260 Bowrider Select

Bowriders have a reputation for being utilitarian boats with lots of passenger seating but few creature comforts. By design, of course, that’s what a bowrider really is—a sportboat with open bow seating in place of a cuddy cabin. With the Sea Ray 260, however, there’s more: a surprisingly roomy enclosed head compartment opposite the helm that transforms this day boat into a much more practical and comfortable day cruiser. Built on a solid fiberglass deep-V hull, the 260 Bowrider’s trailerable 8-foot, 6-inch beam provides a roomy cockpit with swivel bucket seats forward and an aft bench seat with storage under. Just behind the seat is a sun pad which can be raised with gas-assist struts for access to the engine compartment. (Note that a “Signature Select” model has a curved U-shaped lounge seat in the stern and no sun pad.) Up front is the wraparound bow seating with a filler that converts this area into a large sunning platform. The simulated burlwood helm of the 260 is very attractive, and a walk-thru windshield provides easy access to the bow seats. A single 310hp MerCruiser sterndrive delivers a 25-knot cruising speed (about 40 knots top).