| About 90% of us live less than an hour from a | | | | vacations and slow cruising. For fishing they have |
| navigable body of water. That means that boating | | | | the same size restrictions as a pontoon. |
| is a great means of entertainment that requires | | | | Ski Boats |
| just a little travel time. Believe it or not, boating | | | | Also known as speed boats or motor boats, |
| can greatly reduce the amount of stress in your | | | | these are made for skiing, inner tubing or wake |
| life as well. A National Marina Manufacturers | | | | boarding. They can have either outboard or |
| Association survey of over 1,000 American | | | | inboard motors alike and are capable of fast |
| households listed boating in the top-three of all | | | | speeds. They make a minimum of wake that is |
| stress-relieving activities. One of the top activities | | | | ideal for skiers. Ski boats range from 18'-22' and |
| among boaters is fishing. We've all been told that | | | | can cost an average of about $25,000 new. They |
| fish is good for you. Learning how to buy a fishing | | | | are generally used on lakes, but they can also be |
| boat allows you to catch your own fresh fish thus | | | | taken on larger bodies of water. If you want to |
| improving your health as well. | | | | have boat for fishing as well as recreation, this is |
| Many people would love to have a boat in their | | | | a great boat. However, cost and storage are |
| garage, but they think they can't afford it. While | | | | strong considerations to think about. Ski boats are |
| buying a fishing boat can be expensive, there are | | | | designed to stow fishing gear. |
| actually many options out there when buying a | | | | Bowriders |
| boat. Almost all boat dealers offer financing for | | | | This boat is traditionally called a "runabout". They |
| your boat, and lots of the time, you can get | | | | are popular with many boaters because of their |
| payments under $200 a month. Many new boat | | | | versatility. They range in size and features, some |
| owners will buy used as their first fishing boat. A | | | | having a freshwater supply and bathroom. They |
| lot of times people upgrade their boats and sell | | | | are perfect for water sports including skiing and |
| their old boat. This can be a great way to get into | | | | wakeboarding as well as cruising. Top speeds can |
| your first fishing boat without spending a lot of | | | | vary from 30 mph to 70+ mph. Some |
| money. Let's look at what exactly certain boats | | | | manufacturers have hybrids that include fishing |
| are. Sometimes the types can get lost on | | | | features. Bowriders are between 16'-24' long with |
| beginners and not all boat are well suited for | | | | prices of $8,000-$40,000, for a new boat. Most |
| fishing, so we'll look at some of the most | | | | have an inboard motor, but some can have |
| common boats. | | | | outboard motors as well with between 50-400 HP. |
| Bass Boat | | | | Very nice boats, but not laid out very well for the |
| These boats are the most common of 'fishing | | | | fisherman. |
| boats'. Most fishing boats are powered by | | | | Sailboats |
| outboard motors and many have a trolling motor | | | | These boats are powered by the wind that hits |
| mounted on the bow. Bass boats can be made of | | | | their sails and generally doesn't have any type of |
| aluminum or fiberglass. Aluminum is lighter and | | | | mechanical propulsion system. Sailboats come in |
| easier to maneuver, needing a smaller motor than | | | | three categories: Day sailer - A day sailer is a |
| a fiberglass boat. An aluminum boat is easier to | | | | small boat designed for comfortable sailing but |
| transport and requires a smaller vehicle when | | | | without sleeping accommodation. It has a roomy |
| towing on a trailer. The most common size of | | | | cockpit and can have an outboard auxiliary engine. |
| fishing boats range from 16-20 feet long and | | | | Cruiser - A cruiser is a medium-sized or large boat |
| provide anywhere between 50-200 HP. Almost all | | | | that has a cabin with sleeping quarters, toilet, and |
| have live wells for storing your catch as well as | | | | galley and generally has an auxiliary engine built |
| separate compartments to store rods, reels, and | | | | inside. Racer - A racer is a boat designed for |
| tackle. Aluminum boats can be a little cheaper | | | | speed and ease of handling, often at the expense |
| than fiberglass with prices between $5,000 and | | | | of comfort. The two popular styles are the |
| $30,000 new depending on the bells and whistles. | | | | racer-day sailer designed primarily for racing and |
