The Best Lake Boats for Arizona
One of the best parts about living in Arizona is enjoying time on the lake. This makes finding the right lake boat a priority for people who like to have fun. As you start your search for the best kind of lake boat, you’ll need to understand what a lake boat is, which boats are best for lakes, and what the differences between ocean and lake boats are.
This article will help you understand the different types of lake boats so you can find the best boat for you and what you love to do on the lake.
What Is A Lake Boat?
A lake boat is designed with a flat bottom to create a shallow draft to handle well with flat waves. Made for watersports, fishing, or entertaining, common lake boats are wake boats, deck boats, pontoon boats, cabin cruisers, Bowriders, rigid inflatable boats, fish-and-ski boats, and center consoles.
The best lake boat for you and your family depends solely on what you want to do out on the water. If you only want to waterski, kneeboard, and ride innertubes, then go for a boat made to create big wakes, like a wake boat or Bowrider.
If you have a large family or a lot of fun-loving friends and know you just want to cruise on the lake and have a dance party in the sun, then go for a pontoon, deck boat or one of these other boats which are made for entertaining.
Fishing on Arizona lakes can be great fun with the right kind of lake boat. Fish-and-Ski boats are a nice combination of a boat for watersports and a boat for fishing, which is perfect for you if you want to have more options for your family. Just be aware that some fishing boats, like center consoles, are made to withstand rough ocean waves and need to be kept in deep water.
Which Boats Are Best For Lakes?
Lake boats are made for fun on the lake. Some are faster than others, some are better for large groups and entertaining, and some are made for fishing. Here’s a rundown of the best lake boats for any type of fun you’re looking for.
Wake Boats
For watersports, you can’t get much better than boat specifically designed to make great wakes. Wake boats are made for this. The hull of a good wake boat is made to displace more water than traditional ski or deck boats, add natural curl, and create a better surf pocket than other boats. Because they’re made for fun and to go fast, most of them come with cool features like a detachable swim platform, adjustable seats so you can make a place to socialize, and a great sound system.
Deck Boats
Deck boats are made to go fast and typically hold about 8-10 people, which is 1-2 more people than most Bowriders or wake boats. They’re great for watersports and have a wider bow and deck space making them more spacious for large groups. They can hold all your gear and go fast across the lake.
Pontoon Boats
For entertaining, pontoon boats, aka “the original party barge,” are made to accommodate more people than boats specifically designed for watersports. Newer models are designed with watersports in mind, but since they have a flat bottom, they’re not going to go as fast or create the kinds of super fun wakes other boats might. Pontoon boats are traditionally made to be stable, easy to drive, and great for cruising. Some models even have a built-in BBQ, toilet, or waterslide.
Cabin Cruisers
Cabin cruisers are great for families who like watersports and have small children. They go fast, make a decent wake, and have a bedroom, kitchen, and full bathroom so you can get out of that hot Arizona sun to lay the kids down for a nap. They have all the comforts of an RV but can take you anywhere on the lake that you want to go.
Bowriders
If you want to ride right on top of the water, go fast, and do watersports, then a Bowrider, or runabout, is the best boat for you. They’re made with an offset helm and extra forward seating plus a V-shaped hull which makes them more aerodynamic than other boats. They’re lightweight, quick, and super fun to drive. The whole family can be comfortable as you zip across the lake.
Rigid Inflatable Boats
Rigid Inflatable Boats, or RIBS, are very stable, great for watersports, and easy to load on and off the trailer. They’re lightweight but very sturdy. They’ve been used by Navy Seals for decades because they’re nearly impossible to sink, even in rough water. They typically hold less people than other types of boats, but newer models may be able to accommodate larger groups.
Fish-and-Ski Boats
For fishing and watersports, a Fish-and-Ski boat is a great combination of both worlds. They’re fast and offer comfortable seating options which makes them great for families. They come with features made just for fishing, like rod holders, livewells, and a trolling motor, but also features just for watersports, like ski lockers and ski-tow pylon. This is the best boat for a family who wants to waterski all day and catch their dinner in the evening.
Center Console
For fishing, a center console is about as good as it gets. They are built with 360-degree visibility and open sides to be able to spot and catch fish. They are built to withstand rough ocean waves and have deep hulls. Because of its deep hull, a center console should stay in deep water, like Lake Powell. They’re a great boat for a serious fisherman and can be taken out on the ocean, if you decide to move out of Arizona.
What’s The Difference Between Ocean And Lake Boats?
There are some major, and minor, differences between a lake boat and an ocean boat. The biggest differences are because of the corrosive elements of saltwater and the rough nature of ocean waves.
A lake boat is specifically designed for freshwater conditions, so its hull design is crafted to be near flat shores with flat waves. It doesn’t need to withstand crashing waves and strong currents like a saltwater boat, so it is not built to withstand them. Most lake boats can tolerate rough lake water because unless you’re out on the lake in a monsoon, it’s never going to be as rough as the ocean.
Corrosion is caused by salt water and ocean boats are specifically designed to withstand it. They’re built with engine systems that include closed cooling, which means you don’t have to flush the engine out after every use. Maintenance to take care of organic growth, like barnacles, is also required for ocean boats and not for lake boats.
But even with these differences in design, you can still take a lake boat into the ocean. The risks you run are putting the lake boat at risk for corrosion and finding a rough wave that may flood the boat. Since a lake boat is made with a flatter hull, like a pontoon boat, it may not be able to withstand big ocean waves.
Final Thoughts
A lake boat is made for the conditions of a lake and for activities like watersports, entertaining, and fishing. In Arizona, most people want to take the boat out on the lake and do some water skiing or wake boarding with their friends and family. Pontoon boats are perfect if you’re more interested in entertaining. With so many options, the perfect lake boat is waiting for you.