Why So Few Deck Boats & 'Toons in Calif?

[hibbert6]

I'm looking to upgrade my old tri hull, and a used deck boat or even a pontoon boat seem like the best choices for what I want a boat to do. But out here in California, we seem to have lots of open bows and cuddies for sale, and almost no deck boats or sport-level pontoon boats! In fact, though I've owned my boat for 11 years, I only first heard of deck boats a year or two ago. Anyone know why there aren't many in use out here?

Dave

 

[alamosaddles]

Re: Why So Few Deck Boats & 'Toons in Calif?

I'm looking to upgrade my old tri hull, and a used deck boat or even a pontoon boat seem like the best choices for what I want a boat to do. But out here in California, we seem to have lots of open bows and cuddies for sale, and almost no deck boats or sport-level pontoon boats! In fact, though I've owned my boat for 11 years, I only first heard of deck boats a year or two ago. Anyone know why there aren't many in use out here?

Dave

Discouraged by the communist government of Kalifornia...

Have you seen any pontoon or deck boats for sale at dealerships? Maybe the dealers just don't carry them and hence few ppl see them enough to become interested in them?

 

[Zero Balance]

Re: Why So Few Deck Boats & 'Toons in Calif?

Probably because they're too sensible. Boating = fun. A sensible person wouldn't gas up a vehicle and tow a boat 100 miles to go boating then put another $100 in gas in the boat all in the name of fun. Not to mention boat payments....

I'm sure theyre around. You may have to oder them though.

 

[QC]

Re: Why So Few Deck Boats & 'Toons in Calif?

The reason is that both suck on the ocean . . . Our local lakes are small, so that limits their popularity too. Expand your search to Las Vegas and Phoenix and you will find them. Very popular on the Colorado River lakes etc. Still, be reminded that shallower vees (deck boats almost always are below 18 degrees of deadrise) and pontoons stink in big water. Toons do well in chop, but chop is not the issue, swells and breakers over the bow are a major problem for both.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Why So Few Deck Boats & 'Toons in Calif?

those who have them love them, and don't part with them, other than to upsize. this is a sister to my 23' chris craft.

 

[Nehoc]

Re: Why So Few Deck Boats & 'Toons in Calif?

Hey there,

Not sure what part of California you're in, but up here in Northern California decks and pontoons are almost as common as skiboats. In fact, the majority of the quality lakes up this way are better suited for pontoons and decks, with their speedlimits and what not.

I'd like to venture that perhaps you see less USED deck and pontoon boats because folks tend to keep those boats for a longer period of time than a fancy skiboat or cuddy cabin cruiser. I know many people with pontoon boats, and they are going on 15 to 20 years of use for some of them.

Something to consider at least. I'm positive there are no "Kalifornia" type laws that make it harder to own a deck or pontoon boat, I just think folks don't want to sell them because they're so much more useful over time.

p.s. the dealerships in the Bay Area are generally 60/40 skiboat/pontoon boat. They're real popular around here this summer.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Why So Few Deck Boats & 'Toons in Calif?

There at all the boat shows and the price is just not that bad so I belive it just people's choice.

I want a boat that can be used anywhere in the state.
Inland lakes, The Delta, Down in the Bay area, and Out in the Pacific Ocean.
So if I went with a Pontoon I could only boat in half the area I normally boat in.

I would not feel safe in the big chop or San Pablo Bay or San Francisco Bay in the Golden Gate area.
The Strong current big Chop and ship running 20 MPH would make me never use it there.

Out side the Gloden Gate in the Pacific you would never make it by the 4 fatom bank
with strong EBB current and 8 foot Steep swells.