One of the best perks of living on a lake is boating on a beautiful day. But there are tons of types of boats out there, all for different purposes, so where does one start? For the fisherman or dedicated water-skier there are obvious choices, but if those aren’t your interests, what next?

For the Laid Back Boater – Pontoon Boat

Most people have heard of pontoon boats – they’re flat boats, often supported by two tubular floatation devices. Motors typically top out at around 100 HP (although there are some that are larger) and their speed doesn’t go much above 20 mph.

Typically not fast enough for skiing or tubing, pontoon boats are great for those who want a leisurely afternoon or evening on the water – great for sipping drinks or hors d’oeuvres with friends.

For the High Energy or Athletic Boater – Speedboat

Like the pontoon, most have heard of a speedboat. Great for waterskiing and tubing, the average top speed of a speedboat is in the neighborhood of 40 to 50 mph.

The downside to speedboats often rests in the larger, raised bow which can limit the amount of seating and reduces the potential areas from which to fish.

For the Solo Boater (Who Likes Speed) – Personal Watercraft a.k.a. Jet Ski

For the boater who likes speed and the ability to go on their own adventures, a Jet Ski may be a good solution. However, like sports cars for some, these aren’t typically the sole boat in a family’s dock, as they have a limited capacity, only seating 1 or 2 people. However, there is a level of thrill that a PWC offers that isn’t attainable anywhere else.

Also worth noting – sometimes jet skis are powerful enough to pull a tuber or skier, but double check on this (as well as safety regulations) before you make your purchase. Additionally, the small size of a PWC can allow you to explore small channels in which a normal boat could not fit.

For the All-Around Boater – Deck Boat

SunDeck SD 187 OB by Hurricane

Certainly not as “mainstream” as the others, the deck boat could be a great solution for many people. Often powered by similar motors to speedboats, with the seating of a pontoon boat, these types of boats allow for a wide array of activities – from skiing to leisurely boating excursions. Additionally, the layout often allows for several places for the casual fisherman to cast from.

There are a myriad of types of boats on the market, so when picking your next watercraft, make sure to check out all your options.