It’s not easy to find the right fishing boat, but it’s worth it. After all, you want to catch as many fish as possible without getting bored or seasick on the water. The first step in finding a good vessel for yourself is understanding what makes a good fishing boat. Here are five things to consider when buying a fishing boat.
Location
The first thing you should consider when buying a fishing boat is where you are going to fish, and where you will launch the boat. If your fishing spot is only accessible by boat, then it’s important that the vessel be able to get there. The same goes for storage of your vessel when not in use: if you plan on storing it in an area that isn’t fit for boating or launching, then it’s best to find a different boat altogether.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of your new fishing boat are also important factors. The size of your fishing boat will determine how much weight it can hold, but it’s also important to know how much weight it can carry. For example, a small open-bow trolling motorboat might be able to carry two people and some tackle without too much trouble, while larger models can handle up to 12 passengers and large amounts of equipment.
A large boat that is meant for deep-sea fishing might weigh over 1 ton (2,000 pounds), but even smaller boats generally weigh around 200 pounds or more when empty.
Type
There are several types of fishing boats, each with its own pros and cons. The most common types include:
Open bow
This is the most popular style for recreational fishermen because it provides easy access to the water. Most average-sized boats can accommodate an open bow, but if you’re looking for something larger than 40 feet, you may want to look at a different style. Additionally, open bows tend to be cheaper than their closed counterparts because they don’t require as much material or labor during construction or assembly. This also makes them easier to maintain over time (e.g., if one part breaks down). If you’re planning on fishing in shallow waters where visibility isn’t an issue or if you don’t mind getting wet while casting your line then an open bow might be right up your alley!
Closed stern (aka aft cabin)
This type offers extra room behind its main console that can be used for storage purposes such as holding bait/tackle boxes or even sleeping quarters if necessary; however, it does come at an increased cost, which is certainly a thing to consider. The boat is one of the best gifts for a fisherman you can get, but if you are getting it for someone else, you don’t want to spend all of your money.
Seating
The number of seats you need on your boat depends on how many people you plan to take out with you. If you’re the only one who will be fishing, it’s easy—you only need one seat! But if there are multiple people who want to join in the fun, then it becomes more complicated – consider buying a fishing boat with more capacity.
If there will be multiple passengers aboard at once, think about whether or not they’ll all have room to sit comfortably without being cramped (and still have room for their gear). Remember that standing up straight isn’t always an option when sitting in a small vessel like this—especially if someone else is already occupying that spot! For safety reasons alone we recommend choosing a boat with enough seating capacity so as not to put anyone at risk during operation.
Inboard vs. Outboard Motor
Inboard motors are more expensive, but also more reliable. They tend to last longer because the motor is mounted inside the boat and not exposed to water and dirt.
Outboard motors are cheaper, but they are less reliable. Outboard motors have no protection from water or other elements that can cause damage and rust over time. Additionally, outboard motors can be damaged if you don’t carefully maintain them (change the oil regularly, etc.). On top of that, an outboard motor may need replacing sooner than an inboard one due to wear-and-tear caused by exposure to water and other elements like dust and sand in addition to being bumped into docks/piers/other boats/etc. So, it’s important that you take care of your equipment properly if you choose this option!
Inboard engines use less fuel than outboards do because they’re mounted inside the boat rather than outside where they’re exposed directly to open-air currents which create drag on them while they run faster causing extra heat production within their systems as well as increasing overall weight around something such as propellers spinning up quickly without proper lubrication between surfaces which could cause problems later down line with wear patterns showing up on both sides first before spreading outwardly along entire diameter lengthwise too quickly sometimes causing damage altogether due might need replacing sooner than expected plus costs involved aren’t cheap either!
Conclusion
If you’re interested in buying a fishing boat, we hope our buying guide has helped you make an informed decision. As we touched on earlier, there are many factors to consider when purchasing something as special as this—things like size and weight; type of motor; seating capacity; and more. If none of these things matter much to you (or if they do but they don’t seem to be available in the right combination), then perhaps it might be time to look at other options. In any case, remember that it is always best if possible to try before buying!
