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Best Lake Boats: Considerations & Recommendations

• By Jeff Hemmel
• January 12, 2024

Every year, countless boaters enjoy “the lake life,” hanging out with friends in the cove, pulling the kids on tubes, skis and boards, or if they’re really lucky, enjoying all of the above from a lakefront home. Lakes are more plentiful and far easier to access than more limited coastal waters. They also typically offer calmer, less intimidating water conditions, a mix of party-friendly coves and secluded fishing spots, and scenic backdrops that vary by region.

Ready to join in on the fun? Here’s what to consider, as well as our expert recommendations, when choosing a lake boat.

On this page:

• Best Lake Boats
• What to consider when buying a lake boat

Best Types of Boats for Enjoying the Lake

While any boat can be enjoyable on the lake, we think the best are those that match the interests of the person or family they’re intended for. 

Popular Lake Boat Types:

• Bowriders/Deckboats – Perhaps the classic lake boats, with an open bow cockpit for additional passengers and the versatility to cruise, pull a variety of watersports or fish.
• Pontoon Boats – Once dismissed as simply sunset cruisers, modern pontoons boast impressive speed and handling, make a great fishing platform and can even be used for watersports.
• Watersports Boats – Designed to deliver the ultimate ride, watersports boats use ballast and additional hardware to produce sizable wakes for board sports, while packing in a sizable crew.
• Fishing Boats – From bass boats to fish-n-skis to center consoles, fishing boats focus on the needs of the angler, but typically offer some measure of comfort for family use.
• Personal Watercraft – Featuring agile hulls, plenty of horsepower and an intimate connection to the water, PWC continue to be high on fun factor…while growing increasingly diverse.

– SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU CARE – Nothing says ‘I love you’ like making sure the kids’ life jackets are snugged up and properly buckled. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Bowriders/Deckboat

The lines have blurred between bowriders and deckboats in recent years, but the common theme is an open bow cockpit that can accommodate additional passengers forward and the versatility to cruise, hang out at the sandbar, fish or pull everyone’s favorite towable. Featuring sterndrive, outboard or jet drive power, their V-hulls handle a variety of water conditions and prove exceptionally stable. Layouts feature seating in both bow and main cockpits and aft swim platforms ideal for swimming, coving or gearing up for watersports.

Quick facts: 

• Average new boat price: Typically priced between $30,000 – $300,000, depending on length, horsepower, brand and trim level. 
• Top Brands: Sea Ray, Bayliner, Yamaha, Chaparral, Four Winns, Scarab, Regal, Cobalt, Chris Craft, Monterey, Crownline, Starcraft, Tahoe
• Lake/water type: Ideal for small-medium lakes, but larger models with more horsepower can comfortably handle larger bodies of water.
• Average passenger capacity: 8 – 12
• Primary activities: Cruising, watersports, fishing, family fun.

Highlights:

• Incredibly versatile, with room for a family-sized crew and the ability to multi-task (i.e. cruise, fish, cove, watersports)
• Deckboats carry beam well forward, typically offering more passenger space than a runabout’s more pointed bow design.
• Most sizes are trailerable, opening up the boating lifestyle to those who live off the water or don’t wish to spend money on storage.
• Relatively simple to operate, with intuitive controls and responsive handling.

Considerations:

• Sterndrive and jet drive power not easily upgradeable should you desire to eventually repower.
• Exposed, open cockpits offer little protection in bad weather.

Runabout/Deckboats to Consider:

• Scarab 195 ID
• Starcraft SVX 230 IO

Once equated as slow, stable platforms for senior citizens’ cocktail cruise, pontoon boats have matured to become one of the best-selling segments in the boating market. Still stable as ever, but with triple-pontoon configurations offering the buoyancy for ever more passengers and horsepower, modern pontoons take advantage of their rectangular footprint to include seating that rivals many living rooms and a seemingly endless list of amenities. Larger horsepower options make a pontoon a legitimate towboat for watersports. Fishing-oriented models will also satisfy the angler.

Quick facts :

• Top Brands: Bennington, Harris, Starcraft, Sylvan, Avalon, Tahoe, Manitou, Barletta, Princecraft, Crest, Viaggio
• Lake/water type: Ideal for small-medium lakes. Larger models with triple pontoons can comfortably handle some larger lakes or even coastal waters.
• Average passenger capacity: 8 – 15
• Primary activities: Cruising, fishing, family fun.

• Diverse selection of floorpans allow buyers to choose a layout that fits their wants, needs and typical passenger load.
• Handling and horsepower have vastly improved and sometimes rival comparable fiberglass V-hulls.
• The ultimate party platform, often highlighted by cutting-edge sound and lighting systems.

Considerations: 

• Medium to larger models are not easily trailerable by common tow vehicles.
• Harder to dock/maneuver on a windy day as perimeter fencing can catch the breeze.
• Though modern pontoon configurations have lessened the advantage, V-hulls still prove superior in rougher waters. 

Pontoons to Consider:

• Bennington 20 SF
• Manitou Explore 24 Max
• Tahoe 2585 Cascade

Watersports Boats

While dedicated ski boats are still produced in limited numbers, most modern watersports boats favor the wake-sports crowd. Hulls are designed to naturally displace water. Wake-boosting internal water ballast tanks and a variety of transom hardware further dials in that wake’s size and shape. While V-drives remain the power of choice for serious riders, both jet drive propulsion and forward-facing sterndrives have opened up the market to a larger audience by also keeping propellers away from riders in the surf zone. Look for intuitive dash displays that dial in wakes, ballast and speed with just a few taps of the screen.

• Average new boat price: Typically priced between $100,000 – $300,000, depending on length, horsepower, brand and trim level. 
• Top Brands: Malibu, MasterCraft, Nautique, Centurion, Moomba, Supra, Tige, Scarab, Regal, Sea Ray
• Lake/water type: Ideal for small-medium lakes and relatively calm conditions.
• Average passenger capacity: 8 – 16
• Primary activities: Wakesurfing, wakeboarding, family fun.

• V-drives typically produce superior wakes, but forward-facing sterndrives and jet drives make wake surfing in particular accessible to a much larger audience.
• Typically a higher level of fit and finish, particularly on the interior.
• Intuitive controls make it easy to adjust multiple variables, and save a rider’s preferred settings in convenient presets.
• V-drive boats can’t be trimmed, which can mean a rough ride in choppier waters
• Typically more expensive than other boats of comparable size.

Watersports Boats to Consider:

• MasterCraft NXT23
• Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV
• Regal LS9 Surf

When your fishing grounds are freshwater lakes, your boat of choice often depends on what type of fish you’re after…and who else you have to please. Hardcore anglers can choose between low-slung bass boats, multi-species dual-console models or bigger-water center consoles. Family buyers may find the fish-n-ski the best of both worlds, or a fishing-ready pontoon offers the balance they’re looking for. Whatever your choice, look for plenty of rodholders, rod storage, livewells, and GPS/Fishfinders. 

• Average new boat price: Typically priced between $20,000 – $100,000, depending on length, horsepower, brand and trim level. 
• Top Brands: G3, Smoker Craft, Yar-Craft, Bass Cat, Nitro, Charger, Ranger, Skeeter, Starcraft, Triton, Yamaha
• Lake/water type: Ideal for small-medium lakes and calm to medium-chop conditions.
• Average passenger capacity: 2 – 8
• Primary activities: Fishing, cruising, family fun.

• Fishing-specific models recognize the needs of the angler, and provide specific amenities like rodholders and storage, livewells to keep bait fresh, electronic GPS/Fishfinders and casting decks.
• Convertible seating options often balance the needs of the family buyer, with removable cushions, seating that transitions into casting decks, etc.
• Outboard power dominates the fishing market, but jet propulsion has made inroads and offers the shallow draft ideal for skinny waters.
• Even on family-friendly models, don’t expect the same plush seating found in mainstream runabouts and deck boats.
• Some models, like low-draft bass boats, are ideal for flat, shallow waters but can deliver a rough ride in chop. 

Fishing Boats to Consider:

• Bass Cat Caracal STS
• G3 Boats Angler V178 F
• Yamaha 255 FSH Sport H

Personal watercraft deliver an experience akin to a waterborne motorcycle or snowmobile. Even the largest models are easy to tow, store and maintain. As a whole, they’re also some of the most affordable boating choices on the market. Bonus? Today’s personal watercraft are also more diverse than ever before. High-powered flagships still blast across the water and turn on a dime, but there’s also entry-level, family-friendly cruisers, playful freestylers, long-distance touring models, even wakesport and fishing-specific craft.

