Deck boat manufacturers

[RandyKnight]

I'm in the process of looking for a used deck boat and have found they're few and far between. Maybe becuase they're relatively new? At least the ones with the modified v hull and plenty of power for watersports seem to be. It looks to me like that changed around 2002 or so?

Anyway, I've found a few in the area that I'm going to go look at but interesed in opinions on the following manufacturers:

Monterey
Chaparral
Tahoe (I believe this is made by Tracker)
Four Winns

 

[DJ]

Re: Deck boat manufacturers

All are OK.

Tahoe is indeed a Tracker.

Don;t forget: Lowe, Harris.

The Chap and the Four Winns will hold their value better than the others.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Deck boat manufacturers

i like all of them,

 

[KCook]

Re: Deck boat manufacturers

Deckboats have been around for many years. The market for them really took off in the late '90s. But they are regional, not at all popular in some areas. Designs for both the Monterey and Tahoe lines can vary quite a bit from model to model. So it's important to note just which model you are considering. My favorite would be some of the Montereys. But not all. Chaparral and Four Winns are very nicely appointed, and as djohns19 said, stronger resale as well. Tahoe is a bang-for-the-buck line.

Kelly Cook

 

[RandyKnight]

Re: Deck boat manufacturers

Just got back from looking at a couple. Right now this boat is the top of my list. It was in pretty good shape with the exception of a few scratches on the hull. The only concern I have is that it's a bank repo and there is no hourmeter so hard to know how much it was used and/or how it was maintained.

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/9/84770479.htm

Anyway, how does this one look?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Deck boat manufacturers

Looks good, but I would have a Mech. take a look at the engine and outdrive for peace of mind. Worth a few bucks to have it checked out...

 

[jevery]

Re: Deck boat manufacturers

A good indicator of the overall care of the boat is the bottom of the hull and the skeg on the outdrive. I sold my last boat after four years of use without a scratch on the hull or the outdrive. The boat was NEVER pulled up on a shoreline - never touched anything but the trailer. If the bottom of the hull and the outdrive are ding free it's been well cared for or has had very little use. Scratches higher on the hull, (a little interaction with a dock), are much harder to avoid, especially on those windy days or if the driver has had a little too much to drink. Looks like it will have plenty of power for your needs. Insist on a sea trial. Good luck with your purchase decision.

 

[KCook]

Re: Deck boat manufacturers

Here is a thread on the 214 on another site -

http://boards.trailerboats.com/cgi-bin/trailerboats/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=001732

 

[bamadave]

Re: Deck boat manufacturers

I love my Chaparral Sunesta 232. When I work on it, I raise the engine cover, sit on the floor with my feet in the bilge. It's nice to work on a boat with so much room. The boat has a 5.0 merc. Can put 14 on the boat and still cruise.
The boat you're looking at is nice but being a repo, I would take it to a reputable shop to get a survey to make sure it has not been abused. Good Luck!