Boats news and updates

Buying a boat can be challenging, so it’s also important to consider the responsibilities that come with it, such as the ongoing maintenance and care.

There are several questions that need to looked at before leaping in and purchasing that first boat.

In order to decide on the type of boat to purchase - be it a flat bottom, sailboat, pontoon boat, jet ski boat, Jon boat, bass, or jet boat - it’s important to establish the main purpose of the boat. Is it the intention to go fishing, to experience the thrills of a water-sport event, or a relaxing weekend getaway. These factors will help in determining whether its the more leisurely pace of the sailboat, or the fun and excitement of a power or jet boat.

Is it the intention to use the craft on a lake or river, is it inshore or is going out to sea the vision. Also is the water craft going to be used year-round or is it more seasonal. If seasonal, were is the boat going to be stored throughout the off-season.

Who’s going to be using the boat; is there space to accommodate all those that wish to be onboard. A Jon or bass boat is ideal for one or two on a fishing trip, while a pontoon or deck boat is more suited for a gathering of family and friends.

When calculating the cost of the boat, don’t forget to take into account the related costs, such as mooring/storage fees, maintenance, fuel, mortgage or finance, insurance, registration costs, and taxes.

Will it be a new or used boat. New boats are going to be more costly, but there is the boat manufactures warranty that comes with it. Used or second-hand tend to require more attention and care, but it can be possible to pick up a great bargain.

With a used boat look for signs of neglect. If the deck seats appear faded or the hull’s paint is showing signs of wear on a two or three year old boat - this could be an indication of lack of maintenance and care. If signs of neglect are apparent on the outside what is going to be found on the inside, especially to the boats engine or machinery.

If buying a pre-owned boat it’s always a wise investment to have a survey carried out by a qualified marine surveyor. This report ought to indicate the structural integrity of the hull, as well as the condition of the machinery and its equipment. And a on-water test drive or sea trail will help to establish the handling and performance of the craft.

Once it comes to buying a boat its important to remember that boats do require attention and maintenance on a frequent basis in order to enjoy that long lasting fun on the water.

You can’t beat a nice hot summer’s day with the spray in your face and a fast boat beneath your feet - unless it’s a fast pair of skis under your feet! Water skiing has been around for over 80 years now since Ralph Samuelson of Minnesota first tried a pair of snow skis and a rope attached to a boat.

To ski on water you not only need the right kind of skis, but also the right kind of  boat for sale. A good ski boat should have small wake and have nippy maneuverability and turning capability, and in this case biggest is not best. The best skiboats have inboard engines although it is not cast in stone, and while many people ski using general purpose deck boats, the best are purpose built.

It difficult to single out any of the popular skiboat ranges in Australia since there are so many of them and quite frankly they tend to be great boats. It would be easier to single out those slightly less fabulous than the rest than to pick the best, and you can’t go by price. Australia is a country perfectly situated for water skiing, and they know how to build the right boats to do the job.

Although the original Lewis boats were made of wood, they are now fiberglass that provides a strong but very lightweight boat. Even though the internal stringer system is generally wood, Lewis boats are very maneuverable and very fast. The 2280 and Revolution are typical of the Lewis range with their zippy Mercruiser engines that produce a small wake at speed for a smooth slalom ride, and nice big wake for wakeboarding at lower speeds.

Their well designed Wake towers can be pimped any way you like them, with speakers, lights and board racks. However, the trade-off in having a dual purpose ski and wake boat is that you can get a bumpier ride on skis. It isn’t always ideal to have a dual purpose boat, but if you enjoy both sports then you should get enough performance from a good ski and wakeboarding boat to satisfy you. If it’s championship performance you are seeking, then purchase a specialist boat.

Another boat builder Bayliner Boats with very popular skiboats in the 16 - 22 foot range The Bowrider boat 205 is typical of a great skiboat with a fabulous Mercruiser Alpha 1 engine with 220 horses of pulling power. This boat comes with space under-floor for ski storage and great entertainment from its stereo controller that allows you fit a CD player, iPod or MP3 player. Bayliner know how to build boats: they should, having been in the business over 45 years. These boats are quality, and respond to the helm perfectly. With rapid acceleration, they can also turn on a cent piece, and are perfect for skiing.

If you want a specialist championship standard skiboat, then Skicraft must figure in there somewhere. Skicraft, based in Bayswater, have been making championship skiboats since 1969, offering very reliable turning and maneuverability, but is also very safe. From the sleek and fast 202 to the new V-Drive eXV Skicraft are true championship boats. The ExV is an upgrade of the popular eX2, with a good weight design to switch from skiing to wakeboarding at the flick of a switch.

