deck boat okay for shallow water with weed bottom?

[Eyeinthesky]

I have read a good bit of the discussion regarding pontoon versus deck boats but have not seen this question asked. I will be trying to navigate 2-4 foot weed bottom out to deeper water. I had a pontoon years ago and was able to move pretty freely under similar conditions. Will a deck boat operate okay under these conditions as well? Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: deck boat okay for shallow water with weed bottom?

I don't own a deck boat or a pontoon but actually neither is ralavent to shallow water operation. I regularly operate in very shallow water and more important than what type hull desgn you have is how much water does it draw.

I've seen some toons that draw very little while others draw a bunch. A wide flatbottom deckboat could draw less than a large I/O DRIVEN pontoon but normally I would think a pontoon will draw less water.

It's all about draw. Shallow water needs a shallow draw.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: deck boat okay for shallow water with weed bottom?

I would me more concerned about making sure you don't get weeds in your water intake. That is going to be an issue no matter what you're running...unless it's electric.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: deck boat okay for shallow water with weed bottom?

I boat on many weedy lakes cause that's for one were the fish are and second most of the land locked lakes here in SE Wisconsin have weed problems all summer long.

I would be more concerned about running aground and wiping out a drive or props than I would weeds.

 

[Eyeinthesky]

Re: deck boat okay for shallow water with weed bottom?

appreciate the responses and advice. My other question is how high the boat will sit in the water. Obviously, the pontoon rides high; I was wondering if anyone makes a deck boat that sits up comparable. I am trying to research this as I go but, man, there seem to be an infinite number of boat makers out there. Probably doesn't help that I've only had one boat and that was 20 years ago.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: deck boat okay for shallow water with weed bottom?

If the water is always at least 2ft deep and you know there are no obstructions you should bee cool with a deckboat, provided that it is an. OB, since you can tilt the engine up. One of the i/o deckboats no way. You will need at least two ft to handle the drive being down, probably more depending on tthe size. It will also depend on the type of deckboat hull, flat ones absolutley, deep v or modified v you should be wary, that is skinny wter.
Good luck