is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

[rsw21282]

I am considering buying a boat for offshore use. Mostly diving, fishing and partying. I read a post that the deck boat is as similar to a pontoon boat as you can get(i like pontoons for the space and comfort). I was also told that a pontoon boat is suicide on the ocean and was wondering is a deck boat acceptable? I live in west palm beach, fl and would go out no more than 5mi. I was considering a center console and like them but a pontoon/deckboat seems to give you more for the money so my ultimate question is, is a deck boat acceptable for ocean use(2-4ft waves)?

 

[slasmith1]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

If you feel the need to ask you probably don't have enough boating experience to be safe with that type of boat in an off shore situation.

 

[rsw21282]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

Well I am a beginner boater. I have owned one boat. I am asking these questions so I dont buy the wrong type of boat for my needs. However by asking these questions I hope to determine the correct type of boat for the environment and use I am buying them for, and is why I am asking these questions. If deck boats are not appropriate for this use I am asking for opinions since one person may say an inflatable raft is ok while another says anything short of a 50' yacht is not acceptable. Common sense tells me which people to believe and in my opinion boating cant be to complicated outside of certain factors, such as common sense tells you check the weather, tides, wave height, keep distance from shore in mind, depth and keep a radio for emergencies.

also i ask about deck boats particularly since they done seem to have a deep v but have a wide beam which could be questionable on the ocean for stability and is asked because i dont have much ocean experience.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

As evidenced by your old posts and the similarity of your questions there are a few things that should be mentioned.

Have you taken an approved USCG boating course in person and not on line?

Based on what your wants, wishes and needs are I am positive that your set budget may not support it.

I doubt anyone will come up with the answer you were looking for on boat type in a specific price range (However JB did make the best suggestion).

If you admit you are a beginning boater I would say change boats accordingly. In your profile you have a bass boat and maybe it's time to change to a deep V (or a Whaler). Until you build up on your own experience it really will not matter what the USCG has to search for in the event of a problem.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

We were all beginners at one time, so don't sweat it.

As for an answer, a pontoon would be a huge mistake on the open ocean. I have seen a lot of folks around here in Tampa out in the bay with these, and I always shake my head. Even in the bay, if there are swells, you see them get thrown around. Those are good in lakes and protected water.

There are deckboats with a deep V hull that would suit you fine. I would not go smaller than 23 ft if you go out far. In fact, it doesn't sound like you will go out farther than maybe a few miles. I would suggest something like a Chaparral Sunesta or similar. Really a runabout with a wider bow.

Even 1/2 mile out, the wrong hull will throw you around quite a bit. The best thing to do is hit a few dealers and shows to see what you might like. Just stay away from the pontoon types. Good luck with your research and enjoy the water.​

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

Being in Palm Beach you don't really have a need to go out far so that's a benefit.

Any deck boat will go outside BUT not everyday is a flat summer day. One nice thing about going out the inlet is that most the times the inlet will much worse then outside. So if you can't make it through the inlet safely you don't have to worry about the ocean.

Like the guy above said look around there are deck boats that are big and flat and there are one's that are fat bowriders.

Also take a look at some ocean cats.

 

[JB]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

Taking a deck boat offshore would be a fool's stunt. Only someone very lucky or very, very good and experienced could pull it off.

The very, very good and experienced would have to be very drunk or suicidal to try it.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

I've been out in fishing boats in palm beach where I get a little worried about the waves.........

A deck boat? Never lol.

 

[Philster]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

Deck boats aren't for offshore use. 3-4 miles out is offshore.

rsw21282, you have all the classic signs of someone hunting and pecking for the answer you want, as you bob and weave around all the more sensible answers. You are talking about regular use here. Get something that can deal with it over and over.

Get a boat designed for offshore use. Sure, you can take just about anything into the ocean and return safely. Ask some Cuban refugees.

Little open bow boats run out into the ocean. Bay boats run out into the ocean. None are the best choice.

I think you should be approaching this whole thing like this: What are the best boats suited to the following purpose: Offshore use. No one is going to offer up 'deck boats'.

Remember, nothing is a guarantee of anything. Taking a deck boat offshore regularly doesn't guarantee your demise, it just puts you into a higher risk category versus a better suited boat.

 

[rbh]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

A deck boat off shore? thats just kinda crazy.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

RSW, my initial reply was going to be "yes, go for it..." There are some nice deep V deck boats (kinda more like crossovers between traditional deck boats and open bow riders). We go fishing off West Palm in a 25 ft skiff (18" of free board). Diving in 75 feet of water is not far from shore, did lots of it from my 25 ft BR. Having fun and cruising the intercoastal waterway can be done on anything down to a jet ski.

But... having an off-shore capable open fisherman is great and does it all much better. It's safer when the weather turns on you. We had a 17 ft BR in the Keys. Water is usually flat, diving and fishing can be done from anything. A couple of times the weather turned on me and I had to return home through waves higher than me standing in the cockpit, not fun nor safe.

Save the money now and plan to upgrade as you grow out of the near shore waters or spend the money now and have a boat that grows with you. Your money, your choice.

Have fun, stay safe.

 

[golf101]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

Until recently I had a 24' deckboat with a 17 degree deadrise that I purchased for lake use. We visited the beach in NC last summer, and I took it for riding in the intracoastal. That was fine, but when we neared the mouth of the ocean and got into some bigger waves, the boat was clearly outside its limits. Taking it out into the ocean in anything other than a perfectly calm sea I think would be a big mistake. There are deckboats with 20 or 21 degrees of deadrise, but, if I had in mind what you do, I would only focus on dedicated offshore boats.

 

[rsw21282]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

well thanks guys a lot of good info. I guess a center console it is.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

well thanks guys a lot of good info. I guess a center console it is.

Probably a good call.

My deckboat has a deep-V dihedral hull. While I wouldn't have a problem taking it into the ocean in fairly decent water conditions, it wouldn't be on my list if I was buying a boat primarily for ocean use. I'd buy something more suited for the open water.

A 28' SeaRay sounds like fun...

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

I was on a deck boat on a freshwater lake in 4ft waves and had a few crash over the bow-not much fun.

a offshore deep center consol shold be the ticket. throw in bean bags in for passegers and the gals will love you.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

A few people have managed to go over Niagra Falls in a barrel. That doesn't mean its a good idea.



???

 

[Boatist]

Re: is a deck boat accepatable for off shore use?

I have been fishing the Pacific Ocean since 1980 and have NEVER see a deck boat offshore. I would take a 12 foot Open aluminum before a deck boat.

What do you think would happen even with a small 4 foot swell. The boat does not lift fast enough and the water is on top of the deck. Water on top of the deck washes everything on the deck off including kids and gear.

Even in the protected waters od San Francisco Bay never see a Deck boat.