Buying The Best Boat For You

Like the lakes that host them, boats come in a variety of shapes, sizes and have many different uses. If you’re asking yourself “What boat should I buy?”, you’ll want to make sure you’re buying the best boat for you and your lifestyle.

While this is by no means a complete list, this essential guide provides an overview of some of the most common crafts you’ll find on lakes across the country.

The Pontoon Boat

Pontoon boats are great for both novice and long-time boaters, and perfect for groups of friends and families. Their large size offers plenty of storage for coolers, floaties, and fishing gear. Most crafts can seat an average of 8 to 10 passengers.

Pontoon boats typically reach top speed at about 20 mph, so they aren’t ideal for tubing or skiing, but they are perfect for the leisurely lake lover.

On average, new pontoon boats sell for between $15,000 to $50,000 based on size, engine, features and build quality. Pontoons range in size from 16 to 30 feet in length.

The Deck Boat

Deck boats are traditionally boxier than your average fishing boat, and unlike many freshwater boats, these vessels have wide, flat bows (rather than pointed ones) often used as additional seating or sunbathing.

Their versatility makes deck boats an attractive option to many lakers and is just right for the daytime cruiser who may want a little bit extra oomph.

Powered by either stern drives or outboard motors, deck boats can just as easily be used for fishing as they can for a long day of water sporting.

Deck boats have an average price of roughly $42,000. They range in size from 18 to 28 feet use stern drives, outboard engines, and even jet propulsion.

The Jon Boat

Jon boats are the most common type of freshwater fishing boat you will find on the lake.

Not only are they available in a wide range of sizes, between 9 and 20 feet, but Jon boats are also among the most affordable boats on the market at $5,400, on average. Jon boats use outboard engines for propulsion.

These vessels have flat bottoms and are typically built out of aluminum; however, fiberglass has recently begun to make its way onto the Jon boat-construction scene.

Primarily used for fishing, Jon boats are also great for trot-lining, duck hunting, and alligator hunting.

The Ski Boat/Wakeboard Boat

As the name implies, these boats are used for recreation rather than leisure.

What sets ski and wakeboard boats apart from other types of activity vessels, like deck boats, is their propulsion systems.

Whereas a deck boat is powered by stern drives or outboard motors, ski and wakeboard boats, also known as “tow boats,” feature inboard engines or jets.

These boats also differ in seating capacity, designed to host three or four passengers at a time.

Tow boats are also more expensive, with an average price of $75,000.

The Bass Boat

You can guess how these boats are used from the name.

Designed with low sides for easy casting and minimal seating, bass boats feature powerful engines and only two seats. Other features include a large, flat bow and a large live well for storing the day’s catch.

Bass boats are not ideal for families or children and aren’t recommended for use as recreational crafts.

While they are great for speeding around on tournament day, these boats do not fair well in rough waters and should be operated by a veteran boater.

The average price of your basic bass boat is about $30,000.

Don’t end your quest for boat knowledge here! Be sure to read our other boating “Recreational Boating – Tips for Buying a Used Boat” and “Unique Boats for Family Fun at the Lake.”

The information featured in “Buying the Best Boat for Your” was sourced primarily from boats.com. For more information visit https://www.boats.com/explore/#boatTypes.

How to Store & Maintain Your Personal Flotation Devices

Life jackets laying on lake deck how to properly store personal flotation devices

One of the best safety measures that you can rely on while out on the water is the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs).

A personal flotation device, also referred to as a life jacket or life preserver, is a piece of equipment designed to assist a wearer, who may be either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat.

In case you’re wondering, you can check your state’s PFD requirements here.

The bottom line is that PFD’s save lives. But, these devices will only work as they should if they are maintained and stored properly between uses.

Here are a few tips on how to store and maintain your personal flotation devices to be sure they’re always ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Cleaning Your Personal Flotation Device

Cleaning products
Photo courtesy of Pexels.

To keep PFDs clean, all you need to do is wipe them down with a solution of mild soap and warm water and then rinse thoroughly.  When cleaning stains from life jackets, use a stiff-bristled brush to gently scrub them away, but avoid using bleach, solvents, or other stain removers. The strong chemicals in these products can break down the materials PFDs are made from, thereby compromising their integrity. When exposed to saltwater, a quick rinse is needed to remove residue before allowing your device to dry.

After washing your PFD, hang it up in the open air away from direct sunlight and leave it there to dry thoroughly before storing it. Never place it in the dryer or near a heat source, as this could cause the vinyl or plastic components to warp or crack. Personal flotation devices should never be dry cleaned.

Inspecting Your Flotation Device

Kid inspecting life jacket
Photo courtesy of Pexels.

Flotation devices should be inspected on a regular basis, preferably before each use. Some of the things you should look for include:

  • Broken or damaged hardware
  • Ripped, torn, or missing webbing
  • Webbing that has become unattached
  • Mold or mildew
  • Rotted material
  • Large rips or tears
  • Oil spills, as this could affect buoyancy

Inflatable vests should also be inspected for:

  • Bobbins and pins that aren’t operating properly
  • Evidence of any corrosion on the CO2 cartridges
  • Nozzles that have not been punctured by the firing needle

It is also a good idea to manually inflate vests from time to time in order to check for leaks. Allow them to remain inflated overnight to be sure they are working properly, and repair or discard any that are not holding air as they should.

Storing PFDs

Storing lifejackets personal flotation device on boat
Photo courtesy of The Hull Truth.

Boating laws typically require that PFD’s are readily accessible to all passengers onboard a vessel.  Make sure that your PFDs are actually taken out of the plastic wrapper they came in prior to use. The U.S. Coast Guard does not consider these devices to be ‘readily accessible’ if they must be unwrapped first. In addition, you must generally carry a throwable device onboard all watercraft that is 16 feet in length or longer.

When you’re not on the water, you should store flotation devices in a cool dry area with adequate ventilation. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as UV rays could prove harmful to them. Hang them up whenever possible rather than placing them on a shelf or the bottom of a locker. If hanging them up isn’t possible, make sure heavy objects are not placed on top of them, as this can also cause damage.

Personal flotation devices play an important part in keeping you safe on the water. Although it might seem trivial, properly cleaning, inspecting, and storing your PFD’s will go a long way to make absolutely sure that they are functional and in good working order for when you need them.