Best Bowrider Boat Brands for Every Boater

There are a million and one bowriders for sale at any given time, mostly because small bowrider boats are some of the most popular recreational watercraft on the face of the planet. There are also many different sub-classes of this genre, since virtually any boat with a bow cockpit that has seating counts as a bowrider. But with so many choices it can be overwhelming to try and choose the best bowrider boats from among this vast crowd. Let’s sort the wheat from the chaff and take a look at some of the best bowrider boat brands you’re likely to come across as you try to find the perfect boat for you and your family.

Best Bowrider Boat Brands

We want to point out right from the start that different bowriders and different bowrider boat brands will be “best” for different people. Varying factors like finances, deck layout, luxury level, and more all come into play, and different people will have different priorities. I may like watersports, for example, and place a lot of emphasis on performance and watersports gear like elevated tow-bits or wakeboard racks. You may be an angler and want a bowrider that also has fishing rod holders. So, what exactly constitutes “best” will vary from person to person. 

That said, there are certainly a few prerequisites every boat should meet no matter who’s doing the judging. Solid and safe construction and reliable performance, just to name a few. Here are some top picks in some different categories that could all arguably be called the best bowrider boats by meeting and exceeding just about anyone’s standards.

Luxury Bowrider Boat Brands

Chris-Craft

The Chris-Craft brand has been around for far well over a century, and today’s Chris-Craft builds two series of uber-luxurious bowriders called the Calypso and the Launch. Launch models range from 27 to 35 feet and feature extensive aft-facing sunpads and loungers in the stern, while the Calypso line runs from 24 to 32 feet, has forward-facing seating along the transom, and includes some integrated fishing and watersports accessories. In both cases, the fit and finish of the Chris-Craft bowriders is a stand-out feature. They’re virtually flawless and truly a sight to behold.

Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT: You’ll have a tough time finding another bowrider of this size with the same luxury level. The Launch 25 GT can be outfitted with goodies like refrigerator drawers that slide out from under the seats, a remote-controlled windlass, and a top that folds and deploys with the press of a button. There’s also a Wake Surf Edition that comes powered with Forward Drive for watersports enthusiasts.

Chris Craft Launch 25 GT. Chris Craft Boats photo

Cobalt

If you appreciate a luxury bowrider that gleams like a gem, be sure to check out Cobalt boats. This builder has long been known for insanely good gel coat work matched up with a flawless fit and finish and luxury interiors. And nearly all of their 22-model lineup consists of bowriders with a mix of stern-drive and outboard configurations. Another thing that will set this builder apart, especially for boaters who enjoy watersports, is their inclusion of a dedicated wake surfing model line. Cobalt offers four bowriders that feature Forward Drive propulsion (a forward-facing stern drive that places the propeller far in front of the transom), wake towers with tow bits and board racks, and surf systems with ballast tanks that allow you to craft the ideal surfing wakes.

Cobalt R35: The queen of the Cobalt bowrider fleet is the R35, and this big, bodacious relaxation machine is yacht certified so you can bring along the entire family and then some. Standout features include the “Stash & Stow” aft-access transom compartment (which allows you to slide water toys out of the water and right into their stowage compartment), a hydraulic swim platform for lounging partially submerged, and an auto-deploy galley that pops up from behind a seat at the press of a button.

Cobalt R35. Cobalt Boats photo

Sea Ray

Sea Ray has been one of the most popular builders of bowriders for decades, and while they made their reputation building small bowrider boats, today they’re best known for their lineup of luxury bowrider boats. There are over two dozen models in the lineup ranging from 19 to 40 feet in length, and while many of the larger models have cabins and could arguably fall into the cruiser category, they also have bow cockpits with plenty of seating—so they all fit the definition of a bowrider, too. Many of their models are available with either outboard or stern drive power, and their SLX line of 26 to 40 feet bowriders is the model range that maximizes luxury over all other concerns.

Sea Ray SLX 400 Outboard: If you want to cruise on the king of all bowriders, the SLX 400 Outboard will be on the short list. This epic bowrider comes armed with heaps of tech, like the Fathom E-Power system, a lithium-ion power management system that eliminates the need for a generator. There’s also a full-size cabin inside the starboard console with a galley, dinette, two berths, and an enclosed head compartment. Put it all together and you have a bowrider that you can use for weekending as well as day-boating. 