| The most popular size of aluminum fishing boat is | | | | secondly for day sailing, and the cruiser-racer |
| 17' with a 50 HP motor. Fiberglass boats are | | | | designed mainly for overnight cruising and |
| designed to be flashier. They come in a range of | | | | secondly for racing. |
| colors and are capable of much higher speeds | | | | In learning how to buy the right fishing boat, you |
| than aluminum boats. Fiberglass boats can handle | | | | will first want to consider what types of other |
| rough waters more easily and are high | | | | activities you will be doing. Do you want to get |
| performance boats. If you want to fish | | | | into waterskiing? Will you only be fishing in your |
| professionally, you want a fiberglass boat. The | | | | boat? Would you like to take overnight trips have |
| price range for buying a new fiberglass boat is | | | | large amounts of people along with you? Another |
| usually $10,000-$75,000; depending on options. | | | | consideration when choosing a fishing boat is to |
| Most popular is an 18 foot boat with a 150 HP | | | | make sure that it is affordable for you. You won't |
| motor. | | | | want to strap yourself with a payment that will |
| Pontoon Boats | | | | cause financial problems for you. Figure out how |
| These are great boats if you like to enjoy | | | | much you want to spend and find the best boat |
| relaxed boating with a lot of people, but still want | | | | within that range. |
| to be able to fish. This is a definite consideration in | | | | Here is a quick look at what you might expect to |
| choosing the right fishing boat. Pontoons are | | | | pay as a boat owner in addition to the cost of |
| lightweight and designed to make maximum use | | | | the boat and trailer. This is VERY important since |
| of space. They have wide open decks with lots | | | | you need to make sure that you'll be able to |
| of seating so they can accommodate large | | | | operate your boat once you get it, so factor in |
| numbers of people or several fishermen at the | | | | these costs before you even start making a |
| same time. Depending on the size of motor you | | | | choice. Expenses may vary by your region, but |
| have, it's not uncommon to be able to use a | | | | this can give you a rough estimate. · |
| pontoon boat for skiing or tubing as well. These | | | | Damage/liability insurance: $400-$800 year |
| boats are also very appealing because they are | | | | · Towing insurance $100/year · |
| usually lower priced than other boats and have a | | | | State registration $50-$200/year · |
| variety of uses. They are easy to customize to | | | | Routine mechanical maintenance $1000/year |
| your unique needs as they are made in a variety | | | | · Major mechanical repairs $500-$4,000 |
| of models. Pontoon boats are great for socializing | | | | year · Fuel $100-$1000/month (although |
| and can be used on lakes or even larger bodies of | | | | at the time of writing this gas was nearing $4.00 |
| water. One drawback is that due to their size; the | | | | per gallon, so add around 25%) · |
| smaller inlets, backwaters and channels where the | | | | Miscellaneous expenses $750/year · |
| big fish hang out are usually inaccessible for fishing. | | | | Marina storage $200-$800/month · "Dry" |
| In my opinion, this is the greatest of 'all-around' | | | | marina storage $200-$400/month · |
| boats. | | | | On-trailer storage $60-$120/month. |
| House Boats | | | | Remember to match your boat to your skill level |
| House boats are designed to be a home away | | | | so that you aren't stuck with a boat you can't |
| from home and are most often used as weekend | | | | drive easily. You will also need to think about what |
| getaways for families and friends. They are | | | | type of water you are going to be boating on |
| floating homes with a 360 degree swimming pool | | | | before you buy a boat. If the only place close to |
| surrounding them. They are best suited for inland | | | | you is a small lake, you don't want a 30' cabin |
| waters and lakes. This makes ideal for fishing | | | | cruiser. Then again, if you want to cruise around |
| open waters, just like on a pontoon. Many | | | | the ocean, a 15' power boat isn't a good idea |
| houseboats have all the comforts of home. There | | | | either. If you have the money or plan on keeping |
| are sleeping cabins, a kitchen or galley, even air | | | | the same boat for a very long time, go ahead |
| conditioning. Common sizes of houseboats range | | | | and buy it new. However, often your best bet is |
| from 20'-65' with an average cost for a new boat | | | | to buy a used boat. |
| at around $60,000. They are ideal for long | | | | |