You can’t always have your cake and eat it too, unless, of course, you want the performance of a sport boat with the roominess of a pontoon. Then you have a variety of deck boat options to choose from. These models offer impressive power for water sports, hulls designed to cut through waves, and spacious walkthrough floor plans with large passenger capacities. Here are some deck boat models to consider.
Bayliner M19
With its intuitive design, ease of maintenance, and inclusive price point, the Bayliner M19 is built with automotive-style handling to appeal to the next generation of boaters, and has an improved M-hull foundation for increased stability. Forget about complicated controls: with the Bayliner M19, you can keep your mind on the day’s adventures.
The lightweight design means easy storage, trailering, and handling, and the nine-person capacity is perfect for a party on the water. Water sports capable, the Bayliner has ample storage throughout the boat with a large central ski locker and maximum built-in storage at the helm.
A bucket-style helm seat offers optimal comfort while simple, intuitive controls make sure boating is headache-free. Other cockpit features include a 12-volt accessory outlet, side-mounted engine controls with trim and tilt switch in the handle, and a custom sport steering wheel.
Plenty of seating on premium stitched upholstery is located throughout the boat and includes the adjustable aft lounger, which is perfect for anchored sun-soaking as well as convertible portside and open bow seating. Your guests will love the swim platform and stainless steel telescoping boarding ladder for easy swim access.
The M19 comes standard with a 90hp Mercury outboard with an option to upgrade to a 115hp. (www.bayliner.com)
Crownline E260 XS
With an impressive amount of usable space, the Crownline Cross Sport (XS) Series offers versatility with outstanding layouts and innovative design.
This outboard model features a walk-through transom with a full-length swim platform and a four-step boarding ladder. You’ll have everything you need with rear fender storage, battery charger, batteries (installed and upgraded to AGM), and a full-length sunbed with an electric backrest to soak up the sun.
The spacious cockpit area has driver and passenger Gen-2 flip-up bucket seats with fingertip slide and swivel and can be easily adjusted for height differences. Conveniences abound with a snap-in woven cockpit mat and a portable side-mount table that quickly stows away in the under-mount cockpit storage drawer, as well as a 7-inch Garmin touchscreen with LakeVu G3 maps and a stainless steel black diamond steering wheel.
The full-length stainless steel walkthrough windshield locks into place when either open or shut, so it will not accidentally slam closed. Acrylic doors underneath the windshield come standard and can conveniently seal off the cockpit area for weather changes, keeping both the driver and passengers comfortable during a cool ride home.
With a large seating area in the bow, you can relax on oversize lean backs with pillow top headrests.
When pulling up to the beach, an additional ladder at the bow enables you to easily climb back into the boat. The head compartment comes standard with a stainless steel sink, Porta Potti, and handheld shower. Enjoy your music on the Wet Sounds premium stereo with eight speakers and an option for a transom remote. (www.crownline.com)
Hurricane SunDeck 217
Spacious layouts, versatile seating, and agile performance make the Hurricane SunDeck 217 perfect for fun on the water. Open floor plans are possible because of the classic wide hull, which allows you to move comfortably around the boat. With a 14-passenger seating capacity and plenty of cup holders, there is sure to be enough room for everyone in your party.
The new, intuitive helm features rocker switches with backlit lighting, digital gauges, a Garmin fishfinder, and an ergonomic, comfortable captain’s chair. On the port side passenger seat is a locking glove box and an upgraded Fusion stereo with great sound quality. Other standard features include a full wraparound windshield, anchor locker, bilge pump, and a stainless steel canopy frame.
All of the seats have accessible storage solutions for your swim gear, and bow and stern mounted swim ladders provide smooth water access for your guests to easily enter and exit the boat. The bow has a convenient livewell and an optional pedestal seat for fishing. New to this model is the sunpad at the bow, offering a spacious place to soak up the sun. (www.hurricaneboats.com)
Monterey 275SS
Fresh from Monterey’s Super Sport line, the 275SS is a sleek new model with massive outboard power, abundant seating, and tremendous dedicated storage space. Built to be a crowd pleaser, the Monterey seats up to 14 passengers.
The stern bench reclines into an aft-facing lounge or the bolster folds down into a full sun bed. The two-tone vinyl seating is deep and secure with stainless steel grab rails on either side of the boat. Premium dual helm seats swivel, slide, and have flip-up bolsters.
