Deck Boats

Mo-Dog 94 · Aug 25, 2002

I want a fishing boat. My wife wants a ski boat. A deck boat seems like a good comprimise, but I know nothing about them. Any suggestions?

Bob_VT · Aug 25, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Many of the fish and ski combos will work very nice and somewhat less exspensive than a deck boat. Just for an example check out Tracker Marine from Bass pro. They have a few fish and ski models. Bob

jocko_nc · Aug 26, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Many of the "fishing" boats with outboard power have a great hole shot. Great acceleration. I have a 21 foot center console with a 150 Yamaha 2-stroke, certainly not over powered by any means, as 200 would be more typical. That being said, this thing jumps out of the water like a frog. I am now an outboard believer. I see no reason one could not rig a ski pylon of some sort to a dual console fishing boat and have something the wife would like too. In fact, that is what many of the fish and ski models essetially are. I had a Four Winns deck boat out this summer. Very nice boat. I was impressed. Probably 20 -21 foot or something. Even with a V-8 the deck boat was extremely heavy and sluggish. I do not think I could not have been pulled up by this boat, it spent too much time getting going. I guess I do not see a deck boat as being suitable for fishing or skiing. Good for cruising, though, for sure. jocko

jocko_nc · Aug 26, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Something like this with a 150 outboard. Make it a four stroke and you would probably have the range to go to Europe! Salt or fresh water. Good resale value vs. all that vinyl and carpet. Should handle well for skiing. http://www.anglerboats.com/204dc_page.shtml Anglers are a good value boat. Sea Pro and Key West, too. jocko Find one late-model used down at the shore and rescue it from the salt water. Let someone else pay for rigging the electronics. It will look great and last forever on a lake. When it is time to trade up, take it back to the shore where it will get snapped up right away. Of course, I am partial to salt water boats!

tjthorson · Aug 26, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Well, technically a deck boat is a compromise between a pontoon boat and a ski boat. There are some good crosses between fishing and skiing. How big do you want to go? Salt or fresh water? Look at the Crestliner 1750 sportfish for a great cross between a ski and fish boat. If you want the cruiser/ski deck boat with some capability for fishing, check out this deck boat from Sylvan... http://www.sylvanmarine.com/2002/fiberglass/spaceship2290ob.htm We really need more info? Size, trailered? budget? Here is a link to the 1750 sport/fish. Cool little boat... Even has a video to watch... http://www.boattest.com/general-info.asp?ID=304

Mo-Dog 94 · Aug 26, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Thanks for the ideas. I would be using the boat in medium sized feshwater lakes in the west, mostly in Utah. I don't mind fishing from a ski boat, but would hate to ruin the apholstery, etc. I want something that has the look of a nice ski/cruising boat, but with the accesories of a fishing boat. ie, seats, livewell, rod holders, etc. I may be looking for the impossible, but if there are any more ideas I would appreciate them. Are deck boats maneuverable, and quick enough to pull up a skier?

Mo-Dog 94 · Aug 26, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Oh, yeah, size,,, no less than 18, nor more than 22. Budget is flexible, 30-40K is possible. Would be trailored all the time, no where to keep it..

mom · Aug 26, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Have you looked at Hurricane boats?

mom · Aug 26, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Or less deck-like, more ski-and-fish like, Glastrons ski and fish line?

KCook · Aug 26, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Deckboats have good stability. So would be fair for casting. For trolling a fish-n-ski may well be better. Either way an outboard works better for fishing than an I/O. As-is I would expect a fish-n-ski to be better for skiing. But put trim tabs on a deckboat and the difference should shrink. jocko_nc has a good point about adapting fishing boats to skiing. With enough power, no reason why this wouldn't work. Main problem for many moms with the fishing boats is their spartan seating. A deckboat or fish-n-ski is just more comfortable for lounging around on. For deckboats start with Hurricane. For fiberglass fish-n-ski try Caravelle, Four Winns, Skeeter, and Triton. Of course, almost any aluminum runabout would work - Alumacraft, Lund, Princecraft, Tracker Targa, etc., etc. Lots of choices, try as many as you can, Kelly Cook

Jacques321 · Aug 28, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Princraft make a real high quality deckboat(Princecraft Vacanza 210 Wake Xpress) that performs real well on the water. Best of all it's made of aluminum so it's lighter. I believe you can get them with a MerCruiser 4.3L EFI i/o powerplant. Checkout this link: http://www.boatinglifemag.com/eBrochure/Main/1,2967,1-1-2-17346-15-63115-0-2,00.html or: http://www.princecraft.com/apps/products/home.jsp?lang=E&RootID=2

Mo-Dog 94 · Aug 28, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

What are the most important things I should look for when considering a boat? How do alluminum boats and fiberglass boats differ, other than weight? What are the advantages or disadvantages of having an outbaord vs. an I/O?Where is the best place to look for boat reviews? Thanks for the help.

tjthorson · Aug 29, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

I realize many people throw out the biggie names in the industry, but I can tell you from my experience, don't overlook the smaller builders. All the builders pretty much use the same powerplants, so its not like engine parts would be any different. The company that built my deck boat is Sylvan. Most people have never heard of them and the few that have, know their great aluminum fishing boats. I looked at many of the biggies in the deckboat arena, Bayliner, Crownline, etc. Expect to be in the 30K+ range for a new one. What I got was a 2000 Sylvan (never been in the water) 20 foot deck boat. It has an enclosed head, self bailing cockpit, snap in carpet, Mercruiser 4.3 I/O, 55 gallon tank, and tons of storage. It is not the flashiest on the water, no wrap around windshield, etc. What I did get was a NEW boat WITH trailer and full warranty, out the door for $22500. To answer some of your questions that i feel I can confidently answer, usually aluminum is a lighter construction. It also tends to hold up better (read:flexes) if you are in a rocky area. My boat is 1800 lbs + 700 for the powerplant, which is pretty light when you look around at deck boats. I am 340 lbs and walk around the deck and platforms without any creaking, so i know its built well. As far as outboard vs. I/O. I owned an outboard. granted it was probably the worst one ever created. Never gave me any trouble, but the mere mention of the name "Force" in a sentence on boat boards can get you hung. Now, I have the I/O Merc. It has SO MUCH MORE power and is SO QUIET compared to the outboard I will never go back. I ran this thing for 4.5 hours of its 20 hour break-in, even took it up to 45 mph and I only used 10.5 gallons of fuel. The disadvantage of the I/O is there is much more to do for winterizing and storage. This one may take a day, whereas my outboard took about 3 hours. Also, some claim that in shallower waters the outboard is better because of draft. That may be so, but if you get into trouble, you can raise the I/O and back out slowly. Salt water in an I/O is a whole another issue. Furthermore, my deck boat handles as well as my runabout v-hull did, and actually rides the small inland chop better. I would NOT be out in the ocean or even Lake Michigan in this boat. I could go on for hours on this because I just went through it and did a TON of research over almost a year of time. BTW - this is the one I ended up with. http://www.sylvanmarine.com/2002/fiberglass/spaceship2030io.htm Its great for the family and I for tubing (skiing when they are older) and fishing or just plain relaxing. I will never go back to a runabout, or an outboard again!

Jacques321 · Aug 29, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Here's what you have to look at: The boatbuilder's reputation. Compare the fit, finish, design, colour, options etc.. of the preferred boat models you will consider. The price, obviously (Shop around) Decide on the Powerplant. OB or Inboard. Do you want the smoother, quieter attributes of an Inboard or the faster lighter but noisier attributes of an OB. Consider the Dealer reputation and the after sales service (VERY IMPORTANT). How far will you have to travel if you need service. Or will they come down to the lake and service your boat when the time comes?? We all know alum. is lighter. The question is does it perform as well as fibreglass on the water? The answer to that is yes, thanks to computer designed reverse chine hulls and rigid high strength aluminum. Aluminum is also very low maintenance, it won't rust, and nothing will rot under the boards. Just aluminum and floatation foam under the boards, no headaches in the long run. The Princecraft boats I was alluding to in my previous post are very fast. I see a ton of them on the lake here in Quebec all the time. The Super Pro's can hit speeds over 60-65 MPH. Even the deckboats go over 40 MPH. I'll second tjthorson on his opinion about Sylvan Boats, I saw them at the boat show last year and was very impressed ! Then again I still think in IMHO that Princecraft is a better boat, but that's just my opinion, go see for yourself and testdrive a few.

jocko_nc · Aug 29, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

The "Finance Committee" (wife) approved this purchase. She had the same misgivings about seating until she saw bow lockers with seat cushions. With the jump seats, pedestals, cooler, and bow seating, there is a lot seating. It is just spartan. Definitely NOT a cruiser, the ride up front is a bit rough. Of course, I am driving a bit rough, too. Isn't that the purpose! lol. I have owned plushier boats in the past, but this is what I now prefer. Low maintenance. Quick. Reliable. Functional. Solid. I will put a ski pylon on someday, as my kids get older. I feel I can do it all with this boat. I have the opportunity to access a lot of great saltwater here in NC and that was a big deal picking out our next boat. BTW, The wife really came around the more we looked. Less impressed by gloss and plush.

jocko

Mo-Dog 94 · Aug 31, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

K-Cook said that putting trim tabs on a deck boat would give it more power for pulling a skier. Sounds like a great idea,,,but what are trim tabs?

KCook · Aug 31, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Here are some more threads that go into detail on your questions - Aluminum VS fiberglass boats in Big Water I/O vs Outboard web page What Trim Tabs Do web page Kelly Cook

Bob_VT · Sep 1, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Two words....TEST DRIVE. Try boats out and see what you two like. If you are prepared to purchase new then the dealers should be prepared to allow a test drive demonstration. Bob

Mo-Dog 94 · Sep 2, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

I was checking out some deck boat sites and noticed that comparable boats made by Tracker, and hurricane had vastly different prices. The Hurricanes were roughly 10,000 dollars more than the tracker/tahoe. One difference was engine size, 5.0 vs 5.7 l. Other than that I didn't see 10 K. in difference. Is it the quality? The Name? Does that engine size difference equate to the price difference, or is it just the liitle extras and quality of the boat. Just curious to hear some opinions about the two companies. I know very little about either of them.

KCook · Sep 4, 2002

Re: Deck Boats

Power upgrades are often expensive. Have a big impact on a boat's final price. Web sites for Crownline and Stingray have functions that will show you the prices for various motors and drives. Play with them and you will see how big these price jumps can be - Crownline deck boats web page Stingray Build Your Boat Boat prices cover a wide range to serve different customers. No one boat is best for everybody. Kelly Cook

Deck Boats

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