Quick facts:

• Average new boat price: Typically priced between $7,000 – $21,000, depending on length, horsepower, brand and trim level. 
• Top Brands: Sea-Doo, Yamaha, Kawasaki
• Average passenger capacity: 1 – 3
• Primary activities: Freeriding, cruising/touring, watersports, fishing.

• Advantageous horsepower-to-weight ratios deliver strong acceleration and thrilling top speeds, while hull designs prove agile and responsive.
• Simple to trailer and store, as well as relatively easy to maintain.
• Diverse segments now include tamer recreational models, freestyle tricksters, touring-friendly cruisers, tow-sports haulers, even well-equipped fishing models.
• Though relatively simple to operate, riders must familiarize themselves with the craft’s unique controls, including the fact that throttle is required to turn.
• Appropriate riding gear is a must, including a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket and neoprene shorts or wetsuit.

Personal Watercraft to Consider:

• Sea-Doo RXP-X 325
• Yamaha VX Cruiser HO
• Sea-Doo Spark Trixx  

– TOW LIKE A PRO – Remember to leave extra stopping room when trailering your boat. At the ramp, be considerate of others but take the time you need to launch and recover your boat safely. Always check tie-downs, safety chains, lights – and the drain plug. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Things to Consider When Buying a Lake Boat

Need more help narrowing down your options? Here are five more things to consider when buying a lake boat.

• Who will use it: Consider the wants and needs of your entire family, or those you plan to boat with. Make sure your eventual choice can accommodate everyone’s goals. 
• Safety: Likewise, make sure your crew is safe. Parents of younger children will want a deep cockpit that feels secure. 
• Size of the lake: Make sure your boat has the size and power to handle the conditions. Larger lakes require larger boats. Some may not be a fit for a boat’s size and style.
• Horsepower: Don’t test drive a boat solo, load it up like you plan to use it and see if it performs as expected. If not, consider going up in horsepower.
• Storage: Depending on the activity, friends and family may bring a lot of gear aboard. Check out the storage capacity, as well as the convenience of accessing individual compartments.
• Price: Be realistic about your budget and buy within your means. Remember added costs, like fuel, insurance, storage, etc.

– ALWAYS USE YOUR ENGINE CUT-OFF LANYARD – Make sure your Engine Cut-Off Switch lanyard is attached to your person whenever you’re underway. They’re now required on all open boats under 26 feet. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Other FAQs About Lake Boats

Have more questions about lake boats? Check out our list of frequently asked questions below, as well as extensive reviews of many lake-worthy boats at boatingmag.com.

• What is the best hull type for a lake?

It depends on the lake’s size and water conditions. A deep-V hull is a good choice for most any conditions. Flatter-bottom designs are fine if you keep to calmer, more sheltered areas. Pontoons handle mild-to-moderate conditions with relative ease, but can deliver a rough ride if wakes kick up.

• What is the best engine for a lake boat?

Sterndrive, outboard, inboard/V-drive and jet drive are all common engine choices powering lake boats. Outboards are easiest to upgrade should you want more power. Inboards are great for watersports, but can’t be trimmed like an outboard or sterndrive. Jets offer thrilling handling and low draft, but can suck up weeds and debris if present.

• What size boat is best for lakes?

Ideally, match your boat to your needs but also your lake. A 29’ bowrider is probably overkill for a 300-acre lake. Likewise, a smaller pontoon is not a good match for larger lakes that can get extremely rough.

• Are center consoles good lake boats?

An appropriately sized center console is a good choice for a lake if you’re into fishing and want full access around the boat’s perimeter. It’s probably not the best choice if family comfort is important or if you plan to do a lot of watersports.

• What brands or manufacturers produce good lake boats?

A wide range of manufacturers produce good lake boats, including runabout/deckboat manufacturers Sea Ray, Bayliner, Yamaha, Chaparral, Four Winns, Scarab, Regal, Cobalt, Chris Craft, Monterey, Crownline, Starcraft, and Tahoe; pontoon manufacturers Bennington, Harris, Starcraft, Sylvan, Avalon, Tahoe, Manitou, Barletta, Princecraft, Crest and Viaggio; watersports brands Malibu, MasterCraft, Nautique, Centurion, Moomba, Supra, Tige, Scarab, Regal, Sea Ray; and fishing manufacturers G3, Smoker Craft, Yar-Craft, Bass Cat, Nitro, Charger, Ranger, Skeeter, Starcraft, Triton, and Yamaha.

• What is the easiest type of lake boat to tow and store?

The easy answer, of course, is that the smaller the boat the easier it is to tow and store. Pontoons are typically the most difficult due to their physical size and unique trailers. Bowriders, deck boats and watersports boats depend on size. Check your vehicle’s owners manual to find its towing capacity. When figuring weight, don’t forget to factor in the weight of the trailer, as well as fuel and gear you have aboard.

• What kind of lake boats are best for families?

Bowriders, deck boats, pontoons, and wakesports boats are all ideal for families. Again, consider how your family will use the boat to determine which is the best choice. Some fishing boats can also do double-duty as family models if they offer features like convertible seating.

• Which lake boats are best for skiing, wakeboarding, or other watersports?

While many lake boats — including some pontoons — can pull a skier, wakeboarder or tuber, the best recreational rides will typically be offered by a runabout or deck boat with sufficient power. More avid enthusiasts will be best served by ski or wake-specific models designed to produce the ideal wake conditions for their individual sport. Wakesurfing? You must have a boat that keeps the propeller tucked well under the hull to keep the surf zone safe. Inboards/V-drives, forward-facing sterndrives and jet-drive engines all fit the bill.

• More: coast guard , Fishing Boats , Personal Watercraft , Pontoon Boats , Runabouts , Water Sports Foundation

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The Top 5 Best Boats for Lake Boating

Natural lakes and reservoirs are among the most popular family boating destinations because they are widely distributed and offer a variety of activities, from watersports to fishing. When choosing the best craft for your lake-boating adventures, it’s best to consider the lake or lakes you plan on visiting and the type of boating activities you’d like to pursue. A small boat may be most appropriate for use on smaller lakes, whereas a bigger boat with a lot of power and range might not be the right fit. For boating on larger bodies of water, where weekend boat traffic or wind and weather can kick up choppy conditions, a larger boat will deliver a confident, comfortable ride and have the speed and range to cover longer distances efficiently.

When planning any boat purchase , especially a lake boat, it’s best to start by determining a budget that includes the boat purchase plus any required gear and accessories, registration, insurance , annual fuel, storage, and maintenance costs.

Explore All Boat Types

Which Boats Are Best for Lake Boating?

1. pontoon boats.

Pontoon boats have become wildly popular for lake boating and offer a wide range of performance, size, and amenities.  Once used primarily for slow cruising, a pontoon can be rigged with enough power to tow tubes and skiers and cruise along at 40 MPH or faster. Pontoons range in size from less than 16 feet to more than 25 feet, with amenities ranging from basic to luxurious and options for entertaining, watersports, and fishing.  Pontoons offer lots of interior space and can comfortably carry a crew of family and friends. They are very stable in the water and are generally easy to handle. Almost all pontoons are powered by an outboard motor that’s quiet and easy to maintain. For their size and power, pontoons are not as fast or efficient as a boat with a planing hull, like a runabout or deck boat, and will not handle rough water as well as those boats. Pontoons are also a little harder to load on a trailer and tow from lake to lake than a runabout.

Explore Pontoon Boats

2. Deck Boats

Deck boats and similar runabouts are also offered in a wide range of sizes, from less than 16 feet to more than 27 feet. Most are constructed with fiberglass, but some have aluminum construction, and models are offered with outboard, sterndrive, or jet propulsion. A runabout has a sporty profile and usually has an open bow with lounge space (a  bowrider ). A deck boat typically has a broader bow lounging area and a more open cockpit layout with a less sporty profile. Runabouts and deck boats are “do it all” family boats that can be used for cruising, exploring, watersports, and casual angling. The planing hull can be fast and efficient, and its vee shape provides a comfortable ride in choppy water. These boats are also easy to trailer.

Explore Deck Boats

3. Fish-and-Ski Boats

A fish-and-ski boat can be based on freshwater fishing or runabout. In either case, the original design has been modified to make the boats more versatile: a fishing boat with some family features like a tall windshield and comfortable seating or a runabout with angling features like rod holders, a live well, and a trolling motor. These boats offer a compromise design that makes them more versatile for a family that wants to do it all on the water.

