Questions about camping on/in a large bowrider

[2kwik4u]

As I continue to look to the future and my next bigger boat I think we are pretty well convinced that we need/want a bowrider. We do a TON of watersports, and typically take ~6 people out with us at a time, with no shortage of others that want to go along as well. We REALLY like the 246, and I test drove a friends '06 262 a few weeks ago. I really like the larger boats, and the extra space they afford. At the same time I can't help but thinking how nice it would to be able to take the boat to the lake for an entire weekend, and sleep aboard, with just Shelly and I.

I know that the larger bowriders have camper canvas setups that are available, but where do you keep the canvas during the day when not using it? Is it a pain to put up/down in the mornings and evenings? If we use a filler cushion in the bow, will a bow cover kind of act like a small tent? Is that going to be a big enough area for my 6'2" height to sleep at least somewhat comfortably? I've seen some "bow tents" on the market before and am curious how well those work, or if they would fit this style of boating?!? With the porta-potti in the larger bowriders, and a small camping stove I can see easily making a weekend out of it by myself, but I have to make sure the Fiance is going to be in at least somewhat comfortable conditions as well.

I know the obvious choice is a cuddy style boat, however I don't want to lose the bowrider flexibility for our day trips, when we would only want the overnighting capability 2-3 times a year I would think. Of course I'm sure once we figure that part of it out it would become more frequent.

Anyone have any insight on these particular thoughts and ideas? Am I totally who-wack-ed in my thinking or is this are these very possible ideas?

[Dan&Darci]

Mike, the admiral & I used to overnight in our 22' Stingray deckboat.  It had a "U" shaped seating area in the back and came with filler cushions.  It perfectly fit a full size air mattress.  We had a custom camper canvas made with "smileys" ("U" shaped cutouts in the isinglass with screens) and velcro privacy shades for the isinglass as well.  The headroom under the bimini - which formed the roof of the camper canvas - was about 6'5".  

I would think that using the bow area might be cramped.

Storing the canvas was no issue - we just rolled it up and it all fit under one of the bow cushions.  I could put it up in 10 minutes or less.  

The head was ridiculously small for me (5'11"), but OK for the admiral (and we know that's what mattered)!     I'd imagine the larger Rinkers would be OK for you, but you should check it out.

For a one-nighter it was great.  We did it often.  Let me know if you have any questions.

[37pro]

2kwik4u, I just went through this. We had a 18' bow rider and were ready to buy bigger. We loved the room you had to move around on a 24' bow rider. The cuddys that are in are boating group are 21' 19' and a 27' baja, we did not like the cuddys at all. They were like small caves no headroom at all. Everyone we knew told us a place to put small kids down for a nap was very important. We also wanted to be able to go to "bigger" water. So we arrived at the azure 279cc (as you know from previous posts) but was way too much money. The 246cc was similar in layout and alot less money. It turned out to be the best compromise for us.
You have to figure out what is the best compromise for your situation. If you are going to stay in ky on a lake and don't have to worry about taking a wave over the bow then you can make the bow rider work for you. I would be looking into some other brands of bow rider, maybe one with fill in cushion in the aft "u".
The part of boating that sucks is there is no perfect boat they are all a compromise in some way, the trick is to find the compromise best for you.
About 3 years ago I figured out you need like 5 boats to fit all situations.
good luck, Eric

[bhoff]

2kwik,

I camp with my kids (and sometimes wife) on our 192.  I am not as tall as you, I am 5'8".  The 192 is not the most comfortable thing to sleep on, but I enjoy the water so much that I don't really mind.  I have the canvas enclosure which I love, storage is not a problem.  The only thing with it is that you can't run with it enclosed because of carbon monoxide.  It also gets very warm under the cover because it acts like a greenhouse.  It's actually a benefit in the late fall, but during summer, I bring a small battery powered fan to circulate the air.  I also plan on using my bow cover as a template and making a snap on screen to cover the bow.  That way air can get in and circulate but the mosquitos can't.

My $.02 is that it sounds like you love boating as much of the rest of us, and the joy of being on the water will outweigh any miscomfort felt by doing so.  A larger bow rider would definitely be more comfortable.  We don't see much "big water" on the Ohio river or any of the lakes around here.

Last piece of advice is to get the fuel injected engine.  Mine is carb and sometimes we smell a little bit of fumes under the top....

Pics of the top were added in that section, but they are really small.....need to fix that.

Good luck with your decision.

[2kwik4u]

I'd love to see the pictures.

Feel free to email them to me at 2kwik4u@gmail.com I can host the pictures and get some fullsize ones posted for you if you want.

[ranmarqz]

i camp a couple times a year on my 06 246. I have the full canvas package and store it in the compartment in front of the healm. I have in the past brought a small A/C window unit, it worked pretty well with my small 2000 watt honda inverter.

[2kwik4u]

Much thanks to all for the help and advice thusfar.

I am however having a hard time finding any picture of larger bowriders/deckboats with the camper canvas installed. Anyone have any good pictures sitting around?