Top Runabouts Ranked

B

brocklanders

New Member
Mar 20, 2024
17
Lake of the Ozarks
Boat Info
260 Bowrider 2000
Engines
7.4 Mercruiser
What are your top runabouts ranked in terms of quality, longevity, performance, and ergonomics?

1. Cobalt
2. Formula
3. Chaparral
4. Sea Ray
5. Regal
6. Four Winns
7. Crownline
8. Glastron
9. Bayliner
 
Interesting question but how many people have actually owned one of each and can objectively compare? Probably not a whole lot.

And...this is a Sea Ray site so...you know....the bias is strong here :)
 
brocklanders said:
Where do you think Four Winns belongs on the list?
Click to expand...

Mine was an '86 with a rotten plywood transom, it leaked constantly from the swim platform thru-bolts, it was way too heavy to be towing with my S10 Blazer and I detonated the alpha drive on it one night towing a buddy barefooting. I was in college...I learned many things while I owned that boat, some of it about boating, but not much :)
 
The facts they used was probably taken at a boat show somewhere by asking attendants "What boat brand they like best?" So it was probably skewed by what boat display they were closest to. LOL
So it's not much more than a popularity contest.
I like my SeaRay because it's the boat brand that is in my price range that holds up the best to river boating. I have been boating for 59 years.
 
Wassa matta, you guys afraid to stick yo neck out?
Cobalt
Crownline
Formula
Chaparral
Sea Ray
Regal
Four Winns
Glastron
Bayliner

These are all subjective because what's best for a boater on a small, inland lake is going to be different from a boater on Lake Michigan vs a boater on the ocean.
 
Maggieiscrazy said:
I would put Formula at the top of that list.
Click to expand...

You are crazy.

But to be honest those listed are not runabouts . They are boats and some technically yachts ...

EDIT: I had to look that up ...

A runabout is any small motorboat holding between four and eight people, well suited to moving about on the water. Characteristically between 20' and 35' in length.

And now Yachts start at 36+ feet. I think the USCG needs to update there listings a bit.
 
Skybolt said:
You are crazy.

But to be honest those listed are not runabouts . They are boats and some technically yachts ...

EDIT: I had to look that up ...

A runabout is any small motorboat holding between four and eight people, well suited to moving about on the water. Characteristically between 20' and 35' in length.

And now Yachts start at 36+ feet. I think the USCG needs to update there listings a bit.
Click to expand...
So… Why am I crazy?
 
Gofirstclass said:
Wassa matta, you guys afraid to stick yo neck out?
Cobalt
Crownline
Formula
Chaparral
Sea Ray
Regal
Four Winns
Glastron
Bayliner

These are all subjective because what's best for a boater on a small, inland lake is going to be different from a boater on Lake Michigan vs a boater on the ocean.
Click to expand...
I'll play:
Formula
Sea Ray/Cobalt/Chaparral (I am personally not a Cobalt fan but the 3 are so close it comes to preference)
Crownline
Regal
Four Winns
Glastron
Baysinker

I will say the that the differences between Cobalt, Sea Ray and Chaparral varies by model and price point.
 
Skybolt said:
You are crazy.

But to be honest those listed are not runabouts . They are boats and some technically yachts ...

EDIT: I had to look that up ...

A runabout is any small motorboat holding between four and eight people, well suited to moving about on the water. Characteristically between 20' and 35' in length.

And now Yachts start at 36+ feet. I think the USCG needs to update there listings a bit.
Click to expand...
There is a difference between "Yacht" and "Yacht Certified". I am sure you know this.

My boat is yacht certified per ABYC Standards at 29'. All that really means is I can have as many people on board as can safely fit as long as I have a life jacket onboard for each one of them.
 
highslice said:
I'll play:
Formula
Sea Ray/Cobalt/Chaparral (I am personally not a Cobalt fan but the 3 are so close it comes to preference)
Crownline
Regal
Four Winns
Glastron
Baysinker

I will say the that the differences between Cobalt, Sea Ray and Chaparral varies by model and price point.
Click to expand...
I get on Cobalts at boat shows and I don't see the huge difference from a Sea Ray. I know someone will scold me for it and tell me I'm blind, but that's just how I see it.
 
brocklanders said:
I get on Cobalts at boat shows and I don't see the huge difference from a Sea Ray. I know someone will scold me for it and tell me I'm blind, but that's just how I see it.
Click to expand...
Same. The only thing I noticed is they have a shit ton more cup holders than anyone else. I was on a Chaparral 307 SSX at out local boat show last month. Love the boat and it may well be my next one next year. But the admiral noted there were only 11 or 12 cup holders. It was $220K boat show price. We got on a Cobalt R8 that is 3 feet shorter and 1.5 feet narrower. It was boat show priced at $335K. The admiral noted that it had 18 cupholders. I told her that those were some expensive cupholders.
 
How come wellcraft isn’t on the list? I have owned 3 brands so I’ll just rank the ones I have owned.
Searay


Wellcraft




Bayliner

I was actually looking for a Chaparral sunesta when I found my searay, I really like those boats
 
highslice said:
There is a difference between "Yacht" and "Yacht Certified". I am sure you know this.

My boat is yacht certified per ABYC Standards at 29'. All that really means is I can have as many people on board as can safely fit as long as I have a life jacket onboard for each one of them.
Click to expand...

Yes, I get it.I posted that because USCG documents state 26+ is a yacht and for me the bigger reason for posting that is the term runabout. A runabout to me always has been 19-20' max. Anything above that is a day boat like the SLX SR series is. Like yours is, a great fully equipped boat perfect for spending that out on the water.
 
highslice said:
Same. The only thing I noticed is they have a shit ton more cup holders than anyone else. I was on a Chaparral 307 SSX at out local boat show last month. Love the boat and it may well be my next one next year. But the admiral noted there were only 11 or 12 cup holders. It was $220K boat show price. We got on a Cobalt R8 that is 3 feet shorter and 1.5 feet narrower. It was boat show priced at $335K. The admiral noted that it had 18 cupholders. I told her that those were some expensive cupholders.
Click to expand...
I just want to thank you for buying those new boats. That way guys like me can buy nice 10 year old boats for a fraction of what they were new.
 
Skybolt said:
Sorry just messing with you. But because you think Formula should be at the top of the list. One of my least favorite boats. To each his own I guess.
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I actually don’t care for the new Formulas. I like the ones from a few years back. But I do think they’re top of the line as far as quality goes.
 
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