14 Best Bowrider Boats in 2023 | Buyer’s Guide

When Sea Ray designed the SLX 350 they thought of everything… and then some, taking the large bow rider standard to the luxury level. It is almost unfair to call this 34 foot, 18 passenger boat a “bow rider.”

This boat was built to meet Yacht Certification standards while providing the most relaxing and entertaining user experience possible.

When Sea Ray released the SLX line in 2014 and subsequent models, they pushed the limits of what recreational boating looked like compared to what the competition was producing.

The Yamaha 222XD is the company’s smallest wake-series boat that comes with the impressive DRiVE technology package. The drive-by-wire Yamaha jet drives can be easily controlled at low power for close-quarters handling and docking. But, as fun as this little boat is to drive, the beauty of the machine is more evident in its SurfPointe wake surf system. It includes internal ballast tanks, electrically-actuated Wakeboosters, and rider-specific programmable presets using the 12.3-inch Connext touchscreen.

Make the most out of your time on the water with the versatile Yamaha SX210. Whether you want to relax, entertain or go water tubing, this bowrider has got you covered. Wakeboarders will also rejoice with this model.

It features a beautiful and sporty windshield, a spacious and comfortable bow and cockpit, dual captain’s bucket chairs with flip-up bolsters, an Infinity Bluetooth sound system, a removable cooler, a center walk-thru at the transom for easy boarding, and loads of storage room.

But the star of this boat is hands down, the two-tiered swim platform at the stern. A nice hangout area with upholstered cushioned backrests so you can sit back and enjoy the sun while the kids go for a swim. For even more convenience and fun, just add the removable dinette table and the party is complete.

An exclusive feature to the Yamahas is their articulating keel system, which gives the boat amazing tracking with great turning performance.

Missing is the tower for water sports. For an extra $2,500 you can get the 212s model, which is similar in many ways and includes the tower.

Equipped with a pair of TR1 HO inboard motors, the Yamaha SX210 reaches a top speed of 43.8 mph.

If you’ve been boat shopping for a while, you probably realize how hard it is to find a vessel that ticks all the boxes. One of the biggest problems boat buyers face is how varied each boat is. Knowing a boat well requires courtship and a period of testing things out.

Furthermore, it’s always a dilemma picking between the available options and weighing them against your needs, wants, and budget.

Enter the Bayliner VR6, which solves many problems for many boaters–or wannabe boaters, as it were. This boat combines unique design characteristics, well-thought-out layouts, and multiple power options to provide a great vessel. But it’s the price that is very surprising and sure to appeal to folks who may have been certain they were in the market for only a used vessel.

Let’s dive in and look at the fabulous VR6 Bowrider and VR6 Outboard from Bayliner.

With an emphasis on luxury and performance, the Formula 240 Bowrider blends sport boat handling with upscale features in a sleek, compact, and easily trailerable package that will certainly turn heads around the lake.

The bow of the boat features a concealed beach ladder as well as plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the sun. The cockpit offers a versatile and comfortable seating layout, including the captain’s chair which is double-wide. Simply flip the seat’s backrest to any position you desire.

The molded fiberglass helm station comes with all your standard features as well as a Clarion stereo system. And if entertaining is your thing, the 240 Bowrider comes with a removable cockpit table as well as a removable cooler. The molded cockpit wetbar and the stainless-steel sink are optional.

The aft section offers a double-wide full-length sun lounge with an angled backrest so you can watch the kids swim from the extended swim platform. Ski and wakeboard rack integrated into the tower supports means keeping plenty room for lounging.

Powered by a single 430 horsepower MerCruiser 8.2, the Formula 240 Bowrider reaches a top speed of 53.6 mph.

Simple yet comfortable and functional, the Tahoe 210S offers all the amenities to make your day on the water fun and full of great memories.

The bow comes with your standard lounge seating with ample storage below while the cockpit offers adjustable twin bucket seats, plenty of storage to keep your valuables secure and dry, and a Kicker stereo system with Bluetooth and MP3 capability.

