Boats and Boating

For eons, man has been inherently drawn to bodies of water. Boats have been around for thousands of years, the first crude vessels made of animal skins or logs. As man evolved, so did his boat-building skills. Today, boats can be equipped with practically any amenity or luxury you can imagine, and probably with a few you never thought of.

If you love the great outdoors and being on the water, owning a boat can be one of the most pleasurable experiences available for mortal man. The feeling of gliding over the waves with your hair blowing in the breeze, surrounded by nature, is a truly exhilarating experience. It just doesn’t get any better than this!

Boating is a wonderful way to spend quality time with family, friends, or that special someone, away from the stress and worries of day-to-day life in the hectic modern world. There’s just something about being under the sun’s rays and on the deep blue of a river, lake, ocean, or bay that is calming. It restores not only the body, but the soul, as well.

When it comes to choices of different types of boats, the selection is practically endless. First of all, you need to decide what type of activities you plan to do on the craft. Next, you need to decide whether you’ll be towing your boat from place to place, or whether you’ll be leaving it moored. Price and amenities, of course, are also important considerations.

Below are the most popular types of pleasure boats:

Bass boat: This type of boat has a shallow hull and is perfect for navigating rivers, lakes, and tidal creeks. Many of these craft are equipped with both a gas-powered engine for getting you around quickly, along with a smaller battery-powered motor for trolling for fish. A bass boat usually has a couple of pedestal seats, along with deck-level seating.

Center console: These boats are specifically designed for fishing big water. As the name implies, the steering is done from a raised console near the craft’s center. There’s usually plenty of deck room for fishing and for landing your catch, along with live wells for bait and storage space for fish.

Cuddy cabin: These boats are wonderful for families. They have a small cabin, usually equipped with a head and two simple couches that can be used for sleeping. Some cuddies have a plastic and canvas cover that encloses the open part of the boat, which offers protection and privacy for overnight stays in a marina.

Cabin cruiser: These motorboats are generally larger than a cuddy cabin, with more amenities, including two or three cabins and a galley. Most come equipped with plumbing, also, including a shower. Cabin cruisers are comfortable enough to spend several days at a time on the water.

Houseboat: These vessels are limited only by the imagination and budget of the individual owner. Some are permanently docked, so there’s no need for an engine. Others have large motors that enable them to be “movable homes.” Most houseboats have above-water cabins, galleys, heads, showers, and living areas, and many have a top open-air deck for sunning, sightseeing, and entertaining.

Ski boat: These are fast craft, usually from 16-20 feet in length. They’re equipped to pull one or two skiers, depending on the size of the motor. Most have comfortable seating, and many have a walk-thru windshield with more seating in the prow. Canvas covers are available to provide shade when needed.

Sailboat: Sailboats are available in a wide choice of sizes, and all primarily harness the wind for propulsion. Many larger vessels also have a motor for backup and for getting in and out of the marina. The larger boats might have cabins, a galley, and a head and shower. These boats are wonderful for sightseeing and offer unparalleled peace and quiet while traveling.

Yacht: The yacht is the Cadillac of the boating world. These vessels can be huge and are powered either by sail, by motor, or by a combination of the two. The interiors range from simple to opulent boats with mahogany, granite, and quarried tile amenities and furnishings. Most yachts are specifically engineered for comfort, speed, and fun. Many include outdoor living areas, well appointed salons, swim platforms, a complete galley and dining area, full bathrooms, spacious cabins, TVs, and storage space for water toys like jet skis.

Imagine days spent on the water, fishing, swimming, and exploring…pulling into a secluded cove for a picnic…discovering a pristine expanse of sandy beach…watching the sun sink into its watery bed, painting both the sky and its reflection with muted shades of pink and violet, all from your own private craft. A boat is a real investment in making memories that will last a lifetime.