Deckboat any suggestions?

[shlap]

Hey everybody! I was interested in getting a deckboat, not a pontoon. I was looking at the Sea Doo Islandia and the Bayliner. Anybody favor one over the other or have another suggestion. I am trying to keep it somewhere near 20-22 feet for maybe 10 people or so. Thanks for any replies!

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

The Sea Doo is a jet boat...so, you need to understand that compared to a Bayliner it is a pretty different boat.

The Bayliner is an "entry" level boat. That being said the current Bayliners are really pretty nice.

What do you plan to use the boat for?

Where do you plan to use the boat?

 

[shlap]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

I do understand some of the differences such as the obvious horsepower/price. But it will be used mainly on some lakes and possibly rivers in PGH. Is it possible a jet boat is just too much for the normal boater? Just overkill? Should I stick with something like the Bayliner just for ease of use to get the job done? Thanks

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

The thing with jet boats is that the motors need to crank out quite a bit more horsepower than a conventional prop boat to get comparable performance. The jet drive is not as efficient as a prop. There are certainly a lot of advantages though.

Honestly, if this is your first boat I'm not sure there is a real advantage one way or the other. A lot of people that are used to a single engine prop drive boat don't like jet drives of any type. Manuevering in close quarters is different with a jet and this frustrates a lot of people that are used to a prop. Since most of the current bread of jet boats have 2 engines those that have the patience or nack to figure out how to take advantage of it end up liking them more than a conventional prop.

Are you looking at used boats or new?

I'm not familiar with what you mean by PGH. Is water depth a concern on the lakes or rivers you plan to use the boat on? Do you have kids that you plan to take tubing, sking or wakeboarding?

I don't think the typical jet boats you are considerig are "too" much for the typical boater...not overkill either. A boat like a Bayliner may be better considering you may be able to get one for less money than a Sea Doo.

 

[Bowser4x4]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

I have experience with two different deck boats. We have a Sea Ray Sundeck 200 {21'} and my boating bud has a Four Winns Funship 194.

The Sea Ray is not a true deck boat, sort of a hybrid between a bow rider and a deck boat. Extremely well made and fairly heavy boat. Ours has the 5.0 MPI Mecruiser which does a great job moving the boat, towning tubers, and skiing with it. The only shortcomings is that the front is not quite as wide as a true deck boat, and the load rating is only 8 people. But with more deadrise on the hull than a typical deck boat, it handles the chop and wakes much better than my buds true deck boat.

On his Funship 194, the front is much wider, allowing more people on the boat. But when he hits the chop or a good wake with the flatter hull, he definitely has more bump. One other difference is that his has a Volvo-Penta I/O.

I can recommend either boat....as for as the difference in ride...depends on the lake/river your running on. We have been known to trade off boats during the day {just a change of pace} and we both agree that we could own either boat.

Woof
Bowser

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

if you're looking at the sea doo, you should take a look at the Yamaha SX210 - jet boat, great features, good layout, good price.

Maintaining a jet boat is easier than an its prop'd counterparts (in the opinion of many)

Jet boats arent for everyone; you should check them out... here's a good resource: www.yamahajetboaters.com

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

Do a web search on Hurricane Deckboats. I really like how they put their package together.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

Do a web search on Hurricane Deckboats. I really like how they put their package together.

Second the Hurricane. Nicely put together, and most of the models come in I/O or OB giving you options for drive systems! The OB, IMHO, is the easiest to maintain.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

Second the Hurricane. Nicely put together, and most of the models come in I/O or OB giving you options for drive systems! The OB, IMHO, is the easiest to maintain.

I'll be a 3rd and 4th (just sold my Hurricane for a bigger Hurricane)

Hurricane Deckboats

Lots of different sizes, configurations (I/O or OB), etc.

 

[mike343]

Re: Deckboat any suggestions?

Just because we have one and it has served our needs perfectly--nine grand children and three sons/wives (can't get all on at once)--check the Glastron DX235. Best feature is the amount of room in the bow. That's where they all want to ride