Deck Boat or Bowrider: Which Would You Choose?

Are you looking for a family boat to spend a lazy afternoon cruising in a body of water near you? Consider two of the most popular runabout types – the deck boat and the bowrider. Despite their similarities, they have several differences, too, which we would like you to know before you make your decision. Roger’s Performance Marine has put together a quick guide to help you make your decision. When you’re ready to browse, visit one of our locations. We’re in Centerville and Hurricane, UT. We also serve boat enthusiasts in Salt Lake City and St. George, UT.

The Shape of the Hull

It’s perhaps the hull that’s the biggest difference between deck boats and bowriders. Deck boats feature wider and low-rise bows and flat-bottomed hulls. This adds to the stability of these boats, especially in rough waters. Many deck boats feature a catamaran hull design with increased space at the deck for better seating and storage.

A bowrider features a V-shaped hull and modest seating capacity but is extremely efficient with high-speeds and taking turns. The performance of both is similar which makes it a tough choice to pick one over the other.

Seating Arrangement

Ranging between 18’ and 33’ in length, deck boats offer a U-shaped seating arrangement with plenty of space to stretch while you are cruising. The open floor plan doesn’t separate the bow from the stern and thus creates more room for your family and guests.

Smaller groups can go for the 17’ bowriders while bigger ones can settle for the 30’ models. Find the seating area at the front of the bow, secured by railings and seat belts in many models.

Capacity

What is the storage capacity you are looking for? If you will mostly frequent the waters in large groups and need ample storage space to carry different gear, you may want to buy a deck boat. Larger layout, bigger storage space, and comfortable seating for over a dozen people at a time highlight the feature spread you can expect here.

On the other hand, if you will not have more than ten people at a time on your cruising trips, purchasing a bowrider can be a better idea. Although compact in size compared to deck boats, bowriders let you cruise comfortably and store your gear conveniently, too. Despite its modest space, it doesn’t let you feel cramped.

Watersport Activities

Trust the runabouts to offer you never-before watersport experiences, be it wakeboarding or water skiing. However, you may want to choose one boat over the other depending on your skillset and level of expertise.

To the seasoned wakeboarders, a bowrider offers high speed and stability on choppy waters. But for a novice watersport enthusiast, a deck boat will be a better choice. That’s because its width and solid build help control the speed and provide a safer ride to the user. Deck boats also come with a swim platform that gives swimmers easy access to the water.

Hopefully we have helped you see the pros and cons of each type of boat. When you’re ready to choose your next boat, Roger’s Performance Marine will be here for you!