Deck boat vs bowrider???

[Lvvtec]

I am newer to boating and looking to purchase a used boat. I am curious as to the difference between a deck boat and a bowrider. I expect to have about four kids and four adults on the boat most of the time. I want to be able to ski and tube. Any suggestions on which way to go???

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

deck boats come with v-hulls now so you get the performance of a bowrider

 

[S8861]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Deck boats also usually have a ladder off the bow where bow riders don't

 

[QC]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Typically a deckboat has a larger bow area than a "bowrider". Often a square shaped bow area. With the advent of some deeper v-hull "deck boats" you really need to pay attention. IMHO the issue is deadrise. If you run in any rough, or even moderate chop you want 20 degrees of deadrise. Many deck boats are 16 degree and will be very hard riding. And there are some bowriders that have shallower deadrise as well. 16 degree bottoms will list (tip) from side to side less when at rest, so may make a better family swim platform. But the difference in ride between a 16 degree bottom and a 20 degree bottom is like night and day. Day being better

 

[Vista600]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Typically a deckboat has a larger bow area than a "bowrider". Often a square shaped bow area. With the advent of some deeper v-hull "deck boats" you really need to pay attention. IMHO the issue is deadrise. If you run in any rough, or even moderate chop you want 20 degrees of deadrise. Many deck boats are 16 degree and will be very hard riding. And there are some bowriders that have shallower deadrise as well. 16 degree bottoms will list (tip) from side to side less when at rest, so may make a better family swim platform. But the difference in ride between a 16 degree bottom and a 20 degree bottom is like night and day. Day being better

That's some great advice (of which I was not aware, being new as well). Glad I ran across this. Thanks!

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Deck boats also usually have a ladder off the bow where bow riders don't

Many bowriders do have the bow ladder. My 2011 20ft. BR does. Back in 1969, most bowriders did not have a bow ladder.
Deckboats, even with a modified V hull, do not take rough conditions as well as a deep V bowrider. So if you boat in choppy
conditions, a deck boat may not be the smoothest ride.

 

[doyall]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

If you want the 'best' of both, look at sport decks ... a hybrid with sporty styling and deck boat roominess. Lots of manufacturers now make them. Plenty on the used market as well.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

I currently have a 19.5’ bowrider. I can defiantly fit 4 adults and 4 children but it does get cramped. My next boat will be a deck boat/sport deck of some type.

If you plan on skiing with that many people on the boat, storage space for life jackets, skis, and boards will be at a premium. I love my boat, but I run out of room fast when guests are aboard.

Also, make sure you get enough engine to accommodate the passengers and skier. I would avoid the 3.0L engines and look for at least the 4.3L or bigger. The small 4 cylinder sterndrives run fine with 2-3 people aboard, but would struggle out of the hole with 8 aboard + gear.

 

[Lvvtec]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Wow!! Great feedback. Thanks all!! I definitely want a smooth ride and have looked at a 20' 2007 four winns horizon 200. It seems to be priced right and has the 5.0 v8 (which makes me somewhat nervous about gas mileage). It seems to have plenty of room and features but my wife likes the spacious-ness of a deck boat....

 

[QC]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

From what I can tell that Horizon has a 20 degree bottom. I like it!

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

I have a 21' deck boat and love it. I can pull a wakeboarder, stop and put in the table and eat dinner. After dinner I put in the fishing chairs and cast into the water for a nice bass. It has a sink, 5 coolers (one is removable), front and rear ladders and a large bimini top. Prior to this boat we had a bowrider and really liked it, but wanted something different. It has a deadrise of 20.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Wow!! Great feedback. Thanks all!! I definitely want a smooth ride and have looked at a 20' 2007 four winns horizon 200. It seems to be priced right and has the 5.0 v8 (which makes me somewhat nervous about gas mileage). It seems to have plenty of room and features but my wife likes the spacious-ness of a deck boat....

as stupid as it sounds you gotta keep the wife happy cuz if not then she will make your life ten times more miserable on the water then if she was im glad i got a boat that made my wife happy cuz she would be swimming to shore if she were any more of a pain in the butt on the water :laugh:

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Don't worry about gas mileage! Nobody goes out on the water with a slow boat that can't get's out of it's way and smiles about the great gas mileage they're getting.
Actually, fuel usage will not change very much between engines. It takes the same amount of energy (gas) to move a given weight thru the water at a given speed. My 20.5 boat with 5.7 can run a long day on the water skiing, tubing, cruising, etc. on about 20 gallons.

