Are you thinking about buying a boat?
A boat can be a great way for you to spend time with family, enjoy the outdoors, and learn a new skill. Before you start looking at boats to buy, it’s important to understand the different types of boats available on the market.
This way, you can make an informed decision about the type of boat that’s best for you.
Check out this guide to learn about the most popular boat types.
1. Fishing Boats
As the name implies, these boats are built for fishing. Fishing boats come in many different shapes and sizes, and you can find boats meant for saltwater and ones meant for freshwater.
These boats are known for being stable, durable, and long-lasting. When buying a fishing boat, the first thing you need to think about is where you plan on taking your boat fishing. This will help you determine whether you should buy a freshwater fishing boat or a saltwater fishing boat.
You’ll also want to consider the material of the fishing boat. The most popular materials are aluminum and fiberglass.
Fiberglass fishing boats are known for being speedy, durable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically-pleasing. However, they’re also prone to absorbing water. Plus, many fiberglass boats use wood for reinforcement, so it can be prone to rotting when it gets wet.
Aluminum fishing boats are known for being lightweight, robust, and affordable. However, they can be a bit difficult to maneuver, and they’re prone to rust and condensation.
2. Pontoon
Pontoons are flat, rectangular-shaped boats that feature plenty of space for passengers to move around.
If you want to buy a boat for relaxing and entertaining guests, then a pontoon boat is a great option. The great thing about pontoon boats is that they offer a lot of comfort.
Because of their buoyancy, they can also be customized in many different ways. You’ll find that many pontoon boats are outfitted with lounge chairs, bars, slides, and other luxury amenities.
Pontoons can also double as fishing boats, and because of their size, you’ll have plenty of room to store your gear. Most pontoon boats also come with very high railings. This, coupled with their intense stability, makes them one of the safest boats on the market.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that pontoon boats aren’t meant for rough waters. They also don’t go super fast, with most pontoons being able to reach 20 to 30 mph.
But, many people are surprised to learn that you can use your pontoon for water sports. While 20 to 30 mph may not seem that fast, it’s plenty for when you’re water skiing or wakeboarding.
If you like what a pontoon offers but aren’t a fan of the rectangular shape, you may want to consider Duffy electric boats.
3. Bowrider Boats
Bowrider boats are considered the quintessential family boat.
These boats can often seat 8 or more passengers, and they come with a helm, cockpit, and bow cockpit. The bow area is typically constructed in a unique way to allow for more spacious seating.
Bowrider boats are extremely versatile, as they can be used for fishing, watersports, day cruising, or entertaining. You can even find models that are geared towards specific specialties.
The smaller ones are typically geared towards watersports, while the larger ones are typically geared toward entertainment. Another thing that makes bowrider boats so popular is their affordability. Due to the wide range of styles, bowrider boats also come in a wide range of prices.
You can typically find bowrider boats for as low as $15,000, but they can cost all the way up to $120,000 for more luxury models.
4. Deck Boats
As the name suggests, deck boats are outfitted with an open deck area. This means that you’ll have plenty of seating options for a small group of people.
Typically ranging from 25 to 35 feet in length, these boats come with a stern power drive and are commonly used for water sports, freshwater fishing, and day cruising. You’ll find these boats in lakes, bays, and oceans.
Deck boats are considered to be somewhat of a mashup between pontoons and bowriders. They offer spacious seating, generous storage, and they’re very agile on the water.
5. Yachts
Yachts have always had a reputation for being fancy. And trust us, they definitely live up to that reputation.
As you probably already know, these vessels are primarily used for entertainment and leisure. The standard yacht length is around 36 feet, and most yachts come with 2 or more diesel engines.
When most people think of yachts, they think of the massive ones that celebrities own. However, just like the other boats on this list, yachts come in all different shapes and sizes.
Here are some different yacht types to consider:
- Express Yachts: These come with a single deck and are known for being sporty and sleek
- Sports Bridge: This is essentially the same as an express yacht, but it also comes with room for a control station and some extra lounge chairs
- Motor Yacht: This refers to a multi-deck vessel that comes with a large interior main deck
- Mega Yacht: Also known as a tri-deck yacht, this type of yacht comes with three levels of enclosed living space
- Sportfish: This type of yacht is geared toward fishing
As you can see, there are many different types of yachts to consider.
Boat Types: Are You Ready to Buy a Boat?
Now that you know about the different boat types, it’s time to decide which one is right for you. Before you know it, you’ll be cruising on the open water in your new boat.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more boating tips and tricks.