Sea Ray SLX 400. Sea Ray photo

Affordable Bowrider Boat Brands

Stingray

Stingray has long been known for building comfortable but no-frills bowriders and deck boats (which are essentially bowriders with bows that maintain the full beam moving forward to increase interior volume. They currently offer nine models from 17 to 26 feet and come with a surprising number of standard features considering the pricing (portable MSDs, freshwater transom showers, and Bimini tops are all in the mix. While they may not be as flashy as some bowriders, Stingrays certainly offer fun days on the water.

Stingray 182SC: Small boats generally offer limited seating, but on Stingray’s 182SC virtually every portion of the interior has a place to plop down. In fact, despite the boat’s size and a maximum capacity rating of nine people there’s seating for 10. Meanwhile, pricing for the base boat beats out most competitors and you can buy one new for around 25 percent less than the price of an average new car. That’s something that anyone shopping for affordability will appreciate.

Stingray 182 SC. Stingray Boats photo

Tahoe

As one of the White River Marine Group brands (which has seven major boatbuilders under its umbrella), Tahoe enjoys economy of scale that helps it keep pricing in check. They also offer some of the smallest bowrider models around, beginning with a 16-footer powered by a 60-hp outboard. And on top of that, Tahoe offers what they term “no haggle no hassle” advertised pricing, so unlike some brands, it’s easy to figure out the bottom-line cost. Yet even their affordable bowrider boats enjoy a surprising amount of tech. Consider, for example, that the base-model T16 comes with a standard seven-inch touchscreen multifunction display, which communicates with the 60-hp Mercury FourStroke outboard on the transom.

Tahoe T16: The T16 is Tahoe’s smallest, least expensive offering, and a complete boat-motor-trailer package costs less than many nice motorcycles. But the T16 still has plenty of fun features, like a Kicker stereo system, a reversible backrest seat/lounge, and a seven-inch multifunction touchscreen display. And despite its diminutive nature the T16 can carry up to six people and has enough oomph with a 60-hp outboard to pull the kids around on tow-toys.

Tahoe T16. Tahoe Boats photo

Lowe

Small aluminum boats tend to cost less than fiberglass boats, and Lowe takes full advantage of this with their Fish and Ski models. Though they’re designed to serve as mixed-purpose fishing and watersports platforms, they have open bows with seating, so they still fit the bowrider mold. Their lineup consists of four models from 16 to 19 feet, and thanks to the light weight of aluminum hulls they can run with relatively small powerplants; the Fish & Ski 1625, for example, can be had with a mere 20 hp on the transom. Net result? That drives pricing down even more, making these some of the most affordable bowrider boats around.

Lowe Fish & Ski 1625: This model from Lowe is small and inexpensive, but it’s also about as fully featured as boats in this class come. The bow compartment converts easily between fishing and seating modes, and anglers will love having perks like a 14-gallon livewell, locking rod lockers, and a bow-mounted electric trolling motor. Since this is an aluminum rig it’s also quite light, with a hull weight of just 1,265 pounds, so hauling it with a modest tow vehicle will be a piece of cake.

Lowe Fish and Ski 1625. Lowe Boats photo

Outboard Bowrider Boats Brands

Glastron

This builder has been producing runabouts for decades and has long focused on bowriders. In the past they were all stern-drive boats, but today they’ve incorporated outboard-powered models throughout their lineup and now offer eight outboard boats between 18 and 24 feet. These stand out from the crowd because builders who previously focused on stern-drives often leave the engine box in place on outboard models merely to speed the design and build process. In contrast, Glastron redesigned their bowrider boats with outboards to incorporate full wraparound cockpit seating. This expands the interior volume as compared to many stern-drive-derived bowriders.

Glastron GX 210 Sport: When you want an outboard bowrider with some serious watersports ability the Glastron GX 210 Sport will be a boat of interest. Unlike many outboard boats it has an oversized, foam-matted swim platform, a ski locker in the sole, a carry-on cooler, and a four-speaker Bluetooth stereo system. Plus, it can be optioned with a hinging wakeboard tower with board racks. Get the maximum 250 horses on the transom and you’ll be giving those riders some serious thrills.

Glastron GX 210. Glastron photo

Grady-White

The Grady-White range of dual console bowriders goes from 21 to 33 feet, all powered by outboards, and they all also place an emphasis on fishing and family fun. The Grady-Whites are particularly well known for their seakeeping abilities, riding on a variable-degree deadrise hull form designed by the famed C. Raymond Hunt and Associates. These bowriders are also rigged with a number of unique comfort-inducing touches, like electrically actuated adjusting loungers, automatic extending sunshades, and in larger models, even air conditioning.

