Deckboat for Tubing and Wakeboarding

[FadeToBlack]

Thinking about new boat. Would like to get a deck boat but need to be able to pull kids on the tube and wake boards. No tower maybe Dana ski post. what is everyones experience with this does a Cat design produce enough wake for wake boarders

 

[Singleton]

I have an Ultra 26 deck and use it to pull my kids on wakeboards and tubes every trip. I added trim tabs which allows me to maintain on plane around 18mph.

 

[relaxalot]

I will give you the straight scoop. Deck boats suck for pulling tubers and wakeboarders. But... I did it for years. They do make a sizeable wake when plowing water at 20 mph. The problem is that when you hit 22 mph they start to plane out and then they speed waaaayyyy up. Difficult to control speed necessary to wakeboard. Tubing is not that bad but with little kids you don't want to go too fast. I pulled kids many times with my deckboat. It has a pole. I would have preferred a different boat but we usually only did that in the early morning and then for 3/4 of the day deck boats are awesome! So... buy a HOWARD deckboat! Got it? Or live with your regrets.

 

[Wendi]

I've wake boarded behind our 28 Magic deck boat it seems fast because William has to plane out. Tubing the kids is fun. You can do it but it's not the greatest.

 

[Wakebrdr94]

Buy a Malibu and be happy. Versatile, reliable, and can cross over for any watersport. Of course I'm biased

 

[riverbrian]

Done both, never an issue.

 

[88vector]

And it will have a roll cage in case you flip it....safety first!

 

[nowski]

In my case our deck boat does pretty well. Tubing is no issue it's when you want to wake board it takes a little driving skill. Holding 18 is no problem but holding 20 mph is a little more difficult. The wake is decent size but once the boat hits plane it wants to take off like a rocket. I love to surf behind the boat, with this boat it is even more difficult to try to hold a steady speed of 15 - 16 mph.

I had a Ski Centurion for 19 years with no issues trying to hold steady speeds for surfing, wake boarding, tubing and skiing but that's what those boats are designed for. However the ski boat isn't designed for rough water (they beat you up) or going fast.

When your out on the lake or river observe what type of boats people are using for there water sports and when you get a chance drive up to them and ask questions...

 

[prosthogod]

Just as a note the strain of those slow non plaining speeds are a huge strain on the outdrive.

 

[nowski]

Just as a note the strain of those slow non plaining speeds are a huge strain on the outdrive.

"Great Point". It also puts a big strain on the wallet with the amount of extra fuel you'll burn...

 

[Wakebrdr94]

If your ever in Parker at the same time as I and want to check out a tow boat, your more than welcome for a ride.

 

[Stainless]

You guys are probably talking different deck boat, but I waked behind a 25' Chaparal all last summer. Had a tower and through a pretty good wake, big enough for my skill anyway. Held speed well also. One trip 4 of us waked at same time, boat has a Bravo 3 duo-prop and could pull stumps.

 

[relaxalot]

This thread reminds me of the discussion that we have all heard about buying a dirt bike or a dual sport or a street bike. A dual sport sucks on the road and dirt. If you primarily want to use the attributes of a deck boat (roominess, stability, speed, smooth ride, party platform) buy a deck boat. If you are going to do mainly watersports a tow boat may be bettter or at least a vee hull. I personally always grimace when I am coming back from upriver watching all the guys with their wakeboards and speakers hanging off the rollcage looking like they are getting beat up by the rough chop. Also, unless you use your boat for primarily towing, it seems like these boats are overpriced and slow and handle like an upside down bathtub in the chop. Buy a 25' performance vee unless you are a wakeboarding pro or wannabe. If you primarily want to do watersports then it makes sense. If you want an all around party platform that handles the chop well buy a deckboat.

 

[hallett21]

Are you looking at a deck boat for the ride quality or the layout? If you're after the layout then maybe look at the advantage xflight. V bottom hull with basically a deck top. It's a one of a kind hull design but it may do water sports a little better than a cat. Just a thought

 

[blackbart]

Just as a note the strain of those slow non plaining speeds are a huge strain on the outdrive.

yes x 2 hammerd gears so baught a 2nd boat for that 2,000 lots of fun too

 

[coz]

Buy a Malibu and be happy. Versatile, reliable, and can cross over for any watersport. Of course I'm biased

I'd personally recommend a MasterCraft, but hey, I'm biased too One thing about the MC line these days, it takes 100k + or - to get into a new one. They introduced the NXT as an affordable MC to the younger generation but at 70k that's not affordable in my opinion.