Do you love boats? Do you frequent the My Cruiser Life website and want to learn more about boats? We don’t blame you, boats are fantastic.

As we learn about boats, knowing the different types of boats is important. Whether you are often out on the water, or just love looking at boats, it is key to know which types of boats are which.

There is a nearly endless variety of boats, so it can be hard to become familiar with them all, however, that is what we are here for. Today we will cover a vast majority, especially powerboats which are the ones you are most likely to see often!

Let’s get started!

Sailboats

Sailing boats are very easy for you to spot, these boats have soaring masts and sails. On a day with the right conditions, sailboats will rely on wind to move them through the water.

However, most will also have a small motor onboard to help them navigate through harbors or to escape lulls.

Here are some common sailboat types:

• Mono-hull sailboats
• Catamaran sailboats
• Trimaran sailboats
• Racing sailboats

Power Boats

Most people are mainly interested in powerboats, which are boats that rely on motor power to navigate the water. These boats are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and tend to serve a wide range of aquatic activities.

They are good for fishing, day cruises, water sports, and more! Let’s look into some of these!

Day Cruisers

Many boats can be great for day cruises.

Day cruising is just spending a day out on the water, without any overnight accommodation needs. This could include cuddy cabins, bowriders, express cruisers, down-east boats, and more.

Some of these are used for water sports as well, and some will have seating areas, hard cabins, and more. They can be in a range of sizes, but they are all suitable for spending a day out on the water.

Tow Boats

In this regard, we are talking about tow boats used for water sports, such as water skiing, or wakeboarding. Many day cruisers double as tow boats, but tow boats are specifically designed for this purpose.

These boats are sleek with plenty of seating and a specific swim deck. They are also made so that they create a big wake!

Pontoon Boats

If you were to visit any lake in the Midwest you will see a pontoon boat. These boats are awesome for hosting large gatherings, or towing kids in tubes off the aft deck.

These boats are fitted with flat and spacious decks mounted on the pontoons. They are not speedy boats, but they are great boats for a fun afternoon out on the water with your pals!

Fishing Boats

Sure, technically you could cast a line off of any boat, however, there are specifically designed vessels for doing so.

Center consoles and walk-around boats are both considered fishing boats, however, the most distinguishable fishing boat is a sport fishing boat. These boats traditionally have a raised steering console and mounted rods.

The boats also often have chairs affixed to the deck too.

Motor Yachts

Motor yachts are easily defined by their size. Boats are not considered to be a yacht unless they are over 40 feet in length from stern to bow. They will also have a cabin with sleeping areas, interior living spaces, enclosed helms, and plenty of deck space.

Trawlers

Trawlers tend to look a lot like motor yachts, and their features are similar too. However, the main difference is how they move through the water. Instead of cutting through the wake like a normal motor yacht, these boats displace water.

They push seas away as they cruise.

Trawlers are not as fast as motor yachts but they are comfortable, stable, and spacious.

Dinghies, Tenders, & Skiffs

These boats tend to come in many styles and shapes and often travel with larger vessels. The names are often used interchangeably, however, there are some differences.

Tenders are often used to transport guests from ship to store and often have proper seats.

Dinghies have a hard bottom and are inflatable with simple bench-like seating.

Skiffs are low-profile, lightweight, and simple and can double as recreational fishing vessels.

Unpowered Boats

These boats are often powered by people with paddles or oars and are often small. Including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats.

Overall

These are the main types of boats that exist. We hope that this has helped you know your boats better so next time you’re out on the water, you can identify all the boats you see!