Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/556112
May 2015 | Boating Industry | 33 www.BoatingIndustry.com /// Market Trends /// BY BRIANNA LIESTMAN A deck boat is a versatile product: It can be powered by an outboard or sterndrive engine, be used for cruising or water sports, fi shing or coving. What all deck boats have in common, however, is their open fl oor plans and capability to take several passengers out for a relaxing day on the water. We spoke with several deck boat manufac- turers, who have introduced new product in the past year and are adapting to market demands while remaining faithful to the deck boat model. Deck boat power With the ever-increasing popularity of outboard engines, deck boat manufacturers are building product that is competitive and addresses con- sumer and dealer needs. Stingray Boats has historically been a stern- drive boat manufacturer but because of the price increase with sterndrive engines and requests from its dealers, the company felt it needed to look into options for an outboard-powered boat. Stingray introduced two deck boats – the 192SC and 212SC – both of which are powered by out- board engines. These boats mark Stingray's entry into the deck boat segment. The deck boats are built with Stingray's pat- ented ZP hull, which is a deep V from bow to stern. The company says this offers consumers a better ride quality and handling. "When we decided to get into outboard boats again, we looked at all the options of what was selling for other people," said Barry Avent, vice president of operations at Stingray. "Build- ing a deck boat line just fi t into our production system very well." Avent said the company began 35 years ago building 18- and 19-foot boats, which is why it chose to start there with the deck boat line. Other sizes may be released in the future but it is yet to be determined. "We are looking at options for the entry-level style boat to be able to compete in the market," said Avent. "Stingray has always made its life at trying to be the boat that would be the most effi cient and best quality for the value for what your dollar can buy." Chaparral has also seen an opportunity in the outboard trend, introducing its SunCoast line for 2015 as an addition to its existing sterndrive- powered Sunesta line. The 250 SunCoast is avail- able now and the 230 and 210 models will be introduced in the 2016 model year. "We continue to keep deck boats on the lead- ing edge because we have dedicated new R&D dollars to the development of new boats like the SunCoast outboard line for future generations," said Ann Baldree, vice president of Chapparal and Robalo Boats. "It was kind of a natural fi t. We saw a space in the marketplace, defi nitely, for an outboard deck boat." Bob Wachs, director of dealer development at Nautic Global Group, says engine prefer- ence has tended to be region-specifi c. However, with the trends toward outboard engine sales, Hurricane Boats is starting to exhibit increased outboard deck boat sales in regions that were typically sterndrive markets. "People are liking the outboards because they're more dependable, quieter, very fuel ef- fi cient. It's not to say that sterndrives are going away – they're not – it's just been a little shift in the marketplace that every manufacturer is aware of," said Wachs. This does not mean sterndrive-powered deck boats will fade into obscurity any time soon. Deck boat manufacturers who offer sterndrive products remain dedicated to the application. "They remain the best consumer value horsepower to horsepower," said Baldree. "There are too many people who have had such a long history with owning sterndrives and have had a great experience with them to exit the sterndrive market." Deck boat manufacturers introduce new, versatile products SPACES Stingray says it is able to provide more seating room in its deck boats due to its outboard design.