

Chaparral's SSi and SSX ranges sit in the sweet spot between mainstream pricing and genuinely premium finish, and the brand has one of the strongest ride reputations in the bowrider world. Extended swim platforms, flip-up bolsters, wide walk-through transoms and deep bow lounges are noticeably better thought out than the class average, which matters when you are aboard for eight hours rather than one. The Extended V-Plane hull is a real talking point rather than marketing gloss: it lifts onto the plane at low speed and stays there, so towing skiers, wakeboarders and tubers at part throttle is far less fussy and fuel burn at cruise stays sensible. Chaparral also offers surf-capable versions with ballast and wake shaping, giving families one boat that cruises comfortably and still throws a rideable wave. Build quality shows in stainless hardware, closed-cell foam flotation and clean rigging behind the panels. Prices land below Cobalt but above the volume brands, which many owners consider the smartest money in the class.

Stern drive and outboard · 4 models reviewed

19 SSi 21 SSi 23 SSX 25 SURF

Chaparral bowriders

#4 · Fibreglass · Luxury

Cobalt Boats

United States · since 1968

The quality benchmark. Joinery, hardware and ride that owners describe as addictive.

Cobalt builds the bowrider that every other builder gets measured against. Hardware is heavier, upholstery is better stitched, hatches close with a satisfying thump, and the hulls are deliberately engineered for a soft, dry, quiet ride rather than a headline top speed. Walk a marina with an experienced owner and the Cobalt is the boat they point at. The R-series (R4, R6, R8) and the CS range are the models most people know, and all of them share obsessive detailing: hidden fasteners, upholstered lockers, drink holders that actually hold drinks at speed, and helm ergonomics that suit tall and short skippers alike. That attention costs money — a new Cobalt is priced with luxury European boats rather than volume American ones — but it also holds value stubbornly well, which makes a five-year-old example a genuinely sensible purchase. If your priority is long-term ownership rather than lowest entry price, and you want a bowrider that still feels tight after a decade of trailering, Cobalt is the target.

Stern drive and outboard · 4 models reviewed

R4 R6 R8 CS23

Cobalt Boats bowriders

#5 · Fibreglass · Mid range

Yamaha Boats

Japan / United States · since 1960s

The jet-drive bowrider: no propeller, huge swim platform, shallow-water friendly.

Yamaha's jet bowriders replace the stern drive or outboard with twin waterjets, and that single decision changes the whole boat. Removing the propeller is a genuine safety advantage around swimmers and a practical one in shallow water, where a jet boat will run over sandbars and weed that would ruin a prop. It also frees up the stern completely, giving Yamaha the flattest, largest and most usable swim platform in the bowrider class — the reason so many families with young kids end up buying one. The AR and SX ranges cover roughly 19 to 25 feet, with strong performance, excellent acceleration and clever storage under moulded liners. The trade-offs are honest: low-speed manoeuvring takes practice because thrust steers the boat rather than a rudder, and jets drink more fuel than an equivalent outboard at cruise. Against that, Yamaha reliability is excellent, service intervals are simple, and the boats are priced competitively against fibreglass rivals with far less standard equipment.

Twin jet propulsion · 4 models reviewed

SX195 AR195 SX210 252SD

Yamaha Boats bowriders

#6 · Fibreglass · Luxury

Regal

United States · since 1969

Family-owned builder with luxury-grade interiors in trailerable sizes.

Regal brought yacht-style finishing into the trailerable bowrider class, and the LX range is the clearest example: wrapped upholstery, hidden fasteners, soft-close lockers, powered sunpads and helm surfaces that would not look out of place on a cabin cruiser twice the price. The brand is still family owned, which shows in the consistency of the build and the willingness to keep supporting older models. FasTrac stepped hull bottoms are Regal's signature engineering feature, trapping air along the running surface to lift the boat earlier, hold a flatter attitude and reduce drag at cruise — worth real fuel savings over a season. Regal bowriders suit owners upgrading from a mainstream brand who want extra polish and a quieter ride without stepping up to a cabin boat or losing trailerability. They are heavier than value-brand rivals of the same length, which helps in chop but means you want a decent tow vehicle. Resale is solid, and well-kept examples sell quickly because supply is limited.

