The hardest part of becoming a boater is taking that first step. To be a real boater, you have to actually buy a boat, a prospect that can seem daunting. With so many choices and styles, it’s hard to figure out which one is best for you. Plus, so many new boats have six- or even seven-figure price tags, which can make diving into boat ownership akin to buying a luxury estate. Thankfully, there are still builders who are dedicated to producing quality boats at a reasonable price that appeal to the first-time boater. Here are seven great choices to help you get on the water and get going.
Bayliner D22
Bayliner has a long history of building boats aimed at enticing new boaters, and the D22 fits that profile. It’s a deck boat, designed to maximize crew space so that you can cruise with the family one day and entertain friends the next, while throwing in the opportunity to go fishing or tubing. Bayliner improves the D22’s ride by adding a steeper point of entry and progressive-V. The result is drier, softer handling in rough waters, and smoother turns at speed. In the process, the D22 also gets a sleeker and more athletic appearance while retaining Bayliner’s trademark deep and secure feel.
Because Bayliner carried the D22’s beam forward into the bow area, there’s plenty of seating options in the interior. Forward, a U-shaped lounge wraps the bow cockpit with not only the typical forward-facing seatbacks for those who like to stretch out, but also padded backrests at the forward wall to allow passengers to face aft or watch watersports action in the boat’s wakes. Step through the walk-through windshield to find a well-appointed helm and swiveling bucket seat with flip-up bolster. Opposite, the port console adds lockable storage or can be optioned with a portable head. An L-shaped bench measuring 6 feet 8 inches by 5 feet 2 inches runs the remainder of the portside and across the transom. Behind, a large sun pad faces the swim platform. Pivot the bench backrest forward to fashion a recliner perfect for coving or the sandbar. The adjoining swim platform is covered in comfortable EVA foam, while a locker waits below the port end of the seat for larger items or water toys.
Tested: Read Our Test of the Bayliner D22
The D22 comes standard with 150 hp Mercury outboard, with a base price of $52,295. Our test model featured the upgrade to a 200 hp Mercury, which increased the price by $6,000. With the 200, we felt that the boat handled really well in the midrange rpm, while providing plenty of oomph to tow skiers and tubers. We climbed onto plane in 4.7 seconds and found the most economical cruising speed to be a brisk 29 mph, where the engine consumed less than 8 gph. Top speed? Just under 45 mph.
| Price: | $58,295 (with a Mercury 200) |
| LOA: | 24’2″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | 2’9″ |
| Displacement: | 3,994 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 55 gal. |
SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH
Perhaps no other boat category has seen more evolution and innovation of late than pontoons. The downside? A lot of pontoons now fall into the luxury-boat category, with six-figure price tags and complicated systems. Thankfully builders such as SunChaser still make affordable pontoons and, in the case of the Lucerne 20 LR DH, ones that still score big on style points.
With its roto-cast corner pieces that match the side paneling, the Lucerne 20 LR DH is an eye-catcher on the water. On pontoons, roto-molded plastic is typically found in seat bases and the occasional helm station, but SunChaser embraces it for a large percentage of both furniture and exterior walls on the Lucerne 20 LR DH. No less than four roto-molded modules are featured in each corner on the top deck. They form not only the Lucerne’s four primary seating areas, but also the adjacent exterior walls. Tied together along port and starboard sides with stretches of traditional aluminum fencing and backing panels, the combo strikes a thoroughly modern mix, with the roto-cast’s matte gray finish offset by a bright pop of color off the aluminum.
Tested: Read Our Test of the SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH
Move to the interior, and those four roto-cast modules reveal a passenger-focused floor plan. Bow lounges feature forward-facing backrests for those who want to stretch out, with wraparound back cushions for when the crew is ready to socialize. The port bench continues down the entire side until it meets the aft gate. Continue that big comfy couch on the starboard side where it backs up to the captain’s high-back swiveling helm seat. Overhead, a Bimini top, color-matched to the fence accent hue, offers shade to a large portion of the deck. The sculpted roto-cast helm console features a tilt wheel, gauge array, and Wet Sounds MC5 Bluetooth sound system with four speakers. Swap out the gauges for an optional Hummingbird Helix 5 in-dash GPS.
