New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

[jascott]

Looking for opinions between the following few boats. I am interested in things like ride quality, fishability, storage, etc. I will be boating on Central Texas lakes - skiing, tubing, fishing.

Hurricane SunDeck 187 OB w/ 150 HP 4 stroke. (Yamaha or Honda) - 12.5 deadrise
Hurricane Sundeck 195 OB w/ 150 HP 4 stroke. (Yamaha or Honda) - 12.5 deadrise
Tahoe 195 WT OB w/ 150 or 175 Suzuki 4 Stroke - 20 deadrise
Tahoe 195 WT OB w/ 150 or 175 Mercury Verado
Larson Escape 204 OB w/ 150 Yamaha. - 17 deadrise

I am replacing a 19' bowrider w/ a deadrise of 14, and would like to improve upon it's light chop ride quality. I know the Hurricane has a lower deadrise, but also understand there is more to rough water than just deadrise.

There are things I like about all the boats, and I will be attending the Dallas Boat Show in a few weeks. There are several Tahoe dealers close-by... The Hurricane and Larson dealers are all considerable further.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ziggy]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

deck boats are about as close as you can get to a trihull boat these days. trihull boats are notorious for beating the heck out of you chop....if your takin a beating in light chop with a 19' br. i'd think a deck boat would be worse.......my opionion is that ya should be lookin for a deeper v hull.....

 

[flybuddy]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

Just bought a new Hurricane Deck Boat after looking at several alternatives. Great boat overall, since you'll be on lakes I wouldn't worry about the ride. Great tow and party boats as well as quick to plane and fast. Have fun!

 

[jascott]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

Thanks for the info. Flybuddy, which model did you get? I think I have decided on the SD195 w/ the Yamaha F150. It should be a good combination - and hopefully not too bad w/ the wakes. I'll demo before purchase just to make sure. I am awaiting a quote on a new 2007 as I can't seem to find any used models...

I have not been able to find any deep V boats that offer the same features as these Hurricanes do. A big deep V will also mean I can't get to allot of areas to fish.

 

[flybuddy]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

Good point, the deck boats can run shallow with the tri-hull (we don't have water down here--just wet sand)
Anyhow, we purchased a 196RE with a 115 Yamaha. It'll plane quickly, tows well and will do in excess of 40 (gps-mph) with family of 4 aboard.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

this past year we bought a 1999 Chris Craft 230 Deck Boat. 5.7 volvo. fantastic, overall boat rated for 13 passengers, and will still snatch 2 skiers out of the water. and economical for it's size.

 

[DJ]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

Hurricane?

Tahoe (nice name) read "price leader" as in Bass Tracker. Equipment loaded with ??? underpinnings.

Larson, Good name but does the inspection meet your needs.

Deck boats are abused, in every sense. Buy quality, from a dealer you trust. You'll be better off, in the long run.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

If you want a smooth ride, you need a heavy V hull perferably with lifting strakes; even in a tri hull to slice through the wave. Otherwise you bounce over it.

Over the years we had many boats and when you want to ski at 30 to 35 mph, it means that the boat has to tolerate wave/wake action at those speeds. Bar none, the only tri hull we had that could do that was an 18' Caravelle with the hull I mentioned. Rode very well.

Now, you have to pay the price for that softness....heavy boats with high deadrise don't plane out very easily (unless they're padded) and that means high hp to get them going and big bucks at the gas dock. Also they usually leave a big wake which is great......if your skiier can handle it.

HTH

Mark

 

[arthat]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

My two cents,
Try to demo each one you are considering. I have bought in the past w/o a demo and was not happy. My personal rule now is to demo before I buy. Put it to the test too.

good luck
&
Successful Boating

Art

 

[roger8486]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

I run a hurricane in very severe chop, it handles as well as my scout boat did with it deep v and heavy fiberglass hull. if you are looking for real smooth look at catamaran style boats with twin fiberglass pontoons. The cushion of air between the pontoons cushions the ride. Having said that they cost way more. The key to running in heavy chop is to adjust your speed and trim accordingly and only put people you don't like in the bow.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Deck Boat Purchase - Hurricane, Tahoe, Larson

Welcome to iboats roger. Please don't dig up old posts. This one is almost 3 years old.