American Bowriders Comparison

As I sit here, chained to my chipboard desk, sun-kissed and with grains of sand still grating betwixt my toes, it's less than a day since I was driving, eyes streaming and with horizontal hair, behind the wheels of a bevy of all-American bowriders. For your reading pleasure - and ours on the water - we dialled up five cool star spangled 2006 model bowriders from some of the world's biggest boatbuilders, including two new badges making a splash on the Australian market.

I know, I know. You're probably thinking that the bowrider genre has been done to death. After all, they're everywhere. Aren't they? But overstated? Hardly. Bowriders remain just the most consumable of all boats to go. And tow. They are wonderfully practical, loads of fun, competitively priced and so accommodating. And never in the history of our boating industry has there been quite this many to choose from.

Such is the assault on our shores that these five boats in our shootout represent less than a quarter of all the bowriders available from local and imported boatbuilders. However, the selection we rallied together is indicative of what's available. They included a Bayliner, Ebbtide, Maxum, Monterey and Sea Ray. You have probably heard of at least three of these brands, but I'm betting Ebbtide and Monterey are new to you. In fact, they made their debuts during our shootout.

So, what did we set out to prove? For starters, these 19-20 footers, which are all priced around the $50,000-$60,000 mark, offer a lot of bang for your buck. Mostly, you're dealing with a V8 petrol inboard motor and 50mph or thereabouts at top speed - the accepted benchmark for a go-fast sportsboat. Considering they're all chiefly family watersports boats, I don't think you need any more power.

Next, we proved that this length of bowrider, up a rung from the ubiquitous 18-footer, is a better size for open-water boating be it on the bay, a broad river, or a wind-lashed harbour such as the one that confronted us on the test day. Foul weather or fair, this class of bowrider has the necessary freeboard, stability, and inherent ride comfort to safely transport you to your favourite playground and back home at the end of the day.

But what we really wanted to examine was whether these high-volume boats had their own character - whether they broke from the convention and the well-worn bowrider mould - and if they had innovation. Innovation is usually a sure bet with a global product, but all five boats had their own nuances, peculiar design and handling traits. So it pays to shop and water test. Or read on...

For what it's worth, this writer will reveal his favourite bowrider in the goodness of time. But let me say that there isn't a bowrider here that I wouldn't be happy to own. The best of them was the one with the best blend of features. A smarter bowrider. So kick off the shoes, pull on the shades and peaked cap, lather yourself in sunscreen and let's go bowridin'...

MONTEREY 194 FS
Let's start with the Monterey, which I did. It was the first boat I tested in the shootout and, to me at least, one of the most impressive of the bunch. Where some boatbuilders could be charged with using safe blueprints and the most cost-effective factory-rolled finishes, the Monterey looked better by design and the great attention paid to detail. And to think the badge was debuting Down Under on the day... what's taken it so long?

While Monterey is already making waves with its sportscruisers to 35ft, this 194 FS Sportboat was the first of the American's trailerable bowriders in Australia. Having tested the sportscruisers, I expected it to be a well-finished boat. But upon learning that Monterey started out making bowriders, that makes even more sense. So confident are they, that the hull is backed by a lifetime warranty.

The 194 FS looked eye-catching the moment it came into view, dressed in a sporty Rio Red colour scheme, and fitted with a Volvo 270hp 5.0lt GXi petrol inboard motor with sterndrive. On the road, it rides on a Dunbier dual-axle trailer, which is superior to some of the supplied American trailers.

Among the details that stood out were the dedicated anchor locker, which isn't a given on many made-for-the-lake American bowriders, and all stainless-steel deck gear from rub rail to cleats, drinkholders (10 of them no less) and navigation light.

Deep with plenty of freeboard, the 194 FS can handle a windswept bay or harbour. The bow had adult-length seats and hinged seat bases that opened back to reveal storage space including a lined cooler. Thumbs up for that. The widest of the five bowriders I tested, the 194 FS took its internal beam right to the sides and, as such, it has a truly commodious cockpit.

