Deckboat?

[inthedirtagain]

Sold our 1966 Starcraft Holiday just before Christmas because it wasn't big enough for our family. We want a boat that we can comfortably hold all 5 of us (plus a dog or two), and be able to use it for skiing or fishing. I found something that I'm interested in locally from Craigslist, but I can't seem to find much info on it. Apparently, they only came in 18 or 21ft lengths. According to the ad, it is a Harris Deck-Craft with a Johnson 175. Don't have any idea on length, weight, or age of the boat. I like the idea of the size and layout of pontoon boats, but with the performance of a normal play-boat with a tri-hull or modified-V. What are your thoughts on something like this for what we are intending to do with it?

Assuming that the OB is in good shape, what kind of performance do you think it should be capable of, and would it satisfy our need to ski, wakeboard, and tube? Keep in mind that I'll be pulling kids and adults (I'm 6'4 and 240). There should be plenty of room to fish from, so I'm not worried about that. Thanks for taking the time to help.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Deckboat?

It will should work for recreational skiing and tubing.
What kind of water are you planning to use it on? It will not be a pleseant ride in the rougher waters.

This is our deck boat. It's great in the calm water and for our purposes, but it really is a slave to the calm water.
It will do 55mph with glass water, a light fuel load, and just me on board.

It's a good boat for our needs on Lake of The Ozarks, but it's small for the lake and even with it's "dihedral hull" (Starcraft for Trihull) it's a rough ride in the LOTO weekend chop.

 

[Ernest T]

Re: Deckboat?

Agree with DaNinja. You will have no problems pulling a skier, tube, or wakeboarder with that boat. I've got a Yamaha F150 on my 21 foot deck boat and I have no problems pulling anything, and the wake is decent for wake boarding, but not so excessive that it irritates other boaters. These boats are great fishing platforms, since the hull is so stable when they are stopped and you have room to move around. It does get bouncy in chop, but they make great boats for small to medium sized lakes.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Deckboat?

I was going to upgrade to one of these when the family was growing. On power, the 175 should do everything you want. On stability at rest and room for everyone and everything, superb. On rough water, pay attention to the comments. Note that the two who answered your question have a deeper V hull with lifting strakes which your boat doesn't have. These deep V and lifting strakes absorb impact as you enter larger waves acting like shock absorbers to cushion the impact. The boat you are looking at has neither, so with the sponsons on either side and a smooth, shallow V hull, large waves will beat you to death. If you are going to boat in calm water and only have to deal with a boat wake now and then you can handle that.....just cut the throttle till the wake passes and resume. If large water and all, I would forget it.

Mark

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Deckboat?

I'm in the Boise area, so no large water for me. The closest lake (15min drive) took less than 20min to cross from one side to the other. I don't think I'd be dealing with much chop, either. Thanks for the comments.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Deckboat?

I used to own this same package with a 150 hp. The posters are correct; you'll have the power to do all you're wanting and plenty of room for your group. It will be uncomfortable for even seasoned boaters if the chop kicks up. Also, if you do get this rig, make sure you carry two anchors and learn to anchor "stern in" as the wake from passing boats can easily breach the transom and swamp it.

I now own a slightly larger Mariah...what a big difference. It's a buyer's market right now, maybe you should do a search for one. Good Luck!

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Deckboat?

Finally got ahold of the owner last night and had a good conversation about this boat. He bought it for his work and wasn't what he really needed. He used it only a handful of times last summer/fall before putting it up in storage. According to him, the last trip out was with his extended family and their spouses. He pulled guys 6'5 and 250 "no problem," but didn't know what kind of top end it had. I'm not too concerned with overall speed (my Holiday couldn't break 34mph), but I want there to be enough oomph for skiers when we have a full load.

He said that this one is a 1976 and is just shy of 22ft, and that has my wife concerned. She's worried about mechanical failures and it being too big for her to handle. Since this is a family boat where everyone will be behind the wheel at some point, I want everyone comfortable handling it. We'll give this one a once-over, but we don't have our hearts set on it. He's asking $3200, and that seems a bit high. Thoughts?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Deckboat?

I wouldn't worry about a 1976 hull, as far as "mechanical" but I'd sure worry about a 1976 motor and wiring. Budget to repower and you will be OK.

As far a being too big to handle comfortably, that's possible, depending on whether it drives as nice as the newer deck boats (which are now designed with water sports in mind) or like the older ones, which were more for cruising; it could be a real pig.

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Deckboat?

I'm going out on Saturday to take a closer look at it, but I will not be laying down any cash until I have an opportunity to see how it handles the water. Considering our mild winter, I may not have to wait too long.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Deckboat?

He's asking $3200, and that seems a bit high. Thoughts?

Ouch...waaaaayyyyyy out of line. Not more than 1K IMHO!

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Deckboat?

In my neck of the woods, nothing worth owning can be found for $1k.

 

[cobra1476]

Re: Deckboat?

It will should work for recreational skiing and tubing.
What kind of water are you planning to use it on? It will not be a pleseant ride in the rougher waters.

This is our deck boat. It's great in the calm water and for our purposes, but it really is a slave to the calm water.
It will do 55mph with glass water, a light fuel load, and just me on board.

It's a good boat for our needs on Lake of The Ozarks, but it's small for the lake and even with it's "dihedral hull" (Starcraft for Trihull) it's a rough ride in the LOTO weekend chop.

Got the same exact boat last year! Upgraded from a 18' bowrider and it is great. the space is wayyy better.

I do agree on the chop. Got stuck in a flash storm on our bay last year and that was the scariest thing I have ever encountered. But it is great on calm waters.

 

[hog88]

Re: Deckboat?

I don't know about any boat that old, would be very carefull and plan on re-wiring and re-powering within a year or two. But as far as a deck boat goes, had a Funsport 215 with a merc 150 for 12 years and loved it. Tubing wasn't the best because of the tow point but it would jerk a 220lbs skier right out of the water. The only reason we went to a bowrider is that we wanted to get up into the 26' + range and the only deck boat out there in that size was the Hurricane 260 and we just didn't like the layout.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Deckboat?

Got the same exact boat last year! Upgraded from a 18' bowrider and it is great. the space is wayyy better.

I do agree on the chop. Got stuck in a flash storm on our bay last year and that was the scariest thing I have ever encountered. But it is great on calm waters.

The space is great and it's been a lot of fun with the family when they visit. The boat came with the house there. I probably would've picked up a 29' Fountain, or similiar, if I was making the purchase.

Decks are fun, but our lake can be brutal.

On a good note.. the wife docks it like a pro.

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Deckboat?

Had a chance to look it over on Saturday and its in pretty good shape for the age. Its a 21ft, 8ft bimini, dual battery w/isolator, a spare (new) prop, and there is a ton of storage on it. Has a stereo with (2) 6x9's and (2) 12in subs.Trailer is is good condition with 4 new tires, too. He's pretty flexible on the price, so I'm thinking of offering $2600. Of course, the wife gets the final word on this, but so far, the kids and I approve. Should give us plenty of room for everyone, plus coolers and the dogs. He is replacing the starter, so I can't do a compression check until that's done.