The back of the boat features a comfortable U-shaped lounge with a remarkable aft storage compartment that makes one wonder why it wasn’t done before. An extended swim platform with a ski tow ring for the wakeboarder and water sports enthusiasts and a padded sundeck with an adjustable folding backrest for the sunbathers rounds out this gem.

Powered by a 225 horsepower Mercury FourStroke in different possible configurations, the Tahoe 210S will reach speeds over 55 mph.

Bryant Boats is a U.S. company with a growing footprint in the commercial boating industry and is known for their production of sterndrive runabout class vessels. Their 30 feet bowrider, the Calandra 27, is a model that keeps getting updated, for good reason.

Its wide-open deck makes moving from the bow to the stern a breeze. Lots of seating and storage mean a comfortable trip and nothing to block walkways. There’s plenty of horsepower available to push a sleek, solid design. The Calandra 27 is made for cruising, fishing, skiing and a host of other activities on the water.

When it comes to delivering great performance while also offering loads of creature comforts, it’s hard to beat the Regal OBX 21.

Its FasTrac hull design provides the captain with more control on the water as well as up to 26% faster speeds and 30% better fuel efficiency.

Equipped with a Yamaha F150 outboard motor, the Regal OBX 21 delivers a top speed of 43 mph.

A few highlights of this bowrider include a large sunpad at the stern, a transom walk-thru for easy access, a Fusion Bluetooth stereo system, and two 25-quart coolers enough to fit all your food and drinks.

The seats were designed with premium hand-stitched upholstery and tons of storage can be found below them.

Boaters seeking a fast and economical bowrider should definitely check out the Stingray 198 LX. It might not be the biggest runabout on the market, but great things also come in small packages.

It boasts a very minimal interior design with your standard bow lounge seating, two swivelling bucket seats in the cockpit, a large aft seat and an equally large sunpad.

It also comes with an extended swim platform, two built-in coolers with drain and a Fusion stereo system. You’ll have to spring a little extra for a ski tow system.

It features a Z-Plane hull design with overlapping planes and a notched transom that minimizes drag by allowing the drive to be mounted higher. This combination rewards the 198 LX with high performance and plenty of speed.

Powered by a 220 horsepower MerCruiser 4.3L, the Stingray 198LX reaches a top speed of nearly 60 mph, which is not only impressive for a 4.3-liter engine but also quite economical.

Next on our list is a bowrider that hits it out of the park when it comes to combining style, luxury, and performance.

From the cushioned and coated leather and vinyl upholstery to the varnished mahogany steering wheel, every detail on the Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT is of finest quality and materials.

It features Chris-Craft trademark Tumblehome design with a deep V bottom and a flared bow complemented by the striking lines of the stainless-steel windshield.

Some standard features of this boat include a 10” Garmin display navigation screen with CZone digital switching with all the information you need right at your fingertips, a Fusion stereo system with amp and subwoofer, a spacious and versatile sunpad that can be converted into an aft-facing lounge, and for the thrill-seekers, a stainless-steel ski tow.

Ideal for entry-level buyers and for those on a budget, the Bayliner Element E16 is as simple as it gets. Shorter than others on this list it does get the job done and offers countless hours of fun on the water.

Its interior is very basic so depending on your necessities you might need to add a couple of their optional upgrades including a waterproof stereo system, a removable cooler, a Bimini top for some shade and the ski tow bar or wakeboard rack for water sports.

It features an M-shaped hull which puts the E16 on plane right out of the hole and maintains level flotation at rest and through turns. Equipped with a 60 horsepower Mercury, the Bayliner Element E16 reaches a top speed of 31 mph.

Equipped with a 60 horsepower Mercury, the Bayliner Element E16 reaches a top speed of 31 mph.

Raising the bar for quality, comfort, performance and above all, sophistication, the Monterey 385 SE is far from your ordinary bowrider. Its price-tag can be quite intimidating, but once you see all the amenities it has to offer, you’ll understand why it is well worth the investment.

High-end touches and attention to detail extend from the bow to the stern to the cabin below. It almost defies the bowrider category.