With wide-open deck space, the 275SS is ideal for a big boat ride. For powerful water sports, add the optional electric wakeboard tower arch with Bimini. Paired with an impressive Mercury engine and an 80-gallon fuel tank, you can spend hours on the water.
A curved, walk-through windshield has a door at the helm. Instrumentation features flush-mounted push-button switches, fog-resistant gauges, and low glare night lighting. Enjoy power-assisted and tilt steering with the leather-wrapped steering wheel with chrome details. The Fusion stereo system is satellite and Bluetooth ready with four audio speakers and LED lights with a dash remote.
Ample and convenient storage is readily available with a large, lift-up compartment in the center of the boat, as well as transom storage, side panel and under-seat storage, and two 25-quart coolers. The head includes a freshwater vanity sink with a pull-out sprayer and Porta Potti, with options for a flush toilet. (www.montereyboats.com)
NauticStar 243DC
Offering a smooth handling experience and excellent performance, the NauticStar 243 DC is the perfect combination of size and functionality. Bring along friends with a 12-passenger capacity and ideal amenities for water sports.
The NauticStar comes with a ski tower bar, ski/tow pylon, and both forward and aft boarding ladders. Bow and transom landings offer access to the water for swimming and diving. Aft planing pods throw a modest wake and help get on plane fast, making it easy for even first-time wakeboarders and skiers to get up and out of the water.
Dual helm bucket seats with flip-up bolsters ensure comfort at the helm, in addition to the ergonomically-designed fiberglass console with gauges, stereo, and a 7-inch Simrad screen. The folding bow door will keep you warm on an evening ride and the walkthrough windshield offers a beautiful panoramic view of the water. Convenient LED navigation, courtesy, and docking lights make it easy to see your way back home.
The open bow layout is easily walkable and offers plenty of convenient storage. Large underseat storage spaces, a 25-quart cooler, under-console storage, and a swim platform with insulated cooler and storage will ensure room for all of your gear.
Washing up is a cinch with the freshwater pressurized sink in the galley as well as the aft pressurized wash off station. The enclosed head with sink, mirror, non-slip flooring, and LED interior lights can be upgraded to a pump out Porta Potti or an electric flush toilet. (www.nauticstarboats.com)
Sea Ray SDX 270
For adventure without compromise, Sea Ray’s SDX series has premium details and amenities, versatile design and storage, and comfort and performance in one package. While shifting the traditional deck boat design to a bowrider style, the SDX 270 still retains favorable deck boat benefits.
Accommodating a wide range of on-water activities, the 27-foot yacht-certified vessel offers large social zones designed for entertaining. The optimized layout has ample seating including space to spread out in the oversized bow with lounge-style seating.
A bow ladder makes entering the boat easy, and a nearby integrated cooler offers additional space to store drinks and snacks. An optional bow filler cushion can convert the spot to a sunpad.
Recline in the sun at the transom’s convertible sunpad with foldable backrests to extend the area. The broad swim platform provides easy boarding after a swim and includes a concealable ladder and an optional submersible step. Perfect for water sports, there is a ski tow eye attachment and an in-floor compartment with drainage for stowing wet gear and lines.
At the helm, effortless control is possible with a digital dash, a 9-inch Simrad touchscreen display, and Mercury Marine SmartCraft Connect for simplified engine monitoring. The windshield is curved for improved visibility, and the oversized helm seat can convert to face multiple directions. Other features include a Fusion RA210 stereo, storage for a carry-on cooler at the port dash, and options to upgrade the head to include a sink, counter top, and even cushions for a hang out area for kids. (www.searay.com)
Splendor 240 Platinum
With dual hulls, the innovative design of the Splendor Platinum offers all of the benefits of a catamaran such as spaciousness, stability, and smaller displacement, yet only requires one engine to power it, which significantly lowers the cost.
The parallel hulls help prevent rolling and overturning and considerably reduce the vessel roll at rest and at trolling speeds, which helps to curb seasickness.
Perfect for family adventures and parties, the 240 Platinum model is spacious enough to seat 12 people. The all-fiberglass construction features a raised cockpit with a Fusion Premium Bluetooth AM/FM Stereo and four speakers. Comforts abound at the helm with a power-rise captain’s chair, a 9-inch digital dash display, tilt steering, and a wraparound windshield with a center hatch.
