[PHBeerman]

Does anyone here own a deckboat? I have found myself in need of a boat that has a greater carrying capacity than our current boat, yet still able to handle chop unline a pontoon boat. I need it to be trailerable and would like to be able to still pull the kids and friends around the lake on skis/wakeboards.

What would you recommend?

So far, I have liked the Sea Ray 220 and the Tahoe 222. I like the Four Winns, but the prices of Four Winns are incredibly steep.

[fsusteve]

Originally Posted by PHBeerman

Does anyone here own a deckboat? I have found myself in need of a boat that has a greater carrying capacity than our current boat, yet still able to handle chop unline a pontoon boat. I need it to be trailerable and would like to be able to still pull the kids and friends around the lake on skis/wakeboards.

What would you recommend?

So far, I have liked the Sea Ray 220 and the Tahoe 222. I like the Four Winns, but the prices of Four Winns are incredibly steep.

I've got friends with pontoon boats, so I won't be much help, the trailers are pricey though and they can be a bear to tow/launch by yourself. Four Winns don't have a great reputation here among any of their boats. Sea Rays are nice or at least the dual consoles I've seen are. I love pontoon boats for their versatility though, if you're gonna ski get the biggest motor you can.

[PHBeerman]

Actually I am not looking for a pontoon boat. The deckboats are actually v hulls with an extended seating arrangement.

[swank60]

I like the deck boats, but at the same time I really wonder just how much floor space you're gaining buy squaring off the nose. I'd say look at a bigger runabout. If you're in the 19-21ft range, look to a 24ft. In Texas, I think it's the 24' and above where registration and added tax expense start to go up-up-up.

If you really start thinking about the Fourwinns and it seems like it's worth the money, you may also look at Cobalt. Cobalt makes pretty much the nicest and most reliable runabouts you can get - they hold their value well, too.

[swank60]

Oh - and I've driven a Rinker 226 - it's a 23' runabout. Nice and roomy, nice setup, walkthru sunpad on the back, etc. You can get that or the 246 with an R package for not a lot of extra money and you'll get a stainless prop, tower, etc. All of the reviews you could ever read on the 246 R package Rinker says that it's about the best tow-boat you can get that's not a purpose-built ski/wakeboard boat on the market today (and for way less money than a Tige, Malibu, etc...)

[beaufort-fj60]

I took a ride in a "deck boat" the other week, It was a 19 Tahoe. Big meh, it would probably be okay on a lake. That deck boat style reminded me of big fat chick with a ton of makeup. :barf:

[semlin]

so a deckboat is a bowrider with a flatter v hull or a pontoon boat platform slapped on a flat v hull or what exactly?

[PHBeerman]

QUOTE=swank60;2188393]I like the deck boats, but at the same time I really wonder just how much floor space you're gaining buy squaring off the nose. I'd say look at a bigger runabout. If you're in the 19-21ft range, look to a 24ft. In Texas, I think it's the 24' and above where registration and added tax expense start to go up-up-up.

If you really start thinking about the Fourwinns and it seems like it's worth the money, you may also look at Cobalt. Cobalt makes pretty much the nicest and most reliable runabouts you can get - they hold their value well, too.[/QUOTE] I have looked at several runabouts and agree that they would be a much better option performance wise. However, a couple of the main attractions to the deckboats are the enclosed head/changing area, the refreshment center, and the walkthrough transoms. We tend to hit the lake with a group and usually end up using our boat as the kid boat/cocktail cruiser. 2 of the other boats that we usually head out with are competition style ski boats, and the rest are runabouts of all shapes and sizes. I am starting to feel the pressure for more space now due to the fact that my oldest son is at the age where we always have at least 1 friend with us, and usually their entire family. This means several trips across the lake hauling people and gear.

[beaufort-fj60]

Originally Posted by semlin

so a deckboat is a bowrider with a flatter v hull or a pontoon boat platform slapped on a flat v hull or what exactly?

yes... it's basically a pontoon boat deck on a v hull. The ultimate white trash wet dream.



this is the human equivalent to a deck boat

[fsusteve]

Originally Posted by PHBeerman

Actually I am not looking for a pontoon boat. The deckboats are actually v hulls with an extended seating arrangement.

yeah I know, hence the remark about not being much help. I personally don't think yer gonna gain much of a better ride with the shallow V that they run.

