Power Bowrider Recomendations
 

I want a powerboat and wifey wants a bowrider. The Caravelle interceptor seems to fit this bill pretty well.. I have found a 2004 Volvo 350 GXI 320 HP with 50 hours for about 22k. Its right in my price range.. The baja islanders are ok but to get inmy price range I would have to go much older.. Any other boats yall can recommend or is the Interceptor about all that is out there as for speedy bowrider??

Thanks,

Mike
Houston, TX

Check the west coast for used mid cabin open bow boats. Most all of them have HO's at minimum. You will probably get a better than production boat too.

Your budget limits your search but Sunsation makes the best Mid-Cabin Open Bow boat on the market (MCOB). They have made several 32's with 525's that run in the low 90's (MPH not price). A 28 with a single 496 HO runs in the high 60's.

www.sunsationboats.com

You won't find too many folks with knowledge about the Caravelle line here. They are just not that popular in this arena.

You will find them to be a decent lake or river boat, but if you are planning on going out of Galveston, the Gulf, and anything bigger than a small 1 foot chop, you are going to want a hull designed for bigger water.

The Baja and Sunsation line ups do have some boats that will fit your bill.

There are also not that many fans of the Volvo setups here. They just are not that popular, and the resale is always really low; probably why you are eying the one in your sights right now.

Try and stick with Mercury/Mercruiser powertrain, and you will find more folks to work on it, and more folks that want to buy it when you are ready to sell.

I only run rivers and lakes.. maybe 5% of time would be galveston bay. Appreciate the info. The sunsastions or nice but not in my budget.. I like the open bow Nordics myself.

you might be able to find a nordic rage in your range

I've got a 2000 Crownline 225LPX I was about to list so I could move up to a Formula that I've had my eye on. Mildly built 454 by Bob at Full Throttle Marine making about 425 horse. She runs 62 on the gps, it's in great shape, and would be right in your range. Sporty little bow rider, and a great all around boat.

I have been in a couple interceptors over the years at boat shows. I have always liked the looks of them, but there were a couple things that I did not like. First, The steering wheel was not centered in front of the drivers seat. That may have just been that one boat, but it bothered me. Second, they are a low boat, the free board comes to mid thigh at best, definitely not a deep boat. As for the engine package. I have a Volvo setup. It has been a great combo for us, not one problem yet. Prop selection is not the same as merc. But the engine and drive has given us no problems and we put a lot of hours on our boat, prob just over 100 hours a year and we are in the great white north. The recommended oil for ours (5.0L GXI) is straight 30wt. synthetic. Not really easy to find unless you have a Volvo dealer near you. If you like the boat and it suits your needs go for it, but being a light and low boat, it is definitely not a rough water boat, unless you are daring. Good luck with the search!

1998 eliminator 280 mcob, hp 500, 260ish hours

With the credit markets being tight and all I am stuck with having to get a 2003 or newer boat.. I can get 5.9 % if its 2003 or newer.. 9.9% if its pre 2003.. Thats why I am limited I aint paying 9.9% on nothing..

Not sure about the performance of the Caravelle, but I know they always advertise "no wood" construction. So if anything it should last a long time. Probably longer than the Volvo hanging off the back of it:cool:

I'm a little biased, but, the SUNSATION Mid Cabin Open Bow rocks! I have a 2007 32 MCOB, and absolutely love it. Its the best of both worlds. My dad has a 2004, 288 MCOB also, and he might be interested in getting rid of it. Not sure what he would want, but let me know, and I might be able to find out.

with my budget I am topping out at 25k.. Just got too many other toys to drop 40-50k on a boat right now.. I also run lifted mud ATV's as a hobby too.. Got 2 of those..
Oh well pay to play

Im detailing a buddies Baja 252 Islander. Mechanically it is excellent, hull is very good, and interior is above average, has a tear in the seem of the back seat. I use the boat all the time and is a great overall boat for skiing, island hopping and is used mostly cruising up and down the river here. He was asking 35k, dropped it down to 24k and now his job transfer is closer..so I bet 20k buys it..If you need more info let me know. Thanks Jeff

If you want a bowrider that delivers bang for the buck and solid performance, check out a Rinker, Ebbtide or a CrownLine. I'd give both companies an edge in quality over Caravelle. Sea Ray, Cobalt, Chaparral and Regal are probably the top tier in this category, but if you're on a budget, the Rinker or CrownLine should be on your short list.

If I was going to buy a family style bow rider, I'd buy a Regal. Well made, stepped hull, great fit and finish and there are some great deals out there.

Our local marina is a Regal dealer and is very willing to deal. Give him a call.

Naples Marine
Jim Allen
207-693-6254

I agree. My father in law has a 21 Caravelle Interceptor with a 350 mag, it will gps 60 but quality is kind of lacking compared to some other boats in the same price range.

I have no idea how they compare to the other "typical" bowriders mentioned but Byant boats here in TN builds a nice bowrider.. Like I said I don't know exactly how they compare with some of the others mentioned but they would definatly be worth a look & usually perform well for a "typical" bowrider.. Not in any way trying to say the performance would be that of a Sunsation , Eliminator ect.. but for what it is they do well.. The owner is a hotrodder & ex promod racer & as far as I know they build pretty good stuff. I also think they advertise "no wood" if thats a concern ??

He is right why go factory when there are a lot of incredible custom boats available. Youll find a lot of custom product available right now for the money. The factory stuff is no comparison.

Sunsation
Nordic
Lavey
Eliminator

all make bowrider and "mid cabins"

Uncle Dave

Deal Pending on a 2000 Baja Islander 252