Page 11 - How to Go Boating Flip 1
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latable Dinghy Large Open Runabouts,
including Bowriders
General: Easy to transport and
typically very stable. General: Large open runabouts are
Length: From about 2 m to 3.6 m. a rarity among new boatbuilders,
There are bigger models, but they however a number have bowrider-
have mostly now been replaced by style boats in their range. A
RIBs. bowrider has an open seating area
Construction: Either PVC or in front of the windscreen and, while
Hypalon. Most are PVC, as it can have a cover fitted over it, this
Hypalon is much more expensive. style of boat isn’t built for offshore passages. It is designed as a family
Use: Mostly as tenders although bigger models are used for fishing sports boat.
and water sports. Length: Typically 5.0 m to 7.0 m.
Special Features: Relatively light and cheap. Multiple air chambers Construction: I have never seen a large alloy runabout and definitely
for safety. Better examples have an inflatable keel for improved never seen an alloy bowrider, although it is possible that both exist.
performance. Floorboards are now an expected feature of even small This segment is the domain of the fibreglass manufacturers.
models. Can be deflated and folded up so no trailer is required. Use: Wake boarding, skiing, general family boating, trout fishing.
Special Features: Seating forward of the windscreen. Designed to
Small Open Runabout look good, to go fast, with priority given to comfort and performance
rather than to fishing fit-out.
General: Along with the small cabin
boat, the open runabout is a very Centre Console Craft
popular and very common style of
boat. General: A specialist style of fishing
Length: From around 3.7 m to about boat with a driving position in the
5.5 m. centre of the craft. It is possible to
Construction: Fibreglass and walk around to any part of the boat,
aluminium are equally represented. which helps with chasing the fish.
Older boats are more likely to be Length: 4.0 m to 7.5 m. Very popular
fibreglass. My Sea Nymph is typical of the style of open runabout built in the US where they get much bigger.
in the 1970s and 1980s. After that time there was a surge in ‘14-foot Construction: Fibreglass and alloy. Plenty of RIB versions as well.
tin boats’ and then they got bigger. Use: Primarily fishing boats or for other uses where space is
Use: General fishing and boating, water sports such as skiing.
Special Features: A front windscreen to keep waves and spray off the important, such as diving.
occupants. Open runabouts have lots of cockpit space. Special Features: All-round access. The trade-off is that they can be
wet.
3 Buying a Boat 65
including Bowriders
General: Easy to transport and
typically very stable. General: Large open runabouts are
Length: From about 2 m to 3.6 m. a rarity among new boatbuilders,
There are bigger models, but they however a number have bowrider-
have mostly now been replaced by style boats in their range. A
RIBs. bowrider has an open seating area
Construction: Either PVC or in front of the windscreen and, while
Hypalon. Most are PVC, as it can have a cover fitted over it, this
Hypalon is much more expensive. style of boat isn’t built for offshore passages. It is designed as a family
Use: Mostly as tenders although bigger models are used for fishing sports boat.
and water sports. Length: Typically 5.0 m to 7.0 m.
Special Features: Relatively light and cheap. Multiple air chambers Construction: I have never seen a large alloy runabout and definitely
for safety. Better examples have an inflatable keel for improved never seen an alloy bowrider, although it is possible that both exist.
performance. Floorboards are now an expected feature of even small This segment is the domain of the fibreglass manufacturers.
models. Can be deflated and folded up so no trailer is required. Use: Wake boarding, skiing, general family boating, trout fishing.
Special Features: Seating forward of the windscreen. Designed to
Small Open Runabout look good, to go fast, with priority given to comfort and performance
rather than to fishing fit-out.
General: Along with the small cabin
boat, the open runabout is a very Centre Console Craft
popular and very common style of
boat. General: A specialist style of fishing
Length: From around 3.7 m to about boat with a driving position in the
5.5 m. centre of the craft. It is possible to
Construction: Fibreglass and walk around to any part of the boat,
aluminium are equally represented. which helps with chasing the fish.
Older boats are more likely to be Length: 4.0 m to 7.5 m. Very popular
fibreglass. My Sea Nymph is typical of the style of open runabout built in the US where they get much bigger.
in the 1970s and 1980s. After that time there was a surge in ‘14-foot Construction: Fibreglass and alloy. Plenty of RIB versions as well.
tin boats’ and then they got bigger. Use: Primarily fishing boats or for other uses where space is
Use: General fishing and boating, water sports such as skiing.
Special Features: A front windscreen to keep waves and spray off the important, such as diving.
occupants. Open runabouts have lots of cockpit space. Special Features: All-round access. The trade-off is that they can be
wet.
3 Buying a Boat 65
