Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

I've been looking at 30'-36' Spectre cats with twin 500's (to do poker/fun runs) to add to the stable alongside the 20 Outlaw (for family days) but the wife through out a new idea... She threw out the idea of just trading in the 20 Outlaw on a 28+ft cat style deck boat to have the best of both worlds and just have one boat to insure, fuel, maintenance, etc. The deck boat would be a single engine boat and either be a pre-owned boat whichever I decide on. She hates the 20 Outlaw being a closed bow due to being about to take a limited number of people out with us and said if I got the Spectre, she'd drive me to trade the 20 Outlaw in on a open bow.

Can I really do both with a cat-style deck boat?
Do you think it would be a good compromise?
How far off are the speeds between the two?
Would insurance be cheaper on the deck boat?
How much rough water can the deck boat take? (I go to LOTO on occasion)
Who makes good quality cat deck boats? and what are the power options?

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

I've been looking at 30'-36' Spectre cats with twin 500's (to do poker/fun runs) to add to the stable alongside the 20 Outlaw (for family days) but the wife through out a new idea... She threw out the idea of just trading in the 20 Outlaw on a 28+ft cat style deck boat to have the best of both worlds and just have one boat to insure, fuel, maintenance, etc. The deck boat would be a single engine boat and either be a pre-owned boat whichever I decide on. She hates the 20 Outlaw being a closed bow due to being about to take a limited number of people out with us and said if I got the Spectre, she'd drive me to trade the 20 Outlaw in on a open bow.

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

Can I really do both with a cat-style deck boat?

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

Do you think it would be a good compromise?

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

How far off are the speeds between the two?

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

Would insurance be cheaper on the deck boat?

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

How much rough water can the deck boat take? (I go to LOTO on occasion)

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

Who makes good quality cat deck boats? and what are the power options?

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile (Post 3347700)

I've been looking at 30'-36' Spectre cats with twin 500's (to do poker/fun runs) to add to the stable alongside the 20 Outlaw (for family days) but the wife through out a new idea... She threw out the idea of just trading in the 20 Outlaw on a 28+ft cat style deck boat to have the best of both worlds and just have one boat to insure, fuel, maintenance, etc. The deck boat would be a single engine boat and either be a pre-owned boat whichever I decide on. She hates the 20 Outlaw being a closed bow due to being about to take a limited number of people out with us and said if I got the Spectre, she'd drive me to trade the 20 Outlaw in on a open bow.

Can I really do both with a cat-style deck boat?
Do you think it would be a good compromise?
How far off are the speeds between the two?
Would insurance be cheaper on the deck boat?
How much rough water can the deck boat take? (I go to LOTO on occasion)
Who makes good quality cat deck boats? and what are the power options?

Originally Posted by thisistank (Post 3347740)

Comming from an objective "non-bias" observer, I can offer this:

I think you’ll see in the coming years an emergence of a boat that used to be primarily a “west coast” design. Deck boats have always been well received on the west coast lakes and you’ll find that most of the west coast builders offer some sort of deck boat option. I personally like the functionality of a deck boat (or “party boat”) as they have been revered to in the past.

Powerboat Magazine recently tested two such boats in February of this year for upcoming issues and while I’ll leave the conclusions and stats to the article, I was impressed by the two boats fit and finish and handling characteristics (the two boats being the Xflight 29 by Advantage boats and the 29 Deck boat by Nordic boats. The Advantage was pushed along with the help of a high-end Teague Custom Marine motor and the Nordic was powered with a 700SCI and NXT. Both boats offered “center cabins” if you will, with options of a porta-potty, storage or even a bed. Lots of creature comforts throughout with these two boats.

Another nice piece that was tested is the new Howad 28 open bow cat. While not a “deck boat” the open boat option allows to run comfortably with more people.

All boats were awesome. I would suggest looking into Nordic “Deck Boat” line, Advantages “Party Cat” and the new “X-Flight” lines, E-tickets “Luxury Cat” line, Howards “Sport Deck” line, DCB "deck" & "Sport Deck" lines, Eliminators “Fun Deck” Series, as well as the Essex “fusion” line to name a few.

http://www.advantageboats.com/

http://www.nordicboatsusa.com/

http://eticketboats.com/

http://www.eliminatorboat.com/

http://www.commanderboats.com/

http://www.howardboats.com/

http://www.dcbracing.com/home.htm

Then of course you have the open bow, mid cabin V-bottoms that seem to be making a big come back. Donzi’s new 35 mid cabin and Hallets new 35 mid cabin are spectacular machines (look for them in upcoming issues of Powerboat mag).


To answer your questions...



Yes, why not? People run their deck boats in havasu, Texoma, the delta, etc. in poker runs and fun runs all the time. I think with decent water you'll be comfortable and happy. If you run a 20' Baja now, there's no water any of the above mentioned deckboats/open bow cats cant run it that you've already run in.



Yes, actually I do. I also think you'll be pleasantly suprised with owning a deck boat. I also think it'd be useless to keep a 20' Baja for "family trips" and a 30-36 Spectre for poker runs since the Spectre is going to be more comfortable in both scenarios.



Between a 30-36 Spectre and a deck boat? I'd guestimate a deck boat will be 20-25 mph slower than the Spectre with same power.



Absolutely.



Refer to above. I wouldn't be hitting any 3+ footers in a deck boat.



Refer to above.


Good luck man. Keep us all posted on what you get. This is one of the fun parts of boating.

Originally Posted by schnydo (Post 3347822)

Go To Frank & Louis And Test 34 Party Cat
I Rode In One With 800 Teagues On Loto
Slug Hefner Driving 7 People Impressive