Both adjustable helm seats had flip-up bolsters and the full-length rear lounge was long enough to lie across. A two-person sunpad runs across the transom. If you want to avoid stepping on the upholstery to access the swim ladder, there are removable cushions over the non-skid walkway.

Storage came by way of two short side pockets, a cavernous underfloor ski and wakeboard locker, and voids either side of the engine. In the glovebox are the boat's second icebox and a Kenwood marine stereo with MP3 jack. Take the iPod and you're set.

 You can flick a clip with one hand and the sunpad lifts on a gas strut to access the engine. Very simple. All the reservoirs and the oil dipstick were at hand and the fuel lines had been double hose-clipped. The boat's skin fittings are stainless steel and circuit breakers protect the wiring. I also noted sound insulation, which helped explain the delightfully quiet operation of this boat.

Among the options you might consider are snap-in cockpit carpet, an extended boarding platform, and bow-filler cushion. But as it was in base model, the 194 FS was ready to entertain. And it was great to see two built-in wet storage lockers in the transom for carrying swimmers, mask and snorkel, ski ropes, and suchlike.

Last but not least, the framework for the supplied bimini top was nice and sturdy with stainless-steel fittings, as were the supports for the windscreen. Courtesy lights in the cockpit were a nice touch. I thought the vinyl upholstery and mouldings including the full liner were very nicely done.

With four adults, two of whom parked themselves on the rear lounge, the V8-powered 194 FS was a little doughy jumping out of the hole. But it held a very efficient 19kt at 2500rpm for wakeboarding (a tow tower is a listed option), and cruised beautifully at 26.5kt at 3000rpm. Top speed was 46.8kt, so this is a very fast boat. And with 20 degrees of deadrise, it has the deepest vee of the lot.

However, it's not the speed that wowed so much as the complete package. Though the boat deserves the optional extended boarding platform and bow infill cushion, with those inclusions it would be exactly the kind of bowrider I would be happy running for at least nine months of the year. During the other three months, I could be found polishing the smart rig for the season ahead. In a show of strength, the local importers are bringing in 40 Monterey bowriders in the next 12 months. The 194 FS was priced competitively, too.

MAXUM 2000 SR3
The Brunswick Boat Group is the largest maker of pleasure boats in the world, with net sales last year of US$2.8 billion. So it must be doing something right. Three of its leading brands - Maxum, Bayliner and Sea Ray - fronted up for our bowrider shootout. But you would never know they had the same American parent company. Each retained its own identity, with the Maxum clearly pitched as an up-market bowrider with a cut-above-the-pack finish, sportiness inferred by its new 2006 graphics, silver stripe and car-like metallic dash.

The Maxum 2000 SR3 also boasted the biggest motor of all the bowriders - a MerCruiser 350 MAG V8 pumping out 300hp. That's 10 per cent more power than the nearest competitor, the Monterey, and 25 per cent or 75hp more than the Ebbtide. Top speed was 47kt, but with a stainless steel propeller you should expect 50kt. Its acceleration and mid-range poke impressed me most. Watersports fiends will like this combo, but on this blustery day we could only run at top speed for more than a fleeting few hundred metres.

Do you need the power? If you have access to smooth water, yes. Otherwise, perhaps not. At $61,990 it was the second dearest of all the packages. You can save $2000 by fitting a 260hp 5.0MPI V8 MerCruiser. If not for its top speed and acceleration, the boat distinguished itself through its finish. Whenever I cast eyes on a Maxum I think, yes, nice sporty number, one for the boat-proud owner. The new 2000 SR3, which comes packaged on an American dual-axle Karavan trailer, is a case in point.

While the dealer said this was also recognised as the biggest boat in its class - and it is the longest - the Monterey is actually beamier at 2.5m. But what the Maxum does is carry a lot of its 2.44m beam forward. As such, its bow seating area was easily the biggest among the five boats. I also sensed this boat was the most stable due to its beam-forward design. And with all that volume up front it had a tremendous amount of freeboard for carrying big and small kids in the bow.

Importantly, the bow seats are adult-length with nice padded backrests and an infill was provided to create a playpen or sunpad. Despite featuring internal plastic grabrails, stainless steel is used for the external rub rail, above-deck cleats, and navigation light and, in combination with plastic, the windscreen supports.

