Top Runabouts Ranked

[Skybolt]

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.

There two on my dock from the mid late teens and I can't agree with you. They are the two boats always broken and fixing things. I've found wires rubbed through do to how that ran the harnesses etc. But nothing is perfect, they sure are fast.

 

[blaster]

What about Larson? I would definitely give them a solid eighth place.

 

[Maggieiscrazy]

What about Larson? I would definitely give them a solid eighth place.

They don’t make Larson boat anymore. But a would rank them the same as a Glastron. A boat I had was a 1994 Mariah. I think that’s was a well built boat.

 

[BillK2632]

This is a hard one, because you really would have to compare like models to like models and similar years. For example, Bayliner built some top notch motor yachts in the day and there was a time that Glastron was considered a top of the line runabout.
From the list we have owned SeaRay, Cobalt and Glastron (this was really too old to consider for today). I was very happy with both my SeaRays and really when looking at a new boat a couple of years ago it was a race between a 240 Sundeck and an R5 - I found the R5 first. After owning it I do think my cobalt is a better boat than a SeaRay of the same vintage, it doesn't edge out the SeaRay by much, but here are some the details that I found:
The differences:
-The R5 has a better ride than the SeaRay, planes faster without trim tabs and is very quiet - no rattles or squeaks.
-The stripes on a Cobalt are gelcoat, no stickers,
-All of the hinges, fittings etc are stainless and very heavy. I have yet to find a loose screw or fitting on mine. The bimini for example, is just beefy - it does not shake or rattle at all, uses adjustable SS poles to keep tight, no straps or snaps.
- Other touches like a SS rail around the swim platform, looks nice and protects the platform. Hinges that hold the swimstep are also very beefy.
-Windshield frame is SS not aluminum.
-Styling - I don't care as much for the new SeaRay styling, I think Cobalt has a more classic look.
-The upholstery and interior finish work, I just like better, the dash coverings and rolled upholstery with accented stitching seem high quality - but maybe that's just personal opinion.

Thinks that are about equal:
-Engine packages - Mercury/Volvo, eh, one is red one is black, I have had both and like both.
-Rigging (engine room, wiring, accessories, etc) again I don't see much difference.
-Performance - other than the fast, flat planing that I mentioned above.

I can't really comment much past the boats I have owned, but I will say:


These are not ranked in any particular order, but grouped by what I would consider really good boats and not so good boats.

Formula - Well built, Emron paint, dated styling, engine options other than just Merc/Volvo
Cobalt (I do own one) - Solid build, classic styling, upscale interior. No stickers! Merc/Volvo and soon Monsoon engine options.
Regal - Solid build, upscale interior finishes, No Stickers! Merc/Volvo engines
SeaRay - Solid build, nice interior - I still like SeaRays, the newer styling is growing on me. Getting rid of stickers, but some are still there!
Chaparral - Nice looking boats, new styling is better I think, never been on one enough to comment much more.

I really don't know enough about any of these to comment.
Four Winns
Crownline
Glastron
Bayliner

 

[highslice]

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.

I agree with you. I kind of ignored the term runabout and just thought about the boats each company builds. When I think of runabout, I think of the 18' Mark Twain tri hulls my parent's friends had when I was 10 or 11.

 

[highslice]

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.

I haven't bought a new boat since 2008 and that is my current boat. It is still worth 2/3s of what I paid for it.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Another brand that was not on the list was Boston Whaler.

I've owned three and found all three to be very solid, well built and offered a quiet ride. I will say that the first one I bought was a late 70's (sorry, my memory ain't what it used to be!) and the quality and ride were not what the other two were.

The next two were 2010's. (I had one of them in AZ and the other in WA.) Those both rode much better and were quieter when running in the waves.

All three were well built. Hull design changes were what made the later models ride better.

 

[GypsmJim]

What are your top runabouts ranked in terms of quality, longevity, performance, and ergonomics?

An unanswerable question, after having owned runabouts since 1968.

The one with the best longevity had the lowest quality. But then again, since I meticulously maintain and garage keep, ANY boat would last me long.

Currently manufactured boats (name brand) just about ALL have "good" quality. It's the features that you desire that set them apart.

Performance is an individual thing. But what does performance mean? Go real fast, navigate rough seas, comfortable seating, etc. Everybody has their own definition.

Ergonomics is also too individual to rate. The most expensive runabout I ever rode in had the highest quality and best performance, but the windshield and seats and ALL of the ergonomics sucked. It was also ugly as sin.

My current SeaRay runabout checks all the boxes. It's also the nicest I ever owned, but also the most expensive (probably over priced). As far as longevity, only time will tell.

My other boat is a Boston Whaler CC fishing boat. It's not a 'Runabout" so I didn't consider it in the mix. But if you deleted that requirement it would win hands down.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

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.

It's possible that Malibu's purchase of Cobalt in 2017 has changed things.

I bought my used Cobalt (pre Malibu day construction/design) after owning Doral, Wellcraft, Formula, and SeaRay. Having a boat with fibreglass/composite construction meant not having to worry about rot issues in fresh water - just not going to chance it anymore. I was also very surprised to find that the Cobalt out performs my previous Formula 27PC in every way. Things like a double hinged seat tops meant access to storage areas could be done one-handed without having to place the seat top somewhere. Dedicated storage for the cockpit table was thoughtful as was a sliding screen door behind the solid cabin door. Switches were aircraft grade stainless instead of plastic and the windshield frame was gleaming stainless. Access to the engine compartment could be done via the usual power worm gear strut OR it could just be raised by pulling the grab rail and set in place with the provided swing down stainless arm without messing up the powered strut using a double jointed affair - nice engineering. Stripes on the boat are not vinyl stickers, but colored gelcoat. There's more but this might begin to show the many subtle things that can make up price differences.