Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

[squale]

I am going to buy a brand new Deck Boat this year and I wanted to find out some info on what the best brands, models, etc where here? originally I was going to get a Pontoon Boat but after going to the boat show in NYC in Dec. I changed my mind because I thought the deck boats were so much nicer. I have some questions hopefully somebody could answer for me.<br /><br />1.) What brands are the best in the deck and sport boating world?<br /><br />2.) Any particular models that have won many awards and have great reviews?<br /><br />3.) I want to be able to take 6-8 full-grown adults out on the boat and do waterskiing, swiming, etc. I want it to be roomy and not to crapped with this many people on the boat. How many feet do you think I need? I was thinking 22-24 foot, but not sure.<br /><br />4.) What is the best engine to go with in these deck boats? I keep hearing lots about the Mercruiser 350 Magnum MPI with the Alpha 1 stern drive. Any thoughts here on what I should look at getting? I want a reliable, strong, engine that will last a long time.<br /><br />5.) What estimate ball-park range figure am I looking at for a boat like this with a trailer?<br /><br />6.) I live in New Jersey, and I hear there is a boat show coming up this Sat. 28th. in Edison, NJ... does anybody know about this boat show? is it the BIGGEST show of the year? or is the boat show in NYC around Dec. the biggest there is?<br /><br />Any info, opinions, reviews, etc. would be very very helpful to me.. thank you!

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Deckboat builders offer boats at different price levels, just like bowriders. The "best" will cost you more. However, IMHO there is less difference in the quality level between the various deckboats than with bowriders. So paying a huge price is harder to justify.<br /><br />Glastron, Four Winns, Hurricane, Kayot, Tahoe, and VIP each offer several deckboat models. Most of the other bowrider builders will also have a deckboat or two. Lots of choices at lots of prices. New models come out every year. The magazines always fawn over the newest boat, whatever the brand. So the reviews aren't of much real value.<br /><br />Keep in mind that a 24' deckboat can weigh over 4500 lbs. So if you are trailering these a really big truck/SUV will be needed.<br /><br />When looking at deckboats at the show be sure to try those long lounge seats. With many deckboats these can be skimpy in build and uncomfortable to sit in for long.<br /><br />Lots to consider! Here is another thread on deckboat basics that may help -<br /><br /> Trailer Boats Boards » ... » Buying a Deck Boat <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

well since you seem to be quite the boating expert, let me ask you, if you have 30K to play with, what boat would you go with?

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

For a new fiberglass deckboat $30k could cover one of the less expensive brands with small motor up to about 22'. For a bigger or fancier deckboat you will have to go used instead of new. You may also want to consider one of the old style deckboats, where they put pontoon style furnishings on top of a simple fiberglass hull. Hurricane offers a bunch of these, as do some of the aluminum boat builders. Not as stylish, but less $$ than the all fiberglass deckboats. As I said, lots of choices.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[navigator336]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

I have a buddy who had a Chapparal for several years. It was a great boat. It had a 350 (5.7) Merc with an Alpha in it. I am 210 pounds and a very hard slalom skier. It had a decent hole shot for a boat of it's weight and tracked well. The wake was reasonable too considering it's size and weight. I believe the top end was around 45 mph. Fit, finish, features were all very good. It looked excellent even after 5 plus years of very frequent use. Chapparal has won several awards. I think we sold his last year for around $25k, which was very little less than what he paid for it. I think the model was "Sunesta" or something like that.

 

[CrazyBoater]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

I bought new Larson 214 Escape deckboat last fall. We looked at Searay, Chaparral, Bayliner Four Winns all the 22' size. As far as asking price The Searay/Chaparral were 42k+. The bayliner was about 31k I think. The four winns was 38 and we bought our Larson for 33 with trailer. The searay was the "whole package" which is reflected in the price. We liked the bayliner the least. The Larson came equipped volvo 5.0gxi/270 hp transom shower pull up cleats and other amenities of this size boat. I weigh 210lbs no problem slolom(sp) with 5 adults and 6 kids. Good luck

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Originally posted by CrazyBoater:<br />I bought new Larson 214 Escape deckboat last fall. We looked at Searay, Chaparral, Bayliner Four Winns all the 22' size. As far as asking price The Searay/Chaparral were 42k+. The bayliner was about 31k I think. The four winns was 38 and we bought our Larson for 33 with trailer. The searay was the "whole package" which is reflected in the price. We liked the bayliner the least. The Larson came equipped volvo 5.0gxi/270 hp transom shower pull up cleats and other amenities of this size boat. I weigh 210lbs no problem slolom(sp) with 5 adults and 6 kids. Good luck

When you say the Searay is the "Whole Package" what do you mean? how do you think the SeaRays/Chaparrel's compare to your boat? Do they really offer that much more for all that extra money?<br /><br />How are the warranties on all of these boats compared to each other?

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

What are more expensive, deck boats or runabouts?<br /><br />What is the main differences/usages of these two types of boats?<br /><br />Can either one be used in bays or oceans?

