Toon vs. Deck boat

[Bubba1235]

Ok, so I am "looking" at a party platform and have been thinking pontoon. But as I shop around I see a lot of "deck boats". (Usually a modified tri-hull.)

So does one have an advantage over the other? (One thing I do see, deck boats tend to be shorter. I don't think I've seen anything over 20')

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

Bubba, there are LOTS of deck boats over 20'. At my slip there is a 23 ft Bayliner and also my friend has a 22.8' Hurricane Deck Boat.

Lots of them out there. Depending on what you want, will determine which suits you better. If you want some speed and do some skiing/tubing, I think the deck boat is more suitable. It has essentially a modified V hull on the bottom, and all the makings of a pontoon on top.

I personally have a 17' Hurricane and love it. It's fun to drive and hold 7-8 people quite nicely but if you simply want to putt around, you may not want the extra cost of engine size and fuel that a deck boat will most likely run you.

 

[smclear]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

IMO a "deck" boat is trying to accomplish the best of both worlds as in it tries to be both a "party barge" and a ski boat. The problem is it falls short in both areas. Since you already have a ski boat and jetskis to have "fast" fun, I would go with a pontoon. There are hundreds to choose from in a wide array of cost and furniture layouts. If your goal is to have a cocktail cruiser, you can't beat a pontoon.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

I keep hearing people say that pontoons are slow and not good for tubing and skiing. This is not true.

Modern pontoons are built to carry a lot of HP and may models come with 150hp - 250hp O/B engines. Pontoons do allow for a smoother ride in rough waters.

The down side is in order to get the speed out of a pontoon they require a lot more HP than a planing hull like a deck boat. A deckboat with a 115hp O/B may get mid to upper 30mph range (Estimate) where a 24' pontoon would get 24 -26mph.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

IMO a "deck" boat is trying to accomplish the best of both worlds as in it tries to be both a "party barge" and a ski boat. The problem is it falls short in both areas.

I have to disagree. If a 23' deck boat, with 8 people on it pulling a tube with 2-3 people on it falls short, I'm not sure what the expectation is.

I keep hearing people say that pontoons are slow and not good for tubing and skiing. This is not true.

Sorry, not imply that they're slow but your point of more ponies to move it are really the point to gain equal speed or to pull tubes/skiers.

A deckboat with a 115hp O/B may get mid to upper 30mph range (Estimate) where a 24' pontoon would get 24 -26mph.

My 17' with 115 O/B hits 46-48Mph. My friends 23' with a 200HP hits mid 50's. Both are deck boats.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by rrhodes
A deckboat with a 115hp O/B may get mid to upper 30mph range (Estimate) where a 24' pontoon would get 24 -26mph.

My 17' with 115 O/B hits 46-48Mph. My friends 23' with a 200HP hits mid 50's. Both are deck boats.

That is why I listed (estimate) I was not sure how much faster the 115hp would push a deckboat but I know that a 24' pontoon runs 24 -26mph.

Without a doubt pontoons need a lot of ponies. My 25' Triple tube tops out at 26 - 27mph with a Honda 115hp and a 150hp would only bring me up to about 32mph.

That being said I can still run WOT in rough waters while sipping on a drinkl without spilling a drop while deck boats and other V-hulls are geting beat up so they both have ups and downs. I love the stability of a pontoon and 25mph is plenty for tubing and skiing so it is not an issue. (Not that more speed would not be welcome but how much is it worth)

My wife set my budget and that meant a 115hp on my JC 25TT

Bottom line is that if speed is what you are after it takes a lot of HP to get it out of a Pontoon. If crusing and relaxing is your goal then HP does not matter.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

rrhodes, I think we're both in agreement, just saying it differently.

I understood your estimate comment, I just wanted to present some real data.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

To follow up and be clear I am not saying pontoons are better than deck boats. They both server different roles.

Deck boats allow you to maintain the performance and handling of a traditional planing hull while give you the space for a large family or friends.

You will get better performance out of a deckboat hands down as far a speed vs HP goes.

Pontoon boats while they can reach speeds of over 80mph (Twin 300hp) require greater HP but provide a very stable platform and many uses. I prefer the pontoon because of the smooth ride and I can take 12 people out all day on my floating living room. (It is rated for 16 people)

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

rrhodes, I think we're both in agreement, just saying it differently.

I understood your estimate comment, I just wanted to present some real data.

Agreed. We are on the same page.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

I can take 12 people out all day on my floating living room. (It is rated for 16 people)

WOW! That's a beautiful boat and definitely a floating living room. I've been on lots of toons, but they're all junk compared to that beauty you got there.

On a nice sunny day on the lake, that's where I would like to lounging.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

We have a 24' Starcraft Aurora(dihedral hulled deck boat)

http://www.boatinglifemag.com/article_content.jsp?ID=2954.

It was included with the purchase of our lakehouse at Lake of the Ozarks(meaning I didn't make the toon v. deckboat decision myself).

