Best Saltwater Family Boats: Choosing The Perfect Vessel

Boating is a fun family activity that can bring parents and children closer together as they work together as a crew. When choosing a family boat, it's important to consider factors such as safety, comfort, and efficiency, as well as the type of boating activities your family enjoys. Here are some of the best options for family boats that can be used in saltwater:

- Bowriders: These are one of the most popular family boats due to their versatility, ample seating, and easy access to the water. Bowriders come in various lengths and offer affordable options. Some even have rooms and kitchens, making them suitable for overnight boating trips.

- Cabin cruisers: While these boats tend to be larger and more expensive, they offer more space and amenities for longer adventures, such as visiting distant ports or taking family vacations on the water. They are like floating mobile homes and usually come fully equipped.

- Walkaround boats: These are ideal for families who enjoy fishing and day cruising but also want the option to stay overnight. The spacious aft cockpits allow for fishing, while the enclosed bow provides sleeping quarters and protection from the weather.

- Fish-and-ski boats: As the name suggests, these boats are designed for both fishing and watersports. They have features like livewells, rod holders, and ski lockers, making them versatile for families who want to participate in multiple activities.

- Pontoon boats: Pontoon boats are popular for their stable and comfortable platform, making them ideal for lounging on the water. They can also be thrilling, with potent engines that enable watersports and decent performance in choppy waters.

- Saltwater-specific boats: Some boats are specifically designed for saltwater use and can be great for families. Examples include the Scout 380 LXF, with its large swim platform and spacious cabin, and the Grady-White Fisherman 236, a popular choice for families due to its ample space and fishing features.

Bowriders are versatile, with ample seating and easy access to the water

Bowriders are versatile boats with ample seating and easy access to the water, making them a great choice for families. They are designed to be good at everything, rather than specialised for a particular activity. They are usually recreational open bow pleasure boats, with a range of features that make them perfect for family outings.

Bowriders are typically pointy at the front, with a V-shaped hull that helps them handle choppy waters smoothly. This design allows them to cut through" the water's surface with less resistance, making it easier to manoeuvre than a deck boat or pontoon. They also have a distinctive forward seating area, with a wraparound windshield that gives access to the bow.

Most bowriders have a modified or deep vee bottom, a walkthrough glass windshield, and a dual console helm arrangement. They also usually feature a swim platform, and some newer models even have cabins beneath the deck. They can be sterndrive, outboard, or jet-powered, with outboard power being a more recent trend.

When it comes to family boating, a key feature is a swim platform that gives kids easy access to the water. Other important considerations are entertainment options and shade from the sun, which can be provided by a helm cover or cabin.

Bowriders offer ample seating, with room for the whole family to stretch out and enjoy the sun. They also provide a smooth ride, handling choppy waters with ease, so you can focus on making memories with your loved ones.

Cabin cruisers are like floating mobile homes, perfect for longer adventures

Cabin cruisers generally come fully equipped for extended periods on the water, including sleeping, cooking, and bathroom accommodations. A large cabin cruiser will have space for private bedrooms, or "staterooms", and can often sleep up to a dozen people. Smaller cabin cruisers of around 30 feet will likely have sleeping room for four to six people.

The ability to sleep and cook aboard means that a cabin cruiser offers even more extensive travelling abilities than a motorhome or RV. You can visit new ports, spend long weekends enjoying the boating lifestyle, or just kick back for a day of swimming and relaxing on the water.

In addition to the cabin, cabin cruisers offer all the other perks and pleasures of owning a boat. They have large swim platforms and ladders, loungers and sunpads for relaxing, and decks where kids can cast a fishing line. They are great for day cruising, but there is little limitation on the activities you can choose from with a cabin cruiser.

Cabin cruisers come in a wide range of sizes and prices. While there are million-dollar cabin cruisers out there, there are also plenty of smaller, more affordable options.

Walkaround boats are ideal for families who want to fish, day cruise and stay overnight

Walkaround boats are a great choice for families who want to fish, day cruise, and stay overnight. They are primarily fishing boats with a small cabin (a cuddy cabin) and an unobstructed passway around the boat, allowing for 360-degree fishability. The cabin provides sleeping accommodations and weather protection, making it ideal for families with young children or those fishing in chilly or rainy conditions.

The best walkaround boats offer a combination of fishing amenities, secure access around the perimeter, and a cabin with a berth and toilet for overnight stays, escaping bad weather, or storing gear. While smaller walkaround models may only have room for a berth and a portable toilet, larger models can include more deluxe features such as a galley, an enclosed head, and additional space for seating and entertainment.

When choosing a walkaround boat, consider factors such as size, budget, and desired features. The most popular walkaround boats range from 18 to 30 feet in length, with some models reaching 50 feet. Prices can vary from $30,000 for a used Grady-White Seafarer 228 to $90,000 for a new Sea Hunt Victory 225. Consider the number of people you plan to accommodate and the level of comfort and amenities you require.

