When my family and I decided to buy a bowrider, we used to do all of our boating in lakes and rivers. Loving the boating life so much, it was evident that we wanted more. I took it upon me to find out if we could take our boat on the ocean, and we eventually did. (you can read more about going to the Bahamas on a small boat here) Let me share with you what we learned.
So, can a bowrider go in the ocean? Bowriders can definitely go into the ocean. The notion that bowriders can only be taken to freshwater is erroneous. No rule prohibits these boats from taking the bigger waters.
However, if you would be bringing your bowrider in the ocean, there are some things that you have to bear in mind to ensure that you would have a great time while in the waters.
Here is a video of a bowrider handling waves like a boss in fairily rough seas in Miami at Haulover Beach.
2 Primary Considerations When Taking Your Bowrider in the Ocean
There is no hard and fast rule with regards to the kind of water environment where you are supposed to take your bowrider. These nifty water rides have been built to take on both freshwater and saltwater. New boat owners have been led to think that bowriders were only meant for lakes because a lot of existing boat owners would only take these boats in freshwater. However, this isn’t the case. Nothing prohibits you from bringing your boat to the sea or the ocean. There are certain precautions, though, that you must bear in mind whenever you decide to take your bowrider into the sea.
1- Watch the Waves and the Weather
Although there is no prohibition with regards to bringing your bowrider in the ocean, you need to be mindful of the weather. Some bowriders may not be able to handle big waves in the sea adequately. You need to familiarize yourself with your boat and learn its capabilities and limitations. This is why before you start your journey at sea, you have to take your boat out on multiple occasions and learn how it handles in different conditions.
Also, familiarize yourself with the area so that you will be able to navigate the waters with safe. An excellent way to familiarize yourself with the area is by studying the navigation charts on a computer beforehand.
Checking the weather conditions and the forecast is fundamental when taking any boat on the ocean but extremely important for bowriders because they tend to have low bow areas. Big waves can be a problem for bowriders waters can quickly get in the bow area. This is why it is vital to make sure that your boat bilge pump is in optimal working conditions in case you need it. We have installed a second bilge pump on our boat for added peace of mind.
I would not recommend for people to sit at the bow when the boat is out at sea or ocean. This will expose passengers to a lot of water and could even be dangerous for them when waters would come rushing in. At any rate, make sure that you have safety equipment on board, such as mounted VHF and a GPS Tracker. Lifejackets must be available according to the number of persons on board. Any passenger who would dare sit on the bow must wear a lifejacket. Don’t forget to have a flare onboard. It will always be a lifesaver.
2- Consider the Bowrider’s Size
Many boat enthusiasts would attest to the boat sizes that could tackle the rough atmosphere of the ocean. The recommended size is between 21’ to 25’ long. Any boat that would come shorter than this may not be a good fit in the ocean.
As a good practice, you may need to choose a bowrider that would be between 21’ to 25’ long. If your boat falls below this length, then better keep it inshore or on lakes. Check also the manufacturer’s recommendations because some are known for manufacturing big boats that handle the ocean waves well. You can expect their bowriders to be as good too.
Can You Take a Bowrider in the Ocean Even without Self-Bailing Capacity?
Again, there is no prohibition concerning the kind of bowrider that you can bring into the ocean. Yes, you can still bring your bowrider that does not have a self-bailing capacity into the sea. However, many boaters would say that a boat with self-bailing capacity is better at sea than one without. Now, if you are keen on bringing your non-self-bailing bowrider to the ocean, make sure that you bring it out during good weather. It will be unwise to take it out in the open sea amid gloomy skies. If it’s raining hard, better wait for the skies to clear. As the old fellas would say, it is better to be safe than to be sorry.
Is there a Bowrider that is Suitable for the ocean?
The best option is to go bigger. Choose the bowrider that is at least 25’ long. Although a 21’ foot bowrider will be a good fit, a bigger one will always be better. This will be more stable when confronted with big waves in the ocean. A bowrider that is lesser in length will be better off on lakes or inshore. Also, if you would be bringing your bowrider at sea, make sure that you have an experienced individual in the cockpit. If you have not driven a boat in the ocean, better find someone who has the experience, lest you become overwhelmed by the different kinds of waters that will confront you.
What Precautions Should You Take When Taking a Bowrider In the Ocean?
If you want to take your bowrider in the ocean, make sure that you have all the safety equipment on board. Consider also the number of passengers that you will have. Remember that the heavier the boat is, the more that it will be difficult for you to navigate it in rough waters. This is why you must determine the maximum weight that the boat can carry. Take note of the weight of each passenger as some of your friends may weigh more than the average. Don’t forget safety equipment such as lifejackets and a flare. These will always come in handy whenever you are in the middle of the sea or the ocean. Again, the safest way to bring your bowrider in the sea is during good weather. Don’t ever tempt fate. You won’t prove anything by bringing your boat in the open sea amidst a rainy or stormy day.
Related Questions
Is there a type of hull that a bowrider should have before bringing it to the ocean? There’s no exact hull-shape needed for a bowrider to be at sea. What you should look at is the ability of the boat not to bury its nose when in the waters since this could lead the boat to take in much water when confronted by a wave. It should be steady so that even if it takes a wave over the bow, it will not be dipping forward, which could lead to some unwanted scenarios at sea.
Does the captain need to be experienced before bringing a bowrider out in the sea? Technically, the more experienced the captain is, the better it will be for the boat and the passengers. Having an experienced captain is ensuring that your boat will be handled with care. He would also know how to handle waves in the ocean. Although this isn’t a must, it will be the more prudent choice if you want your boat to last you for a long time.
What are the areas to avoid in the ocean? If you are bringing your bowrider out in the ocean, make sure that you avoid inlets. These are the indentations in the shoreline that lead to the enclosed body of water like sea, bay or lagoon. These areas are unpredictable. At one point, it can be calm. At another time of day, it can be rough. This is why you need to determine beforehand where the inlet is and avoid it while you’re out at sea. If you’re unsure, better get the proper information from old-timers so that you can navigate your bowrider properly.
