| Buying a family boat can be a bewildering | | | | seat in front of the outboard motor. The larger |
| experience, especially if you don't know much | | | | boats have a chemical toilet, which may be an |
| about boats. Given the wide range of new and | | | | important feature if you have children, or for |
| used boats available, all with different functions | | | | female family and friends. |
| and suitability, and you can quickly find yourself | | | | Both cuddy boats and half cabins have good |
| involved in a purchase you don't need if you're | | | | weather protection - so you won't be exposed |
| not careful. This is particularly true if you want a | | | | too much to wind and sea spray. The main |
| boat for different activities. For example, ski | | | | difference between them is the lower cabin - it is |
| boats are quite specific in design, and not much | | | | bigger on half cabin boats. Half cabins will have |
| use if you have a lot of people wanting to cruise | | | | more space in the area where the boat is |
| around, or go fishing. Also, the type of boat you'll | | | | steered, and can come with a galley or sink. In |
| choose if you want to go offshore will be | | | | the smaller half cabins (below 6m), the back area |
| different to a boat that is better for inshore | | | | of the cockpit is smaller, though this is not an |
| waters. | | | | issue in the larger variety. |
| Probably the biggest consideration for those | | | | In addition to weather protection, these boats |
| wanting a family boat will be getting one the right | | | | provide some protection against incoming waves |
| size - and within your budget. Getting a boat | | | | because of their cabins. You can also fit a canopy |
| that's too big for your needs can result not only in | | | | overhead to provide some sun protection, which |
| an increased cost at the time of sale, but | | | | is important if you have small children who will be |
| increased running costs. Running costs should | | | | boating with you. |
| always be taken into consideration when deciding | | | | Finally, the bow rider is another good choice for |
| on the type of boat to buy. Fuel is not cheap! | | | | families or those who bring groups of friends |
| Other running costs include insurance, the cost of | | | | along for recreational boating. Bow riders have a |
| the trailer to tow it, and also storage costs. Do | | | | lot more seating than most other boats, and they |
| you have a big enough storage area, or will you | | | | also ride well in choppy waters because their |
| need to build a new one? | | | | steering is closer to the back of the boat. These |
| The cost of the trailer is a potential issue if you | | | | are inshore boats however - if you are boating |
| decide on a bigger boat than you had originally | | | | offshore, the cuddy or half cabin will be a better |
| planned. For example, whilst a 5 meter boat only | | | | alternative. |
| needs a single axle trailer, a 6 meter boat requires | | | | Overall, there are many choices for family boats. |
| a tandem axle trailer, which is more expensive. | | | | The market for used boats has a great deal of |
| Also, bigger boats need a 4WD to tow them, | | | | cuddies and half cabins, as these two are very |
| whereas smaller boats can be towed with regular | | | | popular choices. One thing to keep in mind, |
| vehicles. | | | | whatever type of boat you choose, is the |
| In terms of boat type, the best family boats are | | | | importance of boat safety. Completing a boat |
| the cuddy and half cabin. Cuddy boats have a high | | | | safety course is the best way to prevent an |
| cabin, or an enclosed deck with berth. The cockpit | | | | accident to your family whilst you're on the water. |
| is of a medium size, and there is usually a bench | | | | |