Cuddy Cabin or Bow Rider?...your opinions, please!

[New Hampshire Native]

Going to be purchasing a boat for the first time. We are a family of 3, and would like to bring other friends on with us at times. We are wondering what all of you experienced boaters prefer, pluses and minuses, etc. of the two types of boats. We will be buying a 23 or 24 footer, if that helps. The boat will be in a slip at a local marina. Your opinions are valuable to us, and, yes, I have taken the boater safety course and passed already. We have been on friends boats before, but want one for our own. :D

[upthesaukee]

Porta-potty or not to porta-potty. That is the question. Certainly there are some bowrider/deckboats (as opposed to a pontoon boat) that have potty's that appear to require the dexterity of an acrobat to use, whereas a cuddy cabin has a measure of privacy and also affords the ability to sleep on the boat comfortably at the marina. Current boat...bowrider (19')...Next boat ...Cuddy Cabin...reason: ask the wife about the "head"! Not to mention the fact it's easier to change into the bathing suit if you want to take a quick dip and there are other boats in the immediate vicinity.


JMHO! Good luck with your choice.

[Zee]

We currently have a 19' bowrider. Definitely our preference. Yes, the cuddy has the added bonus of the bunk and potty but it also has other draw backs. The seating area is much less. You don't have access to the bow easily. My seat on board is always in the front, I wouldn't have it any other way. We have a potty on board tucked under a seat. We rarely use it. so why dedicate a large percentage of your boat in case you need to use one. Most marinas have decent rest rooms. If you plan on sleeping on board, that is a different matter. If you fish, the bow rider is much better as well. Just my opinion.

[fatlazyless]

Hell(O) - I have a 21' cuddy cabin w/ a large walk-around, bow pulpit for preying for some fish, and a bench seat in the bow all for 14k, includes a trailer. See about eight photos at www.faysboatyard.com, a consignment sale. Name of boat, 'The Sea Worm', comes with a Suzuki 150 w/ just 40 hours, and a Merc 9.9. It is also listed in the winni.com classified. The walk-around is so big that I use it to go jogging while waiting for a monster salmon to strike! If you upgrade the 9.9 to a new Merc 9.9 four stroke hooked up to the existing remote throttle, you would have a peach of a salmon down-rigger stalker. And the boat is in superb 21' all-aluminum shape. So, why don't I do this myself? .....a good question!

[Cal]

Both have advantages and disadvantages. I started with a 17' bowrider. Lots of room for a small boat. The bow is no place to ride in anything but calm water. Switched to a 21' cuddy. Wifey liked it much better. Less cockpit room but portapotty and room to change in privacy. Now have what some would call a "go fast" boat. I refer to it as a "nimble and physically fit" 27' cuddy ;) . We prefer the cabin , even though small , to the extra rough riding seating.
Just my $.02

[hazelnut]

I feel like the original poster needs to ask themselves what is most important to them. Everyone here will give their opinion as to what they feel is best based on what they own. Like myself for example. A bowrider suits us just fine in that we use it to go to and from our Island Cottage and to do some day cruising. The open bow allows far more transportation capabilities kind of like a reverse Pick-up truck. The open bow allows us maximum comfortable seating for friends and family. At 23 feet it is stable in rough water and not too bouncy in the bow.
However, the poster makes mention of using a marina. I can only assume that they do not own on the water (correct me if I am wrong). Therefore a cuddy with sleeping and bathroom facility may be the wise move. Will a sleepover on the boat be something that you are interested in?? :D

Good Luck in your search! :)

[Just Sold]

My 2 cents.

Having had closed bows, tri-hull and bow riders the cuddy we have now is tops. Upthesaukee has it right --- ask the wife about the head and you will get a cuddy.
Bathing suit changing :eek: is much more private and comfortable in the cuddy too. We have seating for 7 - 8 comfortably but are rated for 10.
Ours is older but a great boat at 22.5'. If and when we buy another boat it would be to another cuddy.

