1. Can Deck Boats Go in the Ocean?
If you’re considering investing in a deck boat, then of course you’re going to want to ride it in as many bodies of water as possible. That includes the ocean. You know a similar type of boat, the pontoon, can’t go in the ocean. What about deck boats?
Deck boats can handle the ocean, but we recommend you only use ones with a V-shape hull. A boat with this type of hull can withstand rougher waters, maintaining smooth riding conditions in the ocean.
When you compare the hull of a deck boat to the flat hull of a pontoon, it’s true you get more stability with the latter. That said, flat hulls cannot handle choppy ocean conditions like boats with V hulls can.
2. Are Deck Boats Good in Rough Waters?
You didn’t anticipate that storm rolling in, but nonetheless, it’s here. Now you’re stuck out in the water in your deck boat, hoping to ride the storm out. Will your boat be okay in these conditions?
Yes, deck boats can withstand rough, choppy waters well if they have a V hull. If the hull has a deep V, though, then you may notice your boat sort of rolls along the water when you stop it or slow it down.
While you should still always try to get to safety in storms and other rough conditions, your deck boat can get you through the bad weather and the rough waters that often come with it.
3. Are Deck Boats Safe?
First-time deck boat shoppers may ponder the safety of these vessels. After all, no one wants to worry about getting dumped into the drink because of an unsafe boat. Just how safe are deck boats anyway?
Deck boats are as safe as any other boat, but that of course depends on the user. If you drive dangerously, recklessly, or irresponsibly, then your boat could capsize or tip over. No boat, including deck boats, are invincible to capsizing.
Making safe boating decisions, like avoiding rainy weather and always using your boat lights in the dark, will help you prevent incidents on your deck boat.
4. Can a Deck Boat Pull a Skier?
You thought it’d be fun to use your deck boat for pulling some water skiers. You have a couple of buddies that own water skis, and they can’t wait for you to tug them along the sea. Can a deck boat pull a skier or have you bitten off more than you can chew?
Deck boats can pull skiers. They’re a better choice for this activity than pontoons since their V-shaped hull can achieve greater speeds. You must make sure to follow your boat’s weight capacity though so you don’t overload it.
The weight capacity tells you the max weight your deck boat can handle. You then have to take that weight, configure everything you have onboard, and then see what’s left for your water skiers. Divide the leftover weight per passenger and that tells you how many people you can safely pull.
5. Can a Deck Boat Pull a Tube?
Your kids have begged you all summer to take them tubing in your deck boat. They’d sit on their tubes and you’d pull them. Can you do it or is this not the best idea?
Deck boats can pull tubers just fine. The V-shaped hull found on these boats makes them quite speedy. To stay as safe as possible, you should know the max weight capacity for your boat before you hook up your tubers.
Exceeding this weight capacity will overload the boat. Not only will you not achieve speeds as fast as your deck boat usually can do, but you put yourself and your passengers at risk as well.
6. Are Deck Boats Good for Wakeboarding?
You have some friends who quite enjoy wakeboarding, or riding on a board while pulled by a boat. They’ve asked if you can tow them in your deck boat. That has you wondering, are deck boats good for wakeboarding?
Deck boats, although often likened to pontoons, can achieve higher speeds than these boats. This is due to their shape of their hull, a sharpened V. While they have less stability, they can cut through waves with aplomb, making for an exciting wakeboarding experience.
For the safety of all your passengers, we recommend you figure out your boat’s weight capacity and stay within its limits. This way, you’re less likely to capsize and put you and all your passengers at risk of injury or death.
7. Are Deck Boats Good for Fishing?
Few things make you happier than a quiet morning out on the water, waiting to reel in that next big catch. You’ve recently bought a deck boat, and you want to know if you can use it for fishing.
Deck boats make a great fishing vessel. While they’re maybe faster than some fishing boats, their design makes them adept at all sorts of riding conditions and bodies of water. These include lakes, rivers, even the ocean. They have no problem fitting into narrower waterways as well.
You will have to take it slowly to avoid scaring away the fish. Also, some boat experts recommend not using a deck boat for fishing in open, large bodies of water.
8. How Fast Are Deck Boats?
You were considering buying a pontoon boat, but you’re not sure if it’s the right fit for you. After all, you want a faster boat. Some pals of yours have told you that deck boats can speed through the waters. How fast are deck boats?
Deck boats have an average speed of 50 to 70 miles per hour (MPH) if they have an outboard engine that’s at least 300 horsepower. Compare that to pontoon boats, which average 20 MPH. Some faster ones can achieve speeds of up to 60 MPH, still putting them behind deck boats.
For a fast, zippy experience that’s less clunky and awkward than a pontoon, you can’t go wrong with a deck boat.
9. What Are the Pros and Cons of Deck Boats?
You’re a careful consumer. Before you make any purchasing decisions, you like to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Now that you’re seriously considering buying a deck boat, you have to know. What are the pros and cons?
The pros of deck boats include the following:
- They’re faster than pontoon boats, which they get compared to often.
- Their V-shaped hull provides awesome smoothness, even in choppy waters.
- They can handle all sorts of riding conditions.
- You’re not restricted in most bodies of water.
Deck boats have cons, too, such as:
- Deck boats require more fuel fill-ups more often than some other boat types.
- You’ll often spend more money on a deck boat than a pontoon boat.
- Their V hull, while impressive, offers less stability.
- These boats are smaller than pontoons despite costing more.
By carefully weighing the pros and cons and determining which ones matter to you more, you can decide whether a deck boat suits your lifestyle and budget.
