Choosing the Right Type of Boat

Aluminum Fish Boats

Aluminum fishing boats are more affordable than fiberglass boats and often weigh much less in comparison of similar sizes. Typically used for freshwater fishing, this style is easy to trailer and launch, and is more durable to withstand damages. Maintenance for these boats is simple, requiring just a quick rinse and scrub after use.

Bass Boats

Designed primarily for freshwater fishing on inland rivers and lakes with sleek, low-profiles that offer less water disturbance for better fishing.

Bay Boats

Bay boats range from 17 to 25 feet and are trailerable. Center-console design with fore and aft casting decks usually focused on light tackle or shallow water fishing, but allow for all sorts of freshwater and saltwater fishing. Featuring less V in their hulls (commonly 14 to 18 degrees of deadrise) helps keep the draft low, so they can get into back-country fishing spots.

Bowrider Boats

Bowriders are a very popular type of runabout boat with an open bow for seating. These models can be powered by stern drives, jet drives, or outboard engines. Most bowriders are used for day cruising and watersports.

Center Console Boats

Versatile boat for day cruising, saltwater and freshwater fishing delivering excellent performance, rough-water ability, and good looks.

Commercial Vessels

Commercial vessels are most often custom-made and designed for professional fishermen, divers, or for use in the cruise industry.

Cruisers

Cruiser boats are medium-sized, trailerable vessels generally used for on-the-water activities, such as overnight cruising and day cruising. Models with more power can hold motors up to an enormous 2,762 horsepower, while the most compact and efficient utility models may have as little as 150 horsepower engines on them (although the average motor size is 600 HP).

Cuddy Cabin Boats

Cuddy Cabin boats are medium-sized, trailerable vessels generally used for day cruising, watersports and fishing.

Deck Boats

All-purpose recreational boats designed to be versatile, ideal for cruising and entertaining.

Duck Hunting Boats

Hunting boats are designed specifically for duck hunting, or water fowling in shallow water.

Fishing Boats

Purpose-built for various types of fishing, capable of many different activities. There are many different types of fishing boats with a variety of options, accessories to help catch and store fish. These boats can also be useful for a wide range of other boating activities.

Freshwater Fishing Boats

Often smaller fishing boats, which are designed to provide a fishing platform on lakes, rivers and streams. These freshwater boats include a variety of different specialized boats, such as aluminum fishing boats, jon boats, duck hunting boats, and bass boats.

High Performance Boats

High-speed boats designed to look good and go fast. Often used in races or communal “runs” for sport, speed boats are designed for boaters with a "need for speed".

Houseboats

Large boats with house-like features, which can be moored and used as a liveaboard.

Jet Boats

High-performance watercraft designed for up to four people, these machines are always fun to ride and use a water jet instead of a propeller.

Jon Boats

With many different fishing boats on the water, Jon boats are the most common. A flat bottom boat almost always built of aluminum. 

Motor Yachts

Most luxurious large powerboat for ocean cruising and entertaining, providing ultimate cruising comfort and seaworthiness ideal for long periods on the water.

Pleasure Boats

Versatile boats for the family designed for a variety of family fun day trips or overnights and are versatile for skiing, fishing, day cruising or sightseeing. Pleasure boats are popular among families and boating enthusiasts.

Pontoon Boats

Built for freshwater and saltwater with large flat decks ideal for entertaining, fishing, swimming, lounging, and partying with enough speed and maneuverability for watersports.

Saltwater Fishing Boats

Typically larger fishing boats designed for coastal and offshore fishing, such as sport and open fishermen boats, center consoles, and power catamarans decked and rigged for fishing. Included in this group of saltwater fishing boats are vessels also referred to as Angler or Bluewater fishing boats.

Ski and Wakeboard Boats

Designed for serious watersports with water skiers and wakeboarders in mind as they are built to be the best platform for towing. These boats also offer a variety of activities for the family.

Weekender Boats

Designed to take short journeys lasting a few days, a Weekender may have a simple cabin or two with accommodation usually for two to four people and basic gallery.

Catamaran Boats

Catamaran sailboats are larger in size, sailing vessels generally used for time-honored endeavors such as overnight cruising and day sailing. Catamaran sailing vessels have a rich legacy as vessels that are sought-after due to their bigger draft and very wide beam - qualities that make these vessels exceptionally great for overnight cruising and day sailing.

Cruiser Boats

Cruiser sailboats are larger in size, sailing vessels frequently used for time-honored endeavors such as overnight cruising and day cruising. They can differ in size, with the shortest vessel currently listed measuring 22 feet in length, up to the longest vessel listed at 67 feet long. Cruiser sailboats have a minimum total sail area of 299 square feet, a maximum total sail area of 2,520 square feet and an average of 865 square feet.

Daysailer Boats

Daysailer sailboats are medium-sized, trailerable, sailing vessels usually used for time-honored on-the-water activities such as day sailing and racing. These vessels can differ in size, with the shortest vessel now listed measuring 10 feet in length, up to the longest vessel listed at 60 feet long. Daysailer sailing vessels are manufactured by a wide variety of boat builders with hull types including monohull, trimaran, deep vee and other designs.

Motorsailer Boats

Motorsailer sailing vessels have a rich legacy as vessels that are sought-after due to their deeper draft and very wide beam - qualities that make these vessels exceptionally well-suited for overnight cruising and day sailing. These boats can vary in size, with the shortest vessel presently listed measuring 25 feet in length, up to the longest vessel listed at 86 feet long. The maximum number of passengers for motor sailers currently listed on Boat Trader is 30 people, with an average capacity of 8 people.

PWC and Jet Ski

PWCs generally come in two different types: sit-downs and stand-ups. Stand-ups are geared more towards competitive racing and tricks, and only hold one rider, whereas sit-down models usually hold 2-3 people (sometimes up to 4).

Canoe/Kayak

Kayaks and canoes are extremely popular for those who want to get out on the water in a fast and affordable fashion.

Dinghies

A small boat which can also be towed or carried on larger vessels. Dinghies usually range in length from about 6 to 20 ft. Dinghies can be powered by a motor, a sail or unpowered. 

Inflatable Boats

Small raft-like lightweight boats filled with air, the transom is often rigid to allow for the mounting of an outboard motor. Ideal for personal recreational use on rivers, lakes and oceans these inflatables are easy to deflate and store, making them ideal for quick and easy access.

Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBS)

A development of an inflatable boat, the modern RIB provides a very predictable lightweight, fast seaworthy boat with a rigid hull and large side inflatable tube to add buoyancy, absorb minor knocks and help build confidence.