Few entry level boats offer as much bang for the buck as deck boats. They are just so practical and offer so many different options for how to spend your day. I recently checked out the latest version from Tahoe, the 195 I/O. It had amenities that make it an attractive choice for those in the deckboat market. Let’s take a walkthrough together and see what I mean.

Starting at the bow, the boat’s versatility is immediately evident. Not only is this a practical family ski and tubing fun boat, but Tahoe also accommodates the casual angler as well. There are two pedestal bases for the removable fishing seats here, and a third in the stern. The bow also has a built in aerated live well and it’s pre-wired for the 5 different optional trolling motors. Not a bad start at all.



Stepping into the cockpit, you can see how roomy and uncluttered this boat is. It’s got an 8 person capacity, and there is ample seating for everybody without being cramped, even with the removable table in place. The seats all have storage underneath and there’s ski/wakeboard storage in the deck. A bimini top is standard, for welcome protection on those severe clear days.

The helm console is to starboard and it’s laid out with full instrumentation and a simulated burlwood dash. I like that it’s not real wood as this is a family boat, and I really don’t want to maintain it worry about scratches in a wood finish when I’m trying to have fun onboard. I also like that the swivel pedestal bucket seat comes standard with a flip up bolster to sit up just a bit higher and catch the wind in the face.



Over to starboard, there’s a sink with pull up sprayer. You always need a spot to rinse things off, like grapes, or even just give your hands a clean up before eating. The removable table is kidney shaped, so it’s not only functional, you can get around it as well. There’s dedicated storage for it under the L-shaped lounger.

Tahoe didn’t forget that there are people onboard and put grab rails at every seat location. There’s a door at the walk-through to the swim platform and a dedicated spot for the trash receptacle there too. At the stern, there’s a large sun pad over the engine, and a full width swim platform with a concealed boarding ladder, and even another storage compartment off to one side.



The standard engine for the 195 I/O is a MerCruiser 3.0L 135-hp inline 4-cylinder w/out power steering that Tahoe says will move the boat up to 40MPH. If you feel the need for speed, or you plan on having a lot of people aboard, then you have 7 engine options up to and including a 5.0 MPI 260 HP V-8 with a Bravo 3 outdrive. If you need to transport your boat, there are three trailer options that are custom matched.

The Tahoe 195 I/O has a length overall of 19’11” and a beam of 8’6”. That puts her 16” longer than her nearest competitor, while still only weighing 2 extra lbs. She has a 45 gallon fuel tank, which is 10 gallons more than the competition. That means more time on the water without having to worry about being stuck.

Tahoe has a no haggle, no hassle price on the 195 I/O of $ 26,985 with the 4.3L 190-hp V-6 option, including freight and dealer prep. If you are in the market for an affordable deckboat then I urge you to take a look at the Tahoe 195 I/O before buying.