1980's BW 15' Super Sport

sead0nkey · Mar 27, 2018

If all I want is to put a young family of 4 on the south river (Hillsmere) Hit mikes, ego ally (on a very calm day.) I have no wish to cross the bay...this is a south river + ( special occasion downtown perfect weather trip) Would a 80's BW 15' sport fit my bill?

fishing
crabing
tubing
joy riding

I'm currently in a hobie revo 13. Looking for a cheap way to get the family out there with me. 95% of the time would be in the river or towed.

DC45 · Mar 27, 2018

I like the 15’s with the side console if it’s just me and one other person. They’re fun for a little zipping around, but you can’t stand up and move around at all. Add a cooler and some stuff, and space gets tight.

A center console 17’ offers a lot more in the way of room, I think.

Mike H · Mar 28, 2018

4 people on a BW 15 will be a pretty tight fit. You could probably do everything you mentioned on most days -- the biggest issue I'd have is the 15 is a low freeboard boat, with a pretty flat bottom and you ride sitting down. If there is any kind of wind and resulting waves, or even the wakes from bigger boats, you will be uncomfortable. I've done a couple of sea trials on boats at Hillsmere and last year drove a 22 bow rider when the wind coming out of the south and there were legit 2+ foot waves just getting to the river. No way you would be doing that comfortably in a BW 15 - the waves are just too close together. I've been boating on the South River for about 25 years (our community marina is on the creek to the left just before you get to Mike's) and since retiring from the govt I've been selling boats for the past few years. You really want a 17 or so center console with more of a conventional V hull than a BW 15.

toppkatt · Mar 28, 2018

sead0nkey said:
If all I want is to put a young family of 4 on the south river (Hillsmere) Hit mikes, ego ally (on a very calm day.) I have no wish to cross the bay...this is a south river + ( special occasion downtown perfect weather trip) Would a 80's BW 15' sport fit my bill?

fishing
crabing
tubing
joy riding

I'm currently in a hobie revo 13. Looking for a cheap way to get the family out there with me. 95% of the time would be in the river or towed.

IF it is CALM you should be okay. Growing up I had a 14' runabout similar to a BW. On some days the waves could be challenging. One day in particular I, my father, my friend and my friends father were on the Severn near Manresa and a larger vessel was going upriver and he was poorly trimmed (I've seen farmers plowing their fields that didn't put up as high a furrow!). His 'WAKE' was over 8 feet tall. No matter how I attempted to attach it I was going to be drenched. In the trough the wave was over our heads (standing) and the peak we just buried our bow and threw the water over our heads. Everyone was okay, but a broken seat later I rarely went out much.

ToBeFree · Mar 28, 2018

Nope

too small for four and any gear.
17-18 would make you all a lot happier and safer. taller gunnels also. A semi-v would be better than flat.
Shop used and don't be in a hurry and you will find a deal.

sead0nkey · Mar 28, 2018

Thanks everyone. Just the insight I was looking for.

2ndltsdad · Mar 28, 2018

look for an old maco

1980's BW 15' Super Sport

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