Stern drive and outboard · 4 models reviewed

LX2 LX4 LX6 2000 ES

Regal bowriders

#7 · Fibreglass · Luxury

Malibu Boats

United States · since 1982

The watersports specialist whose open-bow models double as premium family boats.

Malibu builds towboats first and family boats second, which is precisely why its open-bow models are so good at both. Ballast tanks, Surf Gate wave shaping, Power Wedge hull attitude control and precise cruise-control speed keeping are core engineering rather than bolt-on options, so the wake and the surf wave are shaped and repeatable instead of accidental. Around that performance core sits a genuinely premium interior: heated helm seats, tower-mounted speakers, gel-coat detailing and lockers designed around wet boards and vests. Inboard V-drive power puts the engine under the rear lounge, which frees the transom for a huge sunpad and swim platform but means the boat is heavier and thirstier than an equivalent outboard bowrider. If skiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing are the main event and family cruising is the bonus, an open-bow Malibu is the sharp end of the market. Resale is exceptional, with strong demand from surf-focused buyers keeping used prices high across Australia, the US and Europe.

Inboard direct drive and V-drive · 3 models reviewed

Response TXi 23 LSV Wakesetter 22 MXZ

Malibu Boats bowriders

#8 · Fibreglass · Mid range

Four Winns

United States · since 1962

Wide-beam bowriders with big cockpits and strong watersports credentials.

Four Winns has always chased interior volume, and the H-series (H1, H2, H4, H6) shows it: beam is carried well forward so the bow lounge is unusually roomy, freeboard is high enough to feel secure with kids aboard, and the cockpit swallows an esky, a tower and a full set of watersports gear without anyone tripping over it. The hulls are competent all-rounders — not the softest ride in the class, but stable at rest and predictable in a following sea, which is exactly what families notice. Optional tow pylons, ballast, surf systems and towers mean a Four Winns can be specified as a genuine watersports boat rather than a cruiser with a rope hook. Pricing sits mid-market, undercutting Cobalt and Regal while offering more standard equipment than the entry brands, and the outboard HD models have broadened the appeal in markets that prefer no engine box in the cockpit. Used examples are plentiful in North America and increasingly common in Europe.

Stern drive and outboard · 4 models reviewed

H1 H2 H4 HD Series

Four Winns bowriders

#9 · Fibreglass · Luxury

MasterCraft

United States · since 1968

Tournament towboat royalty whose open-bow models are premium family watersports boats.

MasterCraft made its name on tournament ski courses, and that heritage still defines the boats. The ProStar remains one of the finest slalom hulls ever built, while the X and NXT series bring surf and wakeboard capability into open-bow family layouts with ballast, Gen 2 Surf System wave shaping and hull attitude control. Everything about a MasterCraft is engineered around the rope: throttle response, wake cleanliness, speed control accuracy and the driver's line of sight to the skier. Around that sits an unapologetically premium interior, with sculpted seating, marine-grade audio, tower storage and finishing that stands up to constant wet use. Inboard power means the engine sits amidships or under the rear lounge, giving a clean transom and a huge sunpad but adding weight and fuel burn compared with an outboard bowrider. Prices are high new and stay high used, particularly for surf-capable models, so a MasterCraft is best viewed as a long-term watersports investment rather than a cheap way onto the water.

Inboard direct drive and V-drive · 4 models reviewed

ProStar NXT22 X24 XT22

MasterCraft bowriders

#10 · Fibreglass · Mid range

Crownline

United States · since 1991

Styling-led bowriders with distinctive hull graphics and FACT hull technology.

Crownline leans hard into sport-boat styling — swept hull graphics, aggressive windscreen rake and moulded detailing that makes the boats look faster than they are — but there is real engineering underneath. The FACT (Forward Accelerating Chine Technology) hull throws spray outward and down rather than up, which keeps the cockpit dry in a head sea and is the feature owners mention first. The E and SS ranges cover roughly 20 to 26 feet in both stern drive and outboard form, with big transom sunpads, wide walk-throughs and unusually generous in-floor ski lockers. Interiors are well finished for the price, sitting between the volume brands and the premium builders, and the helm layouts are cleanly laid out with proper instrument visibility. Crownline appeals to buyers who want the sport aesthetic without the Cobalt price, and because the brand is well represented on the American used market, second-hand examples represent strong value for money in the 10 to 15 year age band.