Starting at the bow, you’ll find a spacious and comfortable seating area with grab rails all around it for a more secure ride. A few standards of this section include a cocktail table, a stereo remote control, and a filler cushion to make it into an expansive sunpad.

The aft cockpit area with its L-shaped lounge is big enough for large groups. And in the cockpit, you’ll find everything you need to keep your family and friends entertained. Standard features include a cockpit table, a wet bar with a sink, a refrigerator as well as two removable coolers.

Once the sun has set or the captain needs a few hours of rest, you’ll find comfortable and functional overnight accommodations below decks. Apart from the large berth, it also comes with a couch, a 40” flat-screen LED TV, a Blu-Ray player, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a Fusion stereo system.

Still below decks but on the port side, you’ll find a large head compartment with a sink, a shower, and a flushing china head.

The helm station comes fitted with all your standard features as well as an adjustable double-wide captain’s chair and the Optimus 360 power steering with a joystick.

Equipped with a Triple Yamaha 300HP outboard motor system, the Monterey 385SE reaches a top speed of 57 mph.

With seating for up to nine people, a solid construction, and loads of comfort the Four Winns Horizon 190 presents great value along with all the amenities to make time on the water fun and special.

Ideal for entry-level boaters and small families, the H190 comes with dual captain’s bucket seats with flip-up bolsters, a Clarion sound system, a rear bench seat with a built-in self-draining cooler, a full-width sunpad that can also be converted into two aft-facing seats, and a nice and extended swim platform.

Powered by a 4.3L MerCruiser, the Four Winns H190 runs at a top speed of 46.5 mph.

Feature-filled and ready for action, the Scout 215 Dorado mixes performance with class and offers fishing aficionados the perfect package for a good time on the water.

As this is mainly a fishing bowrider, it comes standard with an aerated baitwell with high-speed pickup, four rod holders as well as an under gunnel rod storage.

Additionally, the Scout 215 Dorado boasts two adjustable captain’s chairs, a stainless-steel steering wheel with a knob, a Fusion Bluetooth stereo system, an innovative folding transom seat, and dual swim platforms.

But without a doubt, the most beautiful feature of this runabout is the frameless wrap-around windshield that gives it a racy sleek look.

Built with impressive quality and attention to detail, the Chaparral 21 SSi offers great performance, fuel efficiency, and a boatload of amenities that boaters of all kinds will certainly enjoy.

It features thick but soft luxury upholstery, two bucket seats with flip-up bolsters, a rear bench seat, a 70-quart built-in cooler, a multi-position sunpad, and an extended swim platform.

Powered by a 240 horsepower Volvo Penta V6, the Chaparral 21 SSi reaches a top speed of 48.8 mph.

Cruise in style aboard the Cobalt 200S. This sporty runabout may be small in size but still carries all the amenities for a fun day out with the family.

The “S” in the name stands for the optional sport seating layout in the cockpit. You can adjust the backrest to a rear-facing lounge or fully recline it for a sunpad.

At the stern, you’ll find another versatile and comfortable sunpad, a removable cooler, and an extended swim platform, which comes with Cobalt’s signature, the flip-down swim step for easy water access.

Powered by a 225 horsepower Volvo Penta V8, the Cobalt 200S reaches a top speed of 44.2 mph.

Sleek design, great performance, and plenty of room for the whole family, the Sea Ray SPX 210 packs all the features many boaters crave without breaking the bank.

The spacious cockpit area comes with dual captain’s bucket seats with flip-up bolsters, an L-shaped bench seat, a Fusion stereo system, abundant storage, a removable cooler as well as a wet storage compartment with draining capacity that can be used as an additional cooler space.

At the stern, you’ll find an extended swim platform with a versatile and large sunpad that can be converted into an aft-facing seat so you can watch the kids swim.

In case you opt for the sterndrive model, the open swim platform becomes a nice and roomy hangout area.

Powered by a Mercury 200 FourStroke outboard, the Sea Ray SPX 210 reaches a top speed of 50 mph and is easy to drive.