Deck boat performance

kaw550

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 4, 2006
Messages
144
How does a deck boat compared to a regular v hull open bow boat?

I have 98 Bayliner capri, we just looked at 2007 Bayliner 217 deck boat. They both have the Mercruiser 4.3 but the deck boat is EFI.

We mostly cruise at slow speed or tube/ski. We dont get over 25 MPH that often but I am worried about how long it will take to get from 0-25mph. Especially if we have a coupleof people tubing.
 

Toddavid

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 8, 2012
Messages
183
Re: Deck boat performance

How does a deck boat compared to a regular v hull open bow boat?

I have 98 Bayliner capri, we just looked at 2007 Bayliner 217 deck boat. They both have the Mercruiser 4.3 but the deck boat is EFI.

We mostly cruise at slow speed or tube/ski. We dont get over 25 MPH that often but I am worried about how long it will take to get from 0-25mph. Especially if we have a coupleof people tubing.

A lot of deck boats have a shallower deadrise, which means they can get up to plane faster than a deeper vee hull. The analogy others have used is how a flat bottom bass boat can accelerate (while the vee difference is not as great between a bowrider and a deckboat vs a bass boat).

My Chaparral Sunesta 254 has a 17 degree deadrise and is very, very quick to get on plane, can top out at 50mph on GPS (glass smooth water, 300hp 5.7 Mercruiser) and is quite stable on quick turns. Maybe a tad rougher on chop than a bowrider (my trim tabs help), but also theoretically more stable at anchor because of the flatter bottom.

Time to plane is not only dependent on deadrise, overall hull design plays a role, too, so do your research by brand, not hull type.
 

StitchSC

Cadet
Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
16
Re: Deck boat performance

i own a 2008 195sd (smaller sister to the 217), it has a 17 deg deadrise. very stable, very fun. LOVE IT, and wish the dealer had a 217 when we bought ours.....

Nose is a bit light in chop (bay 2-3'). with the stock 3 blade prop it took me about 6 sec to plane, with a HIGH nose. With my 4 blade it takes about 4 sec.

Time to plane with tubers (IMO) isnt critical cause, well, its a tube! Tell the rider to lean back :)

If the price is right, and condition of the boat is good...go for it!
 

doyall

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
277
Re: Deck boat performance

How does a deck boat compared to a regular v hull open bow boat? ...

A deck boat is more than likely a bit heavier, LOA and beam width being equal. Comparing the stats of your current rig with the proposed rig could give some idea as to what to expect. There also should be some tests/reviews on a 2007 model somewhere on-line that may provide useful information.
 

cobra1476

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
129
Re: Deck boat performance

Got a 21'. also had an 18' bow before hand. If you have a lot of people aboard a having a deck is night and day. lots of space to move and lay around in.

Handling chop vs. the bowrider is a little different but you will get used to it. trim the bow up a bit more to handle chop. We got caught in a freak storm last year with bigger waves than 3', it was scary alrght, but had the bow trimmed up and throttled in and out.

Getting on plane is no problem what so ever.
 

theBrownskull

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 23, 2012
Messages
625
Re: Deck boat performance

I love my Tahoe deckboat. It is a little rougher in the chop when compared to my bowrider but the space and comfort is nice. The hull dead rise is 20 degrees. It planes out quickly and works well for wake boarding, tubing, kneeboarding, etc. It will stay on plane at 21 MPH and makes a great wake for wakeboarding. It does not corner as well as my bow rider but it is almost four feet longer. The engine has MPI and runs smooth. I really enjoy taking out family and friends..lots of room. I do find that is goes on the trailer easier than my bowrider did, but I think it has more to do with how the trailer is set up. You will like it.
 

beaverliner

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 9, 2011
Messages
43
Re: Deck boat performance

I have a Chris Craft 260 Sport deck with the 7.4 VP DP. In terms of performance I second the comments that being shallower than the comparable v hull it is faster to plane (read better gas mileage as well) and that it's a bit harder on chop. Mine's got a low freeboard at the bow which makes me be extra careful when on high waves... If looking for a family boat the does everything reasonable well is what you are looking for, you will probably find that a deck boat is a great choice... we certainly love ours
 

MJG24

Seaman
Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
68
Re: Deck boat performance

I have a close friend with a 2004 Bayliner 219 Deck Boat. But it has the 5.0. Very good performing and comfortable boat.
 

four winns 214

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Messages
770
Re: Deck boat performance

A 4.3L 21' deckboat is an underpowered vessel. I have a 5.0L GXiB Volvo Penta in my 21' Four Winns deckboat. With a light to medium load, it's adequate. Fill the boat with people, it's woefully underpowered. I can't imagine what it would be like with a 4.3L.
 

theBrownskull

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 23, 2012
Messages
625
Re: Deck boat performance

kaw550,

Like Four Winns 214 pointed out the boat might be underpowered due to the engine size. I would try test driving it if possible and then you would know for sure. Maybe someone else on here has one like it and can tell you the performance of it.
 

jestor68

Commander
Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
2,308
Re: Deck boat performance

Well, it's not exactly like it. Actually it's bigger and heavier. It's a Bayliner 2359 powered by a 4.3L Mercruiser.

With the correct prop ( 15.5 X 17 ) it pulls a slalom skier up very quickly and tops out at 43 mph. It's operating weight is 4000 lbs.

The 4.3L is a strong motor. Correctly propped, it will provide good power for the 21 footer.

Visit the Bayliner web site and select the 217 to see a full review/test ( with 4.3L)conducted by Boats.Com.
 

jkust

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,942
Re: Deck boat performance

If the 4.3 you speak of is a 2002 or later, it is MPI not EFI. As for the comments of being underpowered...some brands are built less robustly and weigh quite a bit less than the more expensive brands. You can't necessarily tell just by looking that one weighs the equivalent of a full crew of people more right off the bat.
 

jestor68

Commander
Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
2,308
Re: Deck boat performance

The boat test on the Bayliner web site will answer all your questions. The 217 has a dry weight of 3409 lbs. That is not cheaply built for a 21 ft boat. It hit 47.5 mph with the wake board tower catching the wind. Without that tower it'd probably do close to 50 mph with the 4.3L. It was tested with a 21 prop only hitting 4500 rpm. With a 19, it'd hit 4800 rpm and pull stumps. :)
 
Top