Stern drive and outboard · 4 models reviewed

E235 E255 215 SS 225 SS

Crownline bowriders

#11 · Fibreglass · Premium

Monterey

United States · since 1985

Quiet achiever with hand-laid hulls and a notably soft ride.

Monterey is the brand experienced buyers keep recommending and casual buyers keep overlooking. Hulls are hand laid with a focus on structural stiffness, and owners consistently report less rattle, squeak and flex than higher-volume brands after several seasons of trailering. The M-series bowriders favour long lounges, deep lockers and clean sightlines over gimmicks, which suits owners who spend whole days aboard rather than an hour at a time. Ride quality is a genuine strength: the hulls carry enough deadrise to knock the top off chop and enough weight to stay planted, so passengers in the bow are not punished when the afternoon breeze fills in. Fit-out sits at the premium end, with quality stainless, well-sealed hatches and upholstery that survives sun better than average. Both stern drive and outboard versions are offered, and because production volumes are modest, used examples tend to be well cared for by owners who chose the brand deliberately.

Stern drive and outboard · 4 models reviewed

M20 M22 M45 218SS

Monterey bowriders

#12 · Fibreglass · Entry level

Glastron

United States · since 1956

Long-running sport bowriders with aggressive styling at accessible prices.

Glastron has been building sport bowriders for seventy years and has one of the largest installed bases of any brand, which makes it a favourite of budget-conscious buyers. The GT and GTS ranges deliver sport-boat looks and the proven SSV hull at prices close to the value end of the market, and the styling has aged better than most — a fifteen-year-old GT still looks modern beside newer boats on the ramp. The SSV (Super Stable Vee) hull is designed for stability at rest and predictable handling under power rather than outright speed, which is exactly right for a family boat that spends half its day anchored. Interiors are functional rather than lavish: moulded liners, hard-wearing vinyl and sensible storage. Because so many were sold across North America and Europe, used Glastrons are among the cheapest ways into a fibreglass bowrider that does not look dated, and parts for the common Mercury and Volvo Penta packages are simple to find anywhere.

Stern drive and outboard · 3 models reviewed

GT 180 GT 205 GTS 245

Glastron bowriders

#13 · Fibreglass · Luxury

Nautique (Correct Craft)

United States · since 1925

The technology leader in surf and wake, with open-bow layouts that seat a crowd.

Nautique, built by Correct Craft since 1925, is the most technically advanced builder in the towboat world, and its open-bow models double as extremely capable family boats. Nautique Surf System wave shaping, LINC touchscreen control, electric ballast and now fully electric propulsion in the Super Air Nautique GS series put the brand at the front of the class for wave quality and drivability. Bow layouts are wide and deep, with wraparound seating that genuinely holds four adults, filler cushions and lockers sized for boards rather than an afterthought. The Ski Nautique remains a benchmark tournament slalom boat, while the G and GS models are the surf choice. Build quality is exceptional and so is the price: a new Nautique is among the most expensive trailerable boats you can buy, and used values reflect that with very slow depreciation. For families where wake surfing is a serious pursuit and budget allows, nothing else combines the same wave, finish and technology package.

Inboard V-drive and direct drive · 4 models reviewed

Ski Nautique G23 GS20 GS22

Nautique (Correct Craft) bowriders

#14 · Fibreglass · Entry level

Tahoe Boats

United States · since 1990s

High-volume value brand sold through the world's largest boat retail network.

Tahoe, part of the White River Marine Group that also owns Tracker and Nitro, is one of the highest-volume fibreglass bowrider brands in North America, and it competes directly with Bayliner on price. Models such as the T16, T18, 550 TS and 2150 deliver a big-feeling family boat with a bow lounge, walk-through screen, swim platform, ski locker and Mercury outboard or stern drive power at a keen entry price. The strength of the brand is its retail model: sold through Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, Tahoe boats come as complete packages with trailer, cover and warranty, which removes most of the guesswork for first-time buyers. Build is value-oriented — moulded liners, hard-wearing vinyl, simple hardware — but the hulls are stable, forgiving and perfectly capable on lakes, rivers and sheltered coastal water. Because so many are sold as packages, used Tahoes usually come with matched trailers and complete service records, which makes them easy and low-risk second-hand purchases.

Outboard and stern drive · 4 models reviewed

T18 T21 550 TS 2150

Tahoe Boats bowriders

#15 · Fibreglass · Entry level

Stingray Boats

United States · since 1979

Efficiency-focused bowriders with a patented hull that delivers big speed on small power.

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.

Stern drive and outboard · 3 models reviewed

191DC 198LX 212SC

Stingray Boats bowriders

#16 · Fibreglass · Luxury

Chris-Craft

United States · since 1874

Heritage American styling with teak, tumblehome and unmistakable classic lines.

Chris-Craft is the oldest name in American powerboating and the only major bowrider builder that leans into retro styling as its core identity. Launch and Catalina models pair modern GRP construction with tumblehome hull sides, teak decking, chrome hardware and low, elegant sheer lines that look like nothing else on the ramp. Underneath the nostalgia the boats are thoroughly current, with deep-V hulls, contemporary Mercury or Volvo Penta power and clever seating that converts from bow lounge to sunpad. Finish quality is genuinely luxury grade, particularly the joinery and the upholstery stitching, and buyers tend to keep the boats for a long time. The trade-off is practicality: teak needs maintenance, storage volume is smaller than a boxier modern bowrider of the same length, and prices are firmly premium. For owners who want a day boat that turns heads at a waterfront restaurant and still tows a skier competently, Chris-Craft occupies a niche the volume builders cannot touch.

Stern drive and outboard · 3 models reviewed

Launch 22 Launch 25 Catalina 26

Chris-Craft bowriders

#17 · Fibreglass · Mid range

Rinker

United States · since 1945

Family-run builder offering more standard equipment per dollar than most rivals.

Rinker has been building boats since 1945 and has always positioned itself as the value-for-equipment choice: a Captiva bowrider typically arrives with features that cost extra elsewhere, including cockpit carpet, ski lockers, upgraded stereo, bimini and swim platform hardware. Hulls are moderate deep-V designs tuned for stability and a dry ride rather than headline speed, and the boats feel solid because Rinker uses full fibreglass stringer grids and hand-laid laminate. The Captiva 21, 22 and 24 sizes are the mainstays, available in stern drive and increasingly in outboard form, and the layouts are generous — deep bow seating with proper backrests, wide walk-through and big transom sunpads. Interior finish is a step below Chaparral or Cobalt but comfortably above the entry brands. On the used market Rinker offers strong value because brand recognition is lower than Sea Ray, and there is a healthy supply from the 2000s and 2010s in North America and Europe.

Stern drive and outboard · 3 models reviewed

Captiva 212 Captiva 226 QX21

Rinker bowriders

#18 · Fibreglass · Budget used

Maxum

United States · since 1988

Discontinued Brunswick brand that remains one of the best-value used bowriders anywhere.

Maxum was Brunswick's mid-market sport boat brand, sitting between Bayliner and Sea Ray, and although production ended in 2009 the boats remain everywhere on the used market. That makes Maxum one of the cheapest routes into a well-equipped fibreglass bowrider. Models such as the 1800 SR, 1900 SR and 2100 SR3 offered wide beams, deep cockpits, decent upholstery and mainstream MerCruiser stern drive power, and they shared much of their engineering with Sea Ray hulls of the same era. Because the brand no longer exists, badge value is low, which is exactly why buyers get so much boat for the money — but parts are not a problem, since the engines, drives, hardware and trim were common Brunswick components still supported today. Condition is everything: check stringers, transom and floor for moisture, and budget for bellows and gimbal service. Get a sound one and a Maxum delivers 90 percent of the family boating experience for half the price of a current model.