With under-seat storage compartments, a bow anchor storage locker, and a built-in cooler and pull-out trash can, you’ll have plenty of places to stow your gear. The oversized head area has a pull-out waste tank, and pier-level access is available both on the forward and aft.
The saltwater-ready engine has dual counter-rotating props, and a bilge blower system will aid in keeping your boat fuel-vapor free. Electrical features include LED docking lights, courtesy lights, and dual batteries with a manual switch. A Sunbrella Bimini top, bow cover, and cockpit and windshield cover come standard. With a fuel capacity of 54 gallons, you’ll be ready for all day fun on the water. (www.splendorboats.com)
Starcraft SVX 211 OB
Blending a sleek design and a small price tag, the SVX is ready for both exhilarating water sports and laid-back cruising. This fiberglass deck boat is built around an all-new deck and hull design with higher sides for greater comfort and a V-pad running surface for improved performance and fuel economy.
The wide beam of the Starcraft deck boat gives you more room and stability than a typical bow rider, making it an all-around great family boat with comfortable seating and convenient amenities.
Plush, marine-grade vinyl seating is available for 14 people with extensive storage solutions for all of your gear. The back sunbed has an adjustable backrest that converts to either forward or back seating.
An extended swim platform in the back with both forward and aft ladders means your guests can lounge in the sun and board the boat from either end. The EVA Soft Touch traction mat in the bow and stern is easy on bare feet and is removable for easy cleaning. All necessities are within reach with cup holders and double USB chargers throughout the boat, as well as a removable table that comes standard.
The captain’s chair is an adjustable sliding seat with a flip-up bolster to accommodate height differences needed when backing the boat versus towing riders. Also at the helm are SmartCraft gauges, rocker switches, and a JL Audio stereo with Bluetooth connectivity. The optional RGB light kit features LED lighting in the cup holders and underwater lights that can be set to a spectrum of different colors. (www.starcraftmarine.com)
Stingray 172SC
The compact size of the Stingray gives it impressive maneuverability and an accessible price point, proving that bigger doesn’t always mean better.
At just 17 feet long, the 172SC is built on the ultra-efficient Z-plane hull, which generates a smooth flow of water and allows you significantly more speed and a better propeller bite while needing less engine power. This reduced drag leads directly to increased performance.
At the helm you’ll find luxurious touches such as an oversized Italian steering wheel, a tinted windscreen, backlit instruments, and dual USB ports in the dash. Listen to your favorite music on the Fusion Marine RA-60 stereo, and lounge comfortably on stain-resistant vinyl furniture.
The Stingray is maximized to have plenty of storage space for all of your needs. An in-floor locker with an oversized door will fit your gear and life jackets; the 25-quart cooler has its own storage unit but is removable so you can pack it with the day’s treats. Easily board the boat with the stainless steel, multi-step ladder.
Customize your boat with multiple available hull colors such as Abaco green, seaside blue, or black cherry. Water sports enthusiasts can choose to add the ski/tow cage. The optional fishing package includes an aerated, 6-gallon livewell, a trolling motor harness, and a fishing seat. Other optional features include a Bimini top, a filler bow cushion, and hydraulic tilt steering. (www.stingrayboats.com)
TAHOE 2150 CC
As the largest deck boat model in TAHOE’s lineup, the 2150 CC can do it all: from fishing, to water sports, to offering a spacious lounge area to watch the sunset. The unique center console design features the helm with hydraulic steering, an acrylic windscreen, and multiple storage areas.
The digital touchscreen at the dash has an 8-inch multi-color display, which is easy to use in direct sunlight because of the high brightness and anti-glare coating. Listen to your favorite music on the Bluetooth-compatible stereo with MP3 and USB inputs as well as four speakers.
Relax anywhere on the 2150 CC with the wraparound bow lounge seating crafted from premium UV-resistant upholstery; walk easily across the non-skid finish of the fiberglass floor and the spacious bow swim platform. Both the bow and the stern feature four-step boarding ladders and added storage.
When you’re ready for water sports, there’s a ski pylon and ample center storage for skis, boards, and water toys. Increased performance and stability is possible with the Hydrostep strakes and the Powerglide hull design with reverse chine.
An angler’s paradise is possible with the available fishing package, featuring under-gunnel rod holders that can carry up to six combos of rods, a 17-gallon aerated livewell at the bow with a pump, gravity drain, and adjustable spray head, and tackle box storage to keep baits organized. (www.tahoeboats.com)
