Are You Buying a Boat for Your Family?
You’re new to boating and you’re going to be a first-time B.C. boat buyer. You want to buy a boat for your family for weekend and day trips.
You’ll want to make sure you’re able to control the boat you buy and that it’s suitable for cruising, swimming, water skiing and wakeboarding, and fishing, with your family on B.C.’s beautiful waterways.
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Top boats recommended for B.C. families
Bowriders and runabouts
Bowriders
A bowrider is a kind of runabout boat with extra forward seating. Bowriders can usually have six to 10 passengers. The term runabout can also be used for a bowrider.
Are bowriders good for family boating?
They have a lot of seating and are relatively easy to handle. Bowriders are also good for watersports like water skiing and wakeboarding, tubing and fishing. They can be customized to suit various family needs, including swim steps and platforms and audio systems.
Bowriders can have enough storage for gear and equipment.
Cons for families:
Bowriders don’t have an enclosed cabin, making overnight trips more challenging and they have limited shelter from bad weather.
Smaller bowrider boats don’t usually have a dedicated bathroom while larger bowriders (23 feet or longer (7 metres or longer) may have an enclosed space with a portable toilet.
Runabouts
A runabout boat is small to mid-sized, open or partially enclosed powerboat that’s good for cruising, watersports, and fishing. It’s typically from 16 to 30 feet (4 to 9 metres) in length. It doesn’t have a cabin and usually seats 4 to 8 people.
Why are runabouts suitable for families?
Runabouts are designed for day trips, cruising, watersports, and fishing. They are generally more affordable than larger boats.
These boats are easy to handle, ideal for novice boaters. They are smaller and easier to store than a large boat.
Cons for families:
They don’t have a cabin for overnight trips or storage spaces. Runabouts also don’t have a bathroom and don’t have any shelter from bad weather. They aren’t designed for rough weather and can be less stable than other kinds of boats.
Pontoon boats
What’s a pontoon boat?
A pontoon boat is a type of flat-bottomed boat that uses large, hollow tubes (pontoons) for buoyancy.
This type of boat is generally considered ideal for families because they are easy to operate, have ample space, and are a good choice for water activities.
Why are pontoon boats good for families?
Pontoon boats are known for their stability, making them a safe choice, especially for families with young children. They also have a large deck space, allowing plenty of room to relax and socialize.
Pontoon boats are relatively easy to operate, making them a good choice for families who may not have a lot of boating experience on British Columbia’s lakes and rivers.
They are versatile enough for cruising, fishing, tubing, and swimming. Pontoon boats typically have storage.
Can a family sleep on their pontoon boat? Yes, pontoon boats are designed with plenty of deck space, making them ideal for setting up sleeping areas.
Does it have a bathroom? Not all pontoon boats come standard with bathrooms, some models offer them, and boaters can opt for portable toilets and enclosures.
Cons for families:
Pontoon boats have some drawbacks such as difficult handling in rough water, large turning radius making it difficult to navigate in a tight space, and speed limitations.
Cabin cruisers
What’s a cabin cruiser?
A cabin cruiser is a boat that’s equipped with sleeping, cooking, and bathroom accommodations. It’s like a mobile, mini home.
Why is a cabin cruiser suitable for families?
A cabin cruiser can allow a family to go on an extended trip, overnight stay, and do various water activities like water skiing and fishing.
Cabin cruisers come in various sizes, allowing families to choose a boat that best suits their needs and budget. They typically range in length from 25 to 45 feet (7.6 metres to 13.7 metres).
The cost of a cabin cruiser can vary, depending mostly on the size you choose.
Cons for families:
A cabin cruiser can be a big investment for a family, due to the costs for fuel, maintenance, and storage.
Operating a cabin cruiser usually requires knowledge of navigation and boat handling.
You’re buying a boat for family outings. What about B.C. boat insurance?
Boat insurance is recommended in British Columbia to protect you and your family and your boat investment.
It protects you financially in case of an accident, damage, loss, and theft involving your boat.
Many B.C. marinas and lending institutions will require boaters to insure their vessels.
Why is third-party liability important as part of your B.C. boat insurance?
Third-party liability insurance for a boat protects you financially if your boat causes damage to another person's property, causes bodily injury, or death to someone else.
This type of boat insurance coverage applies to you and your family and guests on your boat.
Final thoughts
To pick the right boat for your family, you will need to consider your budget, the number of people you'll typically bring along for outings, water sports you want to do, and the type of water in which you’ll be boating in British Columbia.
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