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Types of Boat Designs
Air Boats
Are used in shallow swamp like conditions like the Everglades. They are
usually used for nature tours and sometimes for fishing. Power is
provided by an aircraft engine with air propeller that pushes the flat
hulled vessel. These boats can be quite fast and although noisy are a
lot of fun.
Bass Boats
These boats are designed to be fast and trail able. They are usually
powered by large outboards. Most have storage for fishing rods and
tackle and also come with coolers as well as live bait wells. Most bass
boats have a raised deck multiple fishing stations and are designed to
be stable while operating at high speeds as well as when being pushed
with a trolling motor. These boats are available in fiberglass or
aluminum.
Bow Riders
Bow riders are great All-purpose runabouts. These family boats have
extra seats in the bow section rather that having a covered bow. Access
to the bow is usually through an passage way through the front windows.
These boats are available with either outboard or I/O power. Bow riders
are great for water skiing, bay fishing, and cruising. Many of these
boats can also be trailed.
Canoes
Canoes are great for exploring shallow bays and creeks. They provide an
excellent form of exercise and are fun when used in rivers for running
white water. Canoes can also be used for fishing as well as getting to
out of the way waterfront camping sites. Canoes can be made from
fiberglass, aluminum or high-tech composites.
Catamarans, Power
The two-hull design claim to added stability as well as better speed. I
have seen many of these boats offshore but do not have any experience
myself with these designs. According to Capt. Rick Schwarz these twin
hull boats slice nicely through small to mid size waves. They are
extremely stable but may not handle as well when the weather offshore
gets very nasty.
Center-Console Fishing Boats
These are great small to mid size fishing boats. They allow angling from
360 degrees around the boat. Most center console boats are outboard
powered. Depending on the size and hull characteristics many of these
center console boats can be used offshore as well.
Cuddy Cabins
Small cabin cruisers with compact cabins that permit boaters to get out
of the weather, Most have 1-2 bunks, a port-a-potty and samll galley.
These boats can be outboard or Io powered. The make great fishing boats
as well asday cruisers
Dinghies
The classic row boat. Constructed from fiberglass, wood or aluminum
these all around row boats come in a variety of sizes. They can be used
for transportation to a larger moored vessel or as a means to get to the
middle of the bay or harbor for fishing. Many can also accommodate a
small outboard which drastically increases the range of the durable,
affordable vessels.
Downeast Workboats
Downeast designed boats are usually built in the New England area. They
are often used as work boats for lobster fishing. In recent years many
sport fisherman and scuba divers have converted to using these boats
because for their legendary sea keeping abilities and stability. These
boats can carry a huge amount of weight while still performing well in
all sea conditions.
Skiff Boats
Shallow-draft hulls, mostly fiberglass, with tilting outboard engines.
These boats are designed for shallow water operation. They permit
fishing in the shallow. Many also perform well as ski boats and day
cruisers. Skiffs are often used as a life boat and harbor runabout for
larger vessels. Many are also a kids first powerboat. Many are rugged
and built to withstand running aground. They may not come with all the
creature comforts of more expensive vessels but the speed and durability
as well as easy maintenance make skiffs very popular.
Speed Boats
Designed for speed, these can have deep-v, shallow-v or catamaran
designed hulls. Most have high HP outboards of IO power. Creature
comforts include bucket seats in the cockpit. These boats can be very
fast and as a result must be built strong to take a pounding. While not
for everyone these muscle boats have become very popular.
House Boats
House boats may not be the vessel of choice for everyone. For example
those that want to head offshore to fish or enjoy inshore waterskiing
would not opt for a house boat. House boats are however the perfect
family vacation vessel. Kind of like an RV on the water. Not only are
they great fun for cruising around but many vacation destinations off
house boat rentals. Cruise in comfort on the inland waterways, let the
kids fish of swim and watch beautiful scenic sunsets. For anyone
interested in House Boating I would suggest renting a house boat first.
Take a little vacation and see what it all about before investing in a
vessel of your own.
Inflatable Boats
Most who are familiar with boating have had some experience with
inflatable boats. These are not kids toys but seaworthy stable craft
capable of high speeds through all types of seas. The classic zodiac
with an outboard serves as a run around and lif boat to many large
vessels. The Coast Guard now use a rigid hull inflatable for many
offshore rescues. I was hired a couple years ago to bring a 400 pound
sail out to meet a sailing vessel about to depart on a record trans
Atlantic crossing attempt. Running my boat through the 6' seas was not
problem but how could I raft up to the much larger sail boat without
damaging both hulls? The answer was simple the sail boat lowered its
inflatable which rafted up with my boat. We then rolled the 400 pound
cargo aboard the inflatable and off she went through a 6' chop like is
was nothing. Inflatable boats have since earned a lot of respect from
myself and other area Captains. Of course they come in a variety of
sizes and styles. Some are great as a kids first boat others are worthy
of being a primary offshore fishing vessel.
