Offshoreonly.com - Best Bowriders on the Big Lakes

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Cobalt makes a solid boat.

Active Thunder will likely be the best ride in rough water out of all options.

after that I would consider the Nordic Heat 28ft or Sunsation 288 - both Mid cabin open bow options.

I have a Chaparral 26' bowrider. It has a 22.5 degree deadrise and weighs over 6000lbs with the 496 mag. Boat has Bennett trim tabs & Bravo III. It handles lake chop very well and tops out in the mid-high 50s. It jumps on plane easily even with 8+ people. The boat is also yacht certified and has a full electric head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MullenTJ86 (Post 4607364)

Pontoons have their place, choppy/rough water is not it. There's a reason they aren't ever seen on the ocean, they aren't safe in bigger seas. Great party platforms and a ton of fun, but having people up forward on one in choppy water, could very easily stuff the bow. Too scary in rough waters, especially LOTO on the weekend.

The v bottoms above have deeper deadrises and will knife through the water, the pontoon would 'attempt' to ride on top. Not knocking pontoons, their great for what they're made for and would be fun Monday-Thursday on LOTO.

You could also look into small CC's, would allow you to carry more people, have the ease of outboards, the list goes on. If you want a head turner, love the sound of power and want the speed, I think you've got to stay with the faster V's listed above.

Have you been to LOTO ?? they’re everywhere and they go out on the weekends... from the looks of it,there’s more of them being sold than large bowriders these days, I’m not a cheerleader for them, but just being realistic about what I see and have experienced

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaayTeee (Post 4607519)

I'm not doubting that tooners are everywhere (on lakes), they're cheap/big party platforms, heck my wife would have us in one if it were up to her. I'm simply stating, that small performance v-bottoms are designed to handle rougher water than a tooner, especially at higher speeds, giving more safety to you and your pax...and they're sexier.

I've owned and ran 2 different 26' vees on LOTO as well as having ran a 26' Tri-toon. The 'toon is a better ride overall. The downside of the 'toon is it is more likely to take a large roller over the bow vs. the vee.

A 270 Crownline would be another bowrider to look at for use at LOTO and they are fairly plentiful .

My neighbor at LOTO has a 28x10 foot tritoon with twin 300 verados on it. He is out cruising 50mph every weekend in the rough, and does just fine. Although, on labor day weekend he did take a roller over the front that soaked everyone in the boat, and put an impression in the sheet aluminum of the front door. I bet they out number 25-26 foot runabouts over 2-1 on the weekends at LOTO now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZMIDLYF (Post 4607369)

If you aren't against outboards...

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I think Pat would jump at the chance to build the 29' Definat with a single 600SCi, 565, 540, or 520. It would be a kick ass boat and SICK ride.
Damn, maybe I need to ord... nevermind. I'm into racecars now!

8 is a crowd, these all full grown adults?

Nothing beats the ride of a displacement catamaran like a Glacier Bay 25.

LOTO has become Pontoon Nation!