Need Advice on Bowrider or Cuddy

diveman

diveman

Member
Aug 15, 2013
75
Toronto, ON
Boat Info
1988 Sundancer 270
Engines
twin Merc 4.3 w/Alpha 1 drives
Hello everyone,

My name is Mike and I have been surfing the forum trying to get some ideas as to what kind of SeaRay to purchase. Here is my dilemma:

I have a cottage on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, Ontario. It is a small lake that is great for pleasure boating, skiing and tubing. I have two children, 5 and 8, that I would love to be able to tow around the lake.

My house, on the other hand, is on the shore of Lake Ontario. I would love to be able to go on day trips, launching from a trailer very close to my house.

My question is which way do I go? I realize that Lake Ontario would require a larger boat just due to the wave and wind factor. I don't foresee doing sleep overs on the boat. Would a cuddy be better for the kids or would it be better for them to have the open bow?

I will not be purchasing a new boat as I figure, at some point, I will want something more (2 foot itis!)

I am leaning towards at 21' to 23' boat. I have seen the 220 and 230 BRs for sale in my area. What age boat would you recommend staying away from? I have been looking at boat that were built no older than 1995.

Thank you for any and all recommendations that you can provide!

Cheers,

Mike
 
I have had 3 boats and all have been bow riders. From what I here the cuddy is a place to throw your stuff. With a bow rider you can take a few more kids and or adults. Room for toys and coolers etc. We go camping in Muskegon Michigan every year and can take our boat out on the big lake. I feel safe unless the lake is rocking.

I really do not think the age matters. It is the boat. My boat is over 20 years old and the interior looks new. No rips or tears in the original seats. The carpet is not up to dat but no burn holes or rips or tears either. You need to find an anal boater who keeps good care of their stuff.

My boat has a deeper V than most newer 24 foot boats. Not many new 24 foot boats come with a 70 gallon tank.
 
I gotta go with the cuddy. And yes, age does not matter, my boat is now 25 years young and looks and runs almost perfect. Boats are like women, the younger they are, the more they're gonna cost you.. Also consider the privacy a cuddy can give you....in case of any offshore activities, :) . And it makes a great place to put all the stuff you may need to carry. We keep a tube, kneeboards, and skis in our cuddy. And if a storm pops up, we duck below-may not be an issue for you if you're close to your home.
 
Hey, Mike
I have had both and currently have 23' cuddy. Most of my boating is on Lake Michigan, that is why I moved from my 21' open bow to a cuddy. Open bows are great for smaller lakes. Since my kids are grow it is generally just me and the wife. We love overniting in different marianas and the 23' is perfect. With the kids you may want to stay with the open bow lots more room go as big as you can and get a really good snap on bow cover to close up the bow when the weather get a bit rough. You will keep out the overspray and the kids can crawl under and play camping.


Big Al
 
Mike,
You are doing it right. Take everyone's advice, and their reasons. Then make a decision based on you.
We had a 22' cuddy befor kids until the kids were 2 and 5 years old. The cuddy was great for the kids to get out of the sun, nap, and store junk. As the kids go older and started bringing friends, the cuddy was too small. The cockpit was full with 6 people, and nobody wanted to ride in the front, because they couldn't see.
We upgraded to our 240 Sundeck.
We LOVE the boat. It has a deep enough V to handle rougher water without totally tossing you around, runs most of the weekend on a 65 gallon tank of gas, and can still be tralered to different places. There is an entire thread on the boat in this forum, you should check it out. http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/401-240-Sundeck-Thread-Questions-and-Answers
 
The advice Rand posted above is spot on. Cuddies provide a nice place to store stuff or for an overnighter. That's the biggest benefits they provide IMHO.

The downside to cuddies is that nobody wants to ride up there because they're hot, stuffy, you can't see and you get bounced around a lot. That means everyone has to ride in the cockpit. This limits the number of people you can carry because they're all in the back, but equally as important and not mentioned yet is that it seriously affects your weight and balance. With all that weight in the back it's going to be harder to get (and keep) the boat on plane. The stern is going to squat in the water more than a bowrider where the weight is more evenly distributed, and that eats up more fuel.

Also, you kids are small now, but in a short few years they're going to be teenagers and want to bring their friends along. A bowrider gives the kids a place where they can get away from the adults (in the bow) and have their own space. My kids always preferred to ride in the bow for the reason we enjoy boating.....more sun, wind in your face, etc.

On your small lake you'll soon learn to hate a cuddy and on the big lake, as your kids get older, you'll wish you had a bowrider.

My advice to people buying a boat for the first time is buy your second boat first. Don't waste your time and money buying a boat you think would work for "now" because in no time your kids will have outgrown it and you'll be ready to trade it in for the boat you should have bought the first time.....and that gets expensive.

When we had our bowrider, the rule for kids in the front was always "BUTTS ON THE SEATS". In other words, no sitting on your knees. Safer that way.
 
Thank you all for the great advice. I hadn't thought about the deck boat but that might be a good way to go. I do think that the bowrider will be the most functional boat for us at this time and in the near future.

Please do keep the advice coming.

Cheers,

Mike
 
whatever you get it is very nice to have a head or porta-potty on board. also, a bimini to get out of the sun. i watch people anchoraed up at the beach just roasting and I am in the shade with a cold drink. gotta have a place to get the kids out of the sun once & a while.

LK
 
agree with all so far,, especially the poing about a functioning and well fitting bow cover.. It provides a ton of protection from spray and even a light chop over the bow. not to the degree of a cuddy but it is removable and you're gonna need the seating
 
Bought a sweet 1997 230br Signature Select today. Come on spring! Thank you for all the great advice.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Didn't realize how old the thread was - disregard
 
Last edited:
You should look at the 220 and 240 Sundeck. The 240 is a great sized boat. More room up front and they don't have the gruesome squared off nose like some do. The 270 has a fantastic little "cabin" on the starboard side. Not very large but it can sleep two adults and the kids use it constantly to get out of the elements and play. The 270 is approaching a size you probably don't want to tow all the time with options and loaded though. Mine is crowding 10,000# sitting on a trailer.
 
Love the bow rider but looking to upgrade to the cuddly! Def my next boat. Something about ac when it's steamy hot
 
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