Best Boats for Cruising Fun with Family and Friends
The boating lifestyle can span many water activities from tow sports to offshore sport fishing and everything in between. Simply being on a boat and cruising around with family, pets and friends is one of the activities most boaters enjoy the most. Cruising can be enjoyed going to planned destinations or just spontaneous adventures on the water, and although all boats can be cruised, some types of boats are designed specifically to provide the most comfortable platform for family and friends to simply enjoy time on the water.
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Runabouts/Sport boats
Runabouts or sport boats are designed to be social boats for the interaction of the passengers. These dual console boats often have stowable tables, upholstered bench seating, sun pads, and more for family activities. Many runabouts also have extra storage for coolers, tables and water-toys. Runabouts and sport boats can also feature drink holders, marine stereos with multiple speakers, 12-volt chargers and USB ports placed in strategic locations for more added comfort. These fun day boats carry outboard propulsion that can run up to 40-feet with additional amenities such as integrated summer kitchens, televisions, and below deck accommodations. -
Deck Boats
Deck boats are most often designed with a sport boat layout and have dual consoles with a walk-through windshield to access the forward seating. In contrast to a runabout/sport boat, a deck boat has a wider bow which provides more space. A wider bow can result in a hull that doesn't get through choppier water as well, but manufacturers have found some ways around this. Upholstered bench seating often wraps the entire cockpit and convertible sun pad. These boats have digital helms featuring custom multi-function displays, marine stereos with multiple speakers and remotes as well as 12-volt chargers and USB ports on deck. Similar to runabouts/sport boats, deck boats have outboard propulsion often with multiple outboards. -
Pontoon Boats
Pontoon boats are some of the most stable, comfortable, and versatile boats for day cruising. By adding a center pontoon tube, a tri-toon, they become faster and more stable and can exceed 50-knots. Lighting upgrades, entertainment systems, summer kitchens and even wet bars are common, with some models featuring upper decks and even water slides. Most pontoon boats are able to seat a dozen or more people with plush, upholstered bench seating. -
Cabin Cruiser
Cabin cruisers can be great boats for cruising that are designed to feel like mobile vacation homes for the entire family to enjoy water adventures on. Cabin cruisers give you the flexibility to visit to new destinations, spend long weekends enjoying the boating lifestyle, or just kicking back for a day of swimming and relaxing on the water with family and friends. -
Power Catamarans
Power catamarans are generally larger boats designed to be lived on for weeks at a time and are designed for cruising with family and friends. With an extra beam and twin hulls, these boats are extremely stable and make an attractive platform for water activities and adventures. Explore new destinations, visit dockside restaurants, stop at local islands, or just relax and entertain family and friends aboard with excess room and amenities including summer kitchens, entertainment systems and plenty of upholstered seating. Cruising power catamarans use outboard engines with state-of-the-art control systems. -
Overnight Cruising Boats
An overnight cruiser can be the perfect boat to go on waterborne adventures as a mobile mini vacation home. These boats offer cabins and overnight accommodations that are ideal to spend long weekends, or weeks enjoying the boating lifestyle.
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