Much has changed. With the addition of performance-enhancing features such as three-logged pontoons, lifting strakes and higher horsepower ratings, pontoons now can rival or even exceed the performance of some deck boats. Deck boats, in addition, have improved to the point where they can equal seating capacity and creature comforts typical of some pontoons.
Deck boats have sleek aerodynamic lines similar to other sport boats and have great aesthetic appeal. Compared to their classy cousin, pontoons tend to be more boxy and less nautical looking, although that’s becoming less and less true each year as new pontoon models and the use of fiberglass layouts and sport arches are being released.
The V-shaped hull on deck boats enables the boat to cut through the water and get up on plane at a high speed, creating a surfable wake. A V-shaped hull boat is most fuel efficient when cruising at high speeds since slower speeds infringe on the hull’s natural ability to rise and slice through the water. On the down side, since a V-shaped hull boat pivots on a central axis, this can cause the craft to gracelessly rock to the movement of passengers or turbulent wind and waves. But with a wide enough V-hull, the issue of stability is generally nullified.
However, a pontoon’s flat deck and hull lend great stability on the smooth water which easily resists the side-to-side roll typical of deck boats. It is this stability that makes pontoons such great spaces for entertaining. That being said, pontoons were designed for sheltered waters such as lakes and rivers, but have become a possible option for those using Intracoastal waterways. Pontoons are more fuel efficient at slower speeds since the flat hull cruises on top of the water rather than cutting through it like a V-hull boat. As such, pontoons require more power and fuel to reach the same speeds as a deck boat and without the surfable wake.
But speed is not everything. Pontoons in general still tend to be limited in regard to maneuverability by comparison. But pontoon manufacturers have gone to great lengths to rectify this situation with the advent of three-logged pontoons with lifting strakes and performance packages. Three tubes instead of two give performance pontoons similar handling and control as a V-hull boat. The addition of a 25-inch diameter centerline tube with a 20-inch lifting pad aft enables pontoons to make zippy starts and sharp turns, which skiers and tubers normally don’t experience on typical pontoons. Also, adding inner lifting strakes to the outside tubes helps the pontoon cut through the water by creating lift.
Also worth noting, it is normal for deck boats to have inboard engines or 300hp outboards and be able to reach speeds from 50 to 70 mph.
If a fast and rolling ride is a must for your boat, a deck boat with a 300hp engine, along with the maneuverability created by a V-shape hull, will easily fill your need for speed. For tow watersports, the deck boat has a slight advantage over the pontoon, but that gap is quickly closing—especially on the sport pontoons that now offer full wakeboard towers or arches.
Deck boats are roomy in their own right, but they don’t lend themselves as easily to being a floating party as pontoons do. If your idea of fun is towing family and friends on tubes, kneeboards or skis, either a pontoon or a deck boat would be a good fit for augmenting your time on the lake.
A pontoon may cost $30K, but after buying an engine and a few options the total price could equal $50K or more. That being said, you can expect to pay anywhere from $80K to $180K (or even more) for a fully-equipped pontoon with maximum horsepower.
The starting price for a decent deck boat starts at around the $30K mark to upward of $140K. But as with anything, you can spend as much as you want on a boat and you do get what you pay for as far as quality, craftsmanship and amenities. But whatever craft you choose, there has never been a better time to get out on the water and start enjoying the benefits and advantages of owning either a pontoon or a deck boat than there is today.