| If you're new to recreational boating, the range of | | | | Fishing boats, while designed for the purposes of |
| boat sizes, shapes, and functions can be | | | | fishing, are also just great craft to go out on the |
| downright befuddling. But once you start to break | | | | water and relax in. They're usually designed with a |
| it down, you'll see that there are just a few main | | | | lot of storage space, plenty of comfort for those |
| categories of boats, and that most recreational | | | | long periods of waiting for a bite, and a mechanical |
| boats you'll encounter fit squarely into one of | | | | and navigation system that's fairly easy to use. |
| them. So, before getting a boat, take into | | | | Fishing boats range greatly in size, including |
| consideration the activities that you plan to do | | | | everything from large deep-sea boats to smaller |
| with your boat, and begin to narrow it down from | | | | rowboats designed to be taken out on smaller |
| there. To help get you started, here are the main | | | | lakes. |
| types of recreational boats. | | | | Cabin cruisers |
| Pontoon boats | | | | When you watch a movie or a television show |
| Pontoon boats are simple, lightweight boats that | | | | and you see a group of fancy, dressed-up people |
| consist of a metal or wooden deck that floats | | | | hanging out and socializing on a boat, you're |
| upon a set of highly buoyant aluminum tubes. | | | | probably looking at a cabin cruiser. Cabin cruisers |
| Pontoons are the top choice for recreational | | | | are largish boats that are specifically designed for |
| boaters who want to be able to have a fun time | | | | day-long ventures out into a harbor or other |
| on the water but don't necessarily need to go far | | | | relatively small body of water. They may |
| or do a lot of maneuvering. The newer models do | | | | occasionally go out of sight of land, but they |
| drive quite well, and they can even get up to | | | | generally stay in pretty close. Most come with |
| skiing and tubing speeds, but they're mainly | | | | kitchens, dining rooms, cabin areas, and large |
| designed for relaxing, having fun, and hanging out. | | | | decks for lounging on. For wealthier owners, cabin |
| Sailboats | | | | cruisers can get quite large, and they may contain |
| Recreational sailboats are designed for people who | | | | any number of luxury amenities. |
| have some legitimate training or schooling in | | | | Runabout |
| sailboat navigational ability. Basically, with a sailboat, | | | | Runabouts are those small motorboats that |
| you harness the wind and the currents to get | | | | people often use to get around in lake |
| from one place to another. It's the same thing | | | | communities. They generally fit about four to |
| that the explorers of old did, but people like | | | | eight people, and they're perfect for getting |
| Magellan and Columbus spent years learning how | | | | started quickly and going to where you need to |
| to use these boats before they were capable of | | | | go without any fuss. A special category of |
| going on their adventures. So, keep in mind that | | | | runabouts, sometimes known as towboats, are |
| while sailboats are romantic and classy, they're | | | | designed especially for towing skiers, tubers, and |
| also quite challenging to use. | | | | wakeboarders. |
| Fishing boats | | | | |