Jet Boats
These speed boats are are powered by jet pumps. Almost like a boat
version of a jet ski. These boats are a lot of fun. the high speed and
maneuverable design is great for towing tubes and water skiing.
Jet Skis
Jet skis are becoming more popular each year. These personal watercraft
are fast, maneuverable
and a blast to ride. For most jet skis are just fun to ride. Others like
to jump waves and I have seen others
tow tubes with there kids behind the ski. These units are great in
shallow water and especially fun on calm
lakes and inland waterways. Some controversy has arisen over jet ski
accidents recently. The problem seems to
come from people who are not familiar with the waterways navigation
rules. These Jet skis are just so fast and maneuverable
that it is easy for them to make turns and accelerate directly into the
path of another boat. Bottom line is the Jet Skis
are perfectly safe as long as the rider is responsible and follows some
basic rules of the road.
As with all types of power boating I highly recommend those unfamiliar
with operating a marine vessel to obtain
some basic training. Then proceed with caution and use good common
sense.
Kayaks
Kayaks have become very popular in recent years. You can now find kayaks
designed for whitewater, lake, fishing, scuba diving and many other
specialties. Some of these boats require skill and experience to
maneuver other are sit on top designed and extremely stable (even for
kids). Best of all Kayaks offer the rider a fun, rewarding and sometimes
exciting way to enjoy the great outdoors. My kids love to kayak in the
creek behind our home. Its great exercise providing a great upper arm
and cardiac workout. Others ride the waves in the inlet or travel to
nearby whitewater rivers. Anyway you cut it Kayaks can allot of fun.
Luxury Yachts
Luzury Yachts come in a variety of sizes and designs. Some are designed
for long distance trans Atlantic cruises. Others for offshore
sportfishing in comfort. Most have traditional deep vee-hulled designes
for a comfortable ride. Powered by either gas or more often diesel
engines many of these boats have an upper steering station, sallon,
state rooms as well as all the comforts of home.
Fishing Boats
Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the great USA.
Offshore fishing is the best of the best. Heading offshore as an
adventure that for some is unparalleled. Whether for shark, tuna or any
other large fish species the offshore angler is sure to find thrill
adventure and will surely come home with at least a great fish story.
The first part of any offshore fishing adventure is getting there.
Within the pages of this web site I have listed links to many of the
most popular offshore fishing boat manufacturers and distributors. I
invite you to scan through these pages and compare design and features
to find your perfect offshore fishing boat. I have also included
information on marine electronics and fishing tackle and an assortment
of other fishing related products and services. Enjoy and see you
offshore.
Pontoon Boats
Pontoon boats are a unique type of vessel great performance and
stability. Pontoon boats have evolved into very comfortable day cruise
vessels. Most often seen on calm water rivers and lakes these vessels
can be powered by an outboard engine or two. Pontoon boats are capable
of carrying a decent about of weight and the large flat platform can be
set up with a variety of bench seats, tables, coolers or whatever the
owner desires. We used a pontoon boat to scuba dive on the Cooper River
in South Carolina. The boat handles well even when loaded with heavy
scuba gear.
On this page you will find a variety of links to popular pontoon boat
manufacturers and distributors. I have also included links to other
marine related products and services.
Family Runabouts
Runabouts are most often V hulled small fiberglass or wood hulled
vessels. These boats are fun for water skiing as well as wakeboarding,
fishing, and cruising. Runabouts are the most popular family boat
because of the size and flexable design which permits the family to
enjoy a variety of water sport activities.
Scuba Dive Boats
Dive boats vary drastically in size, style and design, depending on what
type of conditions they were designed for. For our purposes they will
fall into two main categories, commercial and private. When dealing with
commercial charter boats divers should have to only check to see that
the Captain is licensed and that the vessel is certified for the number
of customers on board. Divers can usually just relax and wait for the
Captain to anchor up to the wreck and then enjoy the dive. Private boat
show ever need a little more discussion. First the boat, hopefully a
good seaworthy craft needs to be prepared for diving. Of course a dive
flag is necessary, but so is a grapple hook, granny line, current line,
oxygen, medical kit, sturdy ladder, radio, depth recorder, loran C,
radar, and compass, as well as the knowledge and seamanship to use them.
As with wreck diving duplication is the key to a safe and enjoyable day.
Many boats choose to have two Lorans, radios, and depth recorders.
