Boats come in all shapes and sizes, but which one should I buy?

That�s a great question, meaningshallow lakes.
you�re seriously thinking about gettingMany of these boats come with large outboard
your first boat.motors or 4cyl., 6cyl. or even 8 cyl. engines.
To answer that question, you�ll have toReliability is generally high and gas mileage is
think about how you will use your boat and definepretty good. You can also find 6 or 8 cylinder I
your specific needs. So before you startO�s for added speed and power.
searching the boat classified ads or go looking forAdvantages: mid-cost range, fairly easy to trailer,
a new boat for sale or used boat for sale,launch and store, good for families and larger
here�s some of the things to think aboutparties of 4-6
to help you define what type of boat and howDisadvantages: generally without sleeping
large a boat you need.amenities, head or shower
- What kinds of activities do you want to do -If boating and sleeping over night is in your blood,
leisure boating, water sports such as water skiing,you may need to consider 26 to 30�
fishing or better yet travel and overnightfooter with a cuddy cabin. These boats offer
excursions?usually offer sleeping for 4 or more, toilet,
- What types of water will you use your boat in -shower, and some include kitchen amenities. This
small inland lakes, large inland lakes, waterways,size of boat is getting fairly large and
bays or larger bodies of water?you�ll need a good size truck to pull it.
- How many people do you need toThese boats are perfect for the larger inland
accommodate while boating?lakes and waterways. You can also get them out
When it comes to fishing you can fish in smallin the inlet waters off the coast or in bay areas in
aluminum boat 10-12 feet with a small outboard.calm waters. In this size of boat you�ll
These are considered utility boats and are perfecthave the ability to cruise to different locations or
for small inland lakes and ponds. They�rehot spots for fishing, swimming, overnight
relatively inexpensive, light and easy to movecamping and the like. They�re fitted with
around. And on calm days you can use them onlarger gas tanks, around 100 gal and also hold
larger lakes near shore. In terms of capacity, they15-30 gallons of water. They provide large
can hold two adults or an adult and a child. Largerstorage areas and amenities to keep every
aluminum boats come in 16-18� rangemember of the family satisfied.
and can hold 4-6 persons.Advantages: ability to do a variety of boating
Taking a step up you get into the 14-18 footrecreational activities- from skiing, tubing, fishing
range which are considered small boats.and more
They�re available with an open or closedDisadvantages: more expensive than mid-size,
bow and in many varieties � from deckrequires a larger truck and trailer, more expensive
boats, ski boats to powerboats and fishing boats.to operate, store and maintain.
Fishing, ski and deck boats have unique featuresLastly, if you want to spend even more time on
for those activities. Our first boat was a 14 footthe water, either traveling or overnight trips, you
Bayliner Bowrider, meaning it had an open bowmay be interested in 30-36� boat. Now
and seating for two in the front. It also had 3you�re in the large size boat range or
seats across in the rear. It was good for 2small size yacht range. These guys are not towed
� 3 persons comfortably. If I wanted tofrequently. They are usually kept at a marina,
take my boys out cruising on a small inland lake,stored and maintained there. They generally have
this would have been the perfect size. It wastwin or triple inboard motors and outdrives and
equipped with a 50HP Chrysler Force outboardare well detailed inside and out. You can easily
and moved fairly well for a small boat. It wassleep for 4 or more and you�ll usually
even capable of pulling a skier as long as the skierfind a stove, refrigerator, TV, shower and toilet.
wasn�t too heavy and the boatAdvantages: ability to travel, stay overnight and
wasn�t overloaded. We skied with itenjoy all the comfort features of home
when we pretty thin and there was only 1 or 2Disadvantages: cost is generally high to purchase,
persons in the boat � more than that andoperate and maintain, also harder to trailer and
it had a difficult time pulling a person out of thestore, usually done professionally
water. But it was fine for pulling tubes or otherThere are many boat manufacturers of all types
water accessories. We once had it out on a largerand you have quite a large choice depending on
inland lake when the water was pretty choppywhere you�re at and what your local
with 2 to 3 foot waves. That was pretty rough.dealers offer. Here�s a few to get you
The boat was bouncing around to the point wheregoing. Check these boat manufacturers out.
we had to get it out. If you�re going toUtility /Small Boats: BRIG , Whitehall
take a smaller boat out on larger waters, forFishing Boats: Sea Swirl, NITRO, TRACKER,
example 14-16 footer, it�s only enjoyableSYLVAN, LUND, SMOKER CRAFT, TROPHEY
and safe when the water is fairly calm. IfSki Boats: EPIC
you�re target is general or recreationalPontoon Boats: Sun Tracker, Manitou, TRACKER,
boating, then a powerboat or deck boat providesSunchaser, Premier, Gillgetter, Northwood
the ability to do a number of activities. But if youPower Boats: Bayliner, Sea Ray, MAXUM, Rinker,
have a specific focus, like fishing or waters skiing,Four Winns, Wellcraft
you�ll want to take a closer look at boatsRace /Cruisers: Formula, Fountain
in those categories.Yachts: TIARA
Advantages: low to mid cost depending onWell, that should give you some things to think
whether you buy new or used, easy to trailer,about. Look around, shop around and also talk to
launch and store, perfect for dad and kids in smallyour friends that already own a boat.
to midsize lakesThey�ll be able to offer some great
Disadvantages: minimal seating capacity, smalleradvice. But it�s more important to really
engines means limited ability for recreation andfigure out what you want to do and where you
sportswant to do it. If you do that before you go out
If you�re planning on larger parties andand start searching your local boat classified ads
pulling adult skiers, you�ll want to moveor start looking at new boats for sale or used
up to the 18-24� range. These boatsboats for sale, you�ll be well on your
generally come with larger motors, outboards orway to deciding what type of boat and how big a
inboards and hold 4 or more passengersboat you really need to buy. And remember,
comfortably. They�re great on both smallit�s not the size that counts, it�s
and larger lakes and because their depth or draftjust being on the water!
is relatively low, they�re also good on