Deck Boat Manufacturers & Brands: A Comprehensive List of the Best

Interesting in buying a deck boat this year? If yes, then you might want to check out this list of the best deck boat manufacturers and brands on the planet before you make your final choice. Each manufacturer is listed below in alphabetical order, with a link to their website and a brief biography and overview of each.

Not Listed? If you see a manufacturer missing, please get in touch and I will add the brand to this list

Bayliner

Website: bayliner.com

Established in 1957 by Orin Edson, Bayliner is said to be the largest manufacturer of recreational boats in the world. With over 400 dealers across the globe, it’s no wonder their deck boats are seen all over the place, with models to suit beginners through to advanced.

Their deck boat models include the popular Element Series, including the Element XR7 with a top speed of 38 miles per hour.

Bryant Boats

Website: bryantboats.com

Starting out in 1960, and originally named Thunder Craft, Bryant are renowned for manufacturing deck boats with high luxury and performance factor. Bryant Boats have recently been acquired by the Correct Craft brand and have gone on to produce a stunning range of deck boats that are just perfect for water sports.

Their prices start very high, with the Calandra retailing from a $85,000 point. But don’t be put off by the price. If you want elegant style, premium materials, and high performance for sports, then the Bryant deck boats could be just what you are looking for.

Caravelle Boat Group

Website: caravelleboatgroup.com

Caravelle have manufactured runabout watercraft to the North American market since 1966, and in more recent years have expanded out to manufacture deck boats and fishing boats.

They have a heavy focus on fishing deck boats, but still manage to include the leisure type items you would want, including on board modern amenities such as MP3 players, Kenwood stereo systems, and more.

Chaparral Boats

Website: chaparralboats.com

Chaparral was founded in 1965 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida but now resides from their manufacturing center Nashville, Georgia. With 800 employees, Chaparral is one of the area’s largest employers, where they build high quality, hand-crafted deck boats.

One of their more popular deck boats is the Sunesta range which range from 22 to 26 foot in length. Ideal boats for both a relax on the water and high-performance water sports, they have become a by-word for quality as a deck boat manufacturer.

Concept Boats

Website: conceptboats.com

Concept boats are known for building high performance deck boats with their own signature custom graphics. Their boats don’t just look good though, they also offer superior handling and maximum performance, making them a very popular choice in the United States.

They have been in business for over 30 years now and are a Miami-based family-run business. As a consumer, you can order a bespoke design, crafted with flexibility in mind, and multiple customized features depending on how you want your deck boat manufactured.

Crownline Boats

Website: crownline.com

Crownline are relatively new as far as deck boat manufacturer go, only coming into existence in 1991. Their first boats were designed and produced in a small workshop in Whittington, Illinois, with the first ever model being a Crownline 182 BR.

More recently, their E23 XS was selected as one of the top 2018 products by The Boating Industry editors. Expect big things from this manufacturer over the next few years.

Ebbtide Boats

Website: ebbtideboats.com

Ebbtide is a little different when compared to other manufacturers of deck boats, as they commit to building fewer boats, but with more control over the process. How? They do this by being amongst just a handful boat builders left who full hand-lay every single boat that they produce.

Now over 35 years old, Ebbtide deck boats let you build up your own boat specification and features. There is a handy planning tool on their website, so head on other there and see what new creation you can come up with, exactly to your own standard.

Four Winns

Website: fourwinns.com

There is currently different configuration of the popular HD series of deck boat available on their website, ranging in price from $36,000 to $101,000 dollars. You won’t be stuck for choice that’s for sure. But why would you buy a deck boat from Four Winns?

For me it’s all about the attention to detail on a Four Winns boat. They incorporate innovative boat design with high quality craftsmanship. Each time I have stepped on one, I notice another little difference which I didn’t before.

Ganz Boats

Website: ganzboats.ch

Ganz Boats are quite unusual in the deck boat as they aren’t an American firm, but instead are based in Zurich, Switzerland. Don’t let that put you off though, as despite being a land-locked country, Switzerland has large lakes, and has a tradition of quality design and manufacturing.

They claim to offer modern and innovative designs, customized to your individual needs for a relaxing or high-tempo day out on the water. Go check their website out for more information, as they do have an English-language content version available.

Glastron

Website: glastron.com

I love the Glastron GTD 205 and GTD 225. Why? With sterndrive performance and loads of luxury features, they are the perfect deck boats for relaxing, entertaining, and having fun on the water. Add a wakeboard tower, and the fun pulling your friends and family will be endless.

Their boats were even featured in the James Bond movie “Live and Let Die”, and as you should know, 007 only ever chooses the most high-performance vehicles, and always demands luxury. Shaken, not stirred…

Hurricane

Website: hurricaneboats.com

Hurricane is one of the most well-known manufacturers of deck boats on the entire planet. You have probably seen a SunDeck or FunDeck vessel the last time you hit the water, such is the popularity of their boats.

Whether it’s tubing, wakeboarding, water skiing or cruising you want to do, there will be a SunDeck model to suit you and your family. Like many other boat manufacturers, they are based out of Elkhart in Indiana.

Lowe Boats

Website: loweboats.com

Lowe Boats has been in business since 1971. Established in Lebanon, Missouri, the brand has gone on to become a massive brand in the deck boat industry.