Explore Fish-and-Ski Boats

4. Watersports Boats

Designed specifically for towing wake surfers and  wakeboarders , watersports tow boats (also called Ski Boats or Wake Boats) are inboard powered and have a hull shaped to produce a desired wake. They offer lots of power for towing but at the sacrifice of speed and efficiency. Because the propeller is located under the boat, rather than behind the boat as on an outboard- or sterndrive-powered boat, a watersports boat is safe and legal to use for wake surfing. It can be equipped with special trim tabs and other accessories designed to enhance the surf wake behind the boat. These boats are also usually equipped with inboard water ballast tanks that can be filled with electric pumps to add weight to the boat, which helps make the wake even larger. A watersports boat can double as a family runabout, but the ride will not be as smooth as a runabout because the hull shape is flatter and the watersports boat does not have trim. Watersports boats are also usually more expensive than a runabout of the same length.

Explore Ski/Wake Boats

5. Cabin Cruisers

There’s a place on larger lakes for cabin cruiser boats, which offer a galley and berths for overnight stays. These boats offer a comfortable ride and are designed to cover more distance than a runabout. A cabin cruiser can also be an excellent choice for dockside entertaining. Cuddy cabin boats are about the size of a runabout but offer an enclosed bow with a low cabin that can be used for overnighting or as a shade for smaller children, a changing area, and gear storage.

Explore Cabin Cruisers

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$250M superyacht Liva O draws 'big' attention on Seattle's Lake Union

SEATTLE - The superyacht LIVA O, owned by billionaire Stephen Orenstein , has made a notable appearance on Seattle's Lake Union . 

Measuring 387 feet, LIVA O is the largest superyacht ever built by the esteemed German shipbuilder Abeking & Rasmussen . For comparison, a Washington state Olympic Class ferry measures 362 feet.

Launched as the shipyard's latest masterpiece, LIVA O represents a significant achievement for Abeking & Rasmussen, which has been in operation for over 115 years. "We have once again succeeded in building an exceptional yacht," said Matthias Hellmann, CEO at Abeking & Rasmussen. "By upholding our values of innovation, quality, and client satisfaction, we have created a yacht that sets new industry standards."

Designed by Joseph Dirand Architecture in Paris, the yacht features a sleek black hull and offers luxurious amenities, including a Neptune Lounge with an underwater view, a swimming pool, a helicopter pad and a crow’s nest. The vessel also employs a diesel-electric propulsion system for quiet navigation and maneuvering. 

So how much does a yacht of this size cost? According to Superyacht Fan , Orenstein bought the yacht in 2023 for $250 million and estimates its annual running cost to be $15 to $25 million. 

According to Forbes , Stephen Orenstein is a German-American business executive with extensive commercial real estate holdings in Germany, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S., and holds a stake in the German soccer team Eintracht Frankfurt. 

Formerly owning 75% of Supreme Group, a logistics firm that supplied food and water to the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, Orenstein took over the company in 1985 after his father's death. 

Forbes estimates his net worth at $2 billion. 

The yacht's presence in Lake Union is drawing attention from locals and yacht enthusiasts alike, marking a significant milestone in Seattle's maritime scene.

Seattle's 520 bridge to close in both directions for weekend construction

Washington secures $28M for salmon habitat restoration projects

Lightning sparks Miners Complex wildfire, burning 500 acres in WA

WA political leaders, analysts weigh in on Biden dropping out of presidential race '

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX 13 Seattle newsletter .

Best Sailboats For Lakes

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 28, 2023

Lake sailing is a popular recreational activity, and it's easy to get started. But which sailboats are best for freshwater lakes?

The best sailboats for lakes are the Optimist dinghy, the Sunfish racing sailboat, the Herreshoff 12 1/2, the West Wight Potter 15, the West Wight Potter 19, and the Cal 20 sloop.

In this article, we'll review six of the best small sailboats for cruising on lakes. Additionally, we'll go over the qualities to look for when choosing a lake sailboat, along with how to choose the right boat size for your sailing destination.

We sourced the information in this article from boat design and identification guides along with our experience sailing American lakes.

Table of contents

‍ What Makes a Sailboat Good for Lakes?

There are a few things that most lake sailboats have in common. For one, they're trailerable—and thus enable the owner to pull them out of the water and store them in a reasonably small space. They must be light enough to fit on a trailer and also have a centerboard or swing keel and collapsible mast.

Additionally, they must be light and nimble on the water and handle well. Lakes don't have consistent wind like oceans do, so lake sailboats must be able to utilize small amounts of wind but also contend with the occasional gust. In a way, lake sailboats have to be more carefully designed than larger ocean-going boats.

The largest lake sailboats have a small cabin with a berth and a place for a stove and possibly a sink. These small cabin cruisers are ideal for camping, and they're the best type of lake sailboat for large lakes and extended cruising.

Smaller recreational boats have open tops and are easy to sail. Their small size makes them relatively safe and also easy for beginners to handle. Many of them are filled with positive flotation foam, which makes them virtually unsinkable. These are the best kinds of open-top boats for lakes.

There's a difference between a practical lake sailboat and a fine lake sailboat. Classic sailboats are considered fine lake sailboats in the sense that they're valuable and fun for experienced sailors. These vessels are less suitable for beginners and recreational sailors, as they require skill to operate and maintain.

The best kind of lake sailboat for most people is a medium-sized lightweight fiberglass sailboat. These boats have been produced by various manufacturers in many configurations, and tens of thousands still exist on lakes and rivers around the country.

Do Lake Sailboats Have to Be Small?

Not necessarily—it all depends on the size of the lake and the intentions of the sailor. Full-size ocean-going sailboats can be found on some of the nation's bigger lakes, such as Lake Michigan and even Lake Cumberland.

But in most cases, the size of lake sailboats is limited to about 22 to 25 feet. A boat in this size range can sail anywhere that ski boats and pontoon boats can operate.

Best Sailboats for Small Lakes

Small lakes have the least flexibility when it comes to sailboat selection, and for obvious reasons. Thankfully, there are tons of great small sailboats that work well on small lakes. Plus, these sailboats can be carried by a couple of people and stored in a garage. Here are two of the best sailboats when navigational space is limited.

1. Optimist "Opti" Dinghy Sailboat

The Optimist is one of the most popular youth and instruction sailboats ever built. It's small, lightweight, and (almost) impossible to capsize under normal circumstances. The boat itself is basically a fiberglass (or wooden) box with a slanted bow and a centerboard.

The Optimist dinghy measures 7 feet 9 inches long and 3 feet 8 inches wide. It weighs just 77 pounds dry and has a 7-foot aluminum mast. It utilizes a spirit rig, which is a simple two-spar system that reduces the height of the mast.

The centerboard, mast, and tiller come off with little effort, and the vessel is essentially unsinkable. This makes it perfect for kids and teenagers who don't know how to sail or for smaller adults who just want a cheap little sailboat to cruise around the lake.

Optimist dinghies are remarkably easy to sail and offer a great platform for learning the basics of tacking, windward sailing, and sailboat recovery. They're available widely on the used market, as over 150,000 have been produced over the years. Plus, it's a popular racing boat, and hundreds of them show up for regattas around the world.

2. Sunfish Sailboat

The Sunfish is the ideal upgrade from an Optimist, and it's much more suitable for adults. Sunfish sailboats are designed for racing, and they're significantly larger than sailing dinghies. They require more skill to operate, but they're a ton of fun on the water and easy to master.

The Sunfish is designed for a crew of one or two adults, though it can be easily operated by just one. The hull is 13 feet 9 inches long and 4 feet 1 inch wide, and it weighs 120 pounds dry. In other words, two adults can easily lift this boat in and out of the water, and it's small enough to navigate small lakes.

The Sunfish has a lateen sail, which is an ancient design that's easy to rig and reduces mast height. For its size, the Sunfish has a very large sail area. This makes it efficient in light winds but also quite squirrelly in gusts. However, careful attention can prevent capsizing—and capsizing the Sunfish isn't actually a big deal. Simply stand on the centerboard, grab the boat and lean back to right the vessel.

Sunfish are common on the used market, as thousands have been produced since 1943. You can still buy a new one from Laser Performance for under $5,000, and used Sunfish are available for much less.