Skicraft generally build specialist boats, and the V-Drive is generally better for wakeboarding. However, wakeboarding boats can be expensive because they have to be heavier to generate a good wake. Skicraft have developed a wake control technology whereby you can adjust the size of the wake to switch between skiing and wakeboarding, and all at a price well below that of a purpose-built wakeboarding boat.

However, the boat that everybody is waiting to see is the new Mustang. Since being taken over by Standard Bank, Mustang is back, and is going from strength to strength. Their latest boat, still to be unveiled, is the Mustang 2008 430 Sports Coupe. How good this will be for skiing we don’t know, but it sports Volvo IPS 600 engines as standard, with 418 HP each so is going to be fast enough.

If you need a boat for personal use that includes a wide variety of recreational activities, a pontoon boat will be perfect. The different features that it offers fit a wide variety of needs. With the many cheap pontoon boats for sale made widely available, having a party out in the nearby lake or river has never been more attractive. Personal or large scale fishing expeditions can also be done via the use of pontoon boats.

For those who have special or individual needs, pontoon boats can also provide satisfaction beyond doubt. You can have made to order designs, while the different established models and brands such as Bennington boats also have track records for specific requirements. From party boats to fishing boat, there is hardly a situation that cannot be adequately served by using pontoon boats.

What makes such boats for sale so attractive and user-friendly? It all originates from the two main uses that it has established for itself. Pontoon boats are most popular for having a decent sized party out on the waters, while fishing enthusiasts have often relied on it for trips out on lakes, rivers and even swamps.

Having parties or picnics out at a nearby lake can be perfectly served with a medium sized pontoon boat. The ease of accessorizing the boat often makes it a popular choice for such occasions. Furniture can be loaded up on deck, while it will never get safer than having some fun on them, with railings usually attached along the perimeter. If required, having a pontoon boat with a cabin can provide shelter or even an extended day out in the outdoors.

Fishing hobbyists have also made pontoon boats one of their first options when setting out for a day of gathering a good harvest from the waters. The ease of navigation and floating capabilities of the vessel also makes it an ideal choice when fishing in a more swamp-like surrounding. There is less concern of getting trapped in the latter’s congested areas which normal boats might not be able to survive in.

With its usability, durability and cost effectiveness, a pontoon boat can and will be a wise investment for anyone looking to own or rent a vessel for water-based outdoor activities. Especially with the current economic outlook, owning a pontoon boat will be a more reasonable, and overall wiser, choice than going for an expensive but more restrictive yacht. Even with the additional costs of gas, accessories and other extras, the case for a pontoon boat will still stand stronger in comparison to other seafaring vessels.

There are a variety of places to check when it comes to searching out fishing boats for sale. Online and print classified ads are available in there thousands for new and used boats, parts and accessories. When it comes to seeking out a suitable fishing boat to purchase, its important to take into account the type of fishing to be undertaken - is it for sport, a competitive tournament, or just for fun. And will the craft be used inland on the lakes or rivers, inshore on the bays or out at sea.

If fishing the lakes, freshwater fishing offers a variety of options for the recreational angler - whether its for the novice or experienced boater. And this category falls within most peoples budgets.

If looking at inshore saltwater or shallow water fishing, than the vessels to view are the bay or flat boats. Ideal for floating in extremely shallow water, often under 24′ in length, and offers ample space to cast.

When it comes to fishing in the open sea its necessary to go with a watercraft that’s able to meet the extreme demands that it will be put under. Offshore saltwater sport vessels include center console boats, often with a enclosed console, and single or twin engine power.

For those living in or close to a boating community, it will be possible to visit one of the local boat brokerage companies. These give the opportunity to view the latest stock in person. And if the preferred watercraft isn’t available in the first instance, its possible to keep checking back for the boat you’re seeking. Even if you don’t live near to a brokerage, it can still be a great benefit to travel to one, just to see what’s on offer, and to get advice and assistance from the dealers.

If at all possible, look to purchase one of the fishing boats for sale that you can physically check out in person. If not, being cautious can save a lot of heartache later on. Relying entirely on a short description and a photograph in a classified ad isn’t always a wise financial move.

The first series of open fishing boats was developed in 1974. They ranged from 4.8 m (16 ft) to 9 m (30 ft) for use in inshore and coastal fishery. They were initially utilizing the local timber of standard commercial sizes. Planking was done with boards of uniform width to simplify building and reduce wastage. The hull shape was well adapted to economical, low powered engines. In the current scenario, plywood has maintained its role as a material well adapted to use in small-scale boat building.