Stern drive · 3 models reviewed

1800 SR 1900 SR 2100 SR3

Maxum bowriders

#19 · Fibreglass · Mid range

Scarab Jet Boats

United States · since 1970s

Rotax-powered jet bowriders with bold graphics and an obstruction-free swim platform.

Scarab is the main alternative to Yamaha in the jet bowrider segment, using Rotax engines and a distinctive, heavily styled hull with bold graphic packages that appeal to younger buyers. Like all jet boats, the appeal starts at the stern: no propeller, no drive leg and a completely flat, unobstructed swim platform, which is a major safety and convenience advantage for families with kids and dogs. Draft is shallow, so sandbars, weed beds and shelving beaches are far less intimidating than in a stern drive boat. Scarab offers a wide model range from 165 to 255 with single or twin engines, and higher-output versions are genuinely quick. Handling takes some learning at idle because thrust does the steering, and fuel consumption is higher than an equivalent outboard, but the boats are simple to service and there is no drive leg to corrode or bellows to replace. Pricing is competitive, and used examples represent good value against fibreglass rivals.

Twin jet propulsion · 3 models reviewed

195 ID 215 ID 255 Open

Scarab Jet Boats bowriders

#20 · Fibreglass · Budget used

Larson

United States · since 1913

Century-old American brand whose LX and LXi bowriders are used-market bargains.

Larson dates back to 1913 and produced bowriders in enormous numbers through the 1990s and 2000s before production wound down, leaving a deep pool of affordable used boats. The LX and LXi ranges are the ones most buyers encounter: 17 to 23 foot family bowriders with the Delta Conic hull, a distinctive design combining a deep entry with flatter aft sections for stability at rest and quick planing. Owners consistently praise the ride and the amount of usable space, and the hulls were built with Larson's own moulded stringer system, which resists the rot problems that plague timber-cored competitors of the same age. Fit-out is straightforward and durable rather than luxurious. As with any older stern drive boat, the purchase decision comes down to survey rather than badge: check the transom, the floor and the drive service history. A well-kept Larson LXi is one of the most boat-for-money propositions in the entire bowrider market today.

Stern drive and outboard · 3 models reviewed

LX 195 LXi 208 LX 225

Larson bowriders

#21 · Aluminium · Mid range

Starcraft Marine

United States · since 1903

American aluminium deck and bowrider builder with a 120-year manufacturing history.

Starcraft has been building aluminium boats since 1903 and is one of the few American brands offering true alloy bowriders rather than fibreglass. The MDX and SVX ranges combine welded aluminium hulls with fibreglass-style fit-out — moulded consoles, wraparound bow seating, snap-in carpet and full upholstery — so the boats look and feel like a conventional bowrider while weighing less and shrugging off dock and ramp knocks. Aluminium also means no gel coat to oxidise and no fibreglass laminate to absorb moisture, which is a genuine long-term ownership advantage in northern climates where boats sit through hard winters. Layouts are family-focused with deep bow lounges, walk-through screens and generous storage under the seating, and Mercury outboard power keeps the cockpit free of an engine box. Starcraft is best known in the American Midwest and Great Lakes region, where trailerable alloy boats dominate, and used examples are plentiful and inexpensive relative to fibreglass equivalents of the same size.

Outboard · 3 models reviewed

MDX 191 SVX 191 MDX 211

Starcraft Marine bowriders

#22 · Aluminium · Mid range

Crestliner

United States · since 1946

Heavy-gauge welded aluminium runabouts and bowriders built for hard freshwater use.

Crestliner builds some of the heaviest-gauge aluminium hulls in the American market, using a one-piece welded design with a full-length extruded keel that resists the oil-canning and flex of lighter pressed alloy boats. The result is a bowrider that feels solid underfoot and takes rocky ramps, log strikes and winter storage without complaint. The Vision and Rally series carry conventional bowrider layouts — padded bow seating with removable cushions for casting, walk-through screen, swivel helm chairs and a rear bench over dry storage — while retaining the fishing utility that Crestliner's freshwater buyers demand, including livewells and rod storage on some models. Mercury outboard power is standard, keeping weight aft manageable and maintenance simple. Crestliner's strength is durability rather than luxury: interiors are practical, and the boats are designed to be hosed out. For families who fish as much as they cruise and want a hull that will still be sound in twenty-five years, Crestliner is a compelling aluminium option.

