Top 10 frequently asked boating questions

Top 10 frequently asked boating questions © Hunts Marine

A boat's more fun when you choose the right one! Here are the top 10 questions we're most frequently asked:

1. What style of boat is right for me?

The first point you need to think about is what you would like to use the boat for. Are you primarily interested in skiing, inshore fishing, offshore fishing, day cruising, or overnight stays?

Boats are designed to suit certain activities in terms of safety, the interior layout and hull performance. Finding the right style of boat is a bit like looking for a car and deciding on whether you need a sports car or a 4WD. The best advice is to look for the style that is going to suit you most of the time. Let's look at a few examples: If most of your boating is day cruising with friends and family on enclosed waters and you may sleep overnight once a year it would be better to have an open-style runabout or bowrider than, say, a cabin model. What you need most of the time is a vessel that will allow more seating, viewing area and open communication.

If your primary usage is fishing with occasional skiing then consider a more dedicated fishing boat. You may need to trade off some sleek styling and interior comforts but you'll gain a more task-oriented fishing space that is more protected and easily washed down. You can ski behind almost any boat so pick the fishing boat that is suited to what the majority of your boating will be.

Custom canopies and covers will enhance the versatility of most boats. For example, many of our customers quite sensibly start their search for a boat with sun protection in mind. Many envisage it in the form of a cabin. An alternative is a custom folding canopy fitted to a bowrider or runabout style boat. The attachment of detachable front or rear sun awnings can provide shade for people sitting in positions other than the passenger or driver seats. Further weather protection can be achieved by adding clear side curtains that can be rolled up or down to suit conditions.

2. How big should my boat be?

You need to consider how many family members and friends (and their gear) you would like to carry in your boat. Have a think about how many people are likely to be using the boat at any one time. Boating is a fantastic family bonding experience so consider having the spare capacity to take friends or your kid's friends.

Every boat is rated in terms of maximum adult capacity. Each child under 12 is counted as one half adult for safety compliance. You need to do the maths and calculate the maximum number of adults or equivalent that you would like to take out in the boat. The number you arrive at will place you upwards of a certain sized boat immediately.

The right size boat will also depend on boating weather conditions, your vehicle's towing capability and the power your boat will require. We'll look at each of these in the next three questions.

3. Can I take my boat offshore?

This question is common but difficult to answer because the conditions and your level of experience are as important as your choice of boat. Thinking about a few other things may help you to arrive at an answer.

Consider what range of boating weather conditions you will tolerate. If you are a fair weather boatie then you will find a wide range of vessels, carrying their recommended load, will handle close offshore work as long as they are handled sensibly.

If you plan to regularly encounter moderate to rough boating conditions you will require a more dedicated offshore boat and the role played by experience, local knowledge and boating weather warnings becomes more critical. Larger, deeper model boats with cabin protection will handle the open ocean more competently. These models are more likely to be geared towards offshore fishing. So again, make sure you keep your primary usage in mind.

4. Can my vehicle tow it?

What size trailer-boat are you equipped to move? You can answer this quite easily by investigating the towing rating of your vehicle. This is the maximum total weight you can tow and it is set by the vehicle manufacturer. It may include two ratings, one for a trailer with brakes and one for a trailer without brakes. It is also a good idea to check that your tow bar is not of a lesser rating than your vehicle. Unfortunately some car owners or dealers do this to save money. Exceeding your vehicle's tow rating is illegal, dangerous and can void your insurance.

In all our years of towing boats we have found that provided you are not towing more than the manufacturer's rating then the vehicle will handle it quite easily. Some types of vehicles are better for launching, retrieving and towing than others. Your choice of a more dedicated towing vehicle will be influenced by the size of your rig, the distances you are planning to travel, the quality of the access roads and ramps you will use and whether you will launch and retrieve you boat alone.

5. How much horsepower do I need?

Every boat is rated by the manufacturer in terms of the minimum and maximum horsepower that can be fitted to the hull. Your passenger numbers and preferred usage will also demand a minimum horsepower. We therefore generally power boats in the upper part of the rating range to ensure there is adequate power under full load.

Most people ask this question with particular reference to towing water skiers. A wakeboard, kneeboard or ski biscuit is quite easily towed by a 40 or 50hp, particularly if it is only carrying children. If an adult would like to water ski then, subject to the size of the boat, you'll need to consider a larger engine.

6. Aluminium or fibreglass?

While aluminium and fibreglass each has its own strengths this is one question where brand is important.

If a fibreglass boat is stored on a trailer out of direct sunlight (in a garage, carport or with a cover) then it will require minimal polishing to maintain its gelcoat surface. Because fibreglass boats are manufactured using a mold the hull can be shaped to whatever style is required. As a result it is fair to say that a well-designed fibreglass boat looks good and will give you a superior ride.

An aluminium boat is usually lighter than a fibreglass boat which may be a factor if the rig's weight is close to your vehicle's towing rating or if you are going to launch it on your own. Aluminium hulls are not painted underneath so they can be beached or pull up on a ramp with almost no fear of damage. Aluminium boats are also quite easy to maintain and there is generally no polishing.

Quintrex Australia uses a unique and time-tested technology where they cut out the side and bottom sheets then stretch form them over a die. Though this is a time consuming process using specialized machinery, it gives the sheet strength and allows the hull to be shaped to give it a finer point of entry. The softer, drier ride that results is competitive with a fibreglass boat in most conditions.

7. Which brands are better? What about resale?

Australians and New Zealanders are regarded around the world as very good recreational boat builders. Our aluminium brands in particular - led by Quintrex - are miles in front of their international competitors.

This result also holds for the larger local fibreglass boat manufacturers. Most are long established, family owned and now being operated by the second or third generation. Their brands include well known names such as Cruisecraft, Whittley, Haines Signature and Huntsman. Top quality brands like these with good dealer and factory support also deliver good resale values.

8. Do I need a boat licence? How do I get one?

It is important to know that it is neither the size of a vessel nor the power of an engine which determines whether a person needs to be licensed - it is the speed at which a boat is driven. At a speed of 10 knots or more you must have a boat driver's license.

There are three steps to obtaining a powerboat license in NSW:

Complete a boating safety course online, via DVD or in person with NSW Maritime or volunteer marine rescue organisations OR with a Recognised Training Provider.

Complete a practical component with the Boating Licence Practical Logbook OR a Recognised Training Provider.

Pass a Licence Test at a NSW Maritime, GAC, RTA office or with a volunteer marine rescue organisation OR gain a certificate of completion with a Recognised Training Provider.

Please visit www.maritime.nsw.gov.au for more information.

9. Can I get help learning to use the boat?

The hand-over process generally takes about 2 hours and we will discuss all aspects of using your rig with you. We also offer on water tuition in your own new boat as well as practice launching and retrieving. If you are new to boating we will do all we can to make sure that you feel comfortable and confident using your boat.

10. Is boat financing available?

Yes, boat financing is available, and at Hunts Marine, we offer it in-house.

Most terms are generally over 5 years and can be done with or without a deposit as well as on both new and used models. Given the high resale value of boats one of the most popular options is to take a balloon payment at the end of the term. Over a 5 year loan this can be as high as 40% of the purchase price. This means that you can keep your weekly repayments low and, at the end of the term, either refinance the balance or trade-in your rig. A lot of our customers use this option to go to a larger package whilst still maintaining their budgeted weekly repayment figure.

The right boat will bring years of enjoyment to you and your family. At Hunts Marine we have the experience and dedication to help you find it.

If you have any more questions or would like to talk more about your boat then please call us on 9546 1324 or get in touch with our team at Hunts Marine in Sydney, Wollongong or Batemans Bay.