Originally Posted by Sydwayz

Deck cats are REALLY windy compared to traditional cats.

Originally Posted by Plowtownmissile

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 Jassman

excellent advise, I couldnt have said it any better. My favorite would be the E-Ticket..

Originally Posted by AO31

I think you would prob have to make up your mind; go fast safely or go slow with the whole crew. Or, buy the Spectre and trade the baja for a pontoon! Fast deck boats are kinda dangerous especially in bumpy waters.

Originally Posted by mreedy

from what I know about your family I would go out and try to find a cheap open bow or pontoon for family. Then keep outlaw until you find the right cat for yourself. Your little boy has alot of growing up to do, so those slow easy rides are ideal for now. When my kids where younger we had a 21' Islander open bow that was perfect for family days out. I know you can usually pick up one of those fairly cheap.

Good luck Bro

Originally Posted by thisistank

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 regor

We bought this last year. My wife had the sames concerns as your wife. I didn't want the "deck boat bus" & she didn't want the closed bow. I always loved the looks of the Daytona so, the wife made me get a walk off bow. I wasn't down with it at first but, I'm sold now. Great for the kids & people that have a hard time getting in the boat. I have better pics but, I can't post them apparently. It came with a 525EFI & Bravo Racing XR. Top speed I saw last year was 86 going down river, full boat 70-74. I'm currently having it whippled and can't wait to get my hands on it then.

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/RDP/g...-bow-walk-deck

Originally Posted by cdowns

What about this 29ft Trident 496 HO 75mph and a bad azz stereo....

Originally Posted by Mr. Demeanor

Would a fast center console fill your speed and room requirements?

Something like a 29 Lightening, Concept, Specter?
http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/3204

We see lots of them in Poker Runs down here.

Originally Posted by capt2130

A couple people we boat with have deck boats. One has a eticket with twin 525`s, its a beautiful boat. The other is a magic w/ a 496ho, really nice boat also. They do offer alot of room tho. Only thing I dont like is no drop out bolsters. Just my $.02

Originally Posted by drejustice

You say you want single engine boat but if your doing long poker or fun runs, i'd say go twins for redundancy. We did the 90+ miles JOTJ with a single 26 cat/deck boat and the whole time in the back of my mind was if I break down i'm screwed. Got rid of that and went with a 30 ft cat/deck with twin o/b and couldn't be happier Well, I guess i could be if it'd do about 125

I'll make few points on the cat/deck. +o/b
Speed 90+ MPH ALL DAY. You can hold it wide open forever
You can haul the whole family 8+ people
Insurance about 2100 for full coverage w/agreed value
As for rough water, i'm assuming it would handle LOTO http://PHOTOS.POWERBOATPHOTOS.COM/p689942402/e33247072 But I could be wrong.