Grady-White Freedom 415: One of the true giants in the world of outboard powered bowriders, the Freedom 415 carries up to 1,800 total horsepower on its broad transom and can blast off to speeds in the 60-mph range. It also has a full complement of fishing amenities and every luxury feature the family could ask for, ranging from two air-conditioned cabins to a Seakeeper 6 gyroscopic stabilization system. We leave it to you to decide if this is the absolute ultimate in bowrider boats, but whatever you may think, it’s certainly in the running.

Grady-White Freedom 415. Grady-White photo

Pursuit

Another top manufacturer who used to offer stern-drive propulsion but today builds solely outboard bowriders is Pursuit. Their line of dual consoles ranges from 24 to 36 feet, and Pursuit is known for crafting topnotch boats with a healthy dose of luxury. They’re also known for their fishing boats, and these dual console bowriders come fully equipped for angling with everything from livewells to integrated fish boxes.

Pursuit DC 306: This model runs in excess of 50 mph with a pair of Yamaha F350s but even with performance like that, it’s the comfort level of the DC 306 that sets it apart from the crowd. Pursuit’s reputation for luxury will be no mystery after you kick back on the bow loungers with flip-down arm rests or sit down at the cockpit dinette. The protection this boat provides for the family is way above the norm for a bowrider, too, with a broad, tall windshield that extends all the way up to the hard top. Close off the bow partition and it’s just like cruising in a fully enclosed cabin.

Pursuit DC 306. Pursuit photo

Crossover Bowrider Boat Brands

Boston Whaler

Boston Whaler is best known for building center console fishing boats, so it may seem like an unusual brand to bring up when talking about the best bowrider boats. However, they have a line of dual consoles called the Vantage, which certainly meet the definition of a crossover bowrider boat. Anglers gravitate towards them since they have a full complement of fishing features, like rod holders and livewells, and family boaters love Boston Whalers since their unusual fiberglass-foam-fiberglass construction makes them unsinkable.

Boston Whaler Vantage 280: When it comes to versatility the Vantage 280 will be tough to top. It has the beef and speed to make offshore fishing runs but it isn’t so large as to feel out of place in coastal bays, it has the power and  agility for watersports, and it has the comfort perks to keep the entire family happy. Plus, you get the peace of mind of running an unsinkable boat. Added bonus: Boston Whalers hold their value exceptionally well, so in the long run, the family budget won’t take too much of a beating.

Boston Whaler Vantage 280. Boston Whaler photo

Edgewater

The Edgewater line of dual console crossover bowrider boats only consists of four models (from 23 to 28 feet) but these are known for being very well-built, high-quality boats. Edgewater boats are fishing-focused, and these models have goodies like livewells, rod holders, and fishboxes, so they can serve as excellent angling machines one day and family bowriders the next.

Edgewater 230CX: This Edgewater model is a crossover in every sense of the name, with all the features you’ll need for fishing and family fun. It’s completely unique, however, for the way this boat is built. Edgewater’s Single Piece Infusion construction combines the composite stringers, fiberglass, and resin into a one-piece structure that is stronger than boats built with traditional methods, yet it weighs less. That means you enjoy a more solid boat underfoot, fully finished bilges and compartments, and a lifetime limited hull warranty.

Edgewater 230CX. Edgewater photo

Yamaha

When it comes to finding bowriders that blur the lines between different types of boats, few multipurpose marine machines will stack up to Yamaha boats. These are the only boats in this roundup to be powered by jet-drives, which deliver exciting performance and handling plus eliminate worries about spinning propellers and damaging groundings. The range of 19 -to 27-footers includes models dedicated to wake sports as well as standard-issue runabouts.

Yamaha 222XD: Jet boat fun is in store with the Yamaha 222XD, which comes fully outfitted in a turnkey package that’s ready to hit the lake for everything from joy rides to wake surfing on day one. It comes with a healthy dose of tech, too, like a 12.3 Connext touchscreen display and control center, drive-by-wire technology, and an integrated ballast system. Family perks range the gamut, from wireless cell phone chargers to a rockin’ stereo to Chill-Cool upholstery that stays cooler than regular marine vinyls in the summer sun.

Yamaha 222XD. Yamaha photo

Did you find the best bowrider boat brand for you and your family in this roundup? We certainly hope so, but maybe not. You may have some specific priorities or needs to be met, and perhaps you have yet to see one that fits the bill. If that’s the case, we have one final word of advice: keep searching. No matter what your favorite waterborne activity is and no matter what your specific needs may be, that perfect bowrider for you is out there somewhere.

This article was published in June 2023 and updated in December 2024.