I am an absolute die hard fisherman for striper, crappie, and whites. I have two younger kids that are 3 in a half and our little boy is 8 weeks old yesterday. I am a boat rookie that wants to make a good decision based on my needs. I was looking at the ranger reata fish/ski until my wife saw the lowes victory deck boat. I need it to be family friendly as I will be able to go fishing more often if my wife as place to lay down from time to time. I realize that pontoons are also an option, however for right now I would like to concentrate on the deck boat option first. I have done some online digging and noticed that there was quite a few options. Can anyone give me any feedback as to draw backs on any of these boats? Keep in mind that I will have an i pilot on the trolling motor as well. Additionally I will pull some tubers as they get older.

Thank you again,
Brett

Brett, I don't know anything about deck boats but, you might take a look at Lund boats. They are perfect for the type fishing you want to do and the safest boats on the water with their 8' width and high gunnels. This means you sit down in the boat instead of up on top if it like bass boats. This makes them very stable. You can ski or pull a tube easily and your MK trolling motor will work great too.
We have a Lund dealer up on I-35 around Lake Lewisville, can't recall the name. But, you owe it to yourself and your family to at least go take a look.
BTW, I have no affiation with Lund or the dealer, I am simply a very happy Lund owner. They have been around for many years and up north they are the number one boat by far.

We had 95 Lowe's deck boat when our kids were in high school for a family boat it was great fun I always got strange looks at tournaments though this was a rivet hull before welded hull and sides acted like sails but we spent many week camping where wife and I would fish early morning then pull kids tubes,skis,wakeboarding all afternoon then everybody load up tie up under bridge with lights out to crappie fish then get up and do it all over again next day. What ALSO was nice they invited their friends not bad for 3 daughters spending time with mom and dad

Oh yeah we have a I class 22 Skeeter now