10 of the Best Bowrider Boats For 2018

Nothing says fun on the water like a bowrider. With that in mind, we put together a list of 10 of the best bowrider boats for 2018.

They’re sleek. They’re sporty. They have plenty of room for the gang and they’re oh-so-much-fun to drive! With their open front decks and enhanced lounge seating, bowriders are the original party boats, combining spirited performance with room to sprawl out and work on your tan.

Thanks to their next-generation, low emission engines that sip fuel while still offering heart-stopping power, today’s bowriders take a really good thing and make it just that much better. No matter what your budget, if you’re looking for a great family boat that can really do it all, then check out these amazing 2018 models and get ready for fun in the sun.

Bayliner VR6

Bayliner VR6

• Length: 22’ 4”
• Beam: 8” 0”
• Dry weight: 1,722 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 33 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 10
• Maximum power: 250 hp

The fact you see Bayliners on pretty well every lake and river in the country says a lot about how well this company has mastered the bowrider concept. For 2018 Bayliner raises eyebrows yet again with its all new VR6, featuring its BeamForward design for more cockpit space without giving up the big stern sunpad. There’s even space for a small change room to slip out of wet swimwear, which can even accommodate an optional Porta-potti.

Chaparral 19 H20 Sport

Chaparral 19 H20 Sport

• Length: 19’ 4”
• Beam: 7’ 6”
• Dry weight: 2,540 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 30 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 11
• Maximum power: 225 hp

With its super-comfortable bow seating with full height back rests, tons of storage space for gear, built-in cooler and in-floor ski locker that’s big enough to fit wakeboards, Chaparral’s 19 H20 Sport is built for full-throttle fun. Of course there’s a huge aft sunpad, which includes a tilt-up walk through for easier entry and exit. Add the available wakeboard tower and you’re ready for just about anything.

Crownline 285 SS

Crownline 285 SS

• Length: 28’ 6”
• Beam: 102”
• Dry weight: 6,100 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 84 gal.
• Passenger capacity: Yacht rated
• Maximum power: 430 hp

Need a little more space? Crownline’s 285 SS is yacht rated so no one gets left behind on the dock. With its open wrap-around cockpit seating and hot tub-style bow seating with standard flip-down arm rests for comfort. A full head compartment, Bimini top, underwater lighting and a 7-inch Raymarine touchscreen display with sonar are all standard. Add an available wakeboard tower and you might be tempted to make this boat your summer home.

Formula 240 Bowrider

Formula 240 Bowrider

• Length: 24’ 0”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 5,000 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 55 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 9
• Maximum power: 425 hp

Formula has always been about luxury and performance, sort of like a floating Porsche or Alfa Romeo. Its 240 Bowrider hits it out of the park with plush seating, posh amenities and the kind of get up and go that’s guaranteed to make everyone onboard smile. A standard head compartment with Baltic birch flooring provides all-day comfort, while its Clarion stereo, integrated swim platform, Garmin electronics and available Samson Razor wakeboard tower put this bowrider at the head of the pack.

Monterey 224FS

Monterey 224FS

• Length: 22’ 9”
• Beam: 8’6”
• Dry weight: 3,500 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 55 gal.
• Passenger capacity:  1,980 lbs
• Maximum power: 300 hp

Looking for a ride that will turn heads even when it’s still tied to the dock? Then Monterey’s sleek 224FS was made just for you. Elegant wrap-around cockpit seats, a sprawing aft sunpad, a bi-level swim platform with soft mat decking and intimate bow seating all point to good times ahead. Niceties like bucket seats with flip-up bolsters, a ski tow pylon, a high-end Fusion stereo and a Bimini top are all standard equipment, with a wakeboard tower, cockpit table and further stereo upgrades available as enticing options.

Regal 2500

Regal 2500

• Length: 26’ 3”
• Beam:8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 4,600 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 74 gal.
• Passenger capacity: Yacht certified
• Maximum power: 430 hp

Ready to be pampered in upscale comfort? Regal’s racy 2500 bowrider does just that with its Comfort Curve seating, dual four-position Ultralounges in the stern, swiveling bucket seats and open cockpit layout that offers a huge amount of space to stretch out. There’s a head compartment with solid-surface countertop, of course, plus huge bow lounge seats, a Fusion marine stereo, oodles of storage space for gear and a transom walk-through so no one has to climb over any seats to get in.

Sea Ray SPX 230 OB

Sea Ray SPX 230 OB

• Length: 23’ 6”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 4,372 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 40 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 2,300 lbs
• Maximum power: 300 hp

Another all-new boat for 2018, Sea Ray’s SPX 230 features a wide bow design that adds a huge amount of interior space while giving this ride a contemporary, sleek look. Convertible transom seating with a walk-through, a huge aft sunpad, a full head compartment, an integrated swim platform and a built-in ski tow pylon all come standard, as does the Rockford Fosgate Bluetooth stereo. A long option list – with many key features grouped into handy packages – lets you add everything from Bimini tops to wakeboard towers and more.

Starcraft SCX 230 OB

Starcraft SCX 230 OB

• Length: 22’ 10”
• Beam: 102”
• Dry weight: 3,550 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 44 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 13
• Maximum power: 250 hp

Starcraft caused a major stir when the company – celebrating its 115th anniversary in 2018 – introduced its SCX like of performance runabouts a few years ago. Newly updated for 2018 is the stunning SCX 230 OB, an outboard-powered bowrider with a unique full-width, bi-level swim platform. Convertible transom seating, a full head compartment, a Bimini top to keep the sun at bay, a bow swim platform with its own boarding ladder and super-comfy seating set this boat apart; options include a wake tower and soft Marine Mat flooring.

Stingray 198 LX

Stingray 198 LX

• Length: 19’ 9”
• Beam: 94”
• Dry weight: 2,662 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 34 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 9
• Maximum power: 225 hp

Riding on Stingray’s high performance Z-Plane hull design, the 198 LX can hit near 60 mph with its 220 horsepower MerCruiser V6. A massive aft sunpad, a full-width stern bench seat, swiveling bucket seat for the driver and navigator plus inviting bow loungers can’t help but invite everyone aboard, where you’ll find tons of storage for gear, a full-width swim platform and cup holders galore. The thoughtful option list lets you personalize your ride with a Bimini top, ski tow, stereo upgrades and a useful telescoping ladder in the bow.

Tahoe 700

Tahoe 700

• Length: 21’
• Beam: 8’ 4”
• Dry weight: 3,488 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 42 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 9
• Maximum power: 300 hp

Tahoe’s new flagship bowrider, the all-new for 2018 Tahoe 700 starts with the company’s Powerglide hull design for nimble handling and blistering accelerations, then builds in wrap-around bow lounge seats, huge in-floor ski and wakeboard storage, a big L-shaped aft lounger with a built-in removable 36-quart cooler, and a huge padded sunpad. Of course there’s a full-width swim platform with a ski tow, and a walk-through transom. Various stereo upgrades, soft-touch flooring packages and wakeboard towers are available as enticing upgrades.