 The Maxum 2000 SR3 was among the leaders for storage space. There was storage in sub-seat gelcoat lined lockers in the bow and full marks for the hinged seat bases that keep the cushions in situ - I get annoyed when left holding a cushion while accessing storage areas. There was also a centre storage section intended as an anchor locker and dry storage under the helm console, accessed behind the starboard seat backrest in the bow. A small point, but the non-skid on the bow and decks is a thoughtful touch assisting with disembarking and taking on passengers.

In the cockpit, seating comprises a portside back-to-back number that's adjustable fore and aft and converts to a daybed/sunlounge, a hip-hugging helm bucket with flip-up bolster, and deep and wide rear quarter seats whose bases relocate to make an aft sunpad. Some thought has gone into making the boat accessible without having to tread on upholstery, with a moulded non-skid step under a seat base. As I said, storage was a real highlight on the Maxum 2000 SR3, with a huge underfloor ski locker, full-length side pockets with room for wakeboards and room under the aft quarter seats. The boat also had a boot in the transom big enough to take a wakeboard.

Storage everywhere. And did I mention the glovebox with polypropylene insert containing icebox and personal storage and, nearby, the JBL marine stereo with MP3 jack? So you get plenty for your money here.

Full marks for the extended swim platform, and the quick access to the engine - the whole moulded aft seating area lifts on struts - though there was no engine-bay insulation. The dash was very well finished with racy styling, a good sports look and feel, and a big spread of Faria gauges including depthsounder and hour meter, which are often extras.

In respect of innovation, the small pullout lunch/drinks table on the engine lid serving those in the aft seats and the impromptu aft-facing seat moulded into the engine box, so you can sit and watch the world swim by off the transom, are nice touches. But I did think the grab handles were a long reach from the quarter seats and that the lid of the glovebox could do with a little strut.

 On the go, the Maxum 2000 SR3 was a demon. It was light and fast, holding a low planing or wakeboard speed of 21.5kt at 2500rpm. Cruise was at 3000rpm, achieving 26.6kt, and fast cruise was a flighty 34.2kt at 4000rpm. But, with just two of us and only a little gear, the boat jumped around somewhat in the rough water. The full beam design will perform best with some weight up front.

Top speed was 47kt at 5300rpm, beating the other four boats and most other bowriders to lay claim to that quiet bend of the river for a day of watersports broken by a picnic under the willows. But even going nowhere much at all was fun. Such is the thrill of speed. Last but not least, Maxum boats are backed by a big national dealership and are well established here. So some extra marks for (re)sales and service.

SEA RAY 195 SPORT
Should Wall Street crash, the Aussie dollar jump through the roof and the sky start falling in, Sea Ray is one of only a few entrenched, household names among the plethora of imported American boats that's so recognisable that the resale market is virtually unflappable. Savvy prospective boatbuyers regard resale and service as important criteria and rightly so.

 But not one to rest on its laurels, Sea Ray is these days know for innovation as well as its sweet-riding deep-vee hulls and an upmarket finish. The 195 Sport certainly featured fresh design lines, with a swept-back transom or sheerline, daring mouldings, a different bow layout, sporty graphics and innovation. You must agree the boat's something of a leader in the style stakes.

At $51,500 on Aussie tandem trailer, it was also the cheapest rig of the five tested and the best value buy (from $41,400 with a 190hp 4.3lt V6 motor). I just liked the Monterey a whisker more for its cockpit volume and seating. But when you consider the options on the test boat, well, you may well swing this way. Among the options were auto fire-suppression system, bimini and tonneau cover, upgraded Clarion stereo, snap-in cockpit carpet, and battery switch.

Measuring 6.15m overall including standard extended swim platform, the Sea Ray is no minnow. But honouring its tradition, it has the narrowest beam of 2.29m and a sharp 19 degrees of deadrise for one of the smoothest rides on the day. No bloated bowrider, this one. Think sporty instead.

