Re: Looking at Tahoe deck boats
I understand your interest in deck boats. I went through the process and did some pretty substantial research before I pulled the trigger on mine. Now that I own one, I can make some comments from experience.
The type of body of water you plan to use your boat on might have higher impact on your decision on which boat to consider. Deck boats are not designed/engineered for open seas, just inland water and shallower bays (they are VERY popular in Florida).
Yes, most true deck boats have low angle deadrise (usually between 12 to 16 degrees), it contributes to allowing the manufacturer to have the ability to pretty much keep the beam width the same from the transom to the bow. This design especially allows the bow seating area to be more spacious than bowriders and can include a full width bow deck (even big enough for a couple of fishing chairs!). There are quite a number of boat manufacturers that have models that give the appearance of a deck boat, but they are mostly modified bowriders or sport crossovers (for example; although it?s a really really nice boat, the Chaparral Sunesta falls in this category in my opinion).
The most popular true deck boat manufacturers are Tahoe, Hurricane (they?ve been building them the longest), Four Winns and Bayliner. The first three are all good medium level manufacturers and a step above in quality and price over the Bayliner. If you want front pedestal fishing seats, Hurricane, Tahoe and Bayliner are your choices (although some only offer ?one? seat). Because these boats address ?fishing?, it makes them the most versatile (multi-purpose) deck boats. Regarding deadrise, Hurricane models run 12.5 to 13 degrees deadrise for the three digit models and 16 degrees for the four digit models, Tahoe has a 20 degree, Four Winns has 17 degrees and Bayliner ranges 16 to 20 degrees. Although many people offer the comment about poor ride in choppy or rough waters (whether they have owned a deck boat or not) there are some benefits to having a lower angle deadrise on a hull design. It contributes to a very stable platform both at rest and on plane, gets on plane quicker and stays on plane at lower speeds (contributing to better fuel economy).
My boat has a 12.5 degree deadrise. I have found that the size and weight of the boat with a low degree deadrise is directly proportional to quality of ride the boat can produce in choppier water. Boats under 21 ft will have a rougher ride than ones 21 ft and over. Although I?ve read posts of owners experiencing some rough rides in the smaller boats, I have been very pleasantly surprised at the ride on my boat at 23 feet (and about 5,000 lbs +) in the choppy water. I am very satisfied with my boat?s performance overall.
Also, if you like to spend the day on your boat, you may want to consider one that has an ?enclosed? head on board (Tahoe and Bayliner don?t offer that option). Having a dealer that handles the manufacturer of the boat you?re considering near by is also a consideration. All in all, deck boat owners usually love that boat style because it allows them to do pretty much everything on the water, and do it pretty well.
Hope this helps.
