What's a Deck Boat???

[hibbert6]

I own an old 15' tri hull and am thinking about a newer, bigger boat for family fun/water skiing, etc. As tri-hulls apparently haven't been made since about 1980, someone recommended a deck boat. Is this the same as a pontoon boat? A recent issue of a boating magazine had lots of ads for pontoon boats and regular bow-rider v-hulls. (The only deck boat photo looked like any other bow rider).

Can y'all fill me in on the pros & cons of deck vs. pontoon vs. vhull? (including price?) I can't seem to locate any deck boats out here in mid-California to go look at. As I'd be looking for something easily towable, I'm interested in something under 20'. Thanks in advance!

 

[JB]

Re: What's a Deck Boat???

Think of a 'toon deck with a wide boat hull under it. Sort of a cross between a 'toon and a barge. Lots of room to walk around and usually less like a floating patio and more like a boat than a 'toon.

They are fairly popular around here, where we have pretty well protected waters. They can handle rougher water than a 'toon, but can't deal with the sort of chop and waves that a typical fish 'n' ski can.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What's a Deck Boat???

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What's a Deck Boat???

under 20' feet they are as cramped as a bow rider. we have a 23" 1999 Chris Craft 230 Deckboat 5.7 L Volvo sx drive, reated for 13 people, cruises at 38mph wot 43mph. doesn't know the difference if 2 or 10 are on board. great ski, wakeboard boat, or party platform. 60 gallon tank for that long cruise, extremely economical for it's size. we tow with an old surburan or toyota 4 runner. it likes any kind on reasonable water, and is a no wood construction. this one is not ours, but identical. with bow cover will take on most anything.tow weight 4500lb. google deck boats.

 

[KCook]

Re: What's a Deck Boat???

The larger deckboats like tashasdaddy showed us are really V-hulls. They just have a different flavor bow shape from the bowriders.

Deckboats under 20' usually have a very mild V to their bottom, so they are more different from the bowriders. This gives the deckboats an advantage in stability with a lot of people on board. Kind of a compromise between 'toons and bowriders in that they ski much better than 'toons, but do not ride so nice as a bowrider. Builders with deckboat models under 20' include Bayliner, Hurricane, NauticStar, Starcraft, Tahoe, & VIP.

Kelly Cook

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What's a Deck Boat???

if you go under 20' go outboard, you need the extra space the inboard/outboard takes up. The chris craft is a modified v on the bow to a deep v on the stearn. as you can see it is a wide profile boat, with basicly flat areas on each side, with the V in middle.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: What's a Deck Boat???

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate the time and effort each of you put in to give me the kind of info I sought.

So I guess a deck boat really is very much like a bow rider, but more stable. Kind of a modern triHull, I guess.

But, Tashasdaddy, WHERE do you fit 13 people on that boat???

Am I correct to assume that a deck boat will cost a pretty penny? I assume that pontoon boats are way cheaper, but can you ski behind them? Wakeboard?

Again, thanks a million.

Dave

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What's a Deck Boat???

6 can easily be comfortable in the bow, and there is a table that can be installed for lunch. the starboard side and back is a bench seat, with just the captains chair. 7 back there, there is a sink and porta potty area opposite the helm, you step down into the mini cabin. we found this one last year in Ft.Myers, Fl. $15,000 with trailer. around 35 new. there are a lot of boats for sale in southern Fl, the (snowbirds) come down, retire, buy a new boats, then find they are too big, expensive, for them to handle. or unfortunately their health fails.

pontoons, with enough water you can have a good ski, but they tube better, no sharp turns, they are a barge, not a runabout.

we wanted a boat that the extended family could get together on. when we go out together, there are usually, a couple of jet ski's along, and maybe another boat.. the "grands are getting on" and like to watch the ski's and fun from the comfortable surroundings in the deck boat. there are 17 of us, with significant others, so it takes a big platform. total there are 5 boats, and 4 jetskis in the family.

 

[KCook]

Re: What's a Deck Boat???

The inexpensive 'toons are the ones with putt-putt motors. Powered up for skiing, there will be little difference in price between a 'toon, bowrider, and deckboat.

Kelly