I live in Florida, and Florida is boating country. Down here, boating is a way of life. Whether its deep sea fishing, fishing the many freshwater bodies of water, or just floating along on a pontoon boat, summer time is boating time. If you're interested in getting out and about on the water, but don't know where to start, I've put together a little beginner's guide to boating that might help.
How to Begin Your Boating Adventure
I know many people hear the word boating, and they think yachts and tycoons. The fact of the matter is that getting on the water is a distincly middle-class activity. 95% of boats in the U.S. are smaller than 26 feet, and 71.5% of boat owners have an income of less that $100,000. That's a lot when you consider that there are about 12 million registered boats in the U.S. Another great thing about boating is that it helps the economy. About 95% of powerboats sold in the U.S. are made right here in the states.
I love getting out on a boat, and I want to give you a leg up if you're interested in getting out on the water yourself. Of course, there are too many things to go over in one post, but I want to give you the basics so you can begin your own adventure on the water.
A Good Guide
One of the first things I would advise you to do if you're thinking about getting a boat or learning about how to be safe on a boat is a comprehensive guide. A good guide is one of the best ways to have a reference on hand at all times. A Beginner's Guide to Boating is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to get out on the water.
Pick the Right Boat
This is a biggie. You'll need to pick the right boat for your needs. If you plan on doing a lot of water skiing, you're not going to want a pontoon boat. If you're into fishing there are several different types of boats, each serving a specific purpose. You need to do your homework to know which boat is right for you. The Boat Selector Tool from Discover Boating can help you find the boat that's right for you.
Pick a Location
This one gets tricky. You may want to go boating, but you need to know WHERE to go. Unless you live in a super rural area, there are specific places where you can and cannot boat. There are also boat ramps in place to make getting your boat into the water easy on you. You can find tons of useful information on boating with this get on the water tool. It helps you find things like peer to peer rentals, PWC rentals, charters, and more!
Choose a Resource
One of the best ways to get a full understanding of boating and what it entails is to find a comprehensive boating resource to help you navigate all the ins and outs of getting on the water. Discover Boating is an excellent resource for this. It has everything from how to choose a boat to where to put in to an informative newsletter.
Tell Me About Your Boating Experience
Do you boat? What are some of your favorite boating memories? I'm interested in your boating experiences, so tell me all about it in the comments. I look forward to reading them!