• Grady-White Seafarer 228: A family-friendly option with a sport fishing-focused cockpit and a king-sized well. It offers incredible value, often found on the used boat market for around $30,000.
• Sea Ray Sun Sport 230: Cozy and affordable, with models ranging from 19 to 40 feet. The below-deck cabin is spacious and comfortable, and the boat boasts world-renowned performance with a 50-gallon engine. Prices start at just under $62,000.
• Pro-Line 20 Express: Accommodating up to seven people, this cruiser is perfect for families who want to fish, cruise, lounge, or sleep onboard. It offers both flair and practicality, equipped with a diving board and a 27-gallon live well. Typically found for just under $27,000.
• Sea Hunt Victory 225: Offering roomy cabins, fish boxes, and aerated live wells, this walkaround boat provides a wide range of possibilities for adventures and budgets. While the cabin is spacious, it lacks adequate tackle and rod storage. Prices start at just under $90,000.
• Campion Allante 635 OB SC: This fiberglass wraparound boat is comfortable and ideal for families with young children, as the cabin can sleep up to three people. However, it's not suitable for long journeys due to its 60-gallon fuel tank. Usually found on the used market for around $40,000.

Fish-and-ski boats are designed for fishing and watersports

Fish-and-ski boats are designed to combine the features of a fishing boat with those of a watersports boat. They are versatile, family-friendly vessels that can accommodate a range of activities, from fishing to waterskiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing. Most models fall between 16 and 22 feet in length, making them easily trailerable, and can carry between five and nine passengers thanks to their convertible seating.

Fish-and-ski boats typically include features such as livewells, rod holders, and electric trolling motors for fishing, as well as ski-tow pylons, swim platforms, and ski lockers for watersports. Some boats even offer additional entertainment features such as high-quality speakers and televisions.

When choosing a fish-and-ski boat, it's important to consider your specific needs and preferences. For example, you may want to prioritise fishing features or require more or less room for passengers. Additionally, factors such as freshwater or saltwater use and budget will also play a role in your decision.

• Ranger: One of the top US boat manufacturers, known for building strong and sturdy vessels. Their Reata Series combines safety, reliability, and a wide range of features.
• Crestliner: Experts in aluminium fishing boats, offering several ranges with various models and optional extras.
• Lund: Offers both aluminium and fibreglass fish-and-ski boats, allowing customers to choose the model that best suits their specific fishing and watersports needs.
• Nitro: Known for their two 2023 models with a deep 17-degree deadrise semi-V hull, one featuring a full wrap-around windshield and the other with individual windshields for each console.
• Triton: While they are best known for their bass boats, Triton also offers two top-of-the-range fibreglass fish-and-ski models, combining their expertise in bass and walleye fishing boat design.
• Boston Whaler 250 Dauntless: This boat offers all the features of a traditional fish-and-ski boat in a centre console package. With plenty of power and room, it includes a swim platform, clever seating, and a wide range of fishing equipment.
• Scout 215 XSF: This boat seamlessly blends elegance and functionality, with attention to detail and features for both watersports and fishing, including a removable teak bow table, Hardtop T Tops, and plush seating.
• Crestliner 1850 Sportfish: This aluminium boat can accommodate up to eight people and handle up to 200 horsepower, resulting in impressive speed.
• Lund 1850 Tyee: Offering premium quality at an affordable price, this aluminium fish-and-ski boat has plenty of room and accessories for both fishing and watersports enthusiasts.

Jet boats have no propeller, offering peace of mind for families

When it comes to choosing the best family boat for saltwater, there are numerous options and factors to consider. One important decision is whether to opt for a jet-powered or propeller-driven boat, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

Jet boats offer peace of mind for families, thanks to their unique features. Firstly, jet boats are highly manoeuvrable and adaptable, making them versatile for various boating activities. Their water jet propulsion systems allow for improved handling, with smoother turning and reversing capabilities, which is particularly useful in tight waterways or high-speed situations.

One of the biggest advantages of jet boats for families is safety. Jet boats have no exposed propellers, eliminating the risk of injury to swimmers, passengers boarding, or aquatic life. This feature also reduces the chances of damage to fishing lines. Jet boats are ideal for shallow waters, as they have no underwater protrusions, allowing them to navigate sandbars, mud flats, and rocks with ease.

Additionally, jet boats offer rapid acceleration, making them a popular choice for water sports enthusiasts. The sporty handling and agility of jet boats make them perfect for high-energy activities like water skiing or jet skiing. Their ability to navigate coastal areas and small waterways that bigger boats cannot access further enhances their appeal for families seeking adventure.

While jet boats may have higher initial costs and fuel consumption, their safety, manoeuvrability, and suitability for various boating activities make them a compelling option for families seeking peace of mind and versatility in their boating experiences.

Frequently asked questions