Fiberglass Boats

The alternative to pontoons and tritoons is the traditional speedboat or powerboat. These boats are incredibly popular among boating enthusiasts with many makes and models to choose from. On the whole, they deliver more performance on the water than a pontoon or tritoon in terms of speed and handling, especially in rough water. Many boaters also prefer the line and aesthetics of power boats. They look sleek and sexy, where a pontoon or tritoon lacks the same kind of dramatic lines and visual appeal. While originally constructed with steel or wooden hulls, fiberglass has replaced these substances as the material of choice due to its strength, durability, and ease of manufacturing.

Boating Activities

The three most popular types of pleasure boats to choose from for water sports today are the bowrider, the deck boat, and the jet boat.

Bowriders

The bowrider is very popular for many boaters from the novice to the very experienced. They’re versatile and highly maneuverable. Bowriders are designed with an open bow area forward of the helm that has extra seating (hence the name). Most bowriders are 17' to 30’ long. They’re powered by either an inboard/outboard or an outboard engine and are popular for:

• Fishing
• Skiing
• Wakeboarding
• Tubing
• Day cruising
• Taking family or friends to a favorite waterfront restaurant

Bowriders are a good choice for smaller families and those new to boating.

Deck Boats

Deck boats are usually between 25’ to 35’ long, making them an excellent choice for larger families and more extensive boating activities. They have wider bows, a wide beam, and a V-shaped hull (or a tri-hull-type configuration up front that transitions into a V shape amidships) which provides for crisper turns and better handling in rough water than a pontoon boat. Some deck boats also employ a catamaran hull design. Their abundant deck space offers lots of room, as well as ample storage and seating for families and friends. Powered by an outboard or an inboard/outboard engine, they’re made with fiberglass, although some are made with aluminum. Their size and speed make them versatile enough for an array of activities, including:

• Skiing
• Tubing
• Wakeboarding
• Parasailing
• Fishing
• Entertaining
• Water picnics
• Open water swimming
• Beaching on a sandbar

Jet Boats

While jet boats used to be considered an undersized bowrider or an oversized personal watercraft (PWC), today they’re full-sized and include practically all the amenities of many inboard/outboard boats. Instead of the standard propeller, jet boats have single or multiple jet drives (an impeller built into the hull in a recessed cavity) for propulsion. At around 14’ to 24’ long, these boats are generally used for many popular water sports, such as:

• Skiing
• Wakeboarding
• Tubing
• Fishing
• Open water swimming

They’re highly maneuverable, even in shallow water since they have no exposed propeller that can be damaged on rocks or shallow lake bottoms. They’re fast, responsive, and fun to drive, providing the best handling of any power boat at high speeds.

Costs/Maintenance Requirements

Bowriders

You can spend anywhere from $17,000 to $150,000 for a 30’ bowrider, depending on the features and amenities you want. You can find them from less than 20’ long with minimal equipment and accessories to 30’-plus luxury models with a cabin amidships, a berth, and an inside head. Modern manufacturing has reduced the maintenance requirements of these power boats, but you’ll still need to change your engine’s oil every 50 to 100 hours. If you’re in Michigan, you’ll need to winterize your boat, as well as perform spring prep. Some experts suggest you plan on between $1,000 to $2,000 a year for maintenance costs, depending on the age and requirements of your boat. Ongoing costs will include your monthly payment, your insurance, your registration fee, as well as storage and winterizing expenses.

Deck Boats

Depending on the size and the amenities included, you’ll pay anywhere between $16,000 to over $100,000 for a luxury deck boat. Like most other boats, you should plan on changing your engine’s oil every 50 to 100 hours, depending on the type of oil you use (fossil or synthetic) and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Experts also advise you change to your gearcase fluid every 100 hours. That’s also a good time to inspect the thermostat, fuel filter, anodes, drive belts, and spark plugs. When you reach 300 hours of use, you should replace things like drive belts, spark plugs, and the rubber water pump impeller.

Monthly costs can include your payment (if you financed your deck boat), insurance, and fuel (during boating season). Other costs will encompass any maintenance performed, storage fees, and your boating registration fee.

Jet Boats

Prices on a new jet boat range from around $21,000 to around $66,000. You’ll also need standard boat insurance and storage. Expect to change your oil every 50 to 100 hours as the manufacturer recommends and depending on whether you use regular engine oil or synthetic. You’ll also need a professional inspection of your fuel filter, thermostat, anodes, drive belts, and spark plugs. Like any sterndrive (I/O) or inboard power boat, you’ll have regular costs that include your monthly payment (if you financed your jet boat), fuel, insurance, your boating registration fee, and storage fee.

Who Buys/Enjoys Them Most

Bowriders

Due to their generally smaller size, bowriders are popular with new boaters and young or small families that enjoy towable water sports, day cruising, and fishing. For even more specialized water activities, many manufacturers produce a bowrider that is either distinctly designed and equipped for towable water sports, or designed and outfitted specifically for fishing.

Deck Boats

Because they’re larger in size, as a rule, and have lots of deck room and seating, deck boats are well-suited to larger families, experienced boaters, and older boaters. They’re very comfortable which makes them perfect for day cruises, extended fishing trips, and pretty much every popular water sport.

Jet Boats

Jet boats are smaller and designed for speed and maneuverability, with greater fuel economy. Today’s models also have much better slow speed maneuverability, useful when docking. As such, they’re a popular choice for younger boaters who enjoy speed and performance for faster skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, and more. They’re perfect for open water swimming, a favorite activity of young boaters.