Choosing a boat that is right for you

What type of boat is best for my lifestyle?priced, weighs less, quieter 4 Stroke: lower
Maybe you are an avid fisherman who spendsemissions, excellent fuel economy, electronic
endless summer days searching for that fish thatignition systems, good acceleration, oil added to
will give you ultimate bragging rights, or want toengine not fuel Diesel Inboard Engines These
spend summer afternoons slowly cruising with aengines range in size and horsepower, and rely on
group of friends on your pontoon, or possiblycompression for power. They are designed for
have a fascination for speed and water sports.boats over 35ft because they produce torque
Whatever your passion, there is a boat out thereand weigh more than gas engines. No carbon
that is made specifically for your needs andmonoxide in cabins or back, non-explosive fuel,
desires. However it isn't always easy to knowlow running cost, excellent torque, long life
exactly which boat you should choose. It is easyexpectancy Gas Inboard Engines These engines
to be overwhelmed by the enormous variety ofare used for a variety of different sizes and
boat types and models. There are severaltypes of boats, and range in horsepower from
different boat choices based on what they would90HP to 1000HP. It is located in the middle of the
be used for. What will I use the boat for? Youboat with the drive running through the bottom of
should first decide what you anticipate using thethe boat to the propeller. The rudder is separate
boat for. There are boats for fishing, waterfor steering. Simple drive system, quite, hidden,
sports, cruising, sailing, entertaining, or taking longlower maintenance, low running costs Jet
trips. Some are designed for multiple purposes.Propulsion These systems do not include a
Once you know what you want to do with it,propeller, which make it safer for water sports.
decide who you are going to be taking with you?They are inboard engines that take in water
You may not want a pontoon boat the fits 12which flows through a pump that is powered by
people if you are only going to be fishing with aan impeller. The high pressure caused by this,
buddy. You also don't want to overload your boatpropels the boat forward. However, steering is
because of safety. Consider where you will beonly possible when power is being applied. Things
enjoying your boat; up and down the calm river,can also be sucked into the water intake, and
on a sheltered lake, or an open ocean with highshouldn't be used in shallow water. Stern Drive
waves and rough seas. If you will be taking tripsThis is often called an Inboard/Outboard and
you will want your boat to have a cabin. Choosingconsists of an engine and drive connected through
the right engine for my boat: Now consider thethe transom of the boat. The engine is inside and
propulsion needed when deciding on an enginethe propulsion is outside of the boat. This drive
type. The horsepower and weight are verycan be trimmed up or down. There are many
important factors in the performance of yourdifferent types of functions depending on what
boat. An engine that is not powerful enough willthey will be used for. They can be used with one
cause your boat to work harder than it shouldor two propellers, as well as two drives on one
and lead to a great deal of maintenance andboat with one or two propellers. Low
excess use of fuel. You need to consider the sizemaintenance, ease of control and steering, used
and weight of your boat, including gear andon gas or diesel engines, quiet Choose the right
passengers. There are six different propulsionboat for your favorite activity: There are
types with varying factors to consider whendifferent types of boats for a variety of activities
choosing a system for your boat. Outboardand intended use. Below are examples of what
Motors (2 types) Outboard motors are detachableboats are used for with lists of boat types best
and mounted on the stern of the boat, withsuited for that activity. You will find that there are
horsepower ranging from 1HP to over 300HP.several boats that are intended for more that
These engines can be used in all types of water.one activity. For example, if you like fishing, water
The 2 types of outboard motors are 2 strokeskiing, and plan to sleep on board; you can choose
and 4 stroke. 2 Stroke: better acceleration, nobetween a Stern Drive Cruiser and Cuddy Cabin.
need to change oil, better fuel efficiency, lower