Belowdecks, the Lucerne rides atop a pair of 23-inch-diameter pontoons. Our test boat’s 90 hp Mercury outboard proved a value-minded match to the affordable Lucerne. Handling was precise for an entry-level model, with pontoons hooking up to deliver exceptional cornering with just a hint of outside lean. Paired with a 90-horse Mercury outboard, our test boat peaked just short of 27 mph. At a leisurely 13.5 mph cruising speed, its most economical, that consumption dropped as low as 2.9 gph.
| Price: | $37,965 (with Mercury 90) |
| LOA: | 20’10” |
| Beam: | 8’0″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Displacement: | 1,875 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 20 gal. |
Starcraft SV 16 OB
Is it a runabout or a deck boat? At only 16 feet, 10 inches, Starcraft’s SV 16 is one of the smallest deck boats on the market but offers big value for the family buyer. Few builders offer fiberglass boats under 20 feet these days, and Starcraft is one of those companies that still builds boats that can be trailered by a typical family vehicle.
While inexpensive, the SV 16 OB never looks cheap. Rather than a simple white base with applied graphics, the hull is available in a choice of bold primary shades, like our test boat’s electric blue. That color carries over as an accent onto a generous array of interior upholstery that further belies the boat’s price tag. Rounding out the standards are MarineMat, EVA-covered bow and stern platforms, and a Wet Sounds MC5 stereo.
Tested: Read Our Test of the Starcraft SV 16 OB
The SV 16 carries its beam well forward in typical Starcraft fashion, which results in a rectangular profile that notably increases interior space. Seating is arrayed into three primary zones. Two lengthwise couches line the bow, inviting a pair of passengers to stretch out and lounge, or multiple family members or friends to sit up and socialize. Aft, a three-passenger bench spans from helm to portside gunwale. When on the hook or at the sandbar, its wrap-over backrests cushion passengers sitting on a third area: the upper deck of the two-tiered EVA-covered swim platform. The latter is a great spot to hang out or gear up for watersports. Stowage awaits below for wet gear such as snorkeling gear or watersports towropes.
Our test boat was equipped with a 70 hp Yamaha outboard, a rig that delivered reliability, fuel efficiency, and enough performance to satisfy the target audience. Slam down the throttle, and the boat reaches a top speed just shy of 31 mph in about 8 seconds flat. Crank the wheel at speed, and the craft nimbly carves a turn, staying hooked up at the stern. Encounter some unwelcome chop on the way back to the dock, and you can hold plane as low as 16 mph. As to that fuel efficiency, we noted a mere 6 gph consumption at that top speed, burning only 2.9 gph at a comfortable cruising speed. The combo makes the SV 16 affordable not only on the showroom floor, but also through years of ownership.
| Price: | $38,228 (with Yamaha 70) |
| LOA: | 16’10” |
| Beam: | 7’10” |
| Draft: | NA |
| Displacement: | 1,800 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 18 gal. |
Starcraft Marine – New Paris, Indiana; 574-831-2950; starcraftmarine.com
Tahoe 1950
Tahoe is another builder that’s dead-set on providing new-boat opportunities for first-time buyers, and you can find these boats all over the country, typically on display at your local Bass Pro Shop. The 1950 is a smooth family runabout that provides a stable entertainment platform while not breaking the bank. In today’s world, a family boat that sells for just $44,000, complete with trailer, is a thrifty winner. With that, Tahoe punches above its fighting weight.
Rigged with a Mercury 150 FourStroke outboard, the 1950 proved to us that it’s ready for towed watersports and family cruising to the sandbar or raft-up cove. Hitting 30 mph from an in-gear idle in just 6.5 seconds, we topped out at just under 49 mph with a 17-pitch Mercury Enertia propeller. At a best cruise of 28 mph (3,500 rpm), the Mercury was sipping fuel at just 4.9 gph—that’s nearly 6 miles per gallon. With a 40-gallon tank, that’s a 209-mile range, leaving 10 percent reserve in the tank. Translated, that’s a weekend of fun for maybe $150 in gas.
Tested: Read Our Test of the Tahoe 1950
Tahoe calls its hull design “Powerglide,” with a reverse chine and HydroStep lifting strakes for increased overall performance. It works—the hull is nimble, carving turns and slicing through wind chop and boat wakes with the sure-footedness of a larger hull.
You might think that as a high-volume builder, Tahoe might skimp on quality. You’d be wrong: The 1950 is 100 percent hand-laid, no wood involved, with a full-length foam-filled stringer grid. Visually, it’s clean and crisp—the full-hull and deck gelcoat colors (white, black, blue, red and gray are available) are well-complemented by the vinyl interior.
