Bowriders

69fastback

Handymans342 said:

Have any of you guys with bowriders kept on trailers and used during the summer, had your outdrives removed and engine aligned, etc. or do you just change the gear oil and store for the winter??

Change the oil and store. 

mattie

Handymans342 said:

Have any of you guys with bowriders kept on trailers and used during the summer, had your outdrives removed and engine aligned, etc. or do you just change the gear oil and store for the winter??

I have the outdrives removed & realigned & new seal kit annually. Prob overkill.

Lake_Bum

Handymans342 said:

Have any of you guys with bowriders kept on trailers and used during the summer, had your outdrives removed and engine aligned, etc. or do you just change the gear oil and store for the winter??

The year I bought mine, I pulled the drive, did the Gimbal, and bellows, but didn't need to align engine. 
Every Spring since, gear & engine oil, all new filters, impeller, and use it. Only ongoing issue is a tiny leak in the drive oil reservoir.  I've replaced it twice, and still get a tiny drip! 

halifax212

Change the fluids, condition the gas and fog the motor for storage. Had alignment checked 5 years ago during a bellows/gimbal replacement. After what I have read on this forum over the last 10 years, the smaller trailer boats are way less problematic keeping them on a trailer when not in use.

Handymans342

Yes I agree Brian. Look at all the money @rasbury, @LaRea, @Dream_Inn, @Black_Diamond, @reneechris14 and even me have spent. I could be a millionaire by now with all that money. 

LaRea

You'll never hear me complain about the money or work I put into boating.  

Dream_Inn

Yeah, my family loves the boat way too much to complain about what it costs.  & quite honestly, I'm a cheap ba$**** anyhow and need to splurge on something once in a while anyhow.  I'm glad I can actually afford the expensive hobby.  Not sure what I'd be doing with all my time on the weekends if I couldn't.

reneechris14

Its only money, cant take will you. Booze,women,boats,houses,oh and kids.
Live,love,laugh 

Willhound

I've spent most of my money on wine, women and boats. The rest I just wasted......

Handymans342

So it looks like the Rinker 232 is the best model for layout in the Rinker lineup. Searching the same size bowrider in Cobalt, Searay, Hurricane and others they all look the same basically. 

mattie

Not to push you, but the 276 models have an awesome layout. Been around since 2008. Maybe look at those? Still trailerable. 

Handymans342

I have to stay at 27 nominal length with platform per lake rules. 

Liberty44140

I cant wait for Handy to post a question about spark plugs so that I can respond that my diesels dont have spark plugs....... 

Handymans342

Liberty44140 said:

I cant wait for Handy to post a question about spark plugs so that I can respond that my diesels dont have spark plugs....... 

won’t ever happen. I did see a boat manufacturer who offered a new diesel in a bowrider. 

Handymans342

shawnmjr said:

Handymans342 said:

I have to stay at 27 nominal length with platform per lake rules. 

The 246 is a nice boat with almost identical layout as the 232, but with a little more room and swim platform is built into the hull. The overall length with platform is 26’ 2”. I also believe they have been around since 2006 and can get as a bow rider or cuddy. 

Thanks Shawn. I will research those as well. I am not married to Rinker though. 

Handymans342

shawnmjr said:

Handymans342 said:

shawnmjr said:

Handymans342 said:

I have to stay at 27 nominal length with platform per lake rules. 

The 246 is a nice boat with almost identical layout as the 232, but with a little more room and swim platform is built into the hull. The overall length with platform is 26’ 2”. I also believe they have been around since 2006 and can get as a bow rider or cuddy. 

Thanks Shawn. I will research those as well. I am not married to Rinker though. 

Depending on the lake a jet boat may be nice too and no outdrive maintenance. They have some pretty cool ones out there now. 

Searching 246s for sale, there are only 3 in the whole country. If I go Rinker, it has to have a 350Mag and B3. I’m not sure on the Volvo motor and drive yet. Rinker used those too as well as many other Brands. 

Aqua_Aura

When I bought my 280 I had preferred Mercury however now having owned it for 3 years and getting more familiar with it I would much prefer the Volvo. All of the things I assumed between the two brands were incorrect and the Volvo certainly has its benefits. 

Handymans342

Aqua_Aura said:

When I bought my 280 I had preferred Mercury however now having owned it for 3 years and getting more familiar with it I would much prefer the Volvo. All of the things I assumed between the two brands were incorrect and the Volvo certainly has its benefits. 

Do tell 

YYZRC

Volvo doesn't have steering pin failures!

Handymans342

Yamaha has no outdrives!!!!

Aqua_Aura

I think the shifting is smoother, parts are not a problem like I thought both cost and availability, sea water pump is really easy to replace and cheap, garden hose connection in engine bay and some have a winterization handle you pull to let out all water. There is probably other things I'm missing. Both great manufacturers so I'm sure someone will give their opinion for Mercury. 

Liberty44140

Those new Yamaha jet boat center consoles are pretty sweet! 

Lake_Bum

If you're not married to Rinker on boat choice, Chaparral has many great boats in the size range you're looking for.  I've owned a Chap, and they are great boats!  Features throughout the boat, and usually a good power/weight combination.  Definiely a bit more spendy than the Rinker line......

raybo3

@Lake_Bum I had a 20foot Chap with a 305 and that boat was awesome. It would hit 55 mph all day long. Great boat!

Aqua_Aura

This is a 232 with a 350. Good overview video just to see the boat. 
https://youtu.be/xqPI6Vm3-FA

Handymans342

I’d buy that for 17G

RiverRat232

One thing I wish my boat had is the walk through transom. Some people don't like stepping over the side or crawling over the sun pad. Also, the automatic extinguisher mounted on the underside of the hatch is something I am going to look into.

69fastback

The walkthrough transom is nice but you have to be careful going through.  It’s easy to fall in. Lol

Handymans342

I like the 246 Captiva. Admiral wants a pontoon for the kids, dogs, grill area, bathroom etc

04FV270riverrat

Handymans342 said:

I like the 246 Captiva. Admiral wants a pontoon for the kids, dogs, grill area, bathroom etc

Tri toon with a 350 merc. All the room plus the speed!