The Top Ten Choices for Boaters

  Choosing the right boat for your waterborne activities can sometimes be daunting and cumbersome irrespective of whether you are a seasoned boater or a budding boating enthusiast. The sheer number of boats to choose from and the many factors to consider is often a put off to some people. However, no matter your activities out on the water, you’ll likely find one of the below listed boats suitable for you. The boats include: - Bowriders - Cruisers - Freshwater fishing boats - Runabouts - Sailboats - Saltwater fishing boats - Speed boats - Pontoon boats - Trawlers - Watersport's boats Read on to learn more about the listed water vehicles     Bowriders Bowriders owe their popularity to their affordability and versatility. Thanks to their versatility, you can use these boats for a range of water activities including water skiing and day-tripping. The bowriders have evolved: In the past, the boats used to be limited in size and scope. However, of late, there are larger models complete with accommodations. The largest model, and perhaps the most expensive, is the Four Winns H440. This is an incredibly huge boat. It has wonderful features, including a settee and a full galley. There are newer models joining the pantheon of large bowriders. These include the Cruisers Yachts 328 Bowrider and the Sea Ray 350 SLX. The larger models can be prohibitively expensive. If that is a concern, there are classic bowrider versions ranging between 18’ to 26’. They are cheaper and still permit a family to enjoy a range of waterborne activities. Most classic bowrider models in this category are outfitted with stern drives, though there are others featuring outboards. Their only drawback is that since they can be used in almost anything, they aren’t the most excellent in any area. (A classic case of a jack of all trades). Moreover, most bowriders are meant to be used in only fair weather as they are comparatively unprotected.   Cruisers     A typical cruiser features a galley, the range to transport you to new and distant ports, as well as overnight accomodations. These powerboats come in various styles and styles, and they possess astoundingly fast cruising speeds. Most of these vehicles are outfitted with stern drives and inboards. There are a number of them that have outboards, though. Cruisers can further be subdivided into Aft Cabin Cruisers, convertibles, express cruisers, motor yachts, and pocket cruisers.     Freshwater Fishing Boats A freshwater fishing boat is a must-have for any freshwater fisherman. These boats are further broken down into the following three main choices:     Bass boats These boats are exceptionally fast. They feature bow-mounted electric trolling motors, livewells as well as high-tech fishfinders. These characteristics are ideal for hunting the largemouth bass.     These kind of boats are ideal for a wide variety of waterways and can hunt for a range of different species of fish. They come in a variety of designs: some feature open-side consoles; a few have center consoles; and others have tall protective windshields at the helm. Most of them feature the necessary fishing accouterments such as rod boxes, livewells, pedestal-mounted seas that are incredibly helpful at ferrying the fish from the lake into the frying pan.   Aluminum Fishing Boats These are presently the most popular boats in planet earth owing to the fact that they are comparably cheap.   Pontoon Boats Pontoon boats seem to have overcome the reputation that they are pokey, slow, and not seaworthy. Modern pontoons look slick, are fast and are astoundingly comfortable. No wonder they are very popular nowadays. While they aren’t the most ideal choice for water bodies that often experience large waves, the machines are reputedly stable and have a large deck space. They are modular in nature- meaning, you can choose different seating arrangements.     Runabouts These are small, open boats designed for use in fair weather. Some folks would consider their exposed nature a drawback; however, on the brighter side, open boats, especially the day-tripping ones, are good for tanning.     Sailboats You need to be really skilled to go for this kind of boat. You ought to understand how to set the sails as well as steer to the ever-changing wind. If you want a feel of the experiences of sailors in the olden times as well as the adventure that comes with a boat featuring masts and sails, there are many of these boats out there: you can settle on daysailers like the Catalina 275 Sport or cruisers like Com-Pac 23.     Saltwater Fishing Boats If you love saltwater fish such as tunas, marlin, redfish, snook, or striped bass, then a saltwater fishing boat is a worthy addition to your flotilla. Saltwater fishing boats come in different varieties that include bay boats, convertibles, center consoles, expresses, as well as walkarounds.   Speed Boats These kind of boats are ideal for speed junkies. They are utterly hair-rising. The downside is that there are lots of trade-offs to squeeze out every MPH possible.’ For example, seating space is limited; they are obscenely loud; and the cabins are extremely small and with a dearth of accessories so as to keep the boat’s weight down.     Trawlers Few people go for trawlers; however, the few who opt for the boats undoubtedly love the experience and can’t exchange it for another. These are slow and slow cruisers fashioned after commercial fishing trawlers. Modern versions give priority to range and comfort. Most trawlers are usually single-engine boats performing at their optimum at comparably low speeds of seven or eight knots; however, there are other models that have the power to get on plane and run at a speed of up to 20 knots, especially when a quick return to port is required.These kind of boats come in different sizes, for example, the Beneteau Swift which measures 30 feet long and the Nordhavn which measures 52 feet long. If cost is a concern to you, you can find relatively cheaper models measuring 40 feet or less.     Watersports Boats If you enjoy watersports such as skiing, wakeboarding or wake surfing, then go for a watersport boat. These boats usually feature either stern-drive power or inboard V-drive. The stern drive is trim-able, thus, giving the captain the ability to change the shape of the waves. The one disadvantage of a dedicated watersports boat is its lack of versatility- for example, you may not be able to fish or stay in the boat overnight. Conclusion Basically, the ideal boat for you depends on what you intend to do with it and, to some extent, your skills. If this article has helped you make up your mind, it is fine. However, if you are still wallowing in the miasma of indecision, the best route is to try all of these boats one after the other and see which one works for you. Call us if you have any further questions about the right type of boat that is suitable for you at 714-715-2198 or email us at here