Boating Course - How To Choose The Right Type of Boat To Do Things You Love

Boating is a fun thing to do and an expensive one too, especially if you want to own your own boat.

The most common trap that most first time boat buyers fall into is to buy the one that attracts their eyes first. Kind of like love at first sight. Friendly advice: do not fall into this trap!

Before you decide to buy your first boat, you have to be aware that there are a lot of different types of boats available out there in the market. Buying the most beautiful boat does not mean you are going to be satisfied with it especially after you find out that it does not allow you to do the things that you want it to do.

Choosing the right boat for you is not something that can be done in a matter of seconds. One of the best tips to know beforehand is to determine what you are planning to use the boat for, whether you are going to use it for pure enjoyment such as cruising the lake, oceans or rivers or just going to use the boat for fishing trip with your friends.

At the moment we are not going to discuss whether you can afford the boat or not, or whether you should buy a second hand boat or a new one. We are discussing more on the types of available boats that will be suitable for the types of activities that you are going to utilize it for.

Fishing Boats

So, in order for you to choose the right boat, you have to take your time and decide the purpose of your purchase. Even if you decide that you want to use the boat for fishing, it might surprise you that there are different types of fishing boat designs out there. Choosing the wrong boat will have quite an impact on your fishing experience.

Choosing a bass boat allows you to fish from several different angles. If large fish is what you are after, then you might want to choose a boat designed especially for sports fishing.

However, there are also all-purpose fishing boats which are great for saltwater or freshwater fishing. These boats are suitable for different types of fishing and perform wonderfully in rough waters. Another type of boat is called air boats. These types of boats are designed specifically to get you to swampy waters or locations that other types of boats are not able to reach.

Leisure Boats and Cruising Boats

Some of us would like to have a boat that only allows us to do nothing but cruise along the river or lake and enjoy the beautiful view and nature. If your idea of a great day consists of spending time with your friends and families cruising around the lake or river, then you'd have to find a boat designed for this need.

Below are some of the boats available out there and its purpose.

Bowriders - due to its open deck design, there are plenty of family rooms that come with plenty of seating area for everyone and for sunbathers to work on perfecting their tan. Designed for comfort and convenience for family fun and relaxation. Also ideal for water activities such as fishing, skiing or swimming and also for cruising. Plenty of storage rooms.

Closed bow runabout - an excellent choice if you are participating in a lot of water sport activities.

Sailboats - uses wind to navigate. This one is perfect for cruising down the lakes and oceans while at the same time enjoying your favourite drinks and the beautiful nature with the company of your loved ones.

Fish and ski boats - as the name implies, you are able to enjoy the best of both worlds if you are into fishing and water skiing.

Deck boats - can carry up to twelve passengers at one time. Perfect for bringing your close friends and family on this one.

Yachts or Houseboats - considered to be the most expensive of all boats as it has this sense of power and luxury, though some might disagree. Perfect for those who are planning to spend most of their time on the water as it provides comfort.

Pontoon boats - this is a flat bottom boat which is more like a raft, simply constructed from cylinders. Suitable for short family boat rides cruising by the lakes and rivers as they are slower to run.

Above are just a few examples of the different types of boats available. Therefore, it is very important for you to spend some time in deciding what type of boat that will be suitable for you and the type of activities that you are planning to use the boat for. There is no use in buying a boat for water skiing, when all you want to do is go fishing with your friends. Choosing the right boat means getting the full benefits from your investment.

About this Author

Juzaily Ramli and his friend Tommy Lehmann are crazy about boats and owners of Boating Course website.

Discover how to build your own boat at Boat Building.