With a 5.0lt V8 MPI 260hp petrol MerCruiser inboard, Alpha One sterndrive and 19-inch Vengeance prop, top speed was 46.6kt at 5000rpm - less than half a knot shy of the maxed-out 350cc-engined Maxum. At 1283kg dry, this is a greyhound carrying a few hundred kilos less than the rest - hence the speed.

Now to the layout. The boat has a terrific one-piece moulded liner and a feeling that it's been designed as a whole, doubtlessly using CAD software. In fact, it's the largest of Sea Ray boats built using the so-called Rimfire hull that is made using the closed-moulding process. Ah, that explains it.

I liked the clever walk-through bow with steps for handsfree access to a jetty or marina. And at the marina, the steps worked a treat, making this the best boat in respect of bow access. Aft, a wrap-around non-skid transom assisted with boarding over the transom. But you do have to step on the upholstered rear lounge if coming aboard via the transom.

The bow layout is unique. The upholstered seat bases aren't continuous and amount to small corner seats more than full-length adult lounges. But they were comfortable for sitting and I could stretch the legs to the bow even though they weren't supported all the way by cushioned upholstery.

 Grabrails are provided in the bow along with a small centre locker, which can take an anchor and two storage bins under the seat bases. Deck gear is all stainless steel, with Sea Ray-branded cleats. A nice touch. A bow infill cushion wasn't supplied nor does there appear to be provision for one.

Importantly, the bow had plenty of freeboard for tackling a bumpy waterway and running with the weight of two adults in the bow won't affect the boat's seaworthiness. Two up, it just felt good across the water, with a smooth ride and no tendency to porpoise like the fatter bowriders.

The cockpit has an integrated feel and a seating arrangement that takes up most of the space. The deck mouldings are also higher than the other bowriders, so you get extra spray and wind protection. The deep sides will also appease mums with rugrats in tow.

The twin high-back helm seats were supportive, though without snug sides like a deep bucket. However, crew do get a rather brilliant full-length rear lounge with fold down armrest with drinkholders. Some more innovation.

Storage, while not a highpoint of closed-moulded and foam-filled boats, ranged from small side pockets to a huge underfloor wakeboard/ski locker, through a lockable glovebox, to voids either side of the engine, one of which looks big enough to take an esky. Drinkholders and grabhandles are where you want them.

Aft, the split sunpad opens like a clam to reveal the 5.0lt MPI 260hp V8 MerCruiser motor and beyond here is the wonderfully accommodating extended boarding platform with swim ladder, ski hook, and grab handle. While not the leader in cockpit space, it has the best transom for lounging, hanging out, and watersports.

Due to the high cockpit sides, the windscreen is a skinny number whose frame at times bisected my vision, though this is helped a big degree by the reverse sheer in the bow. A tilt wheel, low-glare and groovy dash added to the sense of sportiness, and the Clarion stereo remote allowed me to adjust the volume to suit the speed.

Engine noise wasn't, however, an issue and the 195 Sport was a real joy to drive. It held a low-speed plane of 18.4kt at 2400rpm for boarding, cruised super smoothly at 26-27kt at 3000rpm, hit 37kt at 4000rpm, and pulled a frisky 46.6kt throttle to the dash. Besides the fresh styling and innovation, my notes read: good feel underway; a quality product; a refreshing take on the bowrider.

BAYLINER 205 SE
Last but certainly not least from the Brunswick Marine stable is the evergreen Bayliner. Like Sea Ray, it's a widely recognised American badge. In fact, my neighbour parks his 20ft bowrider with wakeboarding tower in front of his/our house. No worries. There are far worse things to look at. And for 2006, on this SE or Special Edition model, Bayliner introduced a black king plank, stainless steel rub rail, upgraded sports wheel, grey upholstery, and black canvass. That's certainly a departure from its usual royal-blue-and-beige theme.

Looking at the specifications, the Bayliner 205 SE wears the very same hull as the Maxum 2000 SR3. It's the beam-forward design with huge volume, freeboard and stability in the bow. On trailer, it's an especially big rig and, take it from me, its wide beam is really evident. It's a little prone to porpoising when lightly laden and with too much power in bumpy water. So the 260hp 5.0lt MPI V8 petrol MerCruiser is a good match, returning a top speed of 44.7kt compared to 47kt on the Maxum, with 300hp to play with.

