Getting Started With Boating One of the best things about boating is the fact that there are many boats designed for many different activities. For the majority of boaters, a general purpose craft that serves as a fish, ski, and picnic boat is ideal. To help you narrow down your search, ask yourself how you plan to use the boat. Fishing, cruising, water skiing, watersports, racing, or a bit of everything is what you should be wondering. There is a boat out there for you, all you have to do is find it. Finding the right size Finding the right size of boat depends on how many people you'll have boating with you and where you plan to go. All new boats have an "NMMA capacity plate" that wil you how many people you can safely have on the boat at a time. If you plan to use a trailer, you shouldn't get a boat bigger than 26 feet in length. Power needs Those who plan to water ski will need more power while those planning to fish will need less. The boaters of today will also be able to choose from new engines that are more efficient in fuel and very friendly to the environment as well. Boat costs There are boats for every type of budgets. Many new boat owners are very surprised to find that they can get their dream boat for much less than they ever expected. You can get new or used boats at a reputable dealership with financing, taking advantage of low monthly payments. Boating can be a lot of fun, as you long as you don't go overboard when you first begin. There is a lot to know about boats, costs, and types, which is something you'll learn over the years. Always have fun - and you'll enjoy boating for many, many years. (word count 306) PPPPP