Best Sailboats for Medium-Sized and Large Lakes

People who want to sail on large lakes have a ton of flexibility in the kind of boat they use. Some people sail small sailboats, like the Sunfish or the Optimist, near shore in large lakes. However, large lakes can also accommodate much bigger boats with better accommodations, up to and including full-size cabins. Here are the best sailboats for large lakes.

1. Herreshoff 12 1/2

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The Herreshoff 12 1/2 is a beautiful classic boat with incredible handling capabilities and excellent efficiency. The Herreshoff 12 1/2 is essentially a pocket ship, as the hull is designed in the same way that classic full-size ocean-going sailboats were.

The Herreshoff 12 1/2 features a full-length displacement keel and a spacious cockpit, as there's no centerboard trunk in the way. It's also remarkably stable and suitable for use in dodgy weather. This vessel is open-cockpit and doesn't include a cabin, though some people use a boom tent to go camping aboard.

Despite being similar in length to the Sunfish, this vessel is not even in the same class. It's a full gaff rig and includes a headsail and traditional rigging. More experience is required to operate one of these sailboats, as it's a scaled-down version of a full-size cruising boat.

However, once you learn to operate the pulleys, you'll find that sailing a Herreschoff 12 1/2 is a joy in almost all wind conditions. It's small enough to use on medium-sized lakes and to tow on a trailer, and it's stable enough for comfortable and safe sailing for the entire family. Four adults can sit aboard, and it can be piloted by just one.

If you're looking for a beautiful and classic lake sailboat with ocean-going seaworthiness, it's tough to go wrong with a Herreschoff 12 1/2. These vessels are available on the used market starting around $5,000 to $10,000, and most of them can be found in New England.

2. West Wight Potter 15

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The West Wight Potter 15 is a fiberglass trailerable sailboat that was designed to be safe, fun, and easy to transport. These vessels are designed for stability, and they're unsinkable thanks to positive floatation foam. Additionally, the West Wight Potter 15 is one of the smallest sailboats you can buy with a cabin.

This 15-foot boat uses a Bermuda rig, similar to what you'll find on the vast majority of large recreational sailboats. The mast and standing rigging was designed to be extremely easy to deploy and stow, making it a great weekender for low-stress operation.

Additionally, the West Wight Potter 15 has a very shallow draft and a centerboard, making it suitable for beaching at the lake. West Wight Potter sailboats have very few unnecessary metal parts, and thus they're extremely light. Most standard full-size cars and trucks can tow this vessel without trouble.

The West Wight Potter 15 was produced until recently, and there are hundreds on the used market that you can purchase. Prices fluctuate widely, but a West Wight Potter 15 in usable condition can be found for $3,500 to $15,000.

3. West Wight Potter 19

{{boat-info="/boats/west-wight-potter-19"}}

If you're looking for a larger centerboard cruiser with better accommodations, then the West Wight Potter 19 is an excellent choice. This vessel follows the basic design principles of the West Wight Potter 15, but the cabin is much more spacious. Additionally, the rigging sets up and disassembles just as easily.

The West Wight Potter 19 is an extremely comfortable and safe boat, and it's a wonderful little pocket cruiser for extended lake trips. Additionally, the cabin is spacious enough for two adults to sleep comfortably, and there's room for a stove, a sink, and a portable head.

The West Wight Potter 19 is trailerable and lightweight. It has a centerboard, which allows the owner to reduce its draft from several feet down to just a few inches. A vessel like this can last for years in freshwater, and they're popular for saltwater cruising as well.

The West Wight Potter 19 is also quite affordable. Due to its popularity, you can find one in excellent condition for between $5,000 and $12,000 in many areas. These boats are also remarkably seaworthy, as one individual sailed his from San Francisco to Hawaii—over 2,000 nautical miles of open ocean. In other words, you'll be safe and comfortable on the lake.

{{boat-info="/boats/cal-20"}}

The Cal 20 is a classic sailboat that has been around for decades, and it's one of the most popular 'big' boats on America's freshwater lakes. It's a cruising sloop that measures about 20 feet in length and features a cabin with a unique flush deck.

The Cal 20 is much more typical of large coastal and ocean-going sailboats, and it's operated in exactly the same way. It has a tall Bermuda rig with traditional controls, so it's a great platform to practice sailing full-sized boats.

The Cal 20 features a small cabin with basic amenities, such as a sink, a place for a camp stove, a portable toilet, and a V-berth. Additionally, it's exceptionally water-tight for a boat of its kind, so it can be left in the berth year-round without serious problems.

Cal 20 sailboats are extremely robust. There's no flimsy material anywhere aboard, as they're designed for saltwater cruising and racing. They have a large sail plan which makes it easy to sail in light winds, and they're stable enough to make handling easy in the occasional gust.

The Cal 20 can be found in abundance on the used market, with prices as low as $2,000 for a functional and leak-free boat. The best places to look for Cal 20 sailboats are on the West Coast, but they can be found inland as well.

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25+ Boat Rentals in New Jersey: Have The Perfect Day On The Water

Whether you’re a first-time boater or a pro, boat rentals in New Jersey are the best way to have family fun out on the water. Renting a boat for a few hours or a full day will give your crew a chance to take a cruise, anchor for a swim, or cast a line. And no worries if you can’t swing driving—some marinas also rent boats with a captain aboard. Ready to hit the water? Read on for where to find boat rentals in NJ on the lakes and by the shore, and if you want a different experience, check out whale-watching cruises in NJ  and pirate ships, too .  (featured image istock/Ivan Kovbasniuk)

Boat rentals in New Jersey

Lake boat rentals in new jersey.

Lake Hopatcong is a great place to get boat rentals in New Jersey. Photo Credit: istock/Kirkikis

Bridge Marina Whether you’re a shore person or a lake one, Bridge Marina has two locations that give you the best of both worlds. They offer a bunch of different types of rentals, so make sure to check ahead to see what’s available on the date you are visiting. Bridge Marina Location: 89 Brady Road, Lake Hopatcong,  NJ 07849  Highlands Location: 1 Atlantic Street, Highlands,  NJ 07732 

Greenwood Lake Marina If you are looking to boat on a lake, you can choose from various boats, including a variety of pontoon boats that are standard, premium, or ultra. These boats hold 8-12 people—great for fishing or finding a secret swimming hole with your crew. 871 E Shore Road, Hewitt, NJ 07421

Lake’s End Marina Take a trip to Lake Hopatcong with the family for a day of fun. Rent an 8 or 10-person patio boat, a kayak, or a row boat with or without a motor. Rentals are by the day, half-day, or the hour. 91 Mt. Arlington Blvd., Landing, NJ 07850

Lakeview Marina Another option on Lake Hopatcong for pontoon boat rentals in NJ is Lakeview Marina. Want to feel like you own a yacht? Rent The Grand Entertainer with a captain, bar, grill, refrigerator, sink, and even a sound system. They now offer guided fishing trips, too, for the fam to enjoy. 2 South Beach Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849

Shore Boat Rentals in New Jersey

There are a variety of boat rentals in New Jersey to choose from. Photo Credit: istock/Demetri2K

Aqua Rentz Try a daily or multi-day rental with a bowrider, pontoon, or center console boat at this marina located in Lavallette. The whole family can cruise on a boat along Barnegat Bay. You can also bring your own fishing and crabbing gear on your trip. 3245 Route 35 S. Lavallette, NJ 08735

Beach Haven Watersports Explore Long Beach Island on a pontoon boat with your crew for a half or full day out on the bay. You can also rent a kayak, jet ski, or stand-up paddleboard from this one-stop shop for boat rentals at the Jersey Shore. 2702 Long Beach Blvd., Beach Haven Gardens, NJ 08008

Benchmark Boat Rentals Choose from a pontoon or a skiff and spend the day on the waters of Barnegat Bay. Whether you want to fish or tour the waters with the fam, there is a boat for you. 664 Princeton Avenue, Brick, NJ 08724

Bill’s Boat Rentals If you want a rowboat, 4-person, or 8-person boat, Bill’s Boat Rentals has plenty of choices that cater to families. They also will loan you traps, nets, buckets, and poles for a fishing excursion and guide you on where to catch blue claw crabs. 1200 Route 35 South, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751

Bobbie’s Boats Take a full-day or half-day trip out on the water and rent anything from a pontoon boat to a 17-foot Boston Whaler. And good to know—fuel and free bait are included with all rentals. 701 Bayview Ave., Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