Private boats may also have davits to hoist in heavy artifacts and tank
racks or bungie systems to prevent damage due to tanks rolling in a
heavy sea. Since this book is not about seamanship, rescue or metal shop
lets assume that the boat is properly fitted and the operator
experienced. For new boat owners I recommend a course given by the US
Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary. Finding the wreck is the next
problem. In Bermuda, Florida or other clear water locations many wrecks
are located with the aid of triangulating land ranges. After aligning
these ranges the skipper looks for un-characteristic straight lines on
the otherwise barren sand or coral bottom, which indicate a wreck is
underneath. In the northeast most wrecks are located with a loran-C.
Loran, is an acronym for Long Range Aid to Navigation, triangulates land
based radio transmission broadcast form approximate right angles and
interpolates this information into two lines of numbers. A loran
location is usually exact to within 50 feet, which means that each time
you return to the exact number where the wreck is you are within 50 feet
of the exact spot. Loran numbers for known shipwrecks are available in a
number of shipwreck books as well as on nautical charts. Boaters should
realize that the loran number taken on one boat may be slightly
different from the reading observed on their boat. This is why it is
very important to keep your own list of loran numbers. When you are
doing an initial search for a wreck and have approximate numbers place a
marker bouy over the numbers you have then do a series of slow grids
over the area. The whole time keep an eye on the depth recorder,
watching for the wreck profile. You can also watch for depth changes
because it's common for larger wrecks to have wash out around them. If
the depth drops quickly it could be a wash out. Grids can be of circular
shape, figure eight or straight line. Once the wreck is located another
marker bouy can be tossed over and the exact loran number should be
noted. To anchor with a grapple hook simply approach the marker bouy
from down current and toss the hook after the wreck appears on the
recorder. The hook should grab in one or two throws and divers can then
descend to tie in the hook. The grapple should be tied into the wreck to
avoid it from breaking free. Some divers use a separate line while
others just wrap the grapples chain around some solid wreckage. Be very
careful when working with an anchor. Any surge, wave or current can
quickly pull the hook upward. Always stay up current from the grapple
when setting or pulling it. Never get between or under the anchor line
to work on the anchor. Who ever sets the hook should also make sure that
the line cannot chafe on any overhead wreckage. Before sending divers
into the water the boat operator should be certain to raise a dive flag,
put a current line with afloat off the stern and if there is any current
present he may set up a granny line. Granny lines are used by divers to
assist themselves up to the anchor line in current situations. The
granny line should be attached to the anchor with a shackle and weighted
so it drops to about 20 feet. The line should also be attached to the
dive boats stern so it is within easy grasp after a diver does his
entry. The granny line works well especially when divers are entering
the water using a giant stride entry. This is because the diver has
better control as to where he is going to land. Sometimes divers using
entries such as the back roll will get caught in the floating granny
line and another adaptation is needed. In these cases divers can be
pulled forward by someone on the boat with a short line. There should
also always be a capable person left in charge of the boat. Never leave
the boat unattended while you go diving. Whoever is left topside should
be instructed not to allow any other boats to anchor on top of the
divers in the water, how to operate the vessel, use the loran, have the
correct loran coordinates for the wreck and know how to use the radio
and the proper emergency channels. Let me stress the importance of this
with a little story. Of course as always I had to learn the hard way.
Kevin Travell, a dive buddy of mine and I were diving a small tug boat,
the Fran S.It was a night dive and Kevin had brought our friend Phil to
sit on the boat. Phil had never been on my boat before and had
absolutely no experience in power boating at all. Kevin and I anchored,
then descended leaving Phil in the middle of the ocean on a dark full
moon evening. After catching about six lobsters Kevin and I checked our
air and bottom time. We headed for the bow and I started to untie the
grapple anchor that secured the dive boat to the wreck. Kevin tapped me
on the shoulder, he was tangled in some monofilament line. I quickly
hooked the grapple back into the wreck and cut the fishing line off
Kevin's first stage. When we turned around the grapple was gone. We came
up on an up line did a safety stop and surfaced to find we were alone.
Floating in the middle of the ocean in complete darkness. As we rose to
the top of a wave we spotted the boat. Phil was sleeping in the stern
while listening to a Sony Walkman. Even if he had heard our whistle he
would not have been able to even bring the boat back to us or even use
the radio to call for help. I had never taken the time to show him how.
Fortunately, everything worked out fine, I took off my tanks and left
them with Kevin who was still holding his position with the up line.
After what seemed like an eternity I reached the boat and navigated
back. We were very lucky, If the current was stronger or if the waves a
little bigger who knows what could have happened.
Trawlers
Trawlers are often used for commercial fishing. These hulls are also
used in some luxury yacht designs. They are comfortable, fuel efficient
but not very fast. These boats require deep water.
Water Ski Boats
Designed especially for water skiing. These boats are not only fast but
have quick acceleration and the power to pull skiers. Most are
fiberglass and can be either inboard powered or have outboard power,
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