Considering the Bayliner is $10,000 cheaper than the Maxum you will have to ask whether or not the extra polish and performance is worth the expense. And, if you want the biggest bowrider for your buck, you can buy this boat from $48,999 with a 220hp 5.0lt carbie petrol MerCruiser. Hmm, a $12,000 saving. That's a small car!

But I see this rig as the best all-rounder and certainly the most boat for your money. And while formulaic in design, the Bayliners keep plenty of owners and their families happy. Do bare in mind, though, that styling and graphics changes, however small, occur every year with each new model. And being viewed as readily consumable, Bayliners are something most people prefer to buy new.

The biggest selling boats in the world don't put a foot wrong and you can see the universal appeal in the 205 SE. The upgraded stainless steel rub rail is a nice addition to the stainless steel deck gear, which includes amidships cleats for swinging fenders. The bow seats are adult-length with supportive cushioned backrests and storage under their bases. Presumably, the centre section will house your anchor. And, like the Maxum, there was a dry-storage locker in the helm console accessed through the starboard side seat backrest. Plastic grabrails and drinkholders come gratis, but there is no bow infill.

 The beamy cockpit boasted twin back-to-back seats and aft quarter seats whose base relocates too create an aft sunpad. While not as sporty, I'm quite partial to back-to-back seats, which themselves convert into daybeds under the supplied canopy. If you want a sportier layout you can go for twin pedestal bucket seats and a full-width aft lounge. Add XT graphics and a wakeboarding tower like my neighbour and your 205 SE is looking hot.

The cockpit hasn't a full moulded liner as standard, but storage exists in an unlined underfloor ski locker, full-length side pockets, room under the quart seats and a lockable glovebox with quasi icebox and drain. Engine access is via a lift-up boot on struts and really very straightforward.

Bayliner always seems to get the ergonomics right at the helm and my notes had a tick alongside the comment ‘top view'. There's an adjustable wheel, deep Taylor Marine windscreen held up with alloy and plastic struts (stainless steel would be better) and a footrest. The low-glare grey dash and race car-like dash moulding is great. You get a full spread of Faria gauges, 12V accessory plug, and stereo ahead of the co-pilot.

The non-skid step on the engine box – and non-skid steps around the gunwales – assist in accessing the transom. The 205 SE was bundled with a half-depth boarding platform, with the full-length platform optional. As I've said elsewhere, it's money well spent on this genre of in-water-then-on-deck summer boat. The ladder, grabrail, and ski hook is provided.

With the 260hp 5.0lt MPI motor, Alpha One drive and 21-inch prop, you get plenty of oomph. Boarding speed of 21kt was clocked at 2500rpm, family cruise was 27.5kt at 3000rpm, and fast cruise came in at 38-39kt at 4000rpm. Top speed was 44.7kt. My notes said: fast, gutsy, high volume, benchmark 20ft bowrider; runs best with some weight in the boat. Oh, and very good value.

EBBTIDE 190
I didn't know quite what to expect with this new American bowrider. New here, that is, but not in its homeland. According to my research the boat has won, well, a boatload of accolades for various models in terms of value, interior styling, leading a class, workmanship and performance. Ah, performance.

 It's in the realms of ride comfort that the Ebbtide 190 most impressed. Though it's the most expensive boat here at $64,750 on colour-matched single-axle trailer with mag wheels, and while powered by the smallest engine, a 4.3lt 225hp V6 Volvo petrol inboard, it had the best ride across the worst part of the test track.

When you learn something about the hull construction that's not surprising. The seven-layer process goes something like this: gelcoat, skin coat of glass mat and resin, Coremat, bulk lay-up alternating layers of woven roving, closed cell foam flotation, internal glass lay-up. And it's all hand done, including the fitting of an integrated cored stringer system.