Ten can ride; there’s wraparound bow seating with storage underneath, an aft L-lounger, and a standard Bimini top. Folding stainless-steel ladders fore and aft make boarding easier. The captain sits on a plush swiveling/sliding bolstered bucket seat behind a fully digital dash with toggle switches to control all boat functions. An in-floor ski locker and removable aluminum watersports tow are standard, as are a digital depth gauge and four-speaker Bluetooth sound system. If you’d rather fish, an aerated 11.5-gallon livewell in the bow, coupled with optional fishing packages (including trolling motor, graphs, livewell, added batteries and chargers), can add even more versatility.
| Price: | $43,995 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 19’5″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | 1’5″ |
| Displacement: | $2,500 lb. (without engine) |
| Fuel Capacity: | 40 gal. |
Tahoe Boats – Springfield, Missouri; 417-873-4555; tahoeboats.com
Tracker Pro Team 175 Tournament Edition
Not everybody who wants to go bass fishing needs a rocket ship that can blast out of the hole and soar to 90 mph. Sometimes 40 mph is all you need to enjoy a full day of looking for lunkers. Enter the Tracker Pro Team 175 Tournament Edition.
This well-equipped fishing platform brings style, fishability, and performance together at a real value. Rigged with a thrifty Mercury 75 hp outboard, its no-haggle price is just $24,715 (plus freight and tax), and it scoots to 41 mph. It’s a strong-running and well-equipped fishing package.
Tested: Read Our Test of the Tracker Pro Team 175 Tournament Edition
Mercury’s 75 hp FourStroke, fitted with a 17-pitch standard aluminum propeller, zings this 17-footer to 30 mph in just 7.6 seconds. Fuel costs won’t break the bank: At its best cruise speed of 25 mph at 3,500 rpm, it burns just 3 gph to deliver over 8 mpg. With a 21.5-gallon tank, that calculates to a 160-mile range, leaving 10 percent in reserve. A whole weekend of fishing for less than a hundred-dollar bill is truly economical.
For its low price tag, the Pro Team 175’s offerings are top-shelf in construction and accessories. The hull is all-welded 0.100-gauge aluminum and carries a limited lifetime warranty. It’s finished in Diamond Coat powder-coat, available only on Tracker hulls. Lifting strakes and chines are pressed in—not riveted on—for a cleaner look, less drag on the water, and more durability. It’s a quiet ride, which comes from better hull stiffening and added foam (10 percent more than required by USCG standards) for sound deadening.
A Minn Kota Edge 12-volt trolling motor is standard, mounted on the bow, with a recessed tray for the control pedal. Upgrading to 24-volt is an option. An elevated bow deck houses a center tackle-storage locker flanked by port and starboard rod lockers that accommodate up to 16 8-foot rods. A 30-quart insulated cooler is standard.
The driver’s console features a new roto-molded design, and is fitted with a Tracker touchscreen digital gauge display and standard Lowrance Hook graph. Single-cable no-feedback steering is standard and was smooth in our tests. New, more-comfortable pilot and navigator seats make long rides easier and less tiring. An elevated aft casting deck features molded dual storage boxes, each capable of housing three Plano 3700 tackle boxes. A 21-gallon aerated livewell with divider, timer and pump-out system is standard.
All that—plus a custom trailer—makes this the MVP in out-the-door, fishing-ready family fun.
| Price: | $24,715 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 17’7″ |
| Beam: | 7’5″ |
| Draft: | 1’0″ |
| Dry Weight: | 1,050 lb. (without engine) |
| Fuel Capacity: | 21.5 gal. |
Tracker Boats – Springfield, Missouri; 417-873-4555; trackerboats.com
Highfield Velox 420
The new Highfield Velox 420 is a welcome addition to the entry-level-boat segment. Priced at $36,000, this jet-powered RIB is intended to fill the compact runabout niche somewhat abandoned by other popular boat brands. Highfield is pitching the Velox not only as a tender, but also as a family boat ideal for younger captains.
The 14-foot-7-inch Velox 420 features a powder-coated aluminum hull surrounded by Orca Hypalon tubes. The hull incorporates the boat deck, integrated 14.5-gallon fuel tank, and swim platform. The helm console and bow boarding step are molded fiberglass. The boat is powered by a 90 hp Rotax 900 ACE jet drive, the same reliable three-cylinder 899cc powertrain in the Sea-Doo Spark watercraft. A fiberglass insert forms the jet-pump intake and the aft center of the running surface to provide efficient intake flow in a shape that would be challenging to form in aluminum.