After two seasons with the boat we are very happy that we have a deckboat. For the activities our families like to do, a deckboat serves our needs better than a pontoon would.

It all depends on your needs and priorities.

Good Luck! Boat Safe!

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

The one I posted the pics of is 25' and 10 people fit with no issues at all. Even with 10 people the 115hp still moves us along at about 22mph.

Keeping in mind that cooktops will limit seating however a fridge can be built into the end of one of the benches.

 

[mniact]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

We had a similar decision to make and a pontoon was a better fit for us. We have 5 kids pretty young (9yrs to 4yrs) so not a lot of high speed skiing, mostly tubing.

We trailer it so when we go out we are out for a long day (not just quick runs) so the "living room" effect is nice.

We have a 27' tritoon which has plenty of room, fun to swim off of, a grill, a changing room, tables, etc. It has a 140hp so we get decent speed approx 28 mph.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

I think you are right bubba. It does sound like you would get more out of a pontoon. Our deckboat has a sink, head, and cooler but not the kind of big room that you are talking. (Although a capacity of 13 people is more than enough for me sometimes).

I do like the fact that even with 13 onboard I can still make low 40s MPH. Tubing and skiing with a full boat hasn't presented much of a problem either.

You've pretty much got the speed and sports covered with the other boat. You could raft the two up and have all your bases covered

 

[smclear]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

I have to disagree. If a 23' deck boat, with 8 people on it pulling a tube with 2-3 people on it falls short, I'm not sure what the expectation is.

QUOTE]

In your example, you are correct. Now try that same scenario except go skiing instead of tubing. You'll see what I mean. Also, my toon will seat 16. try that on a deck boat. Don't get me wrong, deck boats are great, they just compromise quite a bit to accomplish two goals. Here are a few pics of my toon.

 

[DeonCarpenter]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

smclear that thing is ToonTastic

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

SMCLEAR, You bought the big brother to my JC. Mine is also rated for 16 people but that would be crowded. I think the only difference in ours is the molded front, double bimini and you got the sweet dash. Oh and a bigger engine.

Next time around I may go for the Tritoon with a 250hp. (If the wife lets me) It is good to see other JC owners out there. They are considered middle of the road pontoons but I place them in the upper tier. Fit and finish is awesome and they handle rough water as good if not better than the big names out there.

Beautiful Toon.

I also have to ask... Do you like the center table? I think that is the one that hides a cooler. I am thinking about getting one but I am not sure if I want to give up the space.

 

[mniact]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

Any pics? I'd love to see how its laid out.

EDIT: Also, can you tell me about towing, launching, trailering this beast? Can one person launch and trailer it safely/effectively, (as I can my 20' ski boat)?

We just bought it so I do not have any interior pictures (will try to get some this weekend) but is is almost identical to rrhodes. One unique thing we have is a small couch seat that is movable and can go either in the side gate space or the front gate space which really changes the feel of the floor plan.

I have a 2008 Tahoe and a nice double axel bunk trailer and it pulls easily (except for the gas mileage).

If the launch is deep enough there is no problem getting it off the trailer; one time I backed in as far as I could and 3/4 of the tubes were not even touching the water, the motor would not pull it off - we basically had to push it off.

A windy day can make it "fun" for one person but I have done it a few times. I usually will tie it up with a lot of slack before I back it off the trailer or tie it up to the dock and pull the trailer out from under it.

I usually just drive it up onto the trailer for loading and have never had an issue with that.

 

[rlk]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

I also have to ask... Do you like the center table? I think that is the one that hides a cooler. I am thinking about getting one but I am not sure if I want to give up the space.

Our new Crest Pontoon came with a "cooler table". This is something like a coffee table, only the top slides open to get where the cooler is stored. The outside is covered with padded upholstery, and has 4 cup holders. It looks nice and my wife really likes it, but I think it takes up too much room.

The cooler can sit anywhere in the pontoon boat, but the wife likes to keep it at the bow so she can put her feet on it when lounging.

Guess I'm too much of a "neat freak" because I do not like having to move it to get to the bow. She thinks I'm just anal about it.

A couple weeks ago, when hurricane Ike was wandering around in the Gulf, we took the pontoon out of the water. When we put it back in last weekend, I left the cooler table sitting under the boat shed. After an afternoon of cruising, my wife remarked about how much more room we had without the cooler table. Hopefully she has seen the light now and will agree to leave the contraption in the boat shed.

Personally, I would not waste my money on buying one.

Bob

 

[mniact]

Re: Toon vs. Deck boat

Our new Crest Pontoon came with a "cooler table". This is something like a coffee table, only the top slides open to get where the cooler is stored. The outside is covered with padded upholstery, and has 4 cup holders. It looks nice and my wife really likes it, but I think it takes up too much room.


Personally, I would not waste my money on buying one.

Bob

Our boat came with a "foot rest" cooler, which is basically a small, upholstered cooler. Sounds similar to the table but it is small and does not get in the way.