How to Determine Which Watercraft Best Suits Your Lifestyle

Thinking Of Buying A Boat? Here’s What You Should Know

Buying a watercraft is an exciting adventure. It is an investment that immediately adds value to your life in the name of recreation and leisure. But if you’re a first time buyer, deciding on which boat is right for you is a big decision. Here’s how to decide which option is right for you.

Different Types of Recreational Watercrafts + What They Are Used For

Wake Boats

Wake boats are designed for wakeboarders to launch from, with a large wake and a wakeboard tower. They use a rear-facing engine in order to keep the weight toward the back of the boat. If you enjoy watersports like skiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing, this is the kind of boat you’ll be after.

Speed Boats

Built for high speed and performance, speed boats have high horsepower engines and light hulls to make them perfect for racing. Their sleek narrow decks mean seating is usually limited to between two and six people. If you’re looking for speed and hoping to race, you’ll want to look into speed boats.

Pontoon Boats

If a leisurely cruise is more your angle, consider a pontoon boat. They’re a popular choice for a reason. Allowing for a variety of activities from sunbathing to fishing, swimming, parties, and meals, they provide a slow but stable experience on the water for a number of guests and are perfect for celebrating.

Fishing Boats

Fishing boats are fairly self-explanatory—if your main objective in boating is to fish, a fishing boat is your best bet. You can of course still fish in a variety of other styles of boats if you please, but for the frequent fisher, this boat is built with purpose. There are a wide variety of fishing boats customized depending on the kind of fishing you do and where you fish.

Jet Ski/Wave Runner

If you’re looking for something that’s mainly for fun and adventure, a personal watercraft is a great choice. Depending on the make and model, a jet ski can fit up to three people, and because it is jet powered it can easily travel into shallow areas and small coves without harming marine life. Plus, they’re a ton of fun.

Bass Boat

A bass boat is a particular style of fishing boat that sets you up for success. Its limited seating (two to three passengers) allows ample room for swivel chairs, storage bins, and livewells to store fish in. They are a popular choice for fishing on freshwater lakes.

Bowrider

A bowrider is the perfect versatile boat. It allows plenty room for guests to enjoy the view from the bow of the boat and is great for entertaining and sunbathing. It’s one of the most popular powerboats, as it’s great for entertaining, but also great for leisure sports and fishing.

Factors to Consider Before Deciding Which Boat to Get

Your Budget

Before you can decide on which boat you want, you have to know what your budget is. A boat is a serious investment, and prices can vary widely depending on the kind of boat you’re looking for.

Your Body of Water (Size, water conditions, etc.)

A boat used in ocean water will have very different requirements than a boat used in lake or river water. The size of the body of water is also an important factor, as certain boats may not be suitable for smaller lakes. It’s important to know where you’re going to be using your boat before you make a decision.

Your Intended Usage

What is your main priority in owning a boat? Relaxation? Leisure? Adventure? Sightseeing? Sports? Fishing? Many boats have overlaps in what you can do with them, but if you are passionate about one particular area, it’s a good idea to invest in the boat that is built for that particular purpose.

The Size of Your Family/Number of Passengers

A fishing boat isn’t built for entertaining a large group of guests. If you’re looking to have a larger group on the boat, that will make a huge difference on the kind of boat you’ll need.

Do You Do a Lot of Water Sports?

Most watersports require a proper setup that allows for dismount into the water. If you are a serious watersport enthusiast, it’s a good idea to look for a boat built for these specific purposes.

Do You Like to Fish?

At the end of the day you can theoretically fish in just about any boat out there, but if you’re passionate about fishing and want to be set up for success, you’ll probably prefer a boat built for fishing as opposed to one built for watersports or a pontoon boat.

Do You Like to Entertain and Be Social?

On the other hand, if entertaining is your main concern, a pontoon boat or a bowrider might be your best bet.

Are You a Speed/Adventure Junkie?

Speedboats come with a hefty price tag, but if you’re looking for a racing boat, you’ll want a boat that has some serious power behind it.

Your Storage Options (Boat House, Dock, Boat Lift, etc.)

Are you looking to live on the boat? Are you able to easily dock it somewhere throughout the year? Will you need a boat lift? Your budget will be a big factor in terms of what your storage options are, and therefore, which boat makes the most sense for you.

All things considered, buying your first boat is a life changing moment and a huge accomplishment, it’s always wise to take the time to find the one that feels right and works for you and your family.