 

[S8861]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Slip Away,

Is your boat a bowrider or a sport deck? I hadn't seen many items billed as br's that had a ladder up front. The sport deck hybrids, however do. I thought the pointy nose was a distinguishing item on BRs vs. SDs.

Just curious.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

To be honest, i equate the primary difference between a runabout bowrider and a deckboat to be the deck layout. Deckboats typically have an open layout similar to a pontoon, where the bowriders tend to have a more confined seating arrangement. I've seen both designs with different deadrise specs so i can't use that as a guide. I prefer the bowrider, but the deckboats are functional if you prefer that layout. definitely get the biggest engine you can, it will pay off in the end and gas won't amount to much difference over the smaller engine option.

 

[CC245]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Slip Away,

Is your boat a bowrider or a sport deck? I hadn't seen many items billed as br's that had a ladder up front. The sport deck hybrids, however do. I thought the pointy nose was a distinguishing item on BRs vs. SDs.

Just curious.

The Capt. has a Monty 204fs. It's a 20ft bowrider. I also have a 08 Four Winns h220 frenzy bowrider with a bow ladder. Many bowriders have them, like most of them mine comes out of the anchor locker.

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

Yes, a lot of bowriders have bow ladders, for a while now, so that's not a distinguishing characteristic of a deck boat.

The wider, roomier bow is the main difference of a deckboat vs bowrider.

Most deckboats also have less freeboard, making bow entry easier, but also making them wetter in the rough stuff.

Newer deckboats do have similar deadrise to bow riders, so the physical ride characteristics are getting closer between the two layouts.

Deckboats are typically rated for more passengers vs same length bowriders, too.

 

[cobra1476]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

I also had both. Currently own a 21' deck. Point bank....It's very roomy. Unless you get a ridiculously big bowrider(27'), you can't even compare the space.

In all seriousness, the ride of my bowrider was better in the rough. It was a 19' with a 20 deg dr. I only noticed this in rough water. Now with that said. Where do you boat?

We go to lakes and on the bay. Don't even have to worry about it on a lake because water is generally calm. The bay on the other hand is very unpredictable. We once got caught in a freak storm in the deck , actually sank half a dozen boats. I pretty much went slow with bow up with no problems.

You will get used to driving it after a while and really is stable. It's like driving a car vs. a minivan. You wouldn't take a corner the same in a mini van than you would in a car.

Closes I can find to compare space to a deck is a pontoon. Closes bowrider would have to be those new yamaha jet boats.

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

I pretty much concur with the previous posters. I wanted a new boat and had to ask myself similar questions before deciding.

I do want to point out some characteristics that a lower number deadrise can offer (we?re talking deck boats primarily). One thing is that the boat is very stable at rest and in motion. Another is that you will usually get on plane faster and maintain plane at lower speeds (good for fuel economy, beginners on water toys and most wake boarders) although trim tabs can be added to a boat to improve some of this performance too. I do agree with most posters that a smaller deadrise can contribute to a harsher ride in more aggressive chop, but I would also point out that it probably has a greater effect on deck boats under 21?. Our family?s first boat was an Evinrude Sweet 16 Tri-hull with a 90HP I/O. I think my teeth are still a bit loose from riding in that boat when the water surface was rougher than glass. My experience on my new boat (which is 23?) has been one of being pleasantly surprised how well it handled some pretty substantial chop from some of the bigger northeast lakes (my Coast Guard Buddy riding with me was also impressed and he was stationed in the North Atlantic) and it has a 12.5 degree deadrise. So I think the extra length and weight helps the ride in this department. I will admit that this is not the right hull design for deeper ocean use. Inland water and calm bays on nice days is where most deck boats perform the best and belong. Where you intend to use your boat will have a profound effect on your decision.

Another couple of things I thought would be good to point out concerns the engine/drive system and a head. Although there are good arguments for both outboard vs.I/O?s, the I/O drive does allow you to have a full width swim platform which can be appreciated when engaged with water toy activity. Also, the family does appreciate having an enclosed head on board (actually, my wife and daughter REALLY appreciate it), so you may want to consider it in your search.

I chose a deck boat because I really liked the versatility of being able to fish, cruise, lounge all day, and/or engage with water sports and do it all well with one boat. It was the right decision for me and my family.

Good luck and welcome to boating!

 

[Lvvtec]

Re: Deck boat vs bowrider???

I would be boating in Claytor lake (Virginia) and other lakes nearby