Originally Posted by swank60

I like the deck boats, but at the same time I really wonder just how much floor space you're gaining buy squaring off the nose. I'd say look at a bigger runabout. If you're in the 19-21ft range, look to a 24ft. In Texas, I think it's the 24' and above where registration and added tax expense start to go up-up-up.

If you really start thinking about the Fourwinns and it seems like it's worth the money, you may also look at Cobalt. Cobalt makes pretty much the nicest and most reliable runabouts you can get - they hold their value well, too.

Originally Posted by swank60

Oh - and I've driven a Rinker 226 - it's a 23' runabout. Nice and roomy, nice setup, walkthru sunpad on the back, etc. You can get that or the 246 with an R package for not a lot of extra money and you'll get a stainless prop, tower, etc. All of the reviews you could ever read on the 246 R package Rinker says that it's about the best tow-boat you can get that's not a purpose-built ski/wakeboard boat on the market today (and for way less money than a Tige, Malibu, etc...)

sweet mother of God, is there no end to your knowledge?

[PHBeerman]

Originally Posted by semlin

so a deckboat is a bowrider with a flatter v hull or a pontoon boat platform slapped on a flat v hull or what exactly?

Depends on the model. Some are more Pontoon boat. Others are more bowriders. I tend to like the ones that are more Bowrider.


Swank, do you know anything about Sting Rays?

[BHMCruiser]

Originally Posted by PHBeerman

Swank, do you know anything about Sting Rays?

????

[semlin]

Originally Posted by PHBeerman

Depends on the model. Some are more Pontoon boat. Others are more bowriders. I tend to like the ones that are more Bowrider.

interesting. you learn something new every day.

are there any local builders in idaho? you tend to get much better boat value around here from small local builders and generally a much better ownership experience.

fwiw, i recommend these guys to people looking for lake boats in BC. small family company into the third generation of fibreglass boat builders and a reputation for solid boats ( they also make good quality deep v salt water boats for whcih i can vouch personally ). boats can be made to order and their prices are a lot lower than equivalent searays 4winns etc.. around here. they do sell some flat v bowriders but not sure if they qualify as a deckboat.

http://www.malibuboats.ca/

[QuietMike]

Get one. It's perfect for what you need. I have a 23-foot Chaparral deck boat that's about 10 years old at this point. In my opinion, it's the perfect all around boat. I've pulled 2 skiers with 8 other people in the boat, and it's great for just hanging out in the shade. It does not ride as smooth as a deep-V hull, but unless you're in some really big chop, it's fine. Between the ones you're considering, I'd get the Sea Ray hands down. They make a fine boat.

[PHBeerman]

Originally Posted by QuietMike

Get one. It's perfect for what you need. I have a 23-foot Chaparral deck boat that's about 10 years old at this point. In my opinion, it's the perfect all around boat. I've pulled 2 skiers with 8 other people in the boat, and it's great for just hanging out in the shade. It does not ride as smooth as a deep-V hull, but unless you're in some really big chop, it's fine. Between the ones you're considering, I'd get the Sea Ray hands down. They make a fine boat.

The Sea Ray is a nice boat. However, they are also the most expensive. The lakes around here are not huge, so severe chop is not an issue. We like to camp up at the lake, which means hauling a lot of gear to a good spot. The storage options on a deckboat seem to be great. Also, with 5 of us plus our friends and the kids friends, 10-12 people to tote around is not uncommon.

[MJADDICTION]

I have a Chaparral deck boat 21.5 feet sunesta. I love it. My wife wanted a pontoon, I wanted a ski boat. I have grown up with boats, my wife is fairly new to them. We met in the middle with the deck boat. they are the perfect family boat

I tried the Sea Ray, and Ebtide, as well as the ChrisCraft. Those are the ones I test drove.

