In 2022 total boat sales are expected to surpass the already strong totals of 2021 by up to 3 percent.
Clearly, more and more people are buying recreational boats, but how do they decide what type to buy?
With so many options, it can be overwhelming to choose the right type of recreational boat for you and your family. But by asking yourself a few key questions about your intended use of the boat, you can get a clearer idea of what you’re looking for.
Don’t worry! In this post, we’ll go over 3 of the most common types of recreational boats and their uses to help you decide which is right for you.
Keep reading to learn more.
1. Pontoon Boats
Pontoon boats are perfect for anyone looking for increased space and comfort while also keeping their boat maintenance low.
Pontoon boats are usually comprised of either a wood or aluminum deck held up by two tube-shaped aluminum pontoons. These boats can range from as small as 15 feet to over 30 feet long.
They are very versatile and can be used for relaxing cruises, fishing, or less-intense watersports.
The trade-off for having so much space is that these boats are not very fast and don’t do well in rough waters.
2. Bass Fishing Boats
If you’re looking for something designed for freshwater bass fishing, look no further than the bass fishing boat.
These boats have a flatter bottom and a lower profile to allow you to enter shallower water to fish. In addition to their powerful outboard engine, they also come with a smaller trolling motor that you control with your feet, leaving your hands free for reeling in largemouth bass.
Bass fishing boats don’t offer much seating as they usually include platforms on the front and back of the boat for fishers to cast from. They do offer storage space for fishing tackle and even frequently have livewells to hold the fish you catch.
Many models come outfitted with technology that tells you information about what is currently under you. They can tell you if there are fish under your boat and what the current depth and temperature of the water are. But all of this technology can make repairs more expensive.
3. Ski Boats
Ski boats, sometimes called towboats, are used for water sports like skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding. With that said, they are versatile and can really be used for whatever you want.
These boats usually have a v-hull allowing them to cut through the water with ease. Additionally, they typically come outfitted with watersport accessories. These are things such as ski poles, wakeboarding towers, and storage for your skis, boards, and ropes.
Ski boats come with inboard, outboard, or inboard/outboard engine configurations. This is one type of boat where it is extra important to have the right boat propeller or prop on your engine to ensure proper performance. Check out this article on choosing boat props to learn more.
Along with the speed and power of these boats come high fuel costs.
Choose Between These Recreational Boats Today
Recreational boating is a dream for many people, and hopefully, you are now a step or two closer to that dream. There is a boat out there to fit whatever your purposes are.
Is one of these recreational boats the one for you? Let us know in the comments!