How Fast Can a Bowrider Go? [Top Speed Chart]

The vast majority of bowriders can hit a top speed of 33-62 mph and cruise in the 20-30 mph range. As a rule of thumb, the larger the model, the more speed can it handle. 15-22 footers top out at around 33-55 mph while bowriders above this size class can reach 45-60+ mph depending on the model and its features.

If you want to find out more about average top speed ranges in each size class, this post is for you!

Average Bowrider Top Speeds

The top speed of a bowrider depends on numerous factors like its overall length, beam, weight, hull design, engine package, and more.

But the general rule is that outboard engines are faster than sterndrives and offer quicker acceleration as well.

The hull shape also affects the speed of the boat, deeper-V architectures tend to be slightly slower than their less steep, modified-V counterparts.

When it comes to size and weight, the longer and heavier the hull, the more speed it can handle safely and comfortably.

Sure, as the weight and dimensions increase, the larger the engine package needed.

Even though it’s impossible to give an exact number in each size class, our team listed the top speeds of many different bowrider models in one chart.

Along with our bowrider top speed chart with ballpark figure ranges, you may also find its abundance of specific examples useful.

16-19 Feet Bowriders

Due to their small lightweight hulls, entry-level bowriders reach significantly slower speeds than their larger siblings.

The lightest models in this breed are built on 15-16-foot platforms and can only reach a moderate top speed of 33-48 mph, while 17-19 footers top out at around 35-53 mph.

For example, the extremely popular Bayliner 160 Bowrider can reach a top speed of 33-46 mph depending on the power option, while she cruises in the mid 20s.

The rival Sea Ray 160 BR can hit 45-47 mph with ease, even with a heavier sterndrive engine package.

When it comes to the latest models, the Tahoe T16 tops out at 34-35 mph with a 60hp outboard, and shy of 40 mph with a 75hp variant.

Depending on its year, the 18-foot Sea Ray 180 BR can reach 37-40 mph with a 3.0L MerCruiser Alpha I or 42-43 mph with a 90hp Mercury outboard.

Fitted with 90-125hp outboards, the Bayliner 180 BR can also reach top speeds of 38-44 mph.

The latest generation of the Glastron GT 180 with a 115hp Mercury outboard and a Sea Ray 21 SPX with a 150hp Mercury outboard can both hit 45-47 mph under ideal conditions.

You can expect the same performance from a Four Winns H190, even though she came with a heavier 4.3L MerCrusier sterndrive engine.

20-25 Feet Bowriders

Thanks to their larger bodies, bowriders above 20 feet can handle faster speeds and rougher weather conditions too.

You can expect roughly 40-57 mph on these models, depending on their design and engine packages.

Let’s look at some examples!

Measuring 20 feet in length, the top speed of a Chaparral 204 SSi matched with a 260hp MerCruiser 5.0 MPI is no less than 53-54 mph.

As claimed by the manufacturer, you can expect the top end of a Bayliner 195 Bowrider to be 47.5 mph with a 190hp engine and 50.6 mph with a 220hp power source.

When it comes to 21-footers, the Cobalt 200S rigged with a 225hp Volvo Penta V8 sterndrive engine can only reach 44-45 mph.

In contrast, the Chaparral 21SSi can go almost 50 mph with a 240hp Vovo sterndrive while the Tahoe 210SS with a 225hp Mercury outboard tops out in the mid-50s.

Over the years, Sea Ray marketed the iconic 220 Bowrider with many different hulls and power options.

For example, the MerCrusier 5.0L Alpha I sterndive engine propelled the boat up to 42-43 mph.

Its close competitor, the Bayliner 215 Bowrider tops out over 50 mph even with the standard 220hp engine.

Its more spacious 225 BR variant with a single 300hp MerCrsuier 350 MAG tops out in the low-to-mid 50s.

Jet boats like the 23-foot Yamaha AR230 are known for their great performance.

Housing two 998cc 140hp marine engines, the top speed of the standard AR230 averages between 46 and 48 mph. Its HO variant with the twin 160hp engine package goes 2-3 mph faster.

Regarding sterndrive models, the maximum available speed on a Chaparral 23 H2O is close to 50 mph with a 250hp MerCrusier engine.

Going bigger, the 24-25 feet bowriders with larger engine packages can exceed a whopping 55 mph.

Powered by a single 250hp 4-stroke outboard, the Chaparral 250 OSX averages around 50 mph.

Stylish and powerful, the Formula 240 Bowrider with a single 430hp MerCrusier sterndrive can hit 53-55 mph with a light load.

With a top speed in the high 50s, the Chaparral 243 Vortex VRX is one of the fastest bowriders in the 24-foot size class.

Bowriders Over 25 Feet in Length

Bowriders over 25 feet are much less popular than their smaller siblings.

This is no surprise since due to their dimensions and heavy weight, they are fairly difficult to tow and launch.

Hence, many bowriders above this size are kept in marinas or on boat lifts.

Top speeds?

Based on our research, bowriders over 25 feet can typically reach a top speed of at least 45 mph, but the fastest models can hit up to 58-60+ mph with a light load.

Some examples include:

• Regal 2700 w/ 1x 375hp Volvo: 51-52 mph
• Regal 2800 w/ 1x 380hp Volvo: 50-51 mph
• Chaparral 280 OSX w/ 2x 250hp Yamaha F250: 59-60 mph
• Four Winns Horizon 280 w/ 2x 300hp Evinrude: 57-59 mph
• Chaparral 300 OSX w/ 2x 300hp Yamaha: 55-57 mph
• Formula 310 Bowrider w/ 2x Mercury Verado 350: 53-54 mph
• Formula 350 Crossover Bowrider w/ 3x Mercury Verado 350: 60-61 mph
• Formula 380 SSC w/ 2x Mercury R 520: 51-52 mph
• Tiara Sport 38 LX w/ 3x Mercury Verado 400s: 55-56 mph
• Cruiser Yachts 38 GLS w/ 3x Mercury 300hp: 53-54 mph
• Sea Ray 400 SLX w/ 2x MerCrusier MAG 380hp: 45-47 mph

Bowrider Top Speed Chart

For a better comparison, we’ve listed the average top speed figures of bowriders by their length class in one chart: (these are fairly average speed ranges, so please consider them ballpark figures!)

Overall Length (ft.)	Avg. Top Speed (mph)
15-16 ft.	33-48
17-18 ft.	35-53
19-20 ft.	38-54
21-22 ft.	40-55
23-24 ft.	43-56
25-26 ft.	45-58
27-29 ft.	45-60
30-40 ft.	45-62

Disclaimer: Ballpark figures in this chart are provided for informational purposes only. For specifics, please refer to your boat’s operator’s manual or contact your dealership for further advice.

Takeaways

Depending on their design, weight, and overall length, the available top speed of bowrider motorboats varies greatly.

As a rule of thumb, the larger the body of the boat the faster it can safely and  comfortably go.

Based on our research, you can achieve 33-50 mph on the smallest 15-17 footers, while the fastest bowriders in the 18-24 size range top out in the mid-50s.

Over an overall length of 25 feet, most production models can reach a top speed of at least 45 mph, while the fastest ones can go a whopping 60 mph.

Interestingly, we also found that the fastest production bowriders typically measure between 28 and 35 feet in length.

Some of the most well-known models in this breed include the Chaparral 280 and the Formula 350 Crossover BR.

Rigged with the right engine package, these models can easily reach or even exceed 60 mph!