Top five boats for families
Choosing a family boat is very exciting but it can also be a little bewildering, simply because there are so many boats out there to choose from.
With such a huge selection of family boats, you might need to sit down and figure just what you're going to use the boat for before you commit yourself to buying one. If you're looking at good all-round used boats that you can spend some time cruising or fishing on rivers, then you need to look at river boats. If however, you are planning to cruise offshore, then you need to look at a completely different type of family boat.
Having said this there are a few designs that can be used in fresh water and salt water too. This includes many all-purpose fishing boats are well designed and virtually indestructible. They are also very affordable and they do have a lot of features, including live wells and rod lockers.
Aluminium Flat Bottomed Jon boats are great if you and the family are real outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy a day’s fishing. They are versatile little boats that are great if you're a real camping enthusiast.
Other very good family boats you might like to consider are Bowriders. They are very popular because the whole family can enjoy lots of seating area in the open bow, as well as the swim platform at the stern.
Those looking for family boats should take a look at Cabin Cruisers as well. These popular boats offer all the comforts a recreational family boat needs, including a galley and head. They normally have a sleeping berth too.
Then there's the Cuddy Cabin, which has to be the best family boat around in my opinion. These boats are very easy to manoeuvre around. Cuddy Cabins are very similar to a Bowrider, only they have a closed deck that covers the bow. Again, they offer great features including a head, a sink and sometimes they do have cooking facilities in them too. With the extra features that both Cabin Cruisers and Cuddy Cabins offer, they really do make the best family boats around - especially if you are planning to spend a couple of days on the boat when you're taking a family holiday.
Written by W Honeywood
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