10 Best Runabout Brands
Runabouts are all about having fun day-trips on the water, and these 10 brands stand out among the crowd.
Walk the docks at any marina or spend some time at a local boat ramp, and you’ll notice that a huge swath of the powerboats you see are runabouts. This is a broad category of boats, including many different varieties which all share a few similar traits: they’re small (usually 26’ or under), have enough power to zip across the lake or bay on plane, and don’t have any sort of overnighting accommodations. There are bowrider runabouts and deck boat runabouts, for example, but not all runabouts are bowriders nor are they all deck boats. So if you’re shopping for a runabout, you have a very long list of choices. Which are the best runabouts around? The answer will depend on your own specific wants and needs, but these 10 brands offer standout options that every boater will want to check out.
Bayliner
Bayliner has been building runabouts for many, many decades and traces its founding all the way back to 1957. Today it’s a prominent manufacturer of runabouts and is part of the Brunswick Corporation. Their line of models which fit into this category includes deck boats ranging from the M15 to the DX2250; bowriders run from the 18’9” VR4 to the 22’7” VR6, and center console fishing boats from the T18 to the T24CC. Many are offered with a choice of outboard or stern drive power options. Bayliners are known for delivering maximum bang for the buck, with boats that aren’t overly fancy but have all the basic features you need plus options for adding in plenty of extras.
See Bayliner runabout boats for sale on boats.com.
Chaparral
Chaparral has been building boats since 1965, was founded in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and today is located in Nashville, GA. They have an extensive lineup including many models that extend beyond the definition of a runabout, but their SSI and SSI-OB models (ranging from 19’ to 23’) as well as some smaller offerings in the SSX and Surf lines fit the bill. Chaparral has a well-deserved reputation for delivering good quality in a reasonably priced boat, often exceeding expectations when it comes to outfitting and accessories. Even their least-expensive 19 SSI OB, for example, comes with choices for multiple gelcoat color schemes, a mooring cover, hydraulic tilt steering, and a four-speaker Bluetooth stereo system.
See Chaparral runabout boats for sale on boats.com.
Cobalt
Much of Cobalt’s lineup includes boats larger than those categorized as runabouts, but they have a few stern drive models in the R series (the 24’3” R4 and the 25’9” R6), the CS stern drive series (with three models from 22’6” to 23’5”), three Surf series Forward Drive boats (the CS23 Surf, R4 Surf, and R6 Surf), and two outboard models (the R4 and R6) which fall squarely into the runabout category. Cobalt is known for excellent gel coat work and a fit and finish well above the norm, resulting in boats that have spectacular eye-appeal. They also offer some significant luxury touches, like Fresco Chil vinyls which remain 15 to 20 degrees cooler than regular vinyls, arches with rotating sun shades, and electrically powered swim steps.
See Cobalt runabout boats for sale on boats.com.
Crownline
There’s a huge range in the Crownline lineup, with 20 different center console (Finseeker Series), bowrider, deck boat, dual console, and surf sports boats that fall into the runabout category. Sizes range from 20’2” to 25’10, in a mix of outboard and stern drive offerings. These boats are known for offering a long list of standard features that many other builders would list as cost-adding options, often including items like six speaker stereo systems, battery switches, mooring covers, and even trailers. They also have a great fit and finish, with perks like linered stowage compartments, diamond-stitches cushions, and bolstered inwales.
See Crownline runabout boats for sale on boats.com.
Four Winns
Four Winns is another builder with a long history, this one dating back to 1975. It’s changed ownership several times since then and most recently in 2014 was purchased by the global boatbuilding powerhouse the Beneteau Group. Today it offers a wide range of runabouts in both stern drive and outboard options, including bowriders, deck boats, and surf boats, ranging from the 20’1” H1 to the 24’4” HD5, as well as larger offerings. They also offer the forward-looking H2E, a fully electric outboard bowrider. Modern models are known for their sharp looks and innovative designs, including a near-plumb bow stem and contemporary styling. Also note that Four Winns offers an unusual three-year stem-to-stern warranty, five-year osmosis warranty, and a lifetime warranty on the hull structure.
See Four Winns runabout boats for sale on boats.com.
Glastron
Glastron is another Beneteau brand, one which is exceptionally well known for its runabout lineup. In fact, their entire line of bowriders and deckboats from the 19’ GX 190 to the 24’3” GTD 245 consists of runabouts. Their reputation is for building sporty boats and the GTD 250, for example, can take up to 300 horsepower on the transom to exceed speeds of 50 mph. They also feature dazzling gel coat graphics, as well as lots of seating for the LOA. Even the diminutive GX190 can handle up to nine passengers.
See Glastron runabout boats for sale on boats.com.
Scarab
Boaters who like jet boats will be checking out those from Scarab, all of which get their thrust from Rotax 4-TEC engines blasting water through a jet pump with no propeller necessary. Perks of the system include iNR neutral and reverse, cruise control, ski mode, eco mode, and docking mode for slow-speed maneuverability. All of their lineup except for one model too large to fit our parameters fit the bill for runabouts. Starting at the 15’9” 165 ID and ranging to the 25’ 255 ID their Sport models are bowriders featuring unmatched jet boat maneuverability and handling, and they also offer Wake Sport and “Multi Sport” center console models.
See Scarab runabout jet boats for sale on boats.com.
Sea Ray
Sea Ray is one of the best-known brands in the runabout world, with its founding dating back to 1959. Today a Brunswick brand, Sea Ray builds more large cruisers and luxury dayboats than runabouts. Its SPX bowrider line, however, ranging from the 190 to the 230, as well as the SDX 250 and SDX 250 Outboard deck boats, fit squarely in the mold. Sea ray has long been known for producing high-quality boats with sporty performance, and even in their small runabouts, adding luxury touches one normally would expect to see only on larger models. Digital touchscreen helm stations, bucket helm seats with flip-up bolsters, and integrated stereo systems are all in the mix.
See Sea Ray runabout boats for sale on boats.com.
Tahoe
Tahoe is part of the Bass Pro Shops family, and is one of their few brands to build boats that aren’t exclusively designed for fishing (the other being their Sun Tracker and Regency pontoon boats). The lineup includes a dozen models from 16’5” to 21’1” with most being bowriders but some deck boats and one center console deck boat, as well. They’re known for being exceptionally affordable and hassle-free to buy thanks to the “No Haggle No Hassle” pricing policy, and all of their boats are sold as complete packages. They feature a long list of standard items and very few options, delivering a turnkey boat-motor-trailer combination from day one.
See Tahoe runabout boats for sale on boats.com.
Yamaha
Yamaha’s jet boats aren’t just the most popular line of jet runabouts on the water, they’re also among the most popular of all runabouts, period. Their selection of 19’, 22’, and 25’ bowriders, wake boats, and center consoles includes 28 different models, each of which boasts a different trim level with a complete list of standard features and very few options. That makes the pricing straightforward and simple, an aspect of Yamaha boats that’s made even better by Yamaha because they advertise the MSRP for each one right on their website. These jet boats are also known for extremely sporty handling, good looks, the excellent reliability of Yamaha four-stroke engines, and the techy Connext 3.0 touchscreen system controls.
See Yamaha runabout jet boats for sale on boats.com.
Choosing the ideal boat is no easy task, and in a category like runabouts it can be downright overwhelming. Give these 10 top brands some serious consideration, though, and you might find that you discover the runabout you just can’t live without sooner rather than later.
