Owning a boat is one of the true pleasures in life. Whether you are fishing, skiing, or simply cruising around the bay, being on the water seems to melt your stress and worries away. The only real question is which boat you should buy? This is where is can get complex, as each person has different needs and preferences for their boating. Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Here’s a quick guide on how to choose the right boat for you!
THINK ABOUT YOUR GROUP
How many people do you expect to ride along with you in the boat? If you probably won’t be taking more than a few people, you can likely get by with a smaller craft such as the 195 Sportfish, which has a capacity of seven people. However, if you plan to host a dozen or more people on a consistent basis, then perhaps you should choose something a little larger, such as the 235 XSF, which is rated to carry 11 people.
CONSIDER THE TYPE OF WATER
Bays? Lakes? Open ocean? Rivers? Each area will demand different characteristics from a boat, and while many of the boats from Scout are versatile and can be used in various areas, you’ll still want to have a strong idea of the type of water you will be boating on. This will help guide your decision. For example, most boats that are ideal for rivers and shallow intertidal areas may not be suitable for the open ocean or even larger bays with heavy boat traffic.
WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY ON THE WATER?
Sometimes simply being on the water is enough, but we all have preferences for our activities. Part of choosing the right boat will be to decide on what you plan to do with it. Will the boat be used exclusively for fishing? Will your kids want to ski or wakeboard? Will it simply be for pleasure cruising? Take the time to think about how you will be using the craft, and you can make a better buying decision.
WILL YOU NEED TO TOW THE BOAT—OR WILL IT STAY AT THE MARINA?
This is an important consideration, as boats that will be left in the marina can be bigger and heavier, because you won’t need to tow them from one body of water to the next. If you plan to tow the boat home every time you use it, however, you’ll probably want something more manageable. You can always tow a larger boat if you’re comfortable doing so, but many people prefer to tow only smaller crafts.
RESEARCH STANDARD BOAT & ENGINE WARRANTIES
Warranties might seem inconsequential, but they can make a big difference in the overall boat-ownership experience. The best boats have top-notch warranties that protect both the boat itself and the motor. These warranties may be separate. For example, Scout has several warranties for our boats, and Yamaha provides warranties for the motors. But they always provide a level of confidence and peace-of-mind when you purchase and take to the water.
FIND EXCELLENT BOATS FROM SCOUT!
If you have more questions about the right boat for your needs, contact the team at Scout Boats today. We’ll help you understand the benefits of each model in our lineup so you can be confident that you buy the right boat for you!
