Yesterday, February 14, 2013, was the official unveiling of the Hurricane
SunDeck 2690 OB and presentation of the
Hurricane SunDeck Sport 203 OB and the Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB at the
Miami Boat Show.
The popularity of deck boats is really taking off these
days, and for good reason. These versatile boats come in a wide variety of
styles and layouts, which means it's easy to find one that will be a perfect,
no matter how you spend your time on the water.
The first step, of course, is to think about how you and
your family will use the boat. Today's deck boats, such as the industry-leading
Hurricane brand, are built for all kinds of activities. Watersports, of course,
are always among the favorite ways families use their boats, especially tubing,
wakeboarding and waterskiing. For most families, a ski-tow bar at the rear of
the boat will be plenty for towing. Some models, though, take it one step
further and add a tower or arch for even more excitement. If it's fish you're
after, consider a deck boat that features amenities especially designed for
anglers. These can include pedestal seats that swivel, bait wells and even
handy rod storage.
Next, consider how many people you'll likely be bringing
along. The great thing about deck boats is that they are made to bring along a
crowd, with plenty of seating and storage space for everything you'll need for
a day on the water. The reason for all that extra room is that deck boat
designs bring the beam (width) of the boat all the way to the bow instead of
coming to a sharp point like most runabouts. That gives you more seating, and
more seating gives you more storage options.
The bottom line is that deck boats are built to handle just
about any activity you (and lots of friends and family) may want to try. The
hull design means you'll get on plane quickly, and the stable, wide platform is
a perfect choice for families. When you add it all up, you'll see why deck
boats are quickly becoming the best value on the water.
Steve Tadd, marketing director of Nautic Global Group -
maker of five different boat brands from 12 to 42 feet - said there's a major
shift away from stern drives toward outboards because of cost. A recent federal
mandate to install catalytic converters on stern drives has raised boat prices
as much as $3,000 while outboards can produce the same power at lower cost with
better fuel efficiency.
Tadd said 25 of his Elkhart,
Ind., company's 38 models of
Hurricane deck boats in the 18- to 27-foot range are equipped with outboards.
They also offer innovative seating options and creative ways to store gear.
"They're the right boat for the time," he said. "Before the
recession, people bought more than one boat. Now people want a boat that's very
versatile."
Visit http://www.hurricaneboats.com for more information.