Outboard · 3 models reviewed

Vision 1600 Rally 1650 Vision 1700

Crestliner bowriders

#23 · Fibreglass · Premium

Bryant Boats

United States · since 1961

Small-volume Tennessee builder with a cult reputation for build quality and ride.

Bryant is one of American boating's best-kept secrets: a small, family-run Tennessee builder producing a few hundred bowriders a year to a standard that rivals Cobalt. Every hull is hand laid with vinylester barrier coats and a fully bonded fibreglass stringer grid, and the company's twin-step hull designs on models like the Calandra and Surf deliver a notably efficient, flat-riding platform that owners describe as feeling larger than its measured length. Interiors are properly detailed — upholstered lockers, stitched vinyl, quality stainless and thoughtful storage for wet gear — and Bryant offers surf and ballast packages that make the boats credible watersports platforms as well as cruisers. Because volumes are low, dealer coverage is thin outside the eastern United States and used examples come up rarely, which keeps prices firm. For buyers who research the class properly and want premium build without the biggest badge premium, Bryant is consistently the brand that comes up in owner forum discussions as the smart alternative.

Stern drive · 3 models reviewed

Calandra Surf 210 Sportif 233

Bryant Boats bowriders

#24 · Aluminium · Entry level

Lowe Boats

United States · since 1971

Affordable American aluminium bowriders and deck boats for lakes and rivers.

Lowe is the budget aluminium specialist of the Brunswick stable, and its SS and Stinger bowrider-style models are among the cheapest new family boats available anywhere with a factory warranty and trailer package. Hulls are all-welded aluminium with foam flotation, and the boats are deliberately light so that a small SUV or even a mid-size sedan can tow the smaller sizes. Layouts follow the bowrider template with forward seating, a walk-through windscreen, a helm console and a rear bench, and many models retain fishing features such as rod holders and livewells because Lowe's core market fishes as often as it cruises. Fit-out is basic — painted alloy, vinyl seating, simple gauges — but everything is easy to clean, easy to repair and inexpensive to replace. For a first family boat on a lake or river, or a knockabout tender for a lakeside cabin, Lowe delivers the practical essentials of bowrider boating at the lowest possible cost of ownership.

Outboard · 3 models reviewed

SS 160 SS 190 Stinger 175

Lowe Boats bowriders

#25 · Aluminium · Entry level

Smoker Craft

United States · since 1957

Family-owned Indiana builder producing versatile alloy fish-and-cruise bowriders.

Smoker Craft is a family-owned Indiana builder that has been producing aluminium boats for nearly seventy years, and its Pro Angler, Ultima and Sunchaser lines include several genuine bowrider layouts. The company's speciality is the fish-and-cruise compromise: a boat with proper padded bow seating and a walk-through screen for family days, but with removable cushions, rod storage, livewells and casting decks so it converts to a fishing platform in minutes. Hulls are riveted or welded depending on model, with foam flotation and reinforced transoms, and the boats are light enough to tow easily behind a mid-size vehicle. Interiors are practical and hard-wearing rather than plush. Smoker Craft's strength is choice — the catalogue is unusually broad for a builder of its size — and value, with new package prices that undercut fibreglass equivalents substantially. On the used market they are inexpensive, durable and easy to repair, which makes them popular with families buying their first boat outright.

Outboard · 3 models reviewed

Ultima 172 Pro Angler 161 Sunchaser 820

Smoker Craft bowriders

American Bowrider Boat Manufacturers

Bowrider Boats Made in United States

Main Manufacturing Regions and Outlets

Bayliner

Sea Ray

Chaparral

Cobalt Boats

Yamaha Boats

Regal

Malibu Boats

Four Winns

MasterCraft

Crownline

Monterey

Glastron

Nautique (Correct Craft)

Tahoe Boats

Stingray Boats

Chris-Craft

Rinker

Maxum

Scarab Jet Boats

Larson

Starcraft Marine

Crestliner

Bryant Boats

Lowe Boats

Smoker Craft

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