The aluminum hatch over the engine bay is also the base for the main seat—wide enough for two or a tight-fit three people. The pivoting backrest enables facing forward or aft. The deep boarding platform is covered with the same MarineMat material that covers the deck. There’s also a small seat on the forward helm console and a seat pad in the boarding step. Stowage space is limited to some room within the console, accessed by raising the forward seat.
The helm console holds a Medallion touchscreen display that can be used to select Rotax performance modes (Eco, Docking and Ski). Switches for lighting and the head for the optional audio system ($920) are to the left of the wheel. There is a wireless-device charger next to the display screen. The console is topped with a small windscreen and a robust grab handle.
The jet pushed this 1,060-pound vessel to a top speed of 38 mph with a light load. Performance is typical jet: Strong acceleration starts at about 5,500 rpm, and at speed in a hard turn, the radius tightens until the boat starts to slide a bit, but this is easy to control. Fuel economy is outstanding at better than 6 mpg at cruising speeds, for a range of about 100 miles. That’s a lot of fun per gallon.
| Price: | $36,000 |
| LOA: | 14’7″ |
| Beam: | 6’9″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Displacement: | 1,060 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 14.5 gal. |
Highfield Boats – Cadillac, Michigan; highfieldnorthamerica.com
Alumacraft Trophy 185X Sport
Multispecies fishing boats have been a staple of lakes, rivers, and inland waterways forever because of their utility and versatility. They offer a way to get fishing without paying more than you did for your house. The Alumacraft Trophy 185X Sport does all that with an added twist—no outboard motor hanging off the transom.
That’s because the Trophy 185X Sport features a Rotax 150S motor that resides below the Max Deck, its horizontal powerhead sealed in a watertight case. Moving the engine inboard means extra deck space for you and your crew, and also not having to worry about a prop in the water in skinny situations or while taking a dip at anchor.
Tested: Read Our Test of the Alumacraft 185X Sport
The extra space is amplified when you consider one of Alumacraft’s key upgrades. Our test boat came with the new Max Deck option that features 25 square feet of elevated casting deck. The Max Deck surface is covered with soft MarineMat and has LinQ integrated attachment points to secure an accessory cooler or cargo box. The deck also has a pair of fishing seat bases, hatches covering a pair of small storage compartments, and a sturdy grab handle for the retractable boarding ladder.
The Max Deck is great for angling, but it also provides extra space for family boating—room to lounge, a built-in diving platform or a spot to secure a tube. Alumacraft Trophy models feature a deluxe interior, padded backrests on the front of the consoles, a full-height windshield, and a four-speaker audio system.
New for 2025 is a redesigned, injection-molded helm with a standard 7-inch Garmin EchoMap multifunction display for instrumentation, a switch panel to the lower right, and room on top of the dash for two 12-inch displays. A new bow control center provides a recessed position for a 12-inch graph, plus a well for storing a trolling-motor pedal, a tool holder, and cellphone holder with a USB port. A new Flex Module system offers the choice of three configurations at the aft end of the cockpit: Flex 29 with a carpeted bench/step and a 29-gallon livewell, Flex FSX with a pair of jump seats flanking a 30-gallon livewell, or Flex 50 with a 50-gallon livewell.
The Trophy rides the Alumacraft 2XB double-plated aluminum hull with a seamless one-piece bottom designed to be durable and feel solid on the water. The running surface is slightly concave from keel to chine to help the boat carve smartly through turns. A pair of 16-inch X-Pod extensions flanking the drive are designed to improve planing performance and stability at rest.
| Price: | $56,760 (base) |
| LOA: | 20’2″ |
| Beam: | 8’2″ |
| Draft (max): | NA |
| Displacement: | 1,929 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 36 gal. |
Alumacraft Boats – St. Peter, Minnesota; alumacraft.com
Essential Gear for the First-Time Boat Buyer
Before heading out on your maiden voyage you’ll want to make sure that your new boat is stocked with the proper gear, and that you have some of the basics for when you return home.
- Life Jackets/PFDs
- Docklines
- Fenders
- Anchor
- VHF Radio
- First Aid Kit
- Fire Extinguisher
- Flare Kit
- Boat Hook
- Boat Soap, Brush, Sponge
- Boat Cover
- Cooler
Upgrade!
Also: First time buyers should consider taking a boating safety course, These can be taken online or in-person. In fact they are required to do so in many localities. Get more info about safety courses and boater licensing and find a directory of boating safety courses, here.
