The Guide you didn’t know you needed for Recreational Boating!

When we hear the term “boating” this could mean a whole array of sports from living it up on superyachts or sailing along your local lake.

If you’re a bit of a thrill-seeker or instead are looking for a peaceful boating sport then we’ve listed the different types of boats for your next aquatic adventure.

Trawlers

If fishing is a common hobby of yours already or something you think you’d enjoy, then hiring out a trawler is a great way to combine deep-sea fishing and boating into one.

Great for long-distance navigation, a trawler can also withstand harsh weather conditions including cold climates and harsh waters, so is great all year round.

Depending on the size of the trawler you choose to invest in, most have onboard living conditions, so you can turn a day out on the water into an overnight stay.

Trawlers are great on fuel efficiency too!

Sailing Yachts

The months between March and September are the best time to head out sailing as this is when 90% of sailing schools are open, perfect if you’re a beginner or just want to expand on your skills.

Sailing is a great form of boating that builds on your cardiovascular fitness, helping to reduce obesity and other heart problems.

With the right expertise, it’s also a very sustainable form of boating, reducing your carbon footprint. For example, using the engine as little as possible will help with this but also takes practice.

Cruisers

Typically used on freshwater, cruiser boats are great for family days out, especially if you’re heading out on a cabin cruiser that is fitted with onboard accommodation.

Cruisers tend to be well built by the most experienced craftsmen, so, in turn, will last you a long time of fun on the water and are a great investment.

They weigh quite a bit more than a lot of other boats, but this caters for a smoother, more comfortable ride, even in choppy waters.

Wakeboard Boats (Wake boats)

Wakeboards were designed for the user to jump wakes and perform aerial tricks on the water.

The idea is that the wakeboarder connects to the boat using a rope and this performs a wake through the water (the pattern made when something glides through water).

When towing a wakeboarder, they tend to drive between 15 –25 mph but can top around 45 –55 mph when solo.

They are fitted with inboard engines towards the rear of the boat by the transom which allows for a much larger wake.

Jet Skis

On the lookout for speed? Jet skiing is great fun but also requires good balance and coordination to stay aboard the jet ski.

Think of it as a motorbike but for water!

There are plenty of jet skiing safaris and schools in the UK, like Middle Moor Water Park in Somerset, Torbay in South Devon, and various clubs in Wales.

This is also a great water sport to book if you’re heading abroad and are looking for activities to do on the beach. Cancun, Portugal, and Santorini are all amazing jet-skiing locations to name a few.

House Boats

Imagine just packing up and living on a boat, visiting all your favourite places. Pretty bliss, right?

Similar to an RV but for water, houseboats are often spotted on freshwater lakes and can in fact carry quite a number of passengers.

Their flat sides and shallow draft make them particularly redundant to bad weather, and when boating in moderate climates, you can live on houseboats more or less all year round.

So, whether you’re a thrill-seeker with a need for speed, or are looking for a more therapeutic trip along the water, we hope our guide has been useful in helping you plan your next boat trip.

If you’re looking to take your phone on your boating adventure to capture the moment, our robust and waterproof phone cases are perfect. Our dry bags also allow you to pack a load of belongings without the fear of your stuff getting wet.