Most fishermen these days prefer long and slender canoe-shaped boats, as the longer boats reach a higher speed with a small engine than a short, fat boat. A certain beam will be required for a satisfactory stability. However, because of the sharp bow, the longer hulls have very low resistance in waves.

There are a wide variety of fishing boats available. Some of the most popular ones are the all-purpose fishing boats, aluminum fishing boats, bass fishing boats, bay fishing boats, canoes, kayaks and drift fishing boats, catamarans, multihulls (that run with power), center console fishing boats, cuddy cabin fishing boats, deck fishing boats, and diesel motors. Some of the fishing boats that can be used for recreational purposes are fish and ski boats, flats fishing boats, inboard/outboard fishing boats, inboards and I/0, and outboard fishing boats. Luxury fishing boats include outboard motors, pontoon boats, and sport fishing yachts.

Fishing boats can be rented along with the fishing equipment. The fishing captains are usually friendly and are often bilingual. For people who prefer bottom fishing boats, their experienced captains can take them to the best fishing spots for snapper, roosterfish, sea bass, and grouper.

It is not only important to be a proud owner of a sailboat. If you have one, you also need to protect it from the harmful effects of weathering and corrosion. The damage to your new or used boat can be a result of many factors combined together.

Leave your boat uncovered and especially when not in use, you will find rodents like mice or also birds for the matter build their nests in it.

So, your precious wire coating, seats etc., may in due course of time, become the building material for nests of sparrows. If it is not the rodents, it will be the ultraviolet emissions, which will make hay while the sun shines. At the receiving end will of course be the fiberglass of your sailboat, because in case of UV emissions it takes the worst beating. This is because the rays damage the get coat finish of the fiberglass.

Even if the boat is camped away from the sunlight, nature can still play havoc with it. Dirt and dust, twigs will all harm your boat if they re not cleared away. This is because waste substances such as seeds, twigs leave moisture when they decompose resulting in the corrosion that eventually sets in.

Given the above problems, boat covers prove to be an ideal solution. This is because all boat covers are waterproof and provides a protective barrier against water, snow or downpour of any kind. They also have the ability to withstand the harsh ultra violet rays of the sun. Additionally, they are provided with ducts that cause water to evaporate thus doing away with the breeding ground for mildew and corrosive bacteria.

While boat covers may protect your sailboats, they too in turn need protection. This means that you should not allow water, snow or other materials such as leaves, seeds, and twigs stand on the boat covers.

If you enjoy fishing, on today’s market there is a large variety of fishing boats available for you to buy. A fishing boat can be something as small as a canoe where you dangle basic bait over the side in a river stream or it can be a powerful cabin cruiser or yacht. All you really need is a vessel that is seaworthy. You can find fishing boats at boat shows or at dealerships. The type of boat that is best for you depends on where you want to fish, how much fishing you intend to do, and how big the fish are that you want to catch. The following paragraphs describe different types of fishing boats.

Offshore Saltwater Boats: If you are heading out on the open sea for a day of saltwater fishing that includes huge fish and heavy tackle, you will need a heavy boat that is dependable and can be relied on in all situations and any type of weather. Anything less than a cuddy cabin or center console that’s equipped with either twin or single outboard motors will not be sufficient. The high end of an offshore saltwater boat is the bluewater or convertible that comes complete with elaborate luxury quarters. These boats will be equipped with inboard diesel engines that have maximum power.

Freshwater Fishing Boats: If you are looking to fish in freshwater rivers, lakes and streams, you can leave the big, powerful boats for someone else. Choose a lightweight fiberglass or aluminum boat that is easy to transport. A bowrider, runabout, walleye boat or a boat with a small or dual console will meet all of your fishing needs. These boats are also perfect for family outings.

Bass Boats: Bass boats ride low in the water and are usually extremely fast. They can be aluminum or fiberglass and most often they are equipped with platforms in both the bow and stern for easy casting. If you’ve dreamed of owning the perfect bass boat, be sure to buy one that has a trolling motor mounted on the bow. These boats are mainly used for sport fishing or tournament fishing.

Float Tubes: A float tube is a lightweight, single personal watercraft that allows you to reach wilderness streams, ponds and lakes, usually where there is no boat access. Each device is lightweight and designed for different waters and anglers in mind. Some are inflatable with strong inner bladders, while others may have straps and harnesses which convert the entire apparatus to a backpack. Float tubes can be easily carried through the woods along rugged trails to selected waterways. While you are in the water, paddles can be used by hand, while a pair of frog-flippers fins supply the kicking power to propel the float quietly through the water.