How to Choose the Best Family Boat

Whether you like fishing, marine sports like wakeboarding and waterskiing, or just casually hanging out on the lake in a pontoon, there are several types of family boats with which you can have plenty of fun out on the water. With so many excellent options, it can be tough to choose the right model. We’ve created this brief guide to help you with some of the key things to look out for during the shopping process.

Size

Let’s start with one of the most important and obvious differences between the models: size. You’ll want to start by thinking about how many people will be joining you on your craft. If you like to bring your family or some friends, then the more room you have the better. At the very least, you should try to make sure there’s a spot for everyone to sit so no one is left hanging on when you’re driving around. 

Also, consider how big your boat will need to be for the places you’ll take it. Calm waters will be fairly easy to navigate on any vessel, but if you know the body of water you want to frequent can quickly become violent, then you’ll want something with higher sides and a tougher frame. Many deep-water adventurers that hit the ocean fairly often prefer a much larger boat to properly protect them from the elements. Not to mention, bigger boats can be better at reducing rockiness, making many of your activities easier to accomplish and enjoy.

Hull

The types of waters you frequent will also affect the shape of your family boat or the hull. Here in Louisiana, we have a lot of shallow waters, even outside the bayous. The best way to navigate these areas is to get a boat with a flat bottom. This way, you won’t accidentally run aground or skim the bottom of the riverbed. If deep waterways are your preferred boating area, then you’ll want to get a vessel with a more robust V shape. It’ll help you cut through the waters more efficiently and they’re often built with sturdier materials. 

Activities

Finally, some of your features may be dictated by the kinds of activities you like to do on your boat. If you want to make the most of watersport activities, then you’ll want a family boat that can get up to top speeds fairly quickly and provide proper towing capabilities. Fishers prefer features that make it easier to store their supplies, the fishing rod holders and bait wells. Then again, maybe you just want more space to accommodate guests for entertaining. Whatever you need from your boat, make sure you include it in your list of priorities so we can help you find the perfect model.

Ready to check out some quality family boats? Stop by White's Marine Center in Pittsburg, Missouri and we’ll help you find the craft you’ve been waiting for. We proudly serve all those in Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri!