The Best Boats to Add to Your Wishlist
There may not be one boat that is perfect for all situations, but that’s nothing to worry about. In fact, that’s one of the best parts about boat ownership.
Owning a simple, stable boat opens up the opportunity for deepwater lake fishing, relaxing afternoons on the water with friends and family, or early morning fishing trips where it is just you and the quiet dawn air.
If you’re looking for luxury, performance, or practicality, there’s a boat out there for you. Let’s dive into all the boating options available to you.
Picking the Right Boat for the Right Job
What makes finding the right vessel tricky is that, while there are options better suited than others, many different varieties of boats make excellent all-around choices.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which boat type best fits. So, let’s start with some of the most common boating activities and which vessels are best for you and your hobbies.
What’s the Best Boat for Fishing
“Fishing boat” is a broad term that can apply to a wide range of vessel shapes, sizes, and layouts. Practically any boat can be used for fishing, though you do want a decent amount of deck space to keep balance and hold your catch. Here are two of the most popular fishing boat options:
- Bass boats have a low profile for navigating shallow waters, a necessity for bass fishing, which is where the vessel gets its name. Bass boats also feature an elevated and flat front deck, making casting from the bow easier than on other boats.
- Center console boats are another popular choice for fishing, with a favorite among fishermen being bay boats. Featuring a shallow draft to avoid getting caught in low water levels, they are perfect for fishing in bays and estuaries as well as inshore and nearshore, making them a highly flexible choice.
The Most Comfortable Luxury Boats
Luxury boats aren’t so much a type of vessel but a category nearly any boat type can fit in, so long as it is elegant.
The traditional motor yacht is one of the most common luxury boats you’ll find across many popular boat brands. These boats focus on comfort and amenities, with gorgeous internal cabins and all the features of a home on the water. But don’t be fooled! These yachts can be fast, too.
Another popular choice among affluent boat owners are catamarans. In design, they are very similar to pontoon boats. However, catamarans are streamlined and designed for sailing, and while tipping may be a concern with pontoons, many catamarans are built to do just that as they pick up speed for increased stability and performance.
Best All-Around Family Boats
There are many boat designs that are perfect for families, small and large, but one stands out from the rest as truly the best suited for a laid-back, relaxing evening on the water.
Pontoon boats are large, sitting on two air-filled floats sealed in a metal casing, and offer enough deck space for even a large family to enjoy with room to spare.
Among their most desirable features is their stability. With two massive pockets of air supporting both sides of the boat, you could nearly balance a nickel on a pinhead on a pontoon’s deck. Plus, while no boat is unsinkable, these are among the hardiest options out there while still remaining relatively affordable. If you are looking to buy your first boat or want a simple, reliable option, pontoons are for you.
Honorable Mentions: Different and Interesting Types of Boats
While there are plenty of options for you to choose from, far more than we can list in a single article, here are three more unique boat designs that may just fit your needs:
- Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs). A cross between a fully inflatable vessel and a solid-body boat, RIBs are tough, stable, and fast. While commonly used by the Coast Guard for rescue operations, they’re also a popular choice for water sports.
- Houseboats. As the name implies, houseboats are mobile homes that float. While this may not be for everyone, it’s the perfect option for those who want to stay as close to the water as possible (it’s also great for early morning fishing first thing after dawn).
- Airboats. Their method of propulsion is what sets these boats apart. With a massive fan on the back, airboats are typically best suited for shallow or swampy environments, traveling to areas that outboard motorboats could never hope to reach.
Find Convenient Boat Storage Near You
At the end of an exciting day of fishing, water sports, or relaxing on the waves, bring your boat back to a personal secure storage space from Honey Bee RV.
Our covered and uncovered boat storage options can accommodate vessels large and small, eliminating the vertical height concerns you may have when storing your boat at home. As long as it fits on a trailer, it’ll fit at our boat storage facility.
Find a Honey Bee RV boat storage space near you, and be ready to hit the water without missing a moment with reliable boat storage near you.
Looking for more boating tips? Check out our boat storage guide to learn everything you need to know!