I had a 32 MCOB for 7 years, boat was great. No one rode up front at speed......but at slower speeds it was fine. One of the biggest benefits of the MCOB was the breeze generated in the cabin at idle/slow speeds. In South Florida no one sleeps on a boat/uses the cabin without a/c plugged in. In the MCOB the kids could escape the sun enjoy the shade/breeze while crawling through long slow/no wake zones.

I would buy another MCOB over a closed bow every time. I took my boat to the Bahamas, did poker runs and the open bow was never a deterrent.

Ask Jayboat about riding in the front of a boat a low speed......

Any time you make it to LOTO

We love our Nordic Rage MCOB, I had a BAJA H2X with a cuddy same size 25' and it was the most useless space 6 people was cramped and forget about kids. One thing I like about the open bow is its much easier to dock and tie up. We had 6 adults and 8 kids on it a few weeks ago and still had room for two wakeboards and a tube in the cuddy.

You and CrownLPX can ride together on the front lounge sipping appletinis while I drive.

The MCOB is the perfect design for a family with very small children. You have the go fast design/layout for the driver, sun pad for mom, and the open bow small cabin for the little ones to get out of the sun and watch a movie or take a nap. The open bow also let's you cool off while running if it is hot out. If it gets cold just put the cover on and you can now run just like a closed bow with less wind. As long as it is smooth out the bow is a great place to ride and stay cool.

A BIG Thanks guys. Great info. And right on from my one day experience.
I was boat shopping and wondered about the MCOB. I liked it but was hoping to hear the info you posted prior to committing one way or the other. Turns out I was on the road boat shopping since last Thursday and did not see one reply to this thread until now.

First I looked at an 02 288 closed bow. Loved the space in the cuddy. Boat was rough. Owner had bought it last August and something happened and he passed away last November. A marina is showing the boat for his widow. Only 200 hours on the boat but it does need some TLC, and was priced as if in primo condition.

Next I looked at an 03 288 MCOB. The boat was like new. Great shape all the way around, even the trailer. I took the plunge and made an offer. It was turned down but eventually though a lot of give on my part we came to terms. So I had to drive home (500 miles) get my truck and checks and back to his place to get the boat. Got home at 2:30am Sunday morning and was boating by 11:30 Sunday. Love the boat.

No one in the open bow with speeds over 5mph seems silly. Those seats sit so low in the boat, it's easy to cruise slow with folks up there. 50+ up there would not be much of a fun ride for the passengers. I'm on the Ohio river so we do not have the big chop that you get in the great lakes or ocean. House boat and barge waves can be a challenge but they are over and done with very quickly.

I was going to add a pic of our new girl but ...I don't have an url to the pic, it's on my puter. How do you add pics from your computer?

My Daughter (19 yrs old) and friends ride in the bow all the time.. 80 MPH .. Mostly on a lake.. I don't think anybody would like it or be safe in big chop but our lake is just fine..

Honestly your post concerns me about cruising with passengers up there considering the houseboats and barges you mention. Sometimes those waves sneak up on us, or there is a second set we don't see until the last second.
Jayboat was in the bow of a boat around 10mph taking pictures; a deep center console with a VERY experienced crew.
A surprise wave got them better of all of them and threw him enough to break his back.

Please consider how fast you are traveling with passengers up there. Again, I would follow the manufacturer's recommendation.

Congrats on the boat purchase.
You can become a (paying) member to post pictures directly, or you can host them on Photobucket and provide a link.

Oh, so that's how the pics work. I see.
Thanks for voicing your concerns. I have 25+ years of boating and do back way down for the waves. Safety is a major concern, I will be careful and run a safe boat.