Powerboats offer one of the most exhilarating experiences in boating. These engine-powered vessels provide a different kind of energy rush but at the same time are very safe and easy to use.
There are many ways you can enjoy powerboats. Whether you are looking for speed, pleasure, or both, there is a powerboat that will fit you and the things that you want to do.
A pleasure boat is perfect for cruising around. If you are looking for fun on the water, hop on waterskiing and wakeboarding boats, or maybe a jet boat. For a greater high, you can try a high-performance powerboat. Going on a yacht will give you a taste of leisure and luxury.
When deciding what powerboat to choose, you must first determine the primary purpose that you want for it. If you are looking for speed, then go for boats with high performance motors and drives that could take to speeds of more than 120 mph to 150 mph.
If you intend to use the powerboat to enjoy time with family and friends, then you would need a boat that has amenities designed to accommodate more people. Your powerboat should have enough seating capacity, sufficient storage space and even safety features for children. Most importantly, it should give you and your passengers a smooth and stable ride.
A Little History
In the early 1920s, Chris Craft started building some highly successful racing boats. Its founder Chris Smith started building speed boats and experimented with a variety of hull and gasoline engine combinations. The results of this quest for speed were highly innovative hull designs that run with record-breaking velocity.
Other names that were pioneers in the powerboating industry include the Garwood Boat Company, Hacker Boat Company, Century Boat Company, Lyman Boat Works, and Higgins Boat Company. These firms all had their share of bringing style and innovation to powerboats.
Types of powerboats
Below is a list from Discover Boating’s glossary of some of the different types of powerboats that serve a variety of purpose:
Air Boats
Glide in very shallow water and typically are used for seeing nature and fishing. Power is usually an aircraft engine with propeller for pushing. 18 to 26 ft. long. (Trailerable; 2-5 people)
All-Purpose Fishing Boats
For those who fish from a boat for everything that bites, these are "generalist" craft with space for fishing gear, several bench seats or a few pedestal chair-back seats, a simple steering station or steer-by-tiller. They can be aluminum or fiberglass, are almost always outboard-powered, and are 15 to low-20s ft. long. (Trailerable; 1-5 people)
Bass Boats
Specialty craft for getting to the bass, fast. Accommodate larger outboards. Have lots of storage space for rods and gear. Outfitted with electronics and livewells. Usually feature a raised-deck casting platform in the bow (and often the stern), with provision for an electric trolling motor. Most often fiberglass, but aluminum models are available. Range from 16 to mid-20 ft. (Trailerable; 1-5 people)
Bow Riders
All-purpose runabouts with extra seats and forward access to the bow, a convenient spot to relax and sun. Outboard or stern-drive power. Smaller versions are fine for water skiing; larger versions allow some camping. All are suited to short-distance cruising. Mid-teens to upper-20s ft. long. (Trailerable; 1-5 people)
Catamarans, Power
The two-hull design offers added stability, less hull resistance and a larger load bearing capacity. When under way, air flows between the two hulls creating lift just like an airplane wing. As a result power catamarans tend to gently slice through waves, instead of pounding down on them, offering a smooth comfortable ride at any speed.
Center-Console Fishing Boats
Allow angling from any place on deck, since the control station is located in the center. Generally outboard powered, some have small cabins for the "porta-potty" or to escape a squall. Depending on size, can be used offshore as well as near. Length from mid-teens to high-20s. (Trailerable; 1-5 people)
Deck Boats
Feature a one-level deck throughout and often rails or gunnels all around, all built on a performance hull. Multi-purpose craft that serve anglers, swimmers, sunbathers, evening social cruisers, and folks at the dock. These are stable craft. A number of guests will find room to enjoy being aboard; six friends on smaller versions, eight to ten on larger ones. Some have small cabins. Most often outboard powered, though some feature stern drives. Range from mid-teens to upper-20s. (Trailerable; 1-8 people)
High-Performance Boats
Designed for speed, these can be deep-vee or catamaran-hulled craft with big power. Creature comforts are included in the cockpit and below decks; fishing craft are more spartan. Outboard and stern-drive power, often sophisticated engines, can push even larger craft to speeds in the 60-mph range, sometimes faster. Size starts in the mid-20s and tops out in the 50s. (Trailerable; 1-5 people)
House Boats
These are the recreational vehicles of the water, with wide beams and cabins that cover most of the deck. Inside are private staterooms, a head or two (with shower), a big galley, and eating and entertainment areas. Generally used on calm bodies of water, though some with modified vee-hulls are found on big rivers and the Great Lakes. Fiberglass or steel hulls are common. Even the small house boats that start about 30 ft. are spacious; hotel-sized craft range up to the 50s and 60s. (Not Trailerable; 1-8+ people)
Jet Boats
So described because they are powered by jet pumps linked to engines. Fun and usually wet, small versions starting at about 12 ft. can take two or three along; larger versions ranging to 18 ft. can accommodate a couple more folks or pull tubers or skiers. (Trailerable; 1-5 people)
Jon Boats
Multi-purpose camping, freshwater fishing and hunting craft, typically aluminum and powered by a small to moderate outboard or oars. Length in mid-teens to low-20s; accommodates three to five on bench seats, plus gear. (Trailerable; 1-5 people)
Motor Yachts
All the amenities of home in a traditional vee-hulled craft for gracious cruising or entertaining at the dock. A number of design variations offer more aft deck space for fishing, private aft cabins, sunning space on flybridges or on front decks. Fiberglass and aluminum hulls, sophisticated electronics, choice of gas or diesel inboard power in singles or twins. Typically range from 30 ft. to the 60s and 70s. Accommodations range from five or six to a dozen or more. (Not Trailerable; 1-8+ people)
Personal Watercraft
More often known by brand names such as "Jet Skis" or "Sea Doos." Two varieties include stand-on or sit-on; latest versions have gotten a bit bigger to accommodate three adults. Fun, fast, wet. Range from about six to 10 ft. (Trailerable; 1-3 people)
Pontoon Boats
Two tubes, usually aluminum, under a stable deck surrounded by railings and powered most often with outboards. Often covered with a canopy, featuring plenty of seating space (sometimes convertible to sleepers). Good for fishing, swimming and sunning. Start in the high-teens and go to the upper-20 ft. range. (Trailerable; 1-8 people)
Racing Sailboats
Span a wide variety of possibilities from high-performance dinghies with spinnakers and trapezes to a newer crop of offshore one-design classes, ranging from 30 to 70 ft. These performance-oriented boats trade off weight and luxury for speed and maneuverability, and are generally more spartan below decks with utility berths, head and galley equipment available over 22 ft. (Not Trailerable; 1-8 people)
Runabouts
Feature open or closed bows, outboard or stern-drive power, and mostly vee-hulls. Fun for water skiing and wakeboarding, fishing, cruising, sunning throughout the day. Some add camper canvas to allow overnights. Probably the most popular fiberglass boat made, though some are aluminum construction. Range from about 16 to upper 20 ft. (Trailerable; 1-8 people)
Waterski Boats
Powered by inboards, these "throw" a perfect wake for very serious water skiers and wake boarders. Used at tournaments and for training. Passengers usually include the driver and a "spotter." Range from about 18 ft. to the mid-20s. (Trailerable; 1-5 people)
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Power Boats 