If you can spring the extra bucks from the budget I really recommend getting the AR over the SX. I've had 19ft boats for the last decade, this is my first one with a tower. It's worth every single penny and then some.
Upsides to the tower:
It's easier to hold the boat at the docks.
There are no poles attached to the hull for the bimini
Gave us a spot to mount speakers and flag holder
The anchor light is integrated (getting another pole off the hull)
It's great for hanging things off of (bumpers, tie off ropes, towels, and even my hammock)
Downsides to the tower:
It's a bit more expensive up front
Has to be modified slightly (literally a 20min job) to fit under an 8ft door
Some additional items on the prelaunch checklist to ensure it's tight and safe
The mooring cover has two holes in it to allow the tower to pass through, potential leak spot ('19s might be different here)
Overall, our AR190 has provided us with 2 seasons of worry free fun and enjoyment. Very little maintenance, and only a few mods (sub $1k) that arguably weren't necessary for great fun. We can typically get a full weekend of use from the 30gal tank with mixed watersports/cruising/anchoring time. It cruised us down the
Cumberland River to Nashville very easily and without incident. It tows behind damn near anything nowdays. My wifes Traverse has hauled it, my Trailbalzer towed it, I use a fullsize pickup now, but that was me future proofing the tow vehicle for the next boat. Usage with 4 adults and 4 kids and all the gear/coolers/etc is still very reliable and consistent. We can ski/wakeboard/tube with a full load, and still get into the mid 30's for speed (which is about all we want/need with that many people). The storage space on this boat is incredible, we haven't "filled" every compartment on a trip yet. The build quality isn't as nice as other boats, but it's the nicest (also the first brand new) boat we've ever owned and have very few complaints on quality. The engine has a history of reliability, and the rest of the propulsion system is so dead simple there isn't much to have to maintain. Winterization is literally a 15min task in the driveway.
The 190's are inexpensive boats to own, maintain, and store. Including fuel, and assuming no down payment, we're into ours for less than $350/mo averaged over the course of a year. We put ~70hrs on it in 2 seasons, so if we assume a 2:1 usage time to engine hours we're about $60/hr to own/operate/store. Cheaper than a rental (not counting tow vehicle costs), and we get to take it wherever we want whenever we want.
. Either way like mentioned the tower is well worth it IMO. I use mine to hang bumpers and hold my boat as opposed to having to hold onto the windshield at a dock with the SX. I’d rather swap in the captains chair than add a tower to a non-tower boat. It would be cheaper and easier to install than a tower.
