Upgrading Bow Rider Boat
Discussion
Hi
Looking for some advice please.
I have an old 18ft bow rider with outboard and thinking about upgrading to something newer.
I like the style of the master craft boats, particularly like the wrap around benches inside.
Use the current boat of waterskiiing but also fishing and just chilling - Will a mastercraft be ok for this?
Tend to use it on the sea, but only on nice days.
Or could I install a new seating arrangement into a newer bow rider (a bayliner or regal etc)?
Only use it 10 times a year so really don’t want to be blowing £70+k if I can avoid it.
Are there any other boats I should look at, given it only goes in the sea?
Cheers
Looking for some advice please.
I have an old 18ft bow rider with outboard and thinking about upgrading to something newer.
I like the style of the master craft boats, particularly like the wrap around benches inside.
Use the current boat of waterskiiing but also fishing and just chilling - Will a mastercraft be ok for this?
Tend to use it on the sea, but only on nice days.
Or could I install a new seating arrangement into a newer bow rider (a bayliner or regal etc)?
Only use it 10 times a year so really don’t want to be blowing £70+k if I can avoid it.
Are there any other boats I should look at, given it only goes in the sea?
Cheers
Wakeboats are pretty hopeless on choppy water and lethal in swells. Don't let the manufacturer/salesteam say otherwise. They have little to no deadrise.
About the only decent wakeboat for open waters I've ridden behind was a Nautique G23 (check out the chines on them). These are truly massive boats and very expensive though!
I took my newish Malibu VLX22 on Sydney harbour once (enclosed waters), never again!
I'd look for a larger bowrider.
PS.. fishing hooks, in the hands of kids, make a real mess of boat upholstery
About the only decent wakeboat for open waters I've ridden behind was a Nautique G23 (check out the chines on them). These are truly massive boats and very expensive though!
I took my newish Malibu VLX22 on Sydney harbour once (enclosed waters), never again!
I'd look for a larger bowrider.
PS.. fishing hooks, in the hands of kids, make a real mess of boat upholstery
I love Mastercraft's but not a chance I would get in one on the sea, just no. Perfect for a lake or river.
We are on the Solent and it's rarely totally flat calm. We had a rib for 10 years and loved it but the kids and wife wanted something a little drier and with a table!
We upgraded about 18 months ago and bought a Monterey 224 FSC. We find the cuddy more useful than the additional seating in a bow rider and find we have plenty of seating.
Excuse the pic of me with no top on, I wanted to show you the seating layout!
We are on the Solent and it's rarely totally flat calm. We had a rib for 10 years and loved it but the kids and wife wanted something a little drier and with a table!
We upgraded about 18 months ago and bought a Monterey 224 FSC. We find the cuddy more useful than the additional seating in a bow rider and find we have plenty of seating.
Excuse the pic of me with no top on, I wanted to show you the seating layout!
Im a little surprised on the comments on Mastercrafts and sea use. But I understand the sentiment.
I've got about 1000 hours on them in the sea. Mostly in the med and a fair bit in North Wales as well. A fair bit in windy conditions and with large super yacht traffic about.
The bow rider wakeboard or crossover boats have much more freeboard than the old water ski closed bow boats. Obviously there not going to handle swell like a rib. But they all have an optimal bow up position at a certain speed. So if its rough or you have a wake from a huge ship to deal with you just have to drive them at around 10 to 12 knots and that keeps the bow up. The power and weight of them can then smash through a lot. They are very heavy and have a lot of torque. But it takes experiance to drive them well. They are not as easy to maneuver as a stern drive without experience & thought.
If you like watersking or towing any toys then nothing else comes close. A stern drive just doesnt cut it.
Ive spent time working with Mastercrafts and Nautiques. Nautique would be preference. The 210 is my favourite. I dont know much about the newer stuff apart from the insane price of them. For sea use you must have a closed cooling system fitted or as a factory option.
Ive also had a few stern drive boats.
I've got about 1000 hours on them in the sea. Mostly in the med and a fair bit in North Wales as well. A fair bit in windy conditions and with large super yacht traffic about.
The bow rider wakeboard or crossover boats have much more freeboard than the old water ski closed bow boats. Obviously there not going to handle swell like a rib. But they all have an optimal bow up position at a certain speed. So if its rough or you have a wake from a huge ship to deal with you just have to drive them at around 10 to 12 knots and that keeps the bow up. The power and weight of them can then smash through a lot. They are very heavy and have a lot of torque. But it takes experiance to drive them well. They are not as easy to maneuver as a stern drive without experience & thought.
If you like watersking or towing any toys then nothing else comes close. A stern drive just doesnt cut it.
Ive spent time working with Mastercrafts and Nautiques. Nautique would be preference. The 210 is my favourite. I dont know much about the newer stuff apart from the insane price of them. For sea use you must have a closed cooling system fitted or as a factory option.
Ive also had a few stern drive boats.
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