Over the years, Lowe has developed a well-deserved reputation for manufacturing high quality and affordable deck boats designed for any level of boater. They claim on their website that second and third generations of anglers and boaters return to buy time and time again.

MasterCraft

Website: mastercraft.com

Founded in 1968, MasterCraft manufactured its first ever ski boat in a barn, on a farm. Yes, you heard that right. From these humble beginnings Maryville, Tennessee, they went on to became recognized as a major force in the tournament ski boat market, and now with their deck boats.

Water sports is their speciality, with a small range of high performance deck boats designed for water skiing and wakeboarding enthusiasts.

Monterey Boats

Website: montereyboats.com

Over the last 30 years Monterey Boats has established itself as a leader in the engineering and design of deck boats. Still a family operated business, they are renowned for quickly reacting to market conditions, with constant innovation at the core of everything that they do.

Their HQ is in central Florida where they have two manufacturing plants where their deck boats, sports boats, and cruisers are built. Employing over 500 staff members, they are the largest employer in Levy County.

NauticStar

Website: nauticstarboats.com

One of the newest deck boat manufacturers in the market NauticStar were only founded in 2002. Don’t let that put you off though, as they manufacture high quality deck boats from 18 to 28 feet in length.

Based in Amory Mississippi in a 200,000 square feet manufacturing plant, they make 7 different deck boat models, with specific angler versions for the fishing market.

PlayCraft Boats

Website: playcraftboats.com

Established over 40 years ago, PlayCraft have built some of the most rugged and loved fishing deck boats on the water. Their signature range would be the Deck Cruiser series which offer a stylish design that you can customize to suit your own exact needs.

They also build the top-selling SunFish and Power Series deck boats, putting them amongst the most popular fishing deck boat manufacturers in the United States.

Princecraft

Website: princecraft.com

If it’s a high-performance deck boat you’re after, then take a look at the Princecraft Ventura series. With a broad hull, aerodynamic design, and packed full of features, it’s no wonder these vessels are so well regarded amongst the boating community.

As a Canadian manufacturer, they are now over 60 years old. They are an old man in deck boat manufacturing terms, but they are certainly no slouch.

Regal Boats

Website: regalboats.com

If you have not seen the Regal Boats 24 Fasdeck, then go take a look now, it’s quite simply stunning. It has a power tower, arena seating, extended swimming platform, booming Fusion marine stereo, and what they call an ultra-lounge.

This deck boat will do everything you want and more, so head on over to their website to read the full specification. It’s one of my personal favorites, and I think it become one of yours too.

SouthWind Boats

Website: southwindboats.com

SouthWind deck boats include the full line of SportDeck and CrossDeck models, which come with flexible platforms allowing for a wide range of water-based activities.

SouthWind Deck Boats are manufactured by the Seminole Marine Group, an independent family-owned company, originally founded in 1986, to build the CSI award-winning Sailfish line of offshore fishing boats.

Splendor Boats

Website: splendorboats.com

The company’s founder, Doyle Heckaman first began boat pattern making in 1972. Over the years Doyle has made just about everything possible out of fiberglass such as steeples, fan housings, running boards, van tops, and of course, boats.

On their website they state that innovation, quality and a personable, family-run company have helped to put them into the position as one of the top deck boat manufacturers in the industry.

Starcraft Marine

Website: starcraftmarine.com

Starcraft was founded in 1903 by Arthur E. Schrock in the rural town of Goshen, Indiana making it the oldest of our featured deck boat manufacturers by some stretch.

The late 1980s saw the company merge into the Brunswick family of companies, which included Mercury Marine. In 1996 Brunswick Corporation decided to divest itself of Starcraft.

Stingray Boats

Website: stingrayboats.com

Hartsville, South Carolina is home to Stingray Boats, one of the leading deck boat builders in the United States. With over 225,000 square feet of factory space, Stingray claims to have one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the whole of America.

Their deck boat range includes the popular 186CC and 191DC models, both of which come highly recommended.

Sun Tracker

Website: suntrackerboats.com

As part of the Bass Pro Group, Sun Tracker deck boats has been in business since 1983, and are one of the more better known names in the industry.

The company claims to have the best warranty in the deck boat industry. From 2014 onwards, every Sun Tracker comes with a 10-year bow-to-stern warranty. That long warranty is then supplemented with a limited lifetime warranty on deck and structural components.

Sylvan Marine

Website: sylvanmarine.com

Sylvan also come with a long warranty at 6 years. As one of the leading pontoon boat manufacturers, they have an outstanding reputation for quality and service, and you can’t go wrong if you decide to buy a deck boat from this manufacturer brand.

Great looking boats, high quality, and awesome online reviews, if I was to buy a deck boat in 2018, it would probably be from Sylvan Marine. They are very good.

Tahoe Boats

Website: tahoeboats.com

Another Bass Pro brand, they have years of experience in providing boaters with top-quality deck boats. With feedback constantly taken from existing owners, they continuously work to improve their boat’s performance and features.

2018 has seen some great new models come to market including the updated Tahoe deck series, models 195, 1950, 215 XI, and the 2150 to name but a few.

Yamaha Boats

Website: yamahaboats.com

The only Japanese manufacturer on this list, they are primarily known in the marine sector for their best-selling boat engine and motors, and the deck boats are too bad either!

They have taken the legendary Yamaha reliability and performance and put it on the water in the form of some stunning deck boats for sale.