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Tir Na Nog · 08-02-2006, 10:44 AM

I have a Regal 20 foot deck boat. I had looked at a lot of boat styles at boat shows and dealers before I bought this about 9 years ago. I was worried about a pontoons ability to handle Winni, but liked the space. For me the deck boat was a great way to get the benefit of the space of a pontoon, while getting the durability of a fiber glass boat and the ride of a V hull. The deck sits relatively high on the boat so you do not get the same spray problems of a bow rider. I have been caught out on the lake a couple of times in some very heavy chop without too much of a problem, although I did take it slow those times. I would not go with some of the deck boats I have seen, those with a fairly flat entry into the water. Seeing them run, they seem to be about the same as a poontoon, but probably a higher price tag. I have a brother who runs a charter fishing boat out of Plymouth, MA and a lot of sea experience and he is always pleasantly surprised with the handling of my boat even in rough water. Of course, if you try to go flying through rough water you can get a bit of a pounding, but I still think it is better than similar sized bow riders.

08-02-2006, 10:44 AM	#12
Tir Na Nog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 53 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Another Option I have a Regal 20 foot deck boat. I had looked at a lot of boat styles at boat shows and dealers before I bought this about 9 years ago. I was worried about a pontoons ability to handle Winni, but liked the space. For me the deck boat was a great way to get the benefit of the space of a pontoon, while getting the durability of a fiber glass boat and the ride of a V hull. The deck sits relatively high on the boat so you do not get the same spray problems of a bow rider. I have been caught out on the lake a couple of times in some very heavy chop without too much of a problem, although I did take it slow those times. I would not go with some of the deck boats I have seen, those with a fairly flat entry into the water. Seeing them run, they seem to be about the same as a poontoon, but probably a higher price tag. I have a brother who runs a charter fishing boat out of Plymouth, MA and a lot of sea experience and he is always pleasantly surprised with the handling of my boat even in rough water. Of course, if you try to go flying through rough water you can get a bit of a pounding, but I still think it is better than similar sized bow riders.