Is there any better or more completely awesome activity on this entire planet?
Let’s be honest here… except for those people who may have seen JAWS at just too early an age (bless their souls) and still have a dread fear of the water, everyone loves being out on a boat!
You can see it in the way people move and look around when the craft sets sail. Even on a little schooner or personal watercraft, you’ll notice how adults and kids alike are instantly invigorated by the exhilarating mixture of wind and water. You’ll see it in the excited looks on peoples’ faces as they wait in line for a ferry or to board for a sailing trip on vacation. Boating and people just go together, and the great thing is that there are just about as many different variations of boats as there are people who like to go sailing, deep-sea fishing, yachting, canoeing, and… well, the list goes on and on.
For the purpose of this article, we’ll deal mainly with those boats and watercrafts that crossover into the world of water sports and fun outdoor activities. One of the coolest things is that the technology and enhancements on personal boats and watercrafts have continued to advance over time, so there’s really a specific type of boat for just about every unique application.
Even within the vastly diverse universe of sport fishing, you’ll find that there are a whole host of different kinds of boats perfectly suited for fishing in particular areas. Not every boat is created to the same specs because there is a need to account for a handful of variables relative to the given experience. When sourcing a boat for your needs, whether you are interested in purchasing, or rather if you are simply looking to do some research on the right kind of boat for a specific activity you have in mind for your upcoming vacation, you’ll want to consider a number of factors, from how deep the water is and whether you are fishing inshore or offshore, to how much speed is required and how long you’ll be staying on the boat (overnight, for consecutive days, etc.)
Some of the most popular varieties of boats are often referred to as Fish and Ski Boats.
These are most commonly utilized for skiing and fishing (as you may have inferred from the name) and are hugely popular for families and water sports enthusiasts that either live by or make a point of regularly going to a place where they can enjoy their pastimes. They are usually somewhere between 16 and 24 feet in length and are designed for ease of operation, as well as comfort for both driver and passengers.
For more serious anglers, there are crafts known as Express Fisherman or Sport Fisherman boats. While they are similar in size to your average Fish and Ski boat, these crafts are more powerful, as they are designed for professionals looking to get to offshore fishing destinations with speed. Pros of this stripe may also be interested in looking at some other varieties, based on whether or not, for instance, they’ll primarily be fishing in saltwater or freshwater locations. Convertible Fishing Boats are just about perfect for both fishing and cruising in offshore waters. These crafts start in the 35-feet range and feature large fishing decks, cabins and galleys. The extra room and ability to achieve high speeds provide for a very pleasurable experience, whether you are sport fishing or simply lying back and enjoying a pleasure cruise on the open sea.
These all fall into the range of mid-sized personal watercrafts. There are many options for much smaller boats that nonetheless offer a lot of utility and handy features, as well as much larger boats such as yachts, power catamarans and large houseboats, which can feature everything from full appliance sets, kitchens and lounges to living rooms, full baths and master bedroom suites.
Now let’s take a peek at some of the boats available to you on the smaller scale. There are Jon Boats, Skiffs and Utility Boats, all of which offer comparable features. They are beneficial for people who may be on the beginner curve when it comes to operating a boat on their own, and they’re also relatively inexpensive to fuel and maintain. If you are considering buying a boat and your primary thought is that you just want a nice, inexpensive craft that you can operate in relatively shallow waters, these options are a nice fit.
If you’re a water sports enthusiast like we are, you will definitely want to make sure that the craft you’re considering is able to do the work you need it to do. Within the broader category of Fish and Ski boats, you’ll obviously be taking a look at the unique needs of you and your group. So, decisions regarding depth of water, freshwater vs. saltwater, size of the boat, and the need for speed will all come into play based on what you are most interested in doing. Whether you’re looking for a boat for water skiing, wakeboarding and kneeboarding, or rather have your eye trained on the perfect boat for offshore and deep-sea fishing, there’s definitely something for everyone.
A boat is no small investment, but the truth is that most of the people who purchase a boat look at it as just that- an investment. That’s because they provide virtually endless fun and, depending upon the type of boat you purchase, make possible countless awesome activities. You can be that person who owns the boat that everyone wants to go out on… just imagine it! But it doesn’t have to be a solo affair. A lot of folks go in on the purchase of a boat with a group of similarly inclined friends- other water sport soul mates who are willing to put in the money to share in ownership of the craft. The truth is, if you love the water and boating enough, you’ll figure out a way. There’s no way to keep water lovers off of the water, and there’s no better way to leisurely enjoy the water than on a boat.
