We want to get a boat that can double as a fishing platform and as a family cruiser. My choice is a deck boat, I like the Hurricane line. My wife says they look like an old mans boat. I think they are awesome because of the fiberglass v hull with the niceties of a pontoon. You can get them in almost any configuration and with a 5yr old and a 1yr old (kids), it would be perfect. She wants me to look at a true Fish-n-Ski but I dont thing we will enjoy it as much because they really arent suited to do either very well (IMO). How do I sell her on function over form? Sometimes its like talking to a wall. Anybody have a point on either side of this? Thanks.

 

Deck boat or pontoon, you can get them both in high performance models now and they both have BATHROOMS on them Big plus with the women. I have a 30' with a bath room and three fold out beds on it.

When you have kids on the boat space is everything.

 

I worked on Hurricane boats for almost 10 years, they are a very well built boat. For what you are wanting to do you can't go wrong for the very reasons you named in your post. We sold dozens of boats to young families to fulfill the exact need your looking for. You can PM me for more info if you like. (I no longer work in the industry but will gladly share my knowledge.).

 

http://www.fourwinns.com/model/F274

Maybe one of these? Might help put one of my neighbors back to work. Made in the same building Chris-Craft use to be made.

 

I'd go with a fish and ski but I love to water ski. Never really liked the pontoon boats......at least not as a primary. If I had the cash for 2 I might get one like Larry's. Nothin like comfort.

 

Look at what has the best resale values as well. Boats are generally a losing proposition, financially, but with some careful homework you can find deals that will have good resale when you're ready to move up/move on.
There's tons of low hr used boats for sale and lots of people just trying to get out form under payments now. Example: I bought a 3 year old boat this summer, 48hrs on it, $12k under avg book value, owner had to pay about $6k to pay off the loan, and he delivered it 500mi to me....and my now 14 year old boat which i searched long and hard for about 6years ago, I'm selling for $1k less than I bought it for (have put about $2500 in hard upgrades on it though). And I put about 350hrs on it.
I know this doesn't help w/ the deck boat vs runabout, but I don't know much about those.
Try the MASH on www.jaxed.com. It pulls together all the ebay and craigslist ads around the country. Can give you a good idea of what EVERYONE wants for a particular boat and how many are for sale.

 

I was looking for a boat and was in the same spot, deck Boat or Pontoon..
I decided to go with the pontoon style because:
1) they now are just about as sporty as many deck boats and can tow a skier/tuber as well with a good motor on them
2) we have very rocky shores on all the lakes around this part of the country and the metal pontoons will take an accidental beaching on them better than the fiberglass, or will be easier to repair/replace
3) havent found a deck boat that draws as little water as a pontoon, which to me says that it will be easier to get back into some of the coves and areas I want to fish..
4) havent found a deck boat that I would feel comfortable setting a grill up on..
5) the pontoons just seem to have more space for the length.. important when ya got both daughters, their husbands, the in-laws and future g-kids to fit onboard!

Just a few thoughts..

 

I like the deck boat because it has the fiberglass hull. Everything around here is sandy shores, its all river runs, not much on the lakes. The thing is, my wife grew up with her Dads boat being a 21' Stingray and they had 7 kids so she thinks with just our two it will be sufficient to get a fish-n-ski. We have been out on a Hurricane and its an amazing ride, creature comforts throughout and we used a rail mounted gas grill to burn meat. Thats my style, you can fish, ski, cruise, listen to the radio and not have to jump on shore and run 50 yds in the bushes to go tinkle. I just need to sell her on it.

 

We love our Stratos, 201FS, a fish and ski. I like it for fishing and it does well as a ski boat also. We got the FS when we had no kids but have 5yr and 3yr old boys now. We haven't been out with the kids. (no fault of the boat)

My brother-in-law has a deck boat similar to what your talking about and there is no doubt that it fishes, skiis AND has lots more room. To me, if your 'pleasure boating' with an occational fishing trip or pulling a tube, a deck boat has definate advantages. If your semi-hard core bass fisherman(like me), the deck boat won't feel right and won't be as manuverable with a trolling motor.

I suppose if I were in the market, I would have to take a serious look at the deck boats because - how much dedicated bass fishing can I do with 2 young boys? The deck boat would be a great way to introduce the boys to some bluegill/crappy fishing and some towable fun.
Ron

 

I enjoy bass fishing more than anything really. I agree that it will feel akward in a deck boat to bass fish, but I cant afford two boats so I have to take what I can get. I guess price and availability will make the decision for me.

 

One thought on "selling form over function" would be to hit a big boat show. You can see all types in one trip. Then you (she) can see how little room there is in a FS and how nice the deck boat really is.

Its a good thing my boat is paid for, otherwise I'd be talking myself into a new deck boat!