Deck Boats for Sale

Deck Boats: what to know

A deck boat carries its width all the way forward, so the bow is a real seating area rather than a point. It sits between a bowrider and a pontoon: more room than the first, more speed and a better ride in chop than the second, and a comfortable boat for a crowd that also wants to tow a tube.

What to check before you buy

• Count the seats you will actually use. The reason to buy a deck boat over a bowrider is the bow, so sit in it and see if it works for your family.
• Sterndrive or outboard. Most newer deck boats carry an outboard, which is simpler to service and leaves room for a bigger swim platform.
• Walk the deck and press on it near the bow and the helm. A soft spot means water has reached the core underneath.
• Look at the upholstery seams and the snap fittings. A deck boat has more seating than most boats its size, and all of it is out in the sun.
• Check the ladder and the swim platform. On a family boat they get used more than anything else on board.

Common questions

What is the difference between a deck boat and a bowrider?

The bow. A bowrider narrows to a point and seats a few people up front. A deck boat keeps its width forward, so the bow seats as many as the cockpit. The trade is a little less of the bowrider's sharp ride in rough water.

Is a deck boat better than a pontoon?

It is quicker, handles chop better and is easier to tow a skier or a tube behind. A pontoon has more room and is easier to walk around on. On a big lake that gets rough in the afternoon, the deck boat is the drier ride.

Can a deck boat go in salt water?

Yes. Choose one with an outboard, which is easier to flush and keep clean than a sterndrive, and rinse the boat and the trailer after every trip.