Popular Types of Powerboats

There are many different types of boats out there, and as you go shopping for a boat, you will need to decide which is the best one for your needs. Learn about the popular types of powerboats that people buy for recreational use. Each has its own unique features that help it suit a certain purpose. You can see these boats at places like NauticStar boat dealers. 

Boat Types

Cruiser: A cruiser is a midsized boat, usually between 20 and 50 feet in length. The deck of the boat sits high off of the water and is made for comfort. There is a small cabin underneath the deck that is usually equipped for staying in overnight. Depending on the size of the boat, there may be more than one bed. 

Wakeboard/Ski boat: This boat is designed to take wakeboarders or water skiers out on the lake. The boat has a deep hull and often has a bladder in the back of the boat to add water for weight. This is called ballasting—the weight increases the size of the wake, which is a luxury for boarders or skiers who want to take advantage of the wake for tricks. Most boats come with a tower to attach a rope to. 

Houseboat: Houseboats are large, floating houses. They can be equipped with full bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens and may even have luxuries such as hot tubs. They can be anywhere from 25 to 150 feet long and often have multiple decks. The bottom of the boat is flat, much like a barge. This is a slow-moving boat that is made for flat water—they are most often used on quiet lakes. 

Pontoon: These boats sit on two or three pontoons, or hollow tubes. They sit low and flat on the water and can pull up in shallow water without bottoming out. They are very stable, so they are made for cruising around a quiet body of water. Pontoon boats are often just a deck for hanging out on, but some may have added amenities. 

High-performance boat: These are the fast, narrow boats that have a lot of power and are used for racing. They can accelerate and stop quickly because the engines have high horsepower and the sleek design doesn’t offer much resistance in the water. These boats vary in size, anywhere from 25 to 60 feet long, with enough room for two to six people. They have Spartan cabins. 

Personal watercraft: Commonly referred to as jet skis, these are some of the most affordable boats. They are usually made for one or two people and don’t need a lot of power. They do have a lot of maneuverability, however, as they are made for cruising around at fast speeds for fun. 

Multi-species boat: This is a boat designed for fishing in different bodies of water and for different types of fish. They are often made of aluminum or fiberglass. They can be anywhere from 14 to 24 feet long.

Bass boat: This boat is designed specifically for freshwater fishing in lakes and rivers. This boat has a V-shaped hull and is highly specialized with both a high-powered motor and a trolling motor. 

Runabout: Many types of boats at NauticStar boat dealers can be called runabouts. These are boats that are usually between 15 and 25 feet long and can be used for sports, fishing, or just cruising. They are often family boats because they are multipurpose. If you want a one-size-fits-all boat, this is your best option.