DITCH THE OUTBOARDS Riviera’s 4300 Sports Express blends open-air day-boat living with the range and layout of a cruising coupe. Twin Volvo Penta IPS diesels replace the triple or quad-outboard trend, freeing the transom for a hydraulic swim platform that converts to a water-level “sea deck.” Two cabins below and a single-level sports deck reflect Riviera’s focus on practical cruising layouts and reliable, efficient power.

ICON UPDATED The Sundancer line helped define Sea Ray -- indeed, it started a whole new genre of boats -- and the 370 Outboard is the flagship of the 'dancer fleet. She swaps sterndrives for triple Mercury 300s, opens the bow into a real social zone, has full-height side glass, a 7' cabin overhead, and twin convertible berths give her real weekend capability. The Verados push top speed to 50.8 mph.

STARTER BOAT ALERT The 19' VR4 is Bayliner’s smallest bowrider, with a modified-vee hull and a Mercury 115 Pro XS outboard. This 2022 example is described as freshwater kept, includes a Karavan trailer, and is listed for under $30K. Low hours.

BUDGET BOATING Fiberglass boat prices have climbed sharply in recent years, but there are still straightforward, practical models that don’t cross the six-figure line. We looked at five Carolina Skiff boats priced under $100,000 and what makes these simple, shallow-draft designs popular for fishing and cruising in protected waters.

PEA SOUP RIVER Fog so thick the shore disappears, barges that have right of way and don't care, and a river running low enough that straying from the channel center means running aground. The Boomershines pushed south down the Illinois River anyway, joined by a loose pack of fellow Loopers.