How to Choose a Boat for Your Family
You want to make boating a family tradition and you’re going to be a first-time B.C. boat buyer.
You’ll need to decide what type of boat is best for family outings and fun on the water. How large does your boat need to be? What is your budget?
Western Financial Group, a 100% Canadian company, can help you navigate your boat, car, home, and business insurance during this period of economic uncertainty.
How to choose a boat for your family
Bowrider
Bowriders are one of the most popular boats for families.
A bowrider is a kind of runabout boat with extra forward seating. They can usually accommodate six to 10 passengers. The term runabout can also be used for a bowrider.
Why are bowriders appealing to families?
Bowriders have a lot of seating and are good for cruising and watersports like water skiing and wakeboarding, tubing and fishing. They are relatively easy to handle and they can be customized with swim steps and platforms and audio systems.
Bowriders can have enough storage for gear and equipment.
Unappealing to families:
Overnight trips are more challenging because bowriders don’t have an enclosed cabin and they have limited shelter from bad weather.
Note that: Smaller bowrider boats usually lack a dedicated bathroom while larger bowriders (23 feet or longer (7 metres or longer) may have an enclosed space with a portable toilet.
What’s a runabout?
A runabout boat is small to mid-sized, open or partially enclosed powerboat that’s good for leisure activities like cruising, doing water sports, and fishing on B.C.’s waterways. It’s typically from 16 to 30 feet (4 to 9 metres) in length. It usually seats 4 to 8 people.
Why are runabouts appealing to families?
Runabouts are designed for day trips, cruising, watersports, and fishing. They are generally more affordable than larger boats.
These boats are easy to handle and they are smaller and easier to store than a large boat.
Unappealing to families:
They don’t have a cabin for overnight trips or storage spaces. They also don’t have a bathroom or any shelter from the elements.
Pontoon boats
A pontoon boat is a type of flat-bottomed boat that uses large, hollow tubes (pontoons) for buoyancy.
They’re considered ideal for families because they are easy to operate, have ample space, and are a good choice for water activities.
Why are pontoon boats appealing to families?
Pontoon boats are known for their stability, making them a safe choice, especially for families with young children. They also have a large deck space, allowing plenty of room to relax and socialize.
Pontoon boats are relatively easy to operate, making them a good choice for families who may not have a lot of boating experience.
They are versatile enough for cruising, fishing, tubing, and swimming. Pontoon boats typically have storage.
Can a family sleep on their pontoon boat? Yes, pontoon boats are designed with plenty of deck space, making them ideal for setting up sleeping areas.
Bathroom? Not all pontoon boats come with bathrooms, while some models offer them. B.C. Boaters can opt for portable toilets and enclosures.
Unappealing to families:
Pontoon boats have some drawbacks such as difficult handling in rough water, large turning radius making it challenging to navigate in a tight space, and speed limitations.
Cabin cruisers
A cabin cruiser is a boat that’s equipped with sleeping, cooking, and bathroom accommodations. It’s like a mobile, mini home.
Why is a cabin cruiser appealing to families?
A cabin cruiser can allow a family to go on an extended trip, overnight stay, and do various water activities like water skiing and fishing.
Cabin cruisers come in various sizes, allowing families to choose a boat that best suits their needs and budget. They typically range in length from 25 to 45 feet (7.6 metres to 13.7 metres).
The cost of a cabin cruiser can vary, depending mostly on the size you choose.
Unappealing to families:
A cabin cruiser can be a big investment for a family, due to the costs for fuel, maintenance, and storage.
Operating a cabin cruiser usually requires knowledge of navigation and boat handling.
What about boat insurance for your B.C. boat?
Boat insurance is recommended for boaters in British Columbia to protect you and your family and your investment in your boat.
It protects you financially in case of an accident, damage, loss, and theft involving your boat.
Many marinas and lending institutions will require boaters to insure their vessels.
Why is third-party liability important as part of your boat insurance?
Third-party liability insurance for a boat protects you financially if your boat causes damage to another person's property, causes bodily injury, or death to someone else.
This type of boat insurance coverage applies to you and your family and guests on your boat.
Final thoughts
When you’re buying a boat for your family, you will need to consider your budget, the number of people you'll typically bring along for outings, water sports you want to do, and the type of water in which you’ll be boating. Being able to safely handle a boat is also a factor when you’re buying a boat.
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