Best Bowrider Boats (Reviewed)

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· Updated June 22, 2026

From waterskiing to fishing to cruising in style, bowriders are incredibly versatile on account of the seating at the front. Their sporty look, comfortable seating, and snappy handling makes it an amazing type of boat for families & friends.

This guide has some of the best bowriders that you might consider for your lake house or summer paradise.

They include options that are big, small, versatile enough for tow sports and boats that have entertaining front and center.

Without further ado, let’s jump right into our list:

1. Yamaha 222XD Jet Boat

High Tech Wake Boat

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.

Things we like

✓ Surfpointe system with Wakeboosters for the best wake surfing experience
✓ Proven Yahama jet drive power is propless and makes a shallow draft
✓ DRiVE X gathers all speed and direction control (incl. Lateral thrust) to the wheel
✓ Great handling and fun to operate
✓ Speed programming to limit speed for younger drivers
✓ More seating and storage than most boats of its size
✓ Connext Touchscreen has great UX

Yamaha → Read the full review →

2. Bayliner VR6

Affordable Fun

The VR6 is popular because it appeals equally to watersport enthusiasts as much as families who want to do some fishing and cruising.

It might seem like a budget bowrider because of its price in the more affordable end of the market.

Bayliner has done a good job on production and the VR6 demonstrates a solid sterndrive vessel that handles reliably and does pretty well as a ski boat.

Things we like

✓ Accessible price points
✓ Versatile layout with plenty of seating, storage, and comfortable space to lounge
✓ Outboard power option appealing to saltwater boaters
✓ Sport model water sports
✓ A fishing model provides a good platform
✓ Increased build quality over previous Bayliner models

Things we don't like

✗ Limited engine choices
✗ Entry-level build quality and fit-and-finish

Bayliner → Read the full review →

3. Sea Ray SLX 350

Max Capacity & Tech

The SLX 350 is Sea Ray’s second-largest luxury deck boat. It is, more or less, the larger 400 with a much smaller cabin. For boat shoppers who know they won’t be overnighting, the SLX 350 is the biggest, top-of-the-line boat that offers maximum comfort and luxury for a day on the water. It’s available with twin Mercury sterndrives or Mercury Verado outboards.

The air conditioned cabin space in the 350 is cozy and offers a private area to change clothes. Sea Ray calls this the “day extender.” In practical terms, the television and cool air will keep the kids happy with their devices and provide lots of space to store your stuff.

You can overnight on it in a pinch, but it will probably feel like camping. For comfortable overnights, check out the larger SLX 400 or the Sundancer 370.

Things we like

✓ Enormous bow seating area with removable table and sun pad filler cushions
✓ Air-conditioned space to change or to escape the heat or rain
✓ Nicely appointed head with plumbed toilet
✓ Practical web bar with optional electric grill for dining and entertaining
✓ Cockpit seating around the table faces the prep area, bringing the cook into the conversation
✓ Submersible swim platform
✓ Lots of storage space

Things we don't like

✗ The thought of all those electronics failing

Sea Ray → Read the full review →

Bowrider Boats | Buyer’s Guide

Owning a bowrider is an excellent investment for the whole family but it’s also a very expensive one.

To help you make a smart purchase, we’ve prepared a guide with the main things to consider when buying a bowrider boat.

Here are some of the things to look out for when you go boat shopping:

Bowrider Boats Interior

Bowriders are usually made up of a bow seating area, two bucket seats at the cockpit, an L-shaped lounge or a rear bench in the aft cockpit section followed by a sunpad and a swim platform.

A couple of things to consider when choosing your bowrider are how big is your group and how much gear do you intend on bringing aboard?

Think about all your water toys, life jackets, towels, and all the boating essentials along with all the friends you plan on inviting.

This should help you decide how much space you need. Keep in mind that sterndrive models have less interior storage room than outboard ones.

Also, check if the bow area offers enough room to stretch out and enjoy the sun.

Other useful features to look out for are an adjustable captain’s chair with a flip-up bolster for a comfortable and clear view as well as a convenient walk-thru at the transom so you don’t have to step on the upholstery or constantly remove the seats every time you board.

Safety onboard Bowrider Boats

As you zip through the lake at high speeds, you need to think about the safety of your entire crew.

So the seats need to be not only comfortable but deep.

Likewise, grab rails should be easy to reach and resistant. If the bowrider comes standard with plastic grab rails, consider upgrading for the stainless-steel ones.

Outboards or Sterndrives?

The type of motor you choose will ultimately affect the type of boating you do, your storage space, the look of your boat as well as maintenance costs.

These are the main differences between outboards and sterndrives:

Outboard engines are mounted on the outside of the transom, hence the name outboards.

Because they’re located outside, they offer more interior storage space. Compared to sterndrives, they’re usually lighter and easier to work on. They also offer lower maintenance costs, especially if you’re a DIYer.

Also, because the prop and drive unit can be tilted completely out of the water, they’re great for shallow waters and sailing right up onto a sandy beach.

Now for the sterndrives.

Most common on bowriders and deck boats, a sterndrive motor is a hybrid of inboard and outboard motor.

The engine is mounted inboard and it is coupled through the transom to an outdrive unit which is installed on the stern below the waterline.

Since the engine is located inside, it does sacrifice interior storage space, but in turn, it offers a clean look for the transom as well as a more open swim platform.

Despite being heavier than an outboard engine, sterndrives are quieter and more fuel-efficient.

Now that you’ve got a good selection of the best bowrider boats on the market and a guide to help make an informed purchase, let us know in the comment section below your thoughts on bowriders.

We’re always happy to hear your stories!

Continue reading our Boat Reviews:

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FAQ

Are bowriders good in the ocean?

Just like pontoon boats, bowriders are primarily made for inland bodies of water such as lakes and rivers.

However, you can take your bowrider into the ocean. Many boaters actually do and larger models like the Monterey 385se thrive in the sea.

But before you tackle the big waves, get to know your boat first! Familiarize yourself with its capabilities as well as limitations.

Also, as a responsible sailor, keep an eye out for the weather conditions.

Lastly, if your bowrider isn’t between 21ft – 25ft long, it might not be a good idea to take it into the sea.

Who makes the best bowrider boat?

The best bowrider brands are Chaparral, Monterey, Sea Ray, Regal, and Four Winns.

What is the difference between a bowrider and a deck boat?

Both of them offer towing capacities for water sports and both of them represent a great choice for a family boat, but there are a couple of distinguishable differences between a bowrider and a deck boat.

Design

Deck boats have a wider and flatter hull design, which in turn offer more deck space – hence its name – as well as more stability.

More deck space means more seating area and storage capacity, one of the many reasons people often choose deck boats over bowriders.

Performance

Overall, bowriders offer better performance than deck boats.

They deliver sharper turns and a better ability to cut through the waves.

And because bowriders are lighter than deck boats, they’re also faster for the same horsepower.

What is a bowrider boat?

A bowrider often referred to as a runabout, is a type of boat with a V-shaped hull with open bow seating. They typically range from 17ft to 35ft and are usually designed for recreational purposes.

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