Types of Boats - What to Look For When Choosing a Fishing - Speed - Sail or House Boat - Buyers Guide Inflatables - Zodiacs - Ski - Houseboats

June 1st 2006

Home and Travel

If you are looking to buy a boat, the first thing you will need to do is determine what you want to do with the boat. Do you want to ski, fish, travel, or just speed? There are endless boats to choose from including power boats, motor boats, houseboats, sailboats, cruisers, racers, zodiacs and catamarans. You may also want to consider renting a boat before deciding what boat to buy.

If you are looking for a fishing boat you should compare johnboats, bass boats, and pontoon boats. Consider how many people will be traveling with you on your trips and make sure your boat can accommodate everyone. Covers / canopies are nice, and so are swivel chairs. You should also tell the salesman which lakes you plan on fishing in. This may help in determining which boat is right for you.

Sailboats are subdivided into two categories – motorboats and straight sailboats. Sailboats are completely dependant on wind for power while motorboats will include a motor for the doldrums. Sail boats will range from 2.5 meters to 46 meters in length.

Sailboats are divided into three categories. The daysailer is a small boat designed for comfortable sailing. The daysailer does not have sleeping accommodations, but they may include an outboard engine.

Another sailboat, the cruiser, is a medium-sized or large boat with a cabin and sleeping quarters. They will include a head (toilet), galley and an auxiliary built in engine.

The third type of sailboat is the racer. These boats are designed for speed and ease of handling. They may not be that comfortable. They may be for daysailing or cruising. In other words, they can be used for quick races or longer overnight cruising / racing.

Zodiacs are a brand of high-performance aluminum boats. They are an open-boat vessel and are very popular for the tourism industry. Zodiacs are constructed with a conventional rigid hull together with an inflatable collar. The collar gives the Zodiac buoyancy and stability. Their deep-V hull is engineered to take any weather in stride. These boats are used worldwide for commercial and search and rescue purposes.

Finally, catamarans are twin hull boats. The twin hulls provide comfort, speed and stability which is unmatched by single-hulled vessels. You will see many houseboats with twin hulls as well.

Before you buy, do the research. Read the brochures and compare as many brands as possible.