[New Hampshire Native]

Correct, i do not own lakefront property. Would either need to be in a marina, or exchange dock use in exchange for year round surveillance and house checks for your summer home. I have lved here all my life and intend to forever. ALL of your opinions are important to me. I was leaning towards cuudy to start with, but wanted to see what folks thought about both. Your experience is my only knowledge. Thank you for the responses so far.

[itchin for fishin]

A big question will be how many people you will have most of the time. If it is just your family, the cuddy may work fine. If you plan to bring friends often, then you may find yourself cramped on a 23 or 24 foot cuddy. Personally, we have a 21 foot open bow with the porta head. Yes, the head is tight but your not showering in there. We love our boat as it gives a couple areas when anchored, one for the kids and the other for the adults to socialize. I have always thought you need at least a 26 foot for a cuddy. I bet we're really making you think now.

[lfm]

Bowrider for us, we have owned 2, have not had a cuddy. Did consider it - for the head/privacy issues mentioned by other posters. However I would hate to give up the extra space for people on the boat to enjoy the fresh air. Good luck on your purchase, no matter what you decide - life is always better on the water.

[PaulS]

We've only owned cuddy cabins, and currently have a 24' Four Winns. The kids prefer to sit/play/lie down in the cuddy on longer boat trips (of course long to a kid is anything over 5 minutes). Sea sickness is more likely when in the cuddy since you can't see the horizon. Not a problem for my kids, but we have had guests who have had problems on occasion.

[hazelnut]

Good point on the ask the kids comment. I would say that if you give a kid a ride in a bowrider vs. the cuddy they would most likely chose bowrider. Most young ones absolutely LOVE riding in the bow. Also do you have sun worshippers in your family? The bow is a great place to catch rays. When you ride in the bow the engine noise is almost completely inaudible. It is a great place to see everything and get a reprieve from noise. Every time I see a bowrider cruise by my house I see 5, 6, 7 or so giggling screaming kids having the time of their lives all stuffed in the open bow of a bowrider. So my overall point is test drive both and if you have kids have em ride in the bow and tell you what they think.

[KBoater]

I have had both cuddy and bowrider. My current boat on the lake is a bow rider. It has a decent porta-pottie in which an adult can succeed in using it. The kids love to ride under the bow cover when dad drives. I prefer the bow because this senior girl can reach the front bow lines from inside the bow. Unless you plan to sleep on the boat (don’t if you have a land based house close 23 feet is not a good long time sleeper), go for a bowrider with a Bimini top. This allows you to have coverage in sun and storms.
Also check the freeboard on any boat and make sure the kids are safe.
Also remember the porta-pottie rule “you use it – you clean it” :D

[KTO]

Bow riders seem to be much roomy, making it able for you or your family to sit in the front and the let wind blow in your face, which is in fact very comfortable, and if you ever wanted to....(Tuh dah!) just simply place the cover of the bow and you have yourself a cuddy cabin!

But bowriders are perfect for guests because it gives you usually 2-5 more seats and allows more room for anyone who wouldn't want to go underneath.

[jrc]

Everyone else had good points, that I won't repeat. No one mentioned that especially for new boaters, a bow rider is easier to dock, anchor, and moor. For docking you can have someone in the bow to mind the front of the boat. For anchoring no one has to climb up on the slippery deck to throw the anchor. Same thing for mooring. I single-hand a lot and all these operations would be tough alone in a cuddy.

We have a 26' bow rider with a small head with pump-out potty. If you plan to boat with children you need a potty. Just after you get all the anchors set in the perfect spot at the sandbar someone will have to use the bathroom.

[Woodsy]

It really boils down to personal preference... look at them all A porta-pottie is the way to go... try to get one with a pump out so you don't have to handle it yourself. Try to get as much boat length as you can afford... it will make the rougher days alot more pleasant.

If your into new boats... Formula has a new 24' Bowrider, big $$$, but what a boat. Its not a go fast, but there is NO wasted space.... almost went there myself....

