21 Skier or 22 deck

[ALL]

So I’m lucky enough to be in the market for a new custom boat totally new to this style of boating mainly boat Needles to Havasu what’s better the 21 skier or 22 deck Boat jet hopefully 6.2 mercury don’t need anything crazy 55 mph is good for me probably going with shockwave or Tahiti if I can get a hold of him?

 

[rivrrts429]

If you boat Havasu I would lean towards the 21’ Skier. The deck can take spray over the bow in bigger water. I’ve done a shit ton of boating in both models but if I was spending a considerable amount of time in Havasu water it would be the Skier model all day.

 

[monkeyswrench]

That's really all opinion and what you like to do. If you like beach hopping, walking off the deck is nice, but some people feel deck boats aren't "sporty" enough. Others may feel a skier lacks room. It's what makes the world go around, variety of choices.

 

[FlyByWire]

I absolutely loved my Shockwave deck. It was a perfect river boat from Mojave Valley to Havasu. The 350 mag I/O (I know you said jet) was all it needed and it ran 70 with it.

That said, if you plan to run Havasu on a weekend, the water may be a little too big for it…and that’s where the 21 skier would do better I would think.

 

[CLdrinker]

We had a Shockwave Skier with 6.2 B1 and it was a great boat and rode well for a 21’.

 

[ALL]

Thanks for the input I would say it will probably be 80% river and 20% lake Mojave and Havasu. We’re coming from an 18 foot family Larson boat. Nothing bad to say about that boat amazing memories just looking for something with a jet we just bought a place at The Palms River Resort and it can get a little rocky up there, honestly don’t need anything special. Just looking forward to building a boat for our family to enjoy.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Thanks for the input I would say it will probably be 80% river and 20% lake Mojave and Havasu. We’re coming from an 18 foot family Larson boat. Nothing bad to say about that boat amazing memories just looking for something with a jet we just bought a place at The Palms River Resort and it can get a little rocky up there, honestly don’t need anything special. Just looking forward to building a boat for our family to enjoy.

I had a place at the Palms, and that stretch has been my stretch for 25 years as well. Jet definitely makes it less worrisome. It also opens up more time in the day to be on the water, as a lot of the outdrive people up that way will stay docked or trailered at times. A smaller deck with a jet may be a bit of a PITA on Havasu when it's choppy, same with the corridor by the Moabi peninsulas. I have a 21ft open bow jet, and a 24ft deck OD. They are both really good at certain things, but not great at everything...if that makes sense.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

If you are boating 80% river, then go with the 22 deck. I had one and it is an awesome river boat.

 

[Smupser]

It’s all gonna depend on the drive setup. Everyone wants the 22-23 decks, they are considered the ultimate setup on the lower river. if You do and outboard or I/O you can get away with stock power. If you do a jet be prepared to have at least 5-600 HP motor to get it to run decent Which is $$$ not including a good pump setup. Then plan on dumping a ton of gas in that thing. The problem with these boats and a jet is theres no “in between“ cruising. You’re either on it or not. Todd at Tahiti will tell you the same.

if you’re looking to cruise and have a great river boat over all, the skier is the setup regardless of what builder you go with. And if you want to, you can always put a 1,300 h.p. LS with a whipple in a skier like Rob Mason of mason motorsports did in his skier, his boat does 90 mph

 

[JDub24]

@Goodtime$ to the white courtesy phone please.

 

[77charger]

Tough choice but I’m sure either would be nice.

I have an eliminator 207 boated everything from Blythe to Laughlin. It will do the job at times not the best but will work. But those 22 decks seem real nice too.

 

[Ultra912]

My 23 struggled on the lake unless conditions were decent. Was no fun having wind dictate when we could go out. Definitely got wet too. She sank in 2019 falling victim to a water tank. Low freeboard on a walk on deck just isn't a good setup for the lake. It was fine in 2007 when I bought it but the lake isn't the same anymore. I'd go with a skier

 

[NicPaus]

My 23 struggled on the lake unless conditions were decent. Was no fun having wind dictate when we could go out. Definitely got wet too. She sank in 2019 falling victim to a water tank. Low freeboard on a walk on deck just isn't a good setup for the lake. It was fine in 2007 when I bought it but the lake isn't the same anymore. I'd go with a skier View attachment 1362807

It was or still is listed for sale for top dollar. Should of bought it back from insurance and sold it to me. They probably changed the oil and interior and flipped it.

 

[McKay]

Ricky has a new 21' for sale with a 6.2 Merc. Nice boat!

 

[Goodtime$]

Two different animals really
Focus on the 80% of your boating and do that
The 20% your a human and can adapt

23 deck is most popular because:
It’s the biggest baddest jet boat on the river
Or the smallest outdrive lake boat
Walk off bow step moms love


21 skier is more family friendly
Belly tank
Bigger cockpit
Cruise at 30 mph vs 23 deck needs to pack air so cruise is 44-50mph

You can’t go wrong with either
23 deck guys typically go base boat with 6.2 mag Ho

21 skiers these days are going full custom jet loaded loaded for Blythe bros


For havasu I pick 26 cat / 277 deck
Parker needles 23 deck outboard / 230xs
Blythe 21 skier jet
Yuma 23 deck ob / most go outdrive down there

 

[GreenEnergy28]

Good info offered here. I can add that my buddy has the 22 deck offered by Shockwave. He boats Lake Mohave and from Jack Smith south to Havasu. With the 6.2 I/O He can run well into the upper 60s. I hear good things about the 21 skier as well though... Both are good options to choose from.

 

[Cole Trickle]

My 23 struggled on the lake unless conditions were decent. Was no fun having wind dictate when we could go out. Definitely got wet too. She sank in 2019 falling victim to a water tank. Low freeboard on a walk on deck just isn't a good setup for the lake. It was fine in 2007 when I bought it but the lake isn't the same anymore. I'd go with a skier View attachment 1362807

I heave never personally ridden on the 23 Ultra Deck but the rumors were it rode pretty bad in anything even medium rough due to the small tunnels. I believe the Shockwave,tahiti and place crafts run better in the rough stuff.

 

[Ultra912]

It was or still is listed for sale for top dollar. Should of bought it back from insurance and sold it to me. They probably changed the oil and interior and flipped it.

Insurance offered it to me for 7K. They let me keep the trailer and I sold that to Rusty at Ultra. I've spoken to the owner. He was unaware of the incident and whoever did the restoration replaced gauges and it now shows 80+ hrs. There is no salvage title. Whoever sold it to him would of had to re-upholster, deal with the 496 mag dunked while NOT running and a cracked bulkhead. I've moved on to a Shockwave Tremor which handles anything the lake can throw at it and I still have my 19'

 

[Ultra912]

I heave never personally ridden on the 23 Ultra Deck but the rumors were it rode pretty bad in anything even medium rough due to the small tunnels. I believe the Shockwave,tahiti and place crafts run better in the rough stuff.

Your probably right. After 12 years I knew when to go out and when not to but we all have hit the rough stuff when a storm approaches or when the wind kicks up later in the day. I found it better to run at about 45 trimmed all the way up so as to stay on top of the water. Slowing down a going slow would beat the hell out of it and the bow is incredibly light.