The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Arizona Lake Boat
If you're a boater in Arizona, then you know that few things compare to the thrill of getting out on one of our spectacular lakes. And for that, you’ll need a great lake boat. From massive waters like Lake Powell to popular weekend destinations near Phoenix like Lake Pleasant, Arizona serves up an incredible array of lake adventures just waiting to be explored on your own lake boat.
And since the type of lake boat you buy determines the type of lake day you have, a boat that is well-suited to both the particular lake and your favorite activities on the water. With so many options for lake boats, from pontoon boats to wakeboats, it can feel overwhelming trying to choose the ideal lake boat. This article will help you navigate the top choices to find the perfect fit for your Arizona boating lifestyle.
Pontoon Boats - The Party Platform
When it comes to pure relaxation, comfort, and entertainment value on Arizona lakes, plush pontoon boats are in a class of their own. These spacious vessels offer a massive amount of deck space perfect for lounging, dancing, grilling, swimming, and even some casual fishing when the mood strikes. Top pontoon brands like Barletta make tri-toon models loaded with amenities like plush lounge seating, canvas bimini tops for shade, built-in coolers and cupholders, Bluetooth audio systems, and more luxury touches.
Thanks to their flat-bottomed aluminum hulls, pontoons can navigate shallow waters and tight lake coves with ease. Their exceptional stability also makes them an ideal party platform for large groups of up to 12-16 people in some cases. Whether you want to spend a lazy afternoon floating in your favorite Arizona cove or host an epic on-the-water get-together, pontoon boats deliver unmatched versatility and comfort.
Wakeboats - A Personal Wave Pool for Thrill-Seekers
If getting huge air behind a monster wake and pushing your watersports skills to the limit sounds more like your ideal Arizona lake day, a dedicated wakeboat is an absolute must. Brands like Heyday actually design their boats from the keel up to create massive, perfectly sculpted wakes using specialized features. Built-in ballast tanks allow you to load up to 5,000 lbs of water to increase wake size and shape.
Advanced hull shapes and hydrofoil technology further enhance the wake while powerful inboard propulsion systems generate a thick stream of pushed water.
The result?
A personal wave pool that allows you to shred wakes up to 5 feet tall from the comfort of your own boat with the Heyday WT-2DC or enjoy amazing surfing and wakeboarding experiences with the H20 and other models. Yet wakeboats still deliver plenty of comfort for non-watersports activities like cruising the lake. Their spacious layouts have room for up to 8-10 people with amenities like plush lounges, walk-through bow seating, bimini tops, and more. It's the best of both worlds for a no-compromises Arizona lake experience.
Deck Boats - The Do-Everything Family Cruiser
Can't decide between the rip-roaring thrills of a wake boat and the resort-like ambiance of a pontoon? A classic deck boat could be the ideal compromise for your Arizona lake adventures.
These open-layout designs borrow elements from both pontoon boats and runabouts to create a versatile platform loaded with space for groups and gear. Brands like Bayliner and Sea Ray pack their deck boats with wide-open bow and cockpit areas perfect for activities like wakeboarding, swimming, fishing, sunbathing, and more.
Yet deck boats still maintain handling and performance capabilities that allow you to pull skiers or wakeboarders behind with ease if you want to mix things up. Their streamlined hulls and powerful outboard or inboard/outboard engines give you the ability to zip around the lake and easily beach the boat when desired. With plush lounge seating, bimini tops, audio systems, and more available, deck boats offer a superb middle ground for fun-filled family cruising on Arizona lakes.
Aluminum Fishing Boats - A Rugged Angler's Dream
Of course, Arizona's storied lakes attract loads of avid anglers as well who need a dedicated fishing machine equipped for battle against monster bass, trout, crappie, and more. For many diehard regