MCOB, how useful is that space?
 

I like the design of the MCOB but have to wonder how useable that space really is. I rode in an open bow this past weekend and loved it when we were just going 30 or so. Once you start going fast it's hard on the eyes, even with sunglasses on (or maybe that is just me). So before taking the plunge I'm hoping for a few insights on the pluses and minuses of MCOB.
TIA

Well... Factory sticker says no one in the bow above 5mph. However it's no different than a motorcycle as far as wind. It's very usable space. I had as many as 11 on my 288 and 6 on my 32 is tight. 6 adults and three kids is a patience tester. Even with the kids in the cuddy. Next boat will be a 36mcob. However, with two 2yr old kids this is the right boat for us now. Can't go wrong with a mcob

If you are going on a poker run...it is useless. But so is a closed bow. If you are having a slow easy cruise day, you can invite a lot more friends. On holiday weekends I invite a lot more friends and let them ride there going slow. If I'm going fast, no way.

This will start a "discussion" I'm sure, but it's the most vulnerable place on the boat when it comes to riding at speed.
Why?
The bow of the boat is going to see more air (vertical movement when riding) than the cockpit. Jayboat was hurt bad in a slowspeed wave hop in a CC a couple years back. I can't imagine the same in an open-bow at speed. I know I'd be driving the boat differently with people in the bow vs. not; but surprises happen.

And goodness forbid the boat stuffs when you have passengers up there.

That's why the sticker is on the Sunsations.
I do like the layouts and the ability to really show off custom craftsmanship like Sunsation does in these boats; best execution I have seen of the MCOB design.

It all depends on what you want to use your boat for. Closed bow is better if you want to go fast a lot. Open bow can handle more people and is more family friendly. Both have comparable cabins. You can convert the open bow into a sleeping area with optional filler cushions. We even have had canvas covers made with 2 rails to hold it up so you can sleep up there with the cover on. It all comes down to your personal choice. Both styles run great. I have sat in the open bow at 80+ mph and it is intense. We do highly recommend to stay under 5 mph with anyone up front.

I just picked up a 2014 MCOB and love it. I rode a few folks in front, but only for a short burst of speed no more than 40 mph. However, while relaxing in the bay or something, the extra space is great. Kick the women up front, then I have the rest of the boat.

I've had 4 open bows. They are great for river or small lake cruises when the water is glass or slight wind chop. Anything above that people move to the cockpit area. 35 MPH or below is usually fairly comfortable for front passengers as far as wind is concerned. IMPO, open bows are for runabouts not performance/offshore style boats.

I have the front seat of the CC reserved for you for the shoot out this year. :eek:

Negative, Ghostrider. :angry-smiley-038:

I'm tempted to offer myself up for this experience :)

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 :ernaehrung004:

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. :thankyouthankyou:

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. :eek:

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.

Congrats on the purchase.

Thanks Knot.
Here are some pics (at this link)
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=68253

Not to hijack here but you guys that get to boat on loto are lucky guys. I was out there over the weekend and that place is awesome. I had this followed me back to cincy.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/...psd9408d64.jpg

Yeah, pretty nice place for boating. Although it rained 10 out of 11 days before this past weekend. Water cooled off about 8 degrees and had to watch out for crap floating in the water. Hopefully a few hot dry days and lots of that will clear up. Water was already looking much cleaner today.

Did not boat much, I was only there long enough to get the deal done and a short nighttime nap.

Great looking rig! We match!!! Where in Cincy are you?

White oak area 10 min west of downtown. I saw you in Cumberland over memorial day weekend. We are mainly river boaters.

I have had a 288MCOB for a while now, and run the mississippi with about the same wave action. Just remember that the front end is going up and down a long ways and very quickly... I agree that the 5mph is silly, but I learned my lesson behind the wheel with a passenger riding up front and a very scarred look on her face. I think 30 mph is about it with passengers up front. Just my opinon.

After a couple more weekends of fun with the boat I would agree with you that 30 is about right if you have folks in the bow.
I had a 25ft Baja, and I'm shocked at how much bigger the 288 seems. I love it. :D

After four straight days on the water I can add even more accolades for the MCOB. The Mid Cabin is a great place for lunch. Nice and cool and you normally have a breeze going through there. I rode in the bow for the first time. My how plush and comfortable those seats are. The speakers up front sound great when underway. It's all good. I'm sure glad we went with the MCOB. It's the right boat for us.

I loved mine.....even took it to the Bahamas twice! :D

Congrats on the purchase. After almost three years, I'm still very happy with my MCOB set up.

http://youtu.be/yISxdfugAd8