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

For any given brand, the deckboat model will cost more than the same length bowrider. There is a little more to deckboats, and they are built in smaller numbers.<br /><br />Low profile deckboats are a poor choice for big water, too likely to let a wave aboard. But many of the newer deckboat designs are not low profile. Some are just as deep as a bowrider and will work just as well as a bowrider. Depends on the design.<br /><br />I think many of these bowrider vs deckboat issues were covered in your prior thread - Need help with finding first powerboat... <br /><br />Kelly

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

so which deckboats in particular have the deeper v-hulls that would work well in open water and oceans, bays, etc?

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Chaparral, Crownline, Monterey, and Sea Ray all have deep bodied deckboat designs. Unfortunately these are also more expensive than the more typical deckboats. As the other posts point out, Bayliner and Stingray will be the least expensive. Even these are very close to $30k new. Used Chaps are fairly easy to find in many parts of the country. The others may be more rare on the used market.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

you really want to check out stingray. they have a great website that lets you build and price a boat. my buddy bought their 22' deckboat two seasons ago. came standard with a 260hp merc, canvas, am/fm/cd player, and nice trailer. he paid right under $30K brand new. you may pay a bit more now, but still one of the best deals around for a new boat package. as you start comparing stingray with other brands, you'll quickly see their package would cost you $40-50K in other brands.<br /><br />i really like his boat. very fast- close to 50mph, and enough power to pull tubes/skiers. he's rated for 11 people and the boat is roomy.<br /><br />good luck-

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

I keep hearing to stay away from Stringray because they are built cheaply and also don't have a good warranty?<br /><br />any input on this?<br /><br />Also, if I plan on keeping my boat on a specific lake, how important is it that I buy a boat that has that dealer on the lake?<br /><br />Unfortunately, I think I ONLY have a SeaRay dealer on this lake..

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

stingray is indeed a value boat. i wouldn't call them cheap. i have been on and operated my friend's quite a few times and like it. he has had no problems with the boat except for a few stress cracks at fittings, which stingray repaired under warranty. they also repaired his engine (faulty electronic fuel pump) under warranty with no problem.<br /><br />if you take care of a boat, and follow the guidance in owners manuals, i think a value boat can save you money and last just as long as the higher end boats. i own a value boat (20' sunbird center console) and love it, especially the extra money in my pocket.<br /><br />good luck-

 

[CrazyBoater]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Sorry, What I meant by the "whole package" was the boat really looked great,very functional inside, deep v hull, bravo 3 outdrive. A boat that would be hard to dislike. I don't think the sea ray was $7000+ better. The larson has a different hull design but has a 2 year warranty. If I remember right we got pretty much the same features as others. Covers, bimini,head,shower,cd,snap in carpet,fuel injection. We did not get the duo prop outdrive. All of our boating is on inland lakes so the lack of a deep v was not high on the list.<br />Good luck.

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Okay well I sorta have to stay with the dealers that are on the lake that I will be keeping my boat.<br /><br />I have Sea Ray, Stringray, and I have to check the others.<br /><br />I called Sea Ray this morning.. they said the Sun Deck 20' with a Mercuriser 5.0 260 HP w/ Alpha 1 was coming in at about 34K without trailer.<br /><br />1.) Then the Sun Deck 22' with same engine and no trailer was about 44K. I was like WOW, 10K more for just 2' extra of a boat... does anybody know why this is some much more money?<br /><br />2.) The other thing I was curious about is whether I should get the Alpha I or the Bravo III stern drive? What is the advantages/usages of one versus the other?<br /><br />I want to use the boat in both lakes, bays, and along the ocean coast. So I would think something with a deeper V-hull would be very beneficial to where I can use the boat.<br /><br />3.) How are the hulls on the Stingrays versus the Searays? Searay dealer was telling me that the SeaRay deckboats have the SAME hulls as their runabouts and are the deepest hulls in the deckboat market. So I want to know what truth thsi is.. I NEVER believe dealers.. lol

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

by the way, what is this deep V-hull spec called? so when I compare boats I know what the specs mean?<br /><br />What are good numbers and what are bad numbers?

 

[squale]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

I know stainless steel props are better than aluminum... what props in specific are the best for the Mercruiser 5.0 MPI 260 HP with an Alpha drive, and also the Mercruiser 5.7 mpi 300 HP with an Alpha drive?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

don't worry about what they call their hulls. compare deadrise. more the better for rough water running. if you want the stability of a deck boat, you won't find really high deadrise numbers.<br /><br />as for 2' more of boat, you're not getting just the length. all dimensions get larger, which equals much more usuable space.

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions?

Then the Sun Deck 22' with same engine and no trailer was about 44K. I was like WOW, 10K more for just 2' extra of a boat... does anybody know why this is some much more money?

All I can say is welcome to the club! Many of us have scratched our heads over Sea Ray prices from time to time. <br /><br />It's true that the hulls for Sea Ray deckboats are nearly identical to their bowriders. However I would take the claim about them being the deepest in the market with a grain of salt. Some of the newest designs by Monterey are equally deep, if not more.<br /><br />The "deadrise" figure is most popular for specifying deep hulls. Unfortunately this figure alone does not tell the whold story and can be misleading. I prefer to go by the draft (with drive up) figure. Obviously a deep hull will draft more than a shallow hull.<br /><br />If you don't want to spend a lot of $$ on a new deckboat, just buy a used one instead.<br /><br />Kelly