Guide to picking the right boat for you.

How does catching your own fish in your own fishing boat while maintaining good health sound? Interesting, eh? A recent survey conducted by the National Marina Manufacturers Association found that about 1,000 American households indicated that boating is listed among their top 3 stress reliving activities. Yes, it’s true, boating can decrease stress in one’s life and bring about peace of mind.
People always have the misconception that they cannot afford a boat. However this is not entirely true as there are many options and diverse price ranges available in the market to suit one’s pocketbook. Many dealers offer affordable financing for the boats as cheap as $200 per month. Second-hand boats can also be a good option for those on a budget. Many people sell their old boats in order to upgrade to a better one, creating a good second-hand market for boat buyers. Let’s discuss common types of boats so you can decide which type is the right one for you and your family.

These boats are the best choice if you wish to go boating with many people and want to enjoy peaceful fishing and calm waters. Pontoon boats are configured to be spacious and yet light weight. They can easily accommodate many people because their wide-open decks which leaves lots of room. These boats can be used for tubing or skiing as well, depending upon the size of the motor. The price range of these boats are comparatively lower than other boats. Pontoon boats are very good for socializing and can be taken out on lakes as well as large water bodies, however due to its size they typically cannot navigate smaller inlets, channels and backwaters. All in all this boat is a good pick for the family that likes to entertain.

As the name suggests, the houseboat is a house on a boat, used by people for weekend picnics and getaways. Just like a Pontoon it is ideal for fishing in open waters, best suited for lakes and inland waters. They have almost all the luxurious of an actual house, including sleeping cabins, gallery, kitchen and even air conditioners. The average price of a house boat is around $60,000, common sizes being that of 25’-60’. Ideal for long getaways and cruises, however they face the same drawbacks as the Pontoon.

Almost all the fishing boats available are powered by outboard motors and most of them have trolling motors on the bow. Bass boats are perfectly suited for fishing. These boats are made of either fiber glass or aluminum. A fiberglass boat is heavier and a bit difficult to maneuver, needing a bigger motor as compared to the aluminum boat. However they are configured to be very fashionable, they are available in a wide range of colors and have a greater speed than aluminum boats. They deliver high performance and can take handle rough waters easily. Fiberglass boats are considered the best for professional fishing. The price ranges from $10,000 - $75,000. The best selling fiberglass boat is 18ft with 150 HP motor. Aluminum boats on the other hand are light and easy to maneuver, they can be easily transported and require a smaller vehicle for towing purpose. The common ones are about 16-20 ft long with a motor between 50-200 HP. The most popular choice in aluminum boats is 17ft with 50 HP motor. They are priced anywhere from $5,000-$30,000. Most of them have separate compartments for storage of reels, tackle and rods, in addition to wells for storing your live catch.    

The Bowriders, also known as runabouts or sportboats, are very versatile. These boats are better suited for water sports like wakeboarding, skiing and even cruising than fishing. Some of these boats even have a bathroom and freshwater supply. Its speed varies from 30 mph to 70+ mph. Their prices range from $8,000-$40,000, and sizes vary between 16’-24’. Some manufacturers or producers have hybrids can accommodate fishing.

The average size of a ski boat is 18’-22’ and can cost around $25,000. This boat is great for not only for fishing but also for recreational activities. They are also known as motor boats or speed boats and are specifically made for inner tubing, skiing or wake boarding. They have a very high speed and can have either inboard or outboard motors. They are mostly used on lakes but can be used on larger water bodies also. The only drawback of the ski boat is its cost and storage fees.

Sailboats do not have any mechanical actuation arrangement; their momentum comes from open wind that hitting the sail. Sailboats are of 3 types: Cruiser, Racer and Day Sailor. A Cruiser normally has an auxiliary engine built inside it. It is either a large or medium sized boat that has a cabin with toilet, sleeping quarters, kitchen and gallery. A Racer boat on the other hand is designed specially to pick up speed with easy handling but at the expense of one’s comfort. A Day Sailor has an outboard auxiliary engine and a spacious cockpit. It is a comparatively small boat very convenient for sailing but has no sleeping accommodation. The two most popular sailboats are the cruiser-racer designed for racing and overnight cruising and the racer-day sailor primarily designed for racing and day sailing.
When deciding which boat is best for you, you will need to consider how you primarily intend to use the boat. Do you want a boat specifically for fishing? Or are you more interested in water sports, or social parties on the deck or over night trips? Are you interested in boating on lakes or oceans?
Also, consider the price factor as you should not find yourself in debt after getting yourself the boat you desire. After the purchase of the boat and trailer there are other overhead expenses to be taken care of. These costs can be estimated at:

• Insurance for towing- $100/year
• Fuel $100-$1000/month
• State registration $50-$200/year
• Major mechanical repairs $500-$4,000/year
• Routine mechanical maintenance $1000/year
• "Dry" marina storage $200-$400/month
• Marina storage $200-$800/month
• On-trailer storage $60-$120/month
• Routine mechanical maintenance $1000/year

Once you decide on a boat, you can further customize the boat by having interiors done so that you can stay with comfort in your boat.  Boat Bedding can be done so that it can match your interiors. There are various companies that offer custom boat bedding. You can always buy sailboat comforters online where you are provided with large options to choose from.