Welcome to The Harbor! We offer a wide selection of vessels to help you and your family enjoy your next on-water adventure without worrying about the boat. One of our favorite types of boats to take out on the water, especially for families, is the bowrider. These models come with lots of seating in a comfortable layout, so you can relax and enjoy a wide range of boating activities. Read on for some tips on how to choose the right bowrider boat near Springfield, Missouri and then visit our location to check out the models we have available right now. We also serve Kansas City, as well as our neighbors in Wichita, Kansas.

Size

The easiest way to narrow down your options is to start with finding the model that’s the right size for you and your family. You’ll probably be looking at options that can reach up to 35 feet, but the most important consideration is to make sure everyone has a place to sit when the boat is in motion. Even if you’re certain of your boat driving skills, for safety purposes, everyone needs to have the option of sitting down.

Size can also affect how much storage you get. There are some basic items that everyone needs to bring along, like personal floatation devices and some first-aid gear, but some boaters need more storage than others. Fishers, for example, have a lot of gear to bring with them and will probably take this aspect a little more seriously.

In general, you’ll also want to think about if everyone is comfortable. If you need a little extra room for everyone to be more comfortable, then maybe you’ll need to consider getting a bigger boat.

The Features

It’ll probably do you some good to do your own research on different performance features and how they affect the boat, but we’ll give you a few handy tips. As your boat gets bigger, or heavier, or if you’re going to be towing water sport equipment, you’ll probably want more horsepower to make it easier to travel in the water or reach higher speeds. However, bigger engines are heavier, so take this into account if you’re more interested in a lightweight vessel.

You might also want to consider construction material. This is true for both the hull and the upholstery. You’ll probably be looking at materials like vinyl and polyester and fiberglass. Decide what kinds of materials are going to work best for you and if you should be checking out more durable ones for a longer use period. 

Personal Preferences

Of course, there are some choices you can make that are based solely on personal preference. As we mentioned earlier, you can always choose a bigger boat simply because it makes you and your passengers more comfortable. And of course, things like the design are going to be up to your fancy as well. Keep in mind that just because this doesn’t seem like a necessity, doesn’t mean that it isn’t. After all, if you don’t love the way your bowrider looks, then it’s a lot harder to bring yourself to take it out on the water.

The Bottom Line

As you might have gathered at this point, the easiest way to find the bowrider that’s perfect for you is to think about how you’re going to use it. Knowing which activities you’ll be engaging in on the water and who you’ll be bringing with you can help us help you narrow down your options. So if you’re ready to check out some bowriders for sale, stop by The Harbor and let one of our experienced staff give you the full tour of available options. We proudly serve Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri, as well as our neighbors in Wichita, Kansas.