| That's a great question, meaning you're seriously | | | | Many of these boats come with large outboard |
| thinking about getting your first boat. | | | | motors or 4cyl., 6cyl. or even 8 cyl. engines. |
| To answer that question, you'll have to think | | | | Reliability is generally high and gas mileage is |
| about how you will use your boat and define your | | | | pretty good. You can also find 6 or 8 cylinder I |
| specific needs. Here's some of the things to think | | | | O's for added speed and power. |
| about to help you define what type of boat and | | | | Advantages: mid-cost range, fairly easy to trailer, |
| how large a boat you need; | | | | launch and store, good for families and larger |
| - What kinds of activities do you want to do - | | | | parties of 4-6 |
| leisure boating, water sports such as water skiing, | | | | Disadvantages: generally without sleeping |
| fishing or better yet travel and overnight | | | | amenities, head or shower |
| excursions? | | | | If boating and sleeping over night is in your blood, |
| - What types of water will you use your boat in - | | | | you may need to consider 26 to 30' footer with a |
| small inland lakes, large inland lakes, waterways, | | | | cuddy cabin. These boats offer usually offer |
| bays or larger bodies of water? | | | | sleeping for 4 or more, toilet, shower, and some |
| - How many people do you need to | | | | include kitchen amenities. This size of boat is |
| accommodate while boating? | | | | getting fairly large and you'll need a good size |
| When it comes to fishing you can fish in small | | | | truck to pull it. These boats are perfect for the |
| aluminum boat 10-12 feet with a small outboard. | | | | larger inland lakes and waterways. You can also |
| These are considered utility boats and are perfect | | | | get them out in the inlet waters off the coast or |
| for small inland lakes and ponds. They're relatively | | | | in bay areas in calm waters. In this size of boat |
| inexpensive, light and easy to move around. And | | | | you'll have the ability to cruise to different |
| on calm days you can use them on larger lakes | | | | locations or hot spots for fishing, swimming, |
| near shore. In terms of capacity, they can hold | | | | overnight camping and the like. They're fitted with |
| two adults or an adult and a child. Larger aluminum | | | | larger gas tanks, around 100 gal and also hold |
| boats come in 16-18' range and can hold 4-6 | | | | 15-30 gallons of water. They provide large |
| persons. | | | | storage areas and amenities to keep every |
| Taking a step up you get into the 14-18 foot | | | | member of the family satisfied. |
| range which are considered small boats. They're | | | | Advantages: ability to do a variety of boating |
| available with an open or closed bow and in many | | | | recreational activities- from skiing, tubing, fishing |
| varieties - from deck boats, ski boats to | | | | and more |
| powerboats and fishing boats. Fishing, ski and deck | | | | Disadvantages: more expensive than mid-size, |
| boats have unique features for those activities. | | | | requires a larger truck and trailer, more expensive |
| Our first boat was a 14 foot Bayliner Bowrider, | | | | to operate, store and maintain. |
| meaning it had an open bow and seating for two | | | | Lastly, if you want to spend even more time on |
| in the front. It also had 3 seats across in the rear. | | | | the water, either traveling or overnight trips, you |
| It was good for 2 - 3 persons comfortably. If I | | | | may be interested in 30-36' boat. Now you're in |
| wanted to take my boys out cruising on a small | | | | the large size boat range or small size yacht |
| inland lake, this would have been the perfect size. | | | | range. These guys are not towed frequently. |
| It was equipped with a 50HP Chrysler Force | | | | They are usually kept at a marina, stored and |
| outboard and moved fairly well for a small boat. It | | | | maintained there. They generally have twin or |
| was even capable of pulling a skier as long as the | | | | triple inboard motors and outdrives and are well |
| skier wasn't too heavy and the boat wasn't | | | | detailed inside and out. You can easily sleep for 4 |
| overloaded. We skied with it when we pretty thin | | | | or more and you'll usually find a stove, |
| and there was only 1 or 2 persons in the boat - | | | | refrigerator, TV, shower and toilet. |
| more than that and it had a difficult time pulling a | | | | Advantages: ability to travel, stay overnight and |
| person out of the water. But it was fine for pulling | | | | enjoy all the comfort features of home |
| tubes or other water accessories. We once had it | | | | Disadvantages: cost is generally high to purchase, |
| out on a larger inland lake when the water was | | | | operate and maintain, also harder to trailer and |
| pretty choppy with 2 to 3 foot waves. That was | | | | store, usually done professionally |
| pretty rough. The boat was bouncing around to | | | | There are many boat manufacturers of all types |
| the point where we had to get it out. If you're | | | | and you have quite a large choice depending on |
| going to take a smaller boat out on larger waters, | | | | where you're at and what your local dealers offer. |
| for example 14-16 footer, it's only enjoyable and | | | | Here's a few to get you going. Check these boat |
| safe when the water is fairly calm. If you're | | | | manufacturers out. |
| target is general or recreational boating, then a | | | | Utility /Small Boats: BRIG , Whitehall |
| powerboat or deck boat provides the ability to do | | | | Fishing Boats: Sea Swirl, NITRO, TRACKER, |
| a number of activities. But if you have a specific | | | | SYLVAN, LUND, SMOKER CRAFT, TROPHEY |
| focus, like fishing or waters skiing, you'll want to | | | | Ski Boats: EPIC |
| take a closer look at boats in those categories. | | | | Pontoon Boats: Sun Tracker, Manitou, TRACKER, |
| Advantages: low to mid cost depending on | | | | Sunchaser, Premier, Gillgetter, Northwood |
| whether you buy new or used, easy to trailer, | | | | Power Boats: Bayliner, Sea Ray, MAXUM, Rinker, |
| launch and store, perfect for dad and kids in small | | | | Four Winns, Wellcraft |
| to midsize lakes | | | | Race /Cruisers: Formula, Fountain |
| Disadvantages: minimal seating capacity, smaller | | | | Yachts: TIARA |
| engines means limited ability for recreation and | | | | Well, that should give you some things to think |
| sports | | | | about. Look around, shop around and also talk to |
| If you're planning on larger parties and pulling adult | | | | your friends that already own a boat. They'll be |
| skiers, you'll want to move up to the 18-24' range. | | | | able to offer some great advice. But it's more |
| These boats generally come with larger motors, | | | | important to really figure out what you want to |
| outboards or inboards and hold 4 or more | | | | do and where you want to do it. You get that |
| passengers comfortably. They're great on both | | | | defined and you're well on your way to deciding |
| small and larger lakes and because their depth or | | | | what type of boat and how big a boat you really |
| draft is relatively low, they're also good on shallow | | | | need to buy. And remember, it's not the size that |
| lakes. | | | | counts, it's just being on the water! |