| To determine the boat that is best suited for | | | | enough boat to accommodate all of the people |
| your family, there are many factors to be | | | | and gear that you will be taking along on your |
| considered. Your eventual happiness with your | | | | voyages All boats under 25 feet are required to |
| boat will largely depend on your consideration of | | | | have a capacity plate that shows the maximum |
| the following issues before going into the | | | | capacity of people and equipment that the boat s |
| dealership and being overcome by the sweet | | | | designed to accommodate. |
| smells and feelings given off by the new vessels | | | | How large should the engine be? - One of the |
| on display. | | | | biggest mistakes that you can make in boat |
| Type of boat - It is critical that you determine | | | | selection is to under power your boat. If the boat |
| whether a runabout, a cabin cruiser, a fishing boat, | | | | has too little power to plane off under a full load |
| a sailboat, pontoon boat or perhaps a watersport | | | | or to run with traveling seas in heavy weather, |
| tow boat will best fit your needs. Obviously, if | | | | you will never again be comfortable, feel safe, or |
| your kids are avid skiers or wakeboarders, a | | | | be pleased with your boat's performance. |
| fishing boat, cabin cruiser or sailboat probably will | | | | Will you be trailering the boat? -If so, don't forget |
| not suffice, so be sure to match the various boat | | | | to consider the weight of the boat and trailer n |
| types to the interests of your family. | | | | comparison with the towing capacity of your tow |
| How will the boat be used? - If you plan on | | | | vehicle. Also, if the boat and trailer weigh more |
| spending the night on board your boat, you should | | | | than 2000 , be sure to consider electric or surge |
| be considering a cabin cruiser or at least a cuddy | | | | brakes on your trailer rig. |
| cabin. If you will be making full day voyages away | | | | What' s your budget? - Once you have |
| from restroom facilities, a boat with a 'head' | | | | determined the right size and type of boat for |
| (marine toilet) should likely rank high on your list. | | | | your needs, all of that data must then be |
| On the other hand, if you are just cruising around | | | | considered with your budget in mind. To obtain a |
| on an inland lake with minimal waves, perhaps a | | | | 'ball park' value of various boats go to to lookup |
| new pontoon boat will be the best fit for your | | | | there prices. Don't forget to add the cost of the |
| needs | | | | trailer and of the engine (if the boat is an |
| Where the boat will be used? - If you live in or will | | | | outboard). If the cost stretches your budget too |
| travel to a coastal area and plan on venturing out | | | | much, you might consider a good used boat |
| into the ocean, Great Lakes, or Gulf of Mexico, | | | | instead of a new one. Don't forget to consider |
| you will need a larger and more seaworthy boat, | | | | the cost of fuel, insurance, maintenance, and |
| perhaps one with dual engines (one to get you | | | | insurance in your total budget consideration. |
| home if the other engine fails) will be best suited | | | | Most importantly, never buy a new or used boat |
| for your family. In this case, you should also have | | | | before you have ridden in and driven it under |
| a marine radio, GPS navigation, as well as charts | | | | power. This may be a big inconvenience to trailer |
| of the waters that you plan on cruising. It will be | | | | and launch the boat just for a test drive, but the |
| important to have a Coast Guard or Power | | | | only way to fully check out a boat is to operate it |
| Squadron boater safety class, in any event. | | | | under varying speeds and conditions. Do not allow |
| How many people and how much gear will be on | | | | the dealer or seller to persuade you that such a |
| board? - One of the interesting things about boat | | | | water test is not necessary! |
| ownership is that, when you own a boat, you | | | | When you have done your homework well, you |
| suddenly have more close friends than you ever | | | | will enjoy years and years of wonderful boating |
| thought possible! Be certain to specify a large | | | | fun! |