I personally prefer cuddy cabins... but thats just me

Woodsy

[KBoater]

Here is a boat that is both cuddy and bowrider.

http://www.ebbtideboats.com/2600/

Test is in August issue of Boating Magazine

[BroadHopper]

When I had lakefront property, a bowrider is perfect. But now that I have to rely on laketop property the cuddy is a better choice if you are going to be on the water for an extended period of time. If you have infants, the cuddy provide excellent shelter from the elements. :D

[SAMIAM]

I want to put in my vote for deck boats.......I've owned two...a 24' and now a 26' Hurricane. Awesome boat with a full head,cot below and only 14" of draft.You can drive it right onto the beach. Big enough to handle big swells.....quiet with twin 135 Hondas,and good for skiing.Great on the lakes and in the Fla gulf in the winter.Holds 12 adults......Luv my Hurricane

[Tiny Dancer]

Absoulutely make a list of what you plan on doing with your new boat. Cuddys are beautiful and roomy. Lots of pros but are you really going to be sleeping on your boat? Kids napping? We have a 24 ft Four Winns Bowrider and the bathroom is perfect for the kids, grownups in an emergency. Easy to empty at the marina. We have a full camper top to change, bad weather picnic area, and if we could find a place to sleep would be perfect. My little ones nap quite easily on the filler cushions in the back under one of the tops. Naps have been in the front too. Will your marina allow sleeping there? Next boat may be a Cuddy for all of the above posts reasons. But we have plenty of room on our boat and have had 13 on it comfortably. And as someone said if you have adventurous kids big or little the front of a bowrider is the place to be!!! Good luck with your choice. Happy and safe boating to you and your family. :D

[Mee-n-Mac]

I think the others have given you pretty much the points to consider in making your decision. I'll add but 1 thing for your amusement. I wonder why nobody has created a pop top for a bowrider. I can envision a collapsable framework running along the forward gunwales that could be dropped or erected like an auto convertable top. Add in a zippered or snap top and thne side curtains (mosquito netting plus privacy/light stopping) and you could have both a bowrider and a (canvas) cuddy ! Drop the top and it's a bowrider w/the forward cover on. Remove the top and it's a bowrider. Pop the top and close the curtains and you've got your cuddy. Hmmm, 'scuse me while I stroll to the patent office ... :D

[upthesaukee]

MnM...I actually have seen that on a "walkaround" boat like a center console Mako or similar boat. It laid flat along the sides and the bow, and then would rotate up to form like a 90 degree rounded wedge. Couldn't stand up in it, but seemed to be of sufficient height to sit under, perhaps sleep under, and cut the wind on a cool day. Can't remember where, or what specific boat. Need a lift to that office??????? We can try the prototype on my 19 ft bowrider! :laugh:

[Lakewinniboater]

I have had both Cuddy, Cabin Cruiser and now a deck boat. Although, I LOVED my Cabin Cruiser...... I no longer need to sleep on it. Therefore, having the expensive of a large boat like that seemed wasteful.

However, I refused to go without a pump out head. What we found was that depending on size. The Sea Ray deck boats had more room in the head area and you don't need to b 4'10" to be able to use it.

My daughter like the cabin cruiser or cuddy because the wind bothered her ears.... however, she would at times get sea sick. Since my kids are at camp for the entire summer and aren't on the boat as much as we are and we entertain A LOT! We went for the extra seating.

However, it also depends on the boat as to whether you get tossed around in the bow. Although ours is only a week old..... last weekend was ruff in spots and I didn't get tossed.

THE OTHER benefit for me is now I am not the ONLY one that can drive the boat. This is much more manageble and has a dual prop for easier manuvering. SO, I get to relax in the bow seats at times and still have the pump out head. YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!

[Dave R]

I have had both. Presently have a "big" cuddy (sleeps 4) and won't likely go back to a bowrider any time soon. Being able to change, nap, eat, dodge rain etc. is awesome. Cold days are now utterly pleasant for the passengers who suffer in raw conditions. Rainy days are quite fun, especailly if you opt for full camper canvas. Sleeping at anchor is awesome too but you'd have to go to a more friendly lake like Sebago to do that. We trailer the boat for that reason (and a few others as well). Good luck.