The Chris Craft I just didn't like as much as the others

The Sea Ray is a nice boat, but I didn't like the built in rear deck platform. Sat way up out of the water when sitting anchored. It's also smaller inside than the other three. Runs well, a little rougher ride than the Ebtide and the Chaparral. That's due to the all fiberglass body. Some will only go with that as they are afraid of rot, but the Chaparral has a lifetime warranty on the hull, and Ebtide does as well.
The Ebtide is nice, and big like th Chaparral, but the ride is still not quite as nice as the Chap. the other thing the Ebtide does is plow in the turns. It will grab the corner, then slide side-ways, and grab again. This is the style of turn I do when recovering dropped skiers all the time. I didn't like it.

The Chaparral drives like a high class sport ute. Very tight, and well mannered. Has excellent hold on tight turns, great ski boat, wake-board boat, and all around family and friend hauler.

Ours has the Chaparral wake-board tower that easily folds down, pump out potty, sink, and the 305 V-8 alpha drive (single 4 blade prop). There is a table for lunches, full sun tanning front platform and carpet.

I really wanted the 350 V-8 but the dealer talked me out of it. they said that the power to weight ratio for this boat was excellent witht heir patented hull. I had the a different pitched prop put on that changed my top speed from 65 MPH to 58 MPH. I did this as there are many times when I have 6 adults and 4 kids on the boat. i still wanted to solemn ski, and the boat has no trouble doing that with this prop.

The Ebtide and the Chaparral also came with an extended Mercruiser factory warranty. Most others are two years, the Chaparrals added 5 years for a total of 7!! That's excellent security in a boat. they , Mercruiser, does this as they just don't have the problems in these boats they do in others with different hull designs.

The Chaparral's rear deck sits about 2 inches off of the water when parked. Perfect for younger kids. This boat has tons of storage, a huge floor locker, waterproofed breaker style electronics. Everything about it is quality.

My wife talked me into a slip and lift which is just excellent. the boat stays clean. We can drive any vehicle without worries of towing. Spur of the moment trips are easy. Winter I store it in dry storage. i wax it up get it serviced, and when I get it back out in the summer, it's still beautiful. This is my boat's third season, and it looks new.

We got the carpet, and it's nice, but will stick if you don't snap it out after every use. We ended up not using it at all. The floor is textured no-slip, and cleans easily.

The Hull is made with wood stringers encased in resin. No exposed wood. Wood allows the hull to flex and really makes a difference in the comfort of the ride. We also got the windshield (you can get them without) which makes in like a run-about, only with a lot more room. There is also a door that shuts off the front of the boat, making a rear cabin. Great for rides back in when the girls are wet, and cold,

Everything about this boat is high quality, i just didn't find in any other boat. Now Cobalts are nice (Chaparral uses the same seat materials), but expensive. the other thing about the Chap's seats are how open the are on the sides. Allows water to drain, and keeps them dry and mildew free. The floor has all positive drains so kids diving constantly off of the boat, still keeps the floor dry and slip free.

The other option that would be nice are the Bravo drives. i have the Alpha. The Bravo is a twin prop with opposing spin, that allows for easy maneuvering at slow speeds. the Alpha will wag back and forth at no-wake speeds a little. Price is a lot more, and you loose some speed with the Bravo.

I have wake boarded, Skurfed, slolemned, and tubed behind this boat. It's excellent and well worth every penny!!



Needed to replace that tow vehicle...

[cruiserdawg]

I have always had bowriders, until this year. We now have 3 children under the age of 8. Most weekends, we have at least 7-8 people on the boat. I looked at several options and decided to get a deck boat.
We went with a Hurricane 226 for several reasons. Wife wanted a pontoon, I wanted something that would haul arse and be able to pull skiers and tubes. The 226 has the same layout as a pontoon boat, so it has plenty of room for the 18 month old to roam around. It has a 200 HP outboard w/ a 4 blade 20 pitch prop. It has no problem pulling a 225 pound man up on a wake board and will run about 63 top end.

[yooper]

The Yamaha's are kewl.

[wob]

I think you need a 1976 20ft SeaCraft.

[fsusteve]

Originally Posted by wob

I think you need a 1976 20ft SeaCraft.

comes with anchors fore and aft......