The formula for growing closer to your family... a little water and a lot of time together in small power boats. Research has proven families who spend quality time with each other have healthier marriages and raise children with better self-images, as well as a better capacity to make good choices.
Power boats provide a means to enjoy the great outdoors in a wide variety of areas. Boat owners can enjoy inshore or offshore fishing, water skiing, swimming or just cruising. Each owner will be able to find a boat that fits not only his pocket book but also his planned water sport activity. Above you will find links to a variety of the most popular boat manufacturers.
There are many style boats to choose from. Each designed for a different purpose, activity or environment. The choice may seem simple but each family should look not only at what water sport activity they are interested in but also local water conditions. For example the family that wants to go fishing in a freshwater lake or inland river system might choose small power boats while those wanting to ocean fish would need something a bit more seaworthy.
There are only three basic ways to propel a boat through water. The first method uses oars or paddles operated by human power. This is sometimes humorously referred to as the Armstrong Propulsion System.
The second method, sailing, uses the wind to drive the boat. In the tongue-in-cheek rivalry that exists in the boating world, sailing is called Rag Bagging by power boaters.
The third method of boat propulsion uses generated power. Powerboating is often called Stink Boating by sailors.
On August 17, 1807, Robert Fulton's invention, the Clermont, became the first working commercial steamboat (powerboat) in the world. For the next 100 years, a steam engine was the only available way to mechanically drive a boat. When the relatively light-weight, simple and small internal combustion engines were developed, someone quickly figured out that they would be great for moving a boat through the water. This concept was developed and promoted by such famous powerboaters as Charles F. Chapman, Chris Smith and John Hacker. Today there are millions of larger and small power boats chugging or zooming all over the oceans, lakes, and rivers of the world.
The style and elegance of a new power boat is a wonderful thing. Imagine sitting in the comfort of a finely upholstered captains seat, the dash filled with instrumentation designed to take you to the edge of the world and back. Feel the wind in your hair as you glide over smooth, blue water. Your best friend at your side - kids lounging in the bow, smiling from ear-to-ear as you captain them on another fun-filled journey.
Do you want to buy a boat? You need to know some major factors affecting a boat's performance and safety. Three factors that you'll want to investigate are the boat's hull design, engine and drive system. You can buy used power boats; it does not mean you'll sacrifice the quality. Each boat has its own characteristics, but the same principles apply to them all. You need to know why your boat floats, why it heels (tips) and how it responds to the water conditions surrounding it. It's important to remember this: all boats are a compromise! No one boat can do everything well.
But still whether you are the operator of small power boats with a 1HP electric motor or the captain of a 20,000 HP mega-yacht, you are powerboating! Welcome aboard! If you're fortunate enough to be boating, keep in mind the feeling among many powerboaters is that the hours we spend messing around in our boats are not subtracted from our time on earth!