Pontoons seem to be getting all the hype these days and it’s not hard to see why: they’ve got room to spare, they’re comfortable and you can set them up with some high-horsepower engines. While this is all true, you don’t want to miss out on the great deck boat options out there either.
If you’re in the market for a new boat, consider some of the benefits deck boats have to offer. They’ve got price-friendly lineups, you can do more with less horsepower, you can pack more people on them than the average bowrider and they’ve got incredible versatility with stunning performance.
So before opting for a different type of boat as your default, take a moment to consider the deck boat segment in our industry. If you do a little homework to evaluate your needs, you might find that a deck boat could be a better fit for you and your family.
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Don’t Break The Bank
Right off the bat, deck boats give you some fantastic boat options that won’t leave you a penniless pauper (who happens to own a really expensive boat). Part of the reason these kinds of boats are more price-friendly is because of their unique and functional design which allows you more capabilities with less horsepower. Wally Ross, the product manager at Hurricane Boats, shared that this has everything to do with the vessel’s lower draft.
“The less water you displace and the less wetted surface means that you get that much more performance for any given horsepower,” explained Ross. “That also ends up going into the value/cost equation as well as long-term cost of operation.”
Bob vanVollenhoven, the vice president of Stingray Boats, agrees with Ross’s assessment. He also noted that because deck boats usually have fairly shallow drafts and are typically outboard powered, they make the perfect boats for first-time boat owners.
“You can get a boat with less horsepower and it will still perform well with price and value being major factors of why they make for a great entry-level boat,” added vanVollenhoven.
Steve Huber, the marketing coordinator of Starcraft Marine, concurred that deck boats are some of the best options for boaters interested in getting the most bang for their buck. When it comes to Starcraft models, he said their SVX Series of boats exemplify the virtues of value-driven deck boats.
“Our SVX Series is now currently the number-one-selling deck boat in America according to registration data that came out just recently,” described Huber. “It’s a really hot product. Basically what that product allows the consumer to do is get into a deck boat—a performance fiberglass boat—without breaking the bank.”
So before pulling the trigger on a more expensive option, browse through some of the deck boats out there—you won’t be disappointed.
More Fun For Everyone
Then don’t forget all the added space deck boats have to offer. More space means more people which means more fun for everyone in your party.
“You tend to get a lot more people capacity for a given length of a deck boat compared to a bowrider,” said Ross.
This higher people capacity is one of the reasons deck boats are gaining popularity in the boating world. After all, you don’t want to leave anyone behind do you?
“The number one reason for opting for a deck boat would be because you can fit more people than in your traditional bowrider boat with a V front because the gunnel runs all the way from the stern to the front of the boat,” explained vanVollenhoven. “This means getting more people in the square footage for family fun.”
vanVollenhoven said their Stingray models showcase all the benefits that deck boats have to offer, including the extra people capacity. Their 182 SC is a great price-point value for its size. Boaters who need a little more room can opt for the 192 SC.
“We make 18-, 19- and 21-foot boats in that category,” shared vanVollenhoven. “Then if someone’s looking for a windshield boat, we make a 191 Dual Console, but the traditional deck boat typically doesn’t have a full glass windshield. We also make an entry-level of the 172 which is also a deck boat.”
Verified Versatility On The Water
Another huge benefit of deck boats is their versatility. Whether you want to do water sports, cruise, fish or simply belly up to the sandbar, these boats have you covered. This makes them very family-family as well.
“They’re price point boats and they’re very good family-friendly products with a lot of family benefits involved like with the open floorplan and a huge front bow area that makes comfortable seating,” elaborated Huber. “They also have a pretty deep freeboard so it’s really safe for the kids.”
“They’re extremely versatile,” agreed Ross. “The number of things you can do with a deck boat that you can try to do, but you might not be able to do as well in a typical bowrider, is substantial. From snorkeling, to scuba diving, to fishing, and to the family picnic platform.”
All of their Hurricane deck boats embody these benefits. Ross recommended their 235 model as an excellent example of what a deck boat should be. It’s also able to handle a little bit rougher water as well. He also suggested their 187 and 188 Hurricane models.
“There’s still a huge demand for those because they are so ubiquitous with what a deck boat is and should function as,” explained Ross.
Hurricane offers models both with and without a windshield, with either outboard or sterndrive options as well. If you have a specific need, Ross is confident you can fulfill it with one of their deck boats, short of doing anything too far offshore.
Stellar Performance Capabilities
The performance deck boats have to offer is also a huge credit to this segment. Just because they’re price-friendly and can fit more people doesn’t mean these boats skimp when it comes to performance. Quite the opposite.
“You can do all the other things that any other boat can do,” added vanVollenhoven. “You can tube, you can ski and you can introduce people to a whole array of water sports besides just boating.”
Performance is an area where deck boats also typically outshine your average pontoon boat. “Having a deck boat and the performance side of it is a whole lot more than a pontoon just because it’ll turn a lot easier and you’ll go a little bit faster,” described Huber. “So if you’re looking at tow sports and really want to white knuckle it, deck boats would be a better fit than a pontoon would be.”
Even with lower horsepower, you’ll find that you’re getting similar performance to other performance boats, especially when it comes to tow sports. So if you enjoy the thrills of tubing and wakeboarding, a deck boat is a phenomenal option.
“If you like to do some wakeboarding or slalom skiing, tubing with the grandkids, etc., then you have all that capability but with less horsepower and less operating cost,” shared Ross. “Then just because a lot of the complexity is hidden well, deck boats are very easy to service and maintain compared to a typical bowrider.”
They’re price-friendly, boast more room for more people, have versatility and excellent performance capabilities… what’s not to love? The next time you’re shopping around for a boat, be sure to check out your deck boat options!