Bunkers Marina Book a pontoon or luxury cruiser at this boat rental in Wildwood to ride the back bay of Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. Plan to coast from Post Creek to Sunset Lake and stop at any bayside bars and restaurants along the way. 745 W. Montgomery Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260

Captain Mike’s Marina Spend the day in the Great Bay with rental boats for crabbing, striped bass, fluke, and bluefish. With easy access to the salt marshes, stink house, and Little Egg inlet. 630 Great Bay Blvd., Tuckerton, NJ 08087

Causeway Boat Rentals and Marina Rent a skiff or pontoon for up to 8 people. You can even do some crabbing and fishing on two of the skiffs. All boats are fiberglass, with a canopy and necessary safety gear on board. 2200 E Bay Ave., Manahawkin, NJ 08050

Dad’s Place Marina Take a ride in a pontoon boat, skiff, or center console boat at this marina in Wildwood. Reel in a big catch, ride in the back bays or stop at Wildwood and Stone Harbor restaurants. Champagne Island is just across the way, where you can drop anchor and soak up the sun. 501 Ocean Drive, Wildwood, NJ 08260

Larsen’s Marina Boat Rentals Take the family out on the water with this marina offering full-day and half-day boat rentals in NJ. The marina is adjacent to the salt creeks, lagoons, estuaries, and bays behind Sea Isle City for a scenic cruise. 7 Old Sea Isle Blvd., Ocean View, NJ 08230

Minmar Marine You can choose from a Scout Dual Console to a Pursuit to fish or ride around Sea Isle City. If you’re planning an extended vacation, weekly, monthly, and seasonal rentals are available. 14 Old Sea Isle Blvd., Sea Isle City, NJ 08243

Oceanic Marina 8 Rent a skiff, pontoon boat, kayak, or paddleboard on the Navesink River for a calmer ride along the waterways. This marina is an excellent spot in Monmouth County for boat rentals in New Jersey. 8 Washington St., Rumson, NJ 07760

Pier 47 Marina Crabbing skiffs and pontoon boats are available at this South Jersey Marina. Each boat has a bimini top to protect you and your passengers from the sun. 3001 Wildwood Blvd., Wildwood, NJ 08260

Pirates Cove Marine Boat Rentals From a pontoon boat to a Kencraft Bayrider, you can enjoy a day on the bay, seeing the wildlife, or swimming on one of these boat rentals in Ocean City, NJ. 308 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Polly’s Dock From a Boston Whaler Center Console to a Large Garvey and more, Polly’s Dock is the place for family fun on the water. Fishing and crabbing boats are available, too. 112 Northwest Ave., Beach Haven, NJ 08008

Ray Scott’s Dock This third-generation family-owned marina has been open since 1959. You can rent small, low-horsepower boats for a small crew or party barges with a captain for a larger one. 9211 Amherst Avenue, Margate City, NJ 08402

Red Bank Marina Whether you want to crab, fish on a pontoon, or simply cruise around, Red Bank Marina gives you all the options. Looking to sneak in some cardio? They rent row boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, too. 261 West Front Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

RJ’s Watercraft Rentals Family-owned and operated, grab your friends and family and hop on a pontoon rental for a half-day or full one. Want to make it a party? Book a private Twisted Tiki Tour with a captain, a paradise-grass-adorned floating Tiki Bar where you can sit back and relax with a pina colada in hand.  421 Bayside Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751

Starky’s Ship Bottom Marine Center Located on LBI, this marina rents pontoon boats for up to 8-10 people for a half-day. Want to go on a solo adventure? They also have wave runners. 2601 Central Ave., Ship Bottom, NJ 08008

The Dock Outfitters Take a full-day or half-day trip on a pontoon boat or a Carolina skiff, and have a great day out exploring the waters with the fam. Or book one of their wave runners for extra thrills. 5 Route 35 South Seaside Heights, NJ 08751

Van’s Boat Rentals Take a skiff or pontoon boat out for clamming, crabbing, or fishing. Don’t want to drive? Book a private, guided boat cruise where their captain takes the wheel. 801 Bayview Avenue, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

Whale Creek Marina Located only minutes from Ocean City and Sea Isle City, Whale Creek Marina prides itself on its laid-back vibe. Rent their classic 16-foot rental boat for 4-10 hours and spend the day at sea exploring the Jersey Island Blueway, the back bays in Cape May County. Want to catch dinner? Rod, net, crab traps, and bait rentals are available for catching stripers and crabbing.   2700 Taylor Avenue, Strathmere, NJ 08248

Become an NJMOM Insider!  For all the best things to do with your family around New Jersey, be sure to  sign up for our weekly newsletter delivered right to your inbox each week, and don’t forget to tag your photos  #NJMOM  and  @njmom  for a chance to be featured on our social media.

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Meet the New Class of Freshwater Superyachts Bringing Bold Design to the Lakes

The vessels resemble their oceangoing cousins, but with expanded design possibilities., michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories, tiara’s newest 56-foot, 600 hp boat is a speed demon in a full-feature package, new zealand’s thrilling win gets the america’s cup off to a rip-roaring start.

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The term “freshwater yacht” was an oxymoron until J. David Weiss designed Invictus , a futuristic 80-footer that redefines large houseboats. Having penned dozens of oceangoing superyachts for Europe’s leading builders, Weiss was given carte blanche by Arizona-based Bravada Yachts to create a new freshwater category. “The designs have typically been boxy, bloated RVs,” he says. “The good news is their scale can provide a custom yacht experience.”

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The nearly $2 million Invictus has 3,200 square feet of space across two decks. The sprawling interior, with nine-foot ceilings, includes five staterooms, two full kitchens, customized daybeds and, true to its lake-boat DNA, a 15-foot water slide, while omnipresent glass delivers exceptional water views. Since even big lakes experience minimal wave action—at least compared to ocean swells—Weiss was able to push certain aspects of the design. “Bringing glass so low to the waterline is unheard of on a superyacht ,” he says. “Those kinds of differences let us explore what was possible” within the new category.

The 80-foot Invictus promises to be the first of a new generation of freshwater superyachts.  Bravada Yachts

Companies in Australia and Germany are also launching new glass-centric freshwater designs. Status’s 60-foot, tri-deck Mischief , while boxier and less maneuverable than Invictus , has a sprawling, upscale interior, while a 90-foot, single-deck model from Berlin-based HouseBoatYacht resembles a floating glass studio.

The 60-foot, tri-deck Mischief .  Status

Weiss expects a rapid evolution in the segment, with ever-larger and more elaborate designs. “It’s a great opportunity to move beyond the best-in-class designation and instead design a whole new class,” he says. “We’re really trying to do justice to what  these vessels should look like in the 21st century.”

Bravada is entertaining a proposal for a 120-footer complete with helipad. “We’re also designing one for a music label with a recording studio on board,” he says. “The owner wanted unusual features and colors, and we’ll be delivering that.”

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The Marlow Hunter 22 can be reserved for ½ day or full day (7 hour) sails.

GREAT LAKES SAILING CO.

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Lake Washington

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Lake Washington is the second largest natural lake in Washington and borders the eastern side of Seattle. Situated between Seattle and Bellevue, Lake Washington has two influent streams – Sammamish River at its north end and the Cedar River at its south. From swimming, fishing to kayaking, Lake Washington is a popular attraction in Seattle for water sports activities. If this is your first visit to Seattle, you might want to embark on a Lake Washington cruise and enjoy outdoor activities.

Beautiful Parks: Seward Park is located near Lake Washington and boasts about 300 acres of beautiful forest land, old growth forest, a 2.4 mile bike and walking path, a native plant garden and miles of hiking trails. Seward Park is a wonderful place to enjoy an afternoon lunch with your friends and family. There are several swimming spots within the park and a paved path designed for strollers, wheelchairs, bikes, etc. Stan S. Sayres Memorial Park is located a mile south of the Interstate 90 Bridge on Lake Washington. This park is famous for its stunning views with an amazing backdrop of Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak and Mount Baker. The Stan Memorial Park has many boat launch pads and you can enjoy canoing, kayaking and sailboating here. Warren G. Magnuson Park sits on a splendid mile-long stretch of Lake Washington's shoreline in northeast Seattle. You'll find more than four miles of walking trails, grassy fields, evergreen and deciduous trees, and some captivating public art installations. There is another day-use park along the freshwater shoreline on Lake Washington – Saint Edward State Park. This Park offers many outdoor play amenities. While here, you can take the opportunity to hike through a diverse century-old second-growth forest and explore its natural beauty and fascinating history. The Washington Park Arboretum is nestled into the shoreline of Lake Washington. It is home to over 40,000 trees from all around the world and offer opportunities to watch beavers and numerous bird species. Go the south end of the Lake to visit Gene Coulon Park, where you will find an interpretive botanical walk, water walk, fishing pier, picnic shelters, tennis courts and more.