A 20-degree deadrise is equally the sharpest here, but it's the sharp entry and bias away from a full-beam forward design to one made for cutting water that results in the great ride. The cost for that is, of course, internal volume and the Ebbtide 190 had the smallest bow seating area and the tightest cockpit. At 5.69m it's also the shortest boat, though relatively beamy (aft anyway) at 2.46m.

Smooth ride or big load-carrying capacity and lots of legroom? You will have to decide which way you want to turn. But in terms of freeboard, this is a very high-sided boat and, as such, nice and safe for families. It was the best boat of the bunch for throwing around, too, and it felt like it could take the punishment without hammering you and the crew.

But, in respect of finish, the Ebbtide appeared to be built for saltwater use. All the deck gear was stainless steel including nice big grabrails in the bow, the rub rail and pop-up cleats. Hey, even the drinkholders are stainless steel.

The bow pit was an interesting circular design with room for two adults to sit against the deep backrests, but legroom for only kids to stretch out. Either way, there was plenty of freeboard and, with the supplied infill, you could create a playpen.

Full marks for the dedicated anchor locker and, under the bow seat bases, the icebox to port and the carpet-lined storage area opposite. The carpet throughout the boat was fixed, however, so you will have to keep those sandy feet outboard.

The compact cockpit featured a full-length rear lounge with limited legroom to the two high-sided bucket seats with deep supportive backrests and bolsters - proper sports seating. Storage came by way of full-length side pockets, a subfloor carpet-lined ski locker, sub-aft lounge holds, and room either side of the engine, which is accessed via the one-handed operation of a catch. Plenty of servicing space inside.

The engine room lid doubles as the aft sunlounge with room for two, but access to the transom is across upholstery. An extended boarding platform is an option, but the boat was fitted with a half-depth platform, plus stereo remote at the transom and swim ladder, of course. The recessed wet locker outboard was a handy inclusion.

 The stainless-steel theme continues in the cockpit via more drinkholders, grabrails, and solid windscreen supports. Despite having high sides, vision forward is helped by the reverse sheerline or down-hooked bow profile. The deep carbon dash is somewhat more in your face when you drive, though.

On that low-glare dash I noted a depthsounder, Kenwood stereo and light dimmer. Ahead of the co-pilot is a lockable carpet-lined glovebox. Rather than a boat in which you roam all over the decks, this is more like a sportscar where you slot into a seat and get ready for the ride, which was worth waiting for after driving the previous four boats.

While the boat eases rather than shoots up over the hump to planing speed, and though it wasn't as efficient at 2500rpm and just 14.9kt, it was delightfully smooth and quiet at 3000rpm and a 22-23kt cruise. At 4000rpm, the boat turned in a fast cruise of 33kt, and flat out I recorded 42.3kt.

So it's not the biggest or fastest boat, either. And it has a rather small fuel capacity. But if you want ride comfort you can really feel it. The Ebbtide 190 split the nasty metre-high messy swell and chop like a pedigree. And wet-track form isn't always evident in bowriders built on the bigger-is-better principle.

THE VERDICT
Okay, so you've waited 5000 words for this. I'll make it brief. If you can believe Hot Chocolate: Everyone's a winner, baby. But there can only be one winner in my book. Just remember my needs and wants are probably different to yours. No kids, yet, for example.

As mentioned, the Bayliner 205 SE is the most boat for your money.

The Maxum 2000 SR3, built on the same hull, is one fast bowrider with its 300hp upgraded engine. It's also got some extra eye candy over the Bayliner. The Sea Ray 195 Sport is a really interesting boat and completely contemporary. It's priced very keenly and I would expect a mini rush to get aboard. The Ebbtide 190 is costly, but sweet riding. And it's hull appears built better than any boat here.

Which leaves the Monterey 194 FS. It's my pick of the five.

Sporty, a sweet ride, plenty of volume in a super-wide cockpit, good price, innovation, and comforts. It's a new brand, but I'm backing on the importers offering some professional customer support. After all, they have put their money behind importing a flotilla of Monterey bowriders.

But you be the judge. For now, at least, I need to wash the sand from betwixt my toes, shower the spray from my brow, and put my feet up after a big day of bowriding.