| Boats have long been on the scene for practical | | | | each has come up with designs that are best |
| purposes of fishing and water transportation. | | | | suited to their styles of fishing and their |
| However, they have managed to become status | | | | understanding of the sea and its behavior. For |
| symbols over a period of time. | | | | example, among natives of the Amazon River |
| "Fishing boats" is a very general term used to | | | | Basin, the favored fishing vessel is a light, |
| refer to any water vehicle that can be employed | | | | wickerwork, single-person boat that makes |
| to assist in catching fish. Usually, the term applies | | | | spearing fish in the shallow waters fairly easy. On |
| to commercial haulers that reel in, store and | | | | the other hand, backwater dwellers of Kerela in |
| transport huge quantities of fish to be sold to | | | | India prefer a dugout log to use as a canoe for |
| consumers in fish market. These boats are about | | | | brackish water fishing. |
| 5-10 ton gigantic machines that are capable of | | | | In developed communities like that of the United |
| carrying a nation's food supply in their holds. They | | | | States, fishing is not a means to ensure survival, |
| are, however, features of developed nations such | | | | but a recreation activity. People view fishing as a |
| as Japan, since the developing coastal regions still | | | | sport, and thus the boats they use are designed |
| largely depend up on communities of anglers who | | | | to fit this profile. Fishing boats meant for two to |
| sail into the sea on wooden crafts and bring in | | | | six riders, moving at high speeds are more |
| small quantities of fish individually. These fishing | | | | popular here. Such models include Bass Boats, |
| boats are classified on their design and the kind of | | | | Pontoons, and Runabouts, which are suitable for |
| waters into which they are equipped to venture. | | | | entertainment as well as for carrying fishing |
| The basic types are inland fishing boats and sea | | | | equipment. For weekend family fishing expeditions, |
| fishing boats. Since fishing has been a traditional | | | | individuals prefer inflatable rafts and canoes. |
| mode of existence in most coastal communities, | | | | |