Adventurous Activities: Drink pitchers of Belgian ale and head to the Lake Washington Ship Canal for a unique experience. Here you can swing from a tree into the Lake and enjoy swinging in an altogether new way. The shoreline of Lake Washington features a perimeter path for bicycles and pedestrians. Walk along the waterfront and enjoy sweeping views of the lake. If your aim is to spend the day swimming and enjoying the panoramic views, then Madrona Park and Beach is the perfect place. It is located on the waterfront on Lake Washington which boasts a wooded hillside, a grassy beach and swimming area. An ideal place for playing volleyball or running is the Burke-Gilman Trail, located along the Lake Washington. Head to the Pritchard Island Beach on the western shore of Lake Washington for amazing and quiet swimming experience. Go to the Washington Park Arboretum if you want to spend some time paddling or canoing. If you enter the Washington Park Arboretum via the Montlake Cut, then you can explore the houseboats and marina of Portage Bay.

UW Husky Football Stadium and Tailgating: UW Husky Football Stadium is home to the University of Washington Husky football team and has been recently renovated in 2013. Take a game-day cruise for a tailgate experience in Seattle style. If you are a football fan, then book a UW Husky cruise to sail your way to the stadium and party on board your own private yacht before and after your game day excursion.

Lake Washington Dining Options: From hand-crafted cocktails, refreshing Seattle dishes, delectable wine, daily happy hours to weekend delicious breakfast, waterfront restaurants located near Lake Washington provides locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the true taste of Northwestern cuisines. You will find many dining options here, from oversized sandwiches, Northwest seafood dishes to refreshing craft beers. Some of the best restaurants to give your taste buds a treat at include include Daniel's Broiler – Leschi, BeachHouse bar + grill, Ivar's Seafood Bar, Shawn’s Cafe & Bakery, Santorini Greek Grill, Bing’s, Raw Bar 89, and Casa Ricardos to name a few.

Sailing and Yachting: You can experience a variety of views while enjoying your yachting adventure on Lake Washington. Surrounded by stately homes, exquisite waterfront properties, and private beach clubs, cruising Lake Washington offers enormous opportunities to get a taste of what Seattle's leisure life is. During your sailing adventure, learn the history of the Eastside and Seattle neighborhoods bordering Lake Washington. Pass under the new Evergreen Point Floating Bridge that connects Seattle to Bellevue. Embark on a journey to discover the most beautiful sights set against a beautiful backdrop of a golden sunset with a sunset yacht charter. Take your private charter to Mercer Island. It is known for spectacular views, amazing homes and magnificent natural beauty.

Fishing: Open to fishing year-round, Lake Washington holds dozens of fish species such as Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie. You can also catch Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon. Principal fishing ramps are at Kenmore, Magnuson Park, Gene Coulon Park, and Rainier Beach Park. Some of the popular piers are Kirkland, Marina Park and the Old Ship Museum Park. Whether you are a fishing enthusiast or want to take your family on a fishing excursion, Lake Washington is the perfect place in Seattle to start your adventure.

From picturesque houseboat districts to the Husky Stadium, Lake Washington is a treasure trove for visitors looking to spend some wonderful time in the Emerald City. Take time for some hiking, biking, fishing, or kayaking in Lake Washington when you visit the city of Seattle. At Pacific Northwest Yacht Charters, we provide private luxury yachts to charter and enjoy Seattle, Lake Washington, Lake Union, Ballard Locks, and Puget Sound in a way like no other. We also provide custom luxury event charters to host special events including wedding ceremonies, anniversaries, birthday parties, business events, company meetings and more. Contact us to find the right charter for your next vacation or special event in Seattle, and we'll recommend the best yacht for you.

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25 Best Songs for the Ultimate Boat Party Playlist

Table of Contents

Last Updated on June 6, 2024 by Boatsetter Team

Boating songs really bring out the best in everyone. There is nothing like having some relaxing music in the background or even blasting from the speakers of your  boat rental . Some songs on this list are true classics, while others might be new to your ears. We’re pretty sure your crew will learn the lyrics fast. Here are 25 of the best songs for your boat party playlist.

• Kokomo – The Beach Boys
• Sailing – Christopher Cross
• It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet
• Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet
• Boats – Kenny  Chesney
• Banana Boat – Harry Belaforte
• Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
• Rock the Boat – Hues Corporation
• The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
• No Shoes, No Shirts, No Problems – Kenny Chesney
• How Deep Is Your Love – The Bee Gees
• Sunshine and Summertime – Faith Hill
• Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
• Soak Up the Sun – Sheryl Crow
• Son of a Son of a Sailor – Jimmy Buffet
• And, It Stoned Me – Van Morrison
• Drive – Alan Jackson
• Southern Cross – Crosby, Stills, & Nash
• Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
• The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot
• Yellow Submarine – The Beatles
• Come Sail Away – Synx
• Kenny Chesney, Uncle Kracker – When The Sun Goes Down
• David Gray – Sail Away
• Rod Steward – Sailing

Let’s crank the volume up and dive into these songs together.

Find unique boat rentals and on the water experiences near you  

1. “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys

You don’t really have to be anywhere near the Florida Keys to enjoy this tune, but it sure helps if you are. Listen to the enticing Caribbean steel drums and lie under the clear sky on your comfortable deck . Forget all your problems and simply enjoy some afternoon delights, cocktails, and the waterview.

2. “Sailing” by Christopher Cross

“And if the wind is right you can sail away and find serenity… oh, the canvas can do miracles/Just you wait and see/Believe me.” This popular and peaceful song from 1980 will certainly take you away from all of your worries and really set the scene for your next sailing vacation.

3. “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett

Country star Alan Jackson and living legend Jimmy Buffett give you all kinds of reasons to start an early day of drinking. We think you will find that on a boat, it is so much harder to feel any kind of guilt about pouring “something tall and strong”, whenever in the day the mood strikes you.

4. “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett

Another cracking tune by Buffett, this is the song that inspired his massive empire and an entire lifestyle of beach-related fun. Sailors young and old will forever be glad to spend time searching for that lost shaker of salt.

5. “Boats” by Kenny Chesney

Following in the sandy footsteps of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney is a newer country artist with a lot of summery songs that can go well with boats, including this really relaxing tune about “vessels of freedom.”

6. “Banana Boat (Day-O)” by Harry Belafonte

Way back in 1956, famous Jamaican-American singer Harry Belafonte put out this well-known song about the lives of dockworkers, and by now, almost everyone knows how to sing “day-o!”

7. “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys

This one was originally a traditional West Indies folk song called “The John B. Sails” that the Beach Boys revised in 1966. The song is about John B., an old sponger boat whose crew often got drunk when they came into port . Not surprisingly, the boat crashed and sunk off the coast of the Bahamas in about 1900.

8. “Rock The Boat” by Hues Corporation

This 1974 disco hit “Rock The Boat” is sometimes considered the first disco song to top the Billboard Top 100 charts. The catchy song compares some of the ups and downs of being in a relationship to time spent on a boat.

9. “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding

Recorded in 1968, this classic dedicated to the dock is ideal for a sunset sailing cruise. Listen closely to the song, and you’ll hear the soothing waves in the background while you are “wasting time.”

READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Sandbar Parties

10. “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” by Kenny Chesney

Chesney’s clever play on the popular “no shirt, no shoes, no service” saying might become one of the anthems of your next boat trip. Just don’t take his advice when you pull into port, or you may not get served after all.

11. “How Deep Is Your Love” by The Bee Gees

This soothing and relaxing melody will leave you with long-lasting memories of the blue sky, the water, and a bunch of white sails flapping away in the distance “on a summer breeze”.

12. “Sunshine and Summertime” by Faith Hill

When this song comes on the playlist, you’ll probably think all about the barefoot ladies and people getting crazy on the boulevard. Just pull out your colas and ice-cold beers for a big boat party on the water .

13. “Surfin’ USA” by the Beach Boys 

A popular throwback song that every American can get behind when they can’t wait till June, this famous hit has been the very epitome of summer since the Beach Boys released it in 1963. If you’re going on a boat trip in California , put this tune on while you sail around Alcatraz, beneath the Golden Gate Bridge , and go about.

14. “Soak Up The Sun” by Sheryl Crow

Another thing to soak up is some sun. When there is not a cloud in the sky, just rub on some tropical sunscreen and turn up the volume on this hit from 2002. And if the boating lifestyle doesn’t get everyone in your crew to lay back and relax, sing louder when Sheryl Crow tells “everyone to lighten up.”

15. “Son of a Son of a Sailor” by Jimmy Buffett

Boating skills are often passed down from generation to generation, and Jimmy Buffett sings about that in this catchy song from 1978. Some of the best lines are at the end of the song, with “the sea’s in my veins, my tradition remains.”

16. “And It Stoned Me,” by Van Morrison

This is about two young guys on their way to the county fair. It starts raining, but it doesn’t bother them. They wait it out happily but don’t want it to rain all day. They hitch a ride to the creek for some fishing and swimming, then head home and meet their neighbor for some moonshine.

17. “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” by Alan Jackson

If you are taking a trip to a “little lake across the Alabama line ”, put on Alan Jackson’s 2002 story of a boat “built out of love.” For Jackson, the boat is a “piece of my childhood that’ll never be forgotten.”

18. “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash

According to Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1982, their many years of sailing under the Southern Cross became a really helpful way to get over some of their most difficult relationship problems.

19. “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison

Simply listen to Van Morrison’s amazing melodies and evocative lyrics to feel like you’re in a movie about boating . Lie back, smell the sea, feel the sky, and let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic.

20. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot

If you are looking to learn a bit of history while enjoying your music, this song might be just perfect for you on the water. It recounts the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald freighter, a large ship that came to a watery end during a powerful storm in November 1975.

21. “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles

This famous song does not actually try to tell a specific story, and some of the lyrics are hard to understand, but the blue skies, a sea of green, and a yellow submarine make this tune the closest thing to a Beatles boating song there is.

22. “Come Sail Away” by Styx

Styx band member Dennis DeYoung wrote the song feeling a little depressed about lower than expected album sales. Over the years, it has reached immense popularity, getting featured on adult cartoons like South Park and Family Guy!

23. Kenny Chesney, Uncle Kracker – When The Sun Goes Down

24. David Gray – Sail Away

25. Rod Steward – Sailing

Explore water-travel destinations! Find your next trip at Destination guides and other boating resources here .

Songs about boats

Here are some other great boating songs that will help you keep a great mood while boating. Listen to these songs on a boat and make sure the party keeps on going.

26. Little Big Town – Pontoon

27. Ed Sheeran – Boat

28. Chris Janson – “Buy Me A Boat”

29. Blackjack Billy – The Booze Cruise

30. Luke Bryan – Huntin’, Fishin’, And Lovin’ Every Day

31. Crosby, Stills & Nash – Southern Cross

32. Drunken Sailer – Irish Rovers

33. Where the Boat Leaves From – Zac Brown Band

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Seven escape from Utah Lake boat fire with no injuries

by Kaigan Bigler, KUTV

LINDON, Utah (KUTV) — Seven people escaped from a boat fire on Utah Lake near Lindon.

Sgt. Dallin Turner with Utah County Sheriff's Office said a call for a boat on fire at Utah Lake came in at about 2 p.m. Monday.

All seven people on the boat were wearing life jackets and jumped off the boat, Turner said.

MORE from KUTV: Midvale man falls overboard from houseboat, is found dead at Lake Powell

A State Parks ranger and a bystander helped the occupants get to the shore with no injuries, Turner said.

He added that the cause of the fire was under investigation Monday night.

Jetski, boat collide on Lake Travis; 3 people hospitalized

LAKE TRAVIS, Texas - Three people, including two children, have been hospitalized after a jet ski and a boat collided on Lake Travis Saturday.

The crash happened around 2 p.m. at Wharf Cove.

Two children were taken to Dell Children's; one suffered potentially serious injuries and the other was airlifted with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.

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An adult was also transported to St. David's Round Rock Medical Center with potentially serious injuries.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by members of the Texas Game Warden Forensics Reconstruction and Mapping Team.

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Sunken Superyacht Likely to Cost Insurers at Least $150 Million, Experts Say

Insurers of the Bayesian superyacht that sank this month, killing tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others, could be on the hook for at least $150 million, according to the first estimates by industry experts.

The British-flagged 56-meter-long (184-foot-long) yacht, which the experts estimated cost around $40 million, capsized and went down on Aug. 19 within minutes of being hit by a pre-dawn storm while anchored off northern Sicily.

The superyacht’s hull was insured against physical damage by yacht insurance provider OMAC and a consortium of insurers including Travelers Cos. Inc., Navium Marine, and Convex, Reuters reported last week.

Yacht Insurer OMAC Is Hull Carrier for Yacht Sunk Off Sicily, Sources Say

Its protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance, which typically covers third-party liability claims including for environmental damage, injury and death, was provided by British Marine.

The hull was likely insured for around $40 million, while the P&I cover would be larger, insurance sources said.

“Our understanding is that the cost of the boat was between $40 and $50 million, so the limit of the hull & machinery policy was probably around those values,” said Marcos Alvarez, managing director, global financial institution ratings at Morningstar DBRS.

The P&I policy would likely be “several multiples” of the hull policy, or $200-300 million, Alvarez added, noting it would also likely cover liability payments even if the captain or crew are found to be negligent.

Prosecutors in the town of Termini Imerese, near Palermo, are investigating the captain and two other crew members. An investigation does not imply guilt or mean formal charges will follow. Prosecutors have said the probe would take time and require salvaging the wreck.

Oscar Seikaly, CEO of broker NSI Insurance Group, that provides yacht insurance, estimated the hull value at $40-70 million, but said P&I cover might not total more than $100 million.

P&I insurance would also cover recovery of the Bayesian, said Francesco Dubbioso, country manager for Italy for insurer Alta Signa Europe, who estimated the superyacht’s value at $30 million to $40 million.

Reuters is the first to report the potential insurance costs. OMAC, Travelers and Navium Marine did not immediately respond to Reuters’ for comment. Convex declined to comment.

The Bayesian disaster, which has puzzled experts who said the boat would have been built to withstand a severe storm, adds to recent woes for yacht insurers, who have faced a raft of hurricane losses in the past few years.

Premium rates have risen by four to five times in the past couple of years in parts of the U.S. and the Caribbean, and yacht insurers have cut the amount of cover they provide because of the risks, Seikaly said.

As a result, insurers have increased rates and re-evaluated their guidelines and risk appetite, according to industry experts.

As well as hurricanes, insured losses have mostly stemmed from severe storms, floods, and other weather events in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe, according to a report by broker Marsh.

Seikaly said four clients had last week been ready to buy boats but changed their minds because of the high cost of insurance.

Climate change was also likely to add to yacht insurers’ worries, Seikaly added, as it throws up more unexpected events.

“Whoever thought a storm in the Mediterranean in the month of August is going to sink a ship?”

(Additional reporting by Sinead Cruise; editing by Michelle Price and Sandra Maler)

Photograph: Italian Firefighters scuba divers bring ashore in a blue bag the body of one of the victims of the UK flag vessel Bayesian, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Topics Carriers

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• Categories: International & Reinsurance News Topics: British Marine , Convex Group Ltd. , marine insurance , marine liability insurance , Navium Marine , NSI Insurance Group , OMAC , protection and indemnity (P&I) , superyacht insurance , The Travelers Cos. , yacht insurance
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8 Best Boats for Both Lakes and Oceans

Categories Boating

Embarking on a search for a Boat that can be good for both Lakes and Oceans might seem like a daunting task, given the contrasting nature of these water bodies. However, it’s by no means an impossible mission. Whether you’re planning a serene lake expedition or a thrilling ocean adventure, the boat you choose should offer a harmonious blend of resilience, stability, comfort, and safety. In this ultimate guide, we’ll narrow down the top contenders that seamlessly address the unique demands of both environments, kickstarting your journey towards finding the perfect vessel for dual aquatic experiences.”

1. Catamarans

Catamarans, with their distinctive twin-hull structure, provide unmatched stability, making them a great choice for both peaceful lake waters and the variable conditions of the ocean. Whether you’re traversing a serene lake or tackling ocean waves, catamarans’ broad decks offer ample space for families and friends, enhancing the boating experience.

