Best Lake Boats: From Fishing to Wakesurfing and Everything in Between

Lakes give you an ideal boating experience, whether you want to go cruising, fishing, or wakeboarding. Every year, countless boaters enjoy "the lake life," hanging out with friends in the cove, pulling the kids on tubes, skis and boards, or if they're really lucky, enjoying all of the above from a lakefront home. Lakes are more plentiful and far easier to access than more limited coastal waters, especially in Arizona. They also typically offer calmer, less intimidating water conditions, a mix of party-friendly coves and secluded fishing spots, and scenic backdrops. This guide explores the various types of lake boats, with a special focus on two standout brands: HeyDay for watersports and Lund for fishing.

Best Types of Boats for Enjoying the Lake

1. Bowriders/Deck Boats

Bowriders and deck boats are perhaps the classic lake boats, offering an open bow cockpit for additional passengers and the versatility to cruise, pull a variety of watersports, or fish. These family-friendly vessels feature wide-open layouts with plenty of seating in both bow and main cockpits, making them ideal for entertaining and day cruising. Swim platforms at the stern provide easy water access for swimming and watersports. Powered by sterndrive, outboard, or jet propulsion, these boats deliver responsive handling and performance suitable for various lake conditions. Their V-hulls handle a variety of water conditions and prove exceptionally stable.

• Average new boat price: $30,000 - $300,000
• Top brands: Sea Ray, Bayliner, Yamaha, Chaparral, Four Winns, Scarab, Regal, Cobalt, Chris Craft, Monterey, Crownline, Starcraft, Tahoe
• Ideal lake size: Small to medium, but larger models with more horsepower can comfortably handle larger bodies of water
• Average passenger capacity: 8-12
• Primary activities: Cruising, watersports, fishing, family fun

2. Pontoon Boats

Once dismissed as simply sunset cruisers, modern pontoons have matured to become one of the best-selling segments in the boating market. These versatile boats take advantage of their rectangular footprint to include seating that rivals many living rooms and a seemingly endless list of amenities. Triple-pontoon configurations offer the buoyancy for ever more passengers and horsepower, while maintaining the stability pontoons are known for. Larger horsepower options make pontoons legitimate towboats for watersports, and fishing-oriented models will satisfy the angler.

• Average new boat price: $30,000 - $300,000
• Top brands: Bennington, Harris, Starcraft, Sylvan, Avalon, Tahoe, Manitou, Barletta, Princecraft, Crest, Viaggio
• Ideal lake size: Small to medium lakes. Larger models with triple pontoons can comfortably handle some larger lakes or even coastal waters
• Average passenger capacity: 8-15
• Primary activities: Cruising, fishing, family fun

3. Watersports Boats

While dedicated ski boats are still produced in limited numbers, most modern watersports boats favor the wake-sports crowd. These specialized boats feature hulls designed to naturally displace water, with wake-boosting internal ballast tanks and transom hardware to dial in wake size and shape. V-drives remain the power of choice for serious riders, but jet drive propulsion and forward-facing sterndrives have opened up the market to a larger audience by keeping propellers away from riders in the surf zone. Look for intuitive dash displays that control wakes, ballast, and speed with just a few taps of the screen.

• Average new boat price: $100,000 - $300,000
• Top brands: Malibu, MasterCraft, Nautique, Centurion, Moomba, Supra, Tige, Scarab, Regal, Sea Ray, and HeyDay
• Ideal lake size: Small to medium lakes and relatively calm conditions
• Average passenger capacity: 8-16
• Primary activities: Wakesurfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, family fun

Spotlight on HeyDay Boats

HeyDay has revolutionized the watersports boat market by offering high-performance wake boats at more accessible price points. Founded with the goal of making wakeboarding accessible without breaking the bank, HeyDay is now owned by Bayliner, leveraging their experience in boat manufacturing. Their boats feature innovative deep-V hull designs for superior maneuverability and stability, equipped with integrated ballast systems and surf tabs for customizable wakes. 

Designed by wakeboarding experts like "Cotton" Welshan, HeyDay boats like the H20 combine power, elegance, and functionality, focusing on providing great wakes and performance without expensive wake-shaping features.

Fishing Boats

When your fishing grounds are freshwater lakes, your boat of choice often depends on what type of fish you're after and who else you have to please. Options range from low-slung bass boats and multi-species dual-console models to bigger-water center consoles. Family buyers may find fish-n-ski models or fishing-ready pontoons offer the balance they're looking for. Look for plenty of rod holders, rod storage, livewells, and GPS/Fishfinders in these boats.

• Average new boat price: $20,000 - $100,000
• Top brands: G3, Smoker Craft, Yar-Craft, Bass Cat, Nitro, Charger, Ranger, Skeeter, Starcraft, Triton, Yamaha, and Lund
• Ideal lake size: Small to medium lakes and calm to medium-chop conditions
• Average passenger capacity: 2-8
• Primary activities: Fishing, cruising, family fun

Spotlight on Lund

Lund has been a leader in fishing boat manufacturing since 1948, offering a wide range of models perfect for lake fishing. Lund boats are known for building high-quality, durable aluminum and fiberglass boats that can withstand the rigors of frequent use on lakes. Their lineup includes boats from 14 to over 20 feet in length, allowing anglers to choose the right size for their specific lake conditions and needs. Models like the Adventure series are designed to be versatile enough for both fishing and family recreational activities on lakes.  

Lund offers boats specifically designed for different fishing styles and species commonly found in Arizona lakes, such as bass, walleye, and panfish. 

Personal Watercraft (PWC

 Personal watercraft deliver an experience akin to a waterborne motorcycle or snowmobile. These nimble watercraft are easy to tow, store, and maintain, making them some of the most affordable boating choices on the market. Today's PWCs are more diverse than ever, offering high-powered flagships that blast across the water and turn on a dime, entry-level family-friendly cruisers, playful freestylers, long-distance touring models, and even wakesport and fishing-specific craft.

• Average new boat price: $7,000 - $21,000
• Top brands: Sea-Doo, Yamaha, Kawasaki
• Ideal lake size: Ideal for small-medium lakes, but larger models with more horsepower can comfortably handle larger bodies of water
• Average passenger capacity: 1-3
• Primary activities: Freeriding, cruising/touring, watersports, fishing

Final Thoughts

When choosing the best lake boat, consider factors such as who will use it, safety features, size of the lake, horsepower needs, storage capacity, and price. Be realistic about your budget and remember to factor in additional costs like fuel, insurance, and storage. The ideal lake boat aligns with your specific needs, preferences, and the characteristics of your favorite lake. Whether you're drawn to the wake-making prowess of a HeyDay, the fishing finesse of a Lund, or any other type of lake boat, the key is to choose a vessel that maximizes your enjoyment on the water.