Boat buying made easy for today’s consumer

A Missouri family on a recent outing enjoying their pontoon boat. The pontoon boat is gaining in popularity because of its versatility.

Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail

Boating is becoming increasingly popular every year on the state’s waterways.

As predicted there will be lots of people on the water this year due to boating and all the recreational activities associated with it. Whether they are into fishing, swimming, sailing, boat camping or being on the water for a cruise down the lake.

There are a lot of first time boat buyers and buying a boat should be an exciting and enjoyable experience and, it can be with a little planning and thought.

Today’s fishing boat buyer has more choices than ever. Some buyers, however, are intimidated by all the choices, though they don’t need to be. They can actually help themselves find a boat that’s just right before ever leaving home.

Issues like hull design, outboard size, features and options are all factors in finding a new boat and can be figured out in advance.

What kind of fishing will they be doing and what type of waterways will they be using most of the time, should help them make a decision as to what type boat will best serve their purpose. For example; if they like to fish for bass and usually fish small lakes, a modified “V” aluminum boat would be fine. However, if they want to fish in tournaments, they might consider a performance fiberglass boat that will provide great range and speed. If a boat buyer likes to fish for walleye, they would be happy with a deep V-hull.

Today’s boat buyer will find boats with an outboard motor, trailer, trolling motor, fish locator and other accessories. The bottom line, every boat buyer can help themselves by assessing what they want and need in order to enjoy their favorite kind of activity the most. This will help them narrow their choices and stay within their budget.

One type of boat that is growing in popularity is the pontoon boat. This versatile boat fits the bill for many families. The reasons are numerous. The pontoon lets the angler fish in comfort and can be used for a cruise down the lake or anchor in a cove for a family picnic on the water.

A bass boat is a common site on area lakes as more and more bass tournaments are held.

Ken White /Special to the Daily Mail

Sales of pontoon boats were up nearly 50 percent in 2015 –– and according to the national Marine Manufactures Association, the pontoon boat is utilized by more than any other segment of the American boating market. They no longer have the reputation as the slow “party barges” that they had traditionally held .

“Buying the pontoon was one of the best things I ever did,” said pontoon boat owner Carl Martin, of Independence. “We have used the boat nearly every week since I got it. If we aren’t fishing, we are swimming, skiing or just cruising down the lake.”

Martin said he has a friend that has a pontoon and he told me he would take clients aboard for a business luncheon meeting. “I had them just where I wanted,” quipped Martin’s friend. “When we talked business they knew if things didn’t work out just right, they might have to swim back.”

If you are a tournament angler, a bass boat might fit the bill. Bass boats are a specialized boat with a low-profile and ability to reach fishing water in a hurry, as they are powered with 150 to 300 horsepower.

The open cockpit design makes it easy to start fishing right away. Bass boats are equipped with livewells that deliver cool-oxygenated water, as the tournament fisherman must keep there catch alive.

If you are a weekend angler after bluegill, crappie or anything that bites, a smaller boat might work for you. Fred Goodman is happy with his 15-foot fishing boat that has a 25 horsepower outboard motor he bought 12 years ago. He said, “It’s all the boat I need.”

A lot of anglers have found an all-purpose fishing boat to be their best buy. Most look a little like a bass boat, but with a deeper hull and higher sides. If equipped with a trolling motor they can scoot you from place to place and, are usually enabled to carry several persons on the lakes to fish for everything from panfish to big bass and catfish.

Some anglers just need a small rowboat or kayak. Pond fishermen like Robert Thomas, of Lamar, said he only fishes farm ponds and small lakes where he can fish from the shore. However, he said that this year he was planning on getting a kayak so he could reach places he can’t get to from the bank.

“I think I would be able to catch more and larger fish from a kayak or canoe,” said Thomas, “so I have been looking around to see what would be right for me.”

There are plenty of choices when considering buying a boat and planning ahead can save you time and money. When you are out on your favorite lake this summer and it seems like there are more boats than ever, you are right.

Boating is big business today.