Ideal Catamaran models for both lakes and oceans:

• Bali Catspace
• Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40
• Leopard Catamarans 45
• Gemini Legacy 35

2. Cabin Cruisers

Cabin Cruisers aptly blend comfort, style, and power, making them an excellent vessel for navigating both lakes and oceans. They are particularly handy for extended trips, offering home-like amenities while being robust enough to handle a wide range of water conditions.

Ideal Cabin Cruiser models for both lakes and oceans:

• Sea Ray Sundancer 320
• Regal 33 Express
• Chaparral 310 Signature
• Four Winns Vista 355 Coupe
• Jeanneau NC 1095

3. Sailboats

Sailboats offer you the serene pleasure of harnessing the wind’s power, a feature that suits both lake waters and open oceans. They require expertise to sail but provide a unique, environmentally-friendly navigation experience. Sailboats excel in large lakes with consistent winds and are adventurous voyagers of the sea when equipped with a sturdy hull design.

Ideal Sailboat models for both lakes and oceans:

• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410
• Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
• Bavaria Cruiser 41S
• Dufour Grand Large 390

Yachts are synonymous with luxury and sophistication, thus making every voyage an extraordinary experience. Known for their spacious design and high-end features, yachts are as suited to cruising along a tranquil lake as they are for exploring the vast expanses of the ocean.

Ideal Yacht models for both lakes and oceans:

• Princess Y78
• Sunseeker Manhattan 68
• Galeon 680 Fly
• Ferretti Yachts 780

5. Center Consoles

Truly versatile, Center Consoles are designed with an open hull and plenty of deck space, perfect for a wide range of activities on both lakes and oceans. Equipped with robust engines, these boats perform just as well angling for lake trout as they do wrestling with ocean waves.

Ideal Center Console models for both lakes and oceans:

• Scout 355 LXF
• Boston Whaler 350 Outrage
• Grady-White Canyon 456
• Sea Hunt Ultra 255 SE
• Vexus AVX1980cc

6. Pontoons

Pontoons, with their unique flat deck and buoyant tubes, provide a stable and spacious platform that’s adaptable to a variety of settings. Their flexible design offers smooth operation on placid lake waters and can also be outfitted for more rugged ocean usage.

Ideal Pontoon models for both lakes and oceans:

• Harris Crowne DL 250
• Avalon Catalina Platinum Quad Lounge
• Starcraft SX 25 C DC
• Bennington R Series 25 RSD
• Regency 230 DL3

Canoes offer simple, quiet, and close-to-nature adventures. Their straightforward design allows for easy steering and steady movement. This makes them fantastic for exploring lake shores and also suitable for coastal ocean journeys when the sea is calm.

Ideal Canoe models for both lakes and oceans:

• Old Town Discovery 169
• Mad River Explorer 16
• Wenonah Spirit II
• Sun Dolphin Scout SS
• Nova Craft Prospector 16′

A kayak is one of the most popular boats for both lake and ocean. Kayaks are small, lightweight boats that work well in either environment. They are very portable, making them an ideal boat for a day trip or traveling to a different location. They are also very affordable, which is why they are so popular. Although kayaks may seem like the perfect boat for your needs, it is still important to consider what kayak you want to buy.

A sea kayak is a boat that is designed for use on the ocean. These boats are typically longer than they are wide and have a rounded hull. These boats usually have a rudder on them, allowing the user to steer the ship in whichever direction they want. The primary difference between sea kayaks and other types of kayaks is that sea kayaks are designed to be used on the ocean, while other kayaks are intended for use in lakes or ponds.

Guide to Choosing a Boat Suitable for Both Lakes and Oceans

Navigating diverse water bodies like calm lakes and unpredictable oceans requires a just as versatile boat. Here’s a handy guide to aid you in selecting the perfect boat that you can cruise confidently on both lakes and oceans.

Identify Your Needs

Start by clearly determining what you anticipate to get out of your boat. Will you use it for relaxed cruising, fishing, high-speed water sports, or long-distance traveling? The type and size of the boat will greatly depend on your specific needs.

Consider the Boat Size

Smaller boats like canoes, kayaks, and small pontoons might be perfect for leisurely lake trips, while mid-sized cabin cruisers or large yachts might be more suited for trips involving ocean travel and overnight stays.

Examine the Boat Design

Different boat designs serve different purposes. An open wide deck is ideal for fishing and activities needing more space, a feature found in center consoles and pontoons. For stability in both calm and rough waters, go for catamarans with their dual-hull design.

Check for Comfort and Accommodation

If you plan to spend extended time aboard, ensure comfortable seating and suitable accommodations. Cabin cruisers and yachts provide home-like amenities, making them a great choice for long ocean trips.

Assess the Boat’s Material

Boats meant for both lakes and oceans need to be strong and durable. Fiberglass and aluminum are typical materials known for their robustness and ability to withstand varying water conditions.

Think About Stability and Handling

A stable ride is crucial, regardless of the water body. Boats with a deep V-hull design help ensure stability in tranquil lake waters and choppy ocean waves.

Evaluate the Boat’s Power

Boats intended for ocean use tend to have more powerful engines to tackle waves and currents. Ensure the engine is strong enough for ocean use and adaptable enough for leisurely lake sailing.

Inspect Safety Features

Safety is paramount, especially when ocean sailing. Look for boats equipped with lifejackets, fire extinguishers, navigational lights, and a reliable communication system. Other safety features, like a self-bailing cockpit, can be advantageous in rough weather conditions.

Choosing the right boat requires careful consideration. Visit boat shows, take demo rides, and discuss your needs with experienced dealers. Make an informed choice and tackle both the lake and ocean with confidence.

 safety tips for using a lake boat on the ocean

• Always check the marine forecast before setting out.
• Equip your boat with navigation charts of the ocean area.
• Ensure your boat’s engine has adequate horsepower to handle ocean waves.
• Secure all objects on the boat to prevent shifting in choppy waters.
• Have the boat’s hull inspected for seaworthiness.
• Equip your boat with a marine VHF radio for offshore communication.
• Test the bilge pumps and make sure they’re functioning well to handle any flooding.
• Have more lifejackets on board than the number of passengers.
• Equip your boat with visual and sound signaling devices.
• Keep a throwable life-saving device on the boat.
• Carry enough provisions, including water and food, as ocean voyages can take longer than expected.
• Always inform someone on shore about your expected return time and the approximate area you’ll be sailing.
• Keep a first-aid kit and other emergency equipment handy.
• Consider installing a self-bailing device to handle heavy water inflow in rough weather.
• Make sure everyone on board follows a safety briefing before heading out to the ocean.

In conclusion, navigating the diverse waters of lakes and oceans opens up a world of aquatic adventures. However, it requires careful consideration when choosing the right boat and understanding how to safely handle the unique conditions each environment presents. This guide walks you through the essentials, from determining your boating needs to evaluating boat design, comfort, and safety features. It emphasizes foresight, preparation, and vigilance as critical factors for a successful journey, whether you’re exploring placid lakes or braving ocean waves. Embark on your nautical journey confidently, and make the most of your time on the water, regardless of where your adventures take you.

How big of a boat is needed to cross the ocean?

When crossing an ocean, a boat must have a specific size to fit in the water and move. A ship that is 20 feet in length is generally the minimum size required to cross an ocean. The size of the engine on the boat also affects the size of the boat. If the engine is large, the ship will be more significant.

Can you put a regular boat in the ocean?

You can put a boat in the ocean, but it is not recommended. Boats that are meant for ocean use are much more sturdy and can take more punishment than a regular boat. If you are going to be on the ocean for more than an hour or so, then it would be safer to have a boat that is made for ocean use.

Can you use a pontoon boat in the ocean?

Yes, you can use a pontoon boat in the ocean, but it’s best suited for calm, near-shore waters and not for high sea or rough weather.

What safety equipment should I have on my boat for ocean sailing?

Essential safety equipment for ocean sailing includes lifejackets, navigational lights, marine VHF radio, fire extinguishers, a first-aid kit, visual and sound signaling devices, and a throwable lifesaving device.

Are sailboats suitable for both lakes and oceans?

Yes, sailboats can be suitable for both lakes and oceans, but the choice will depend on the size of the lake and ocean conditions. Most importantly, they require sailing skills to navigate.

What should I consider when choosing a boat for both lakes and oceans?

Consider factors like your specific needs, boat size, design, material, comfort & accommodation, stability & handling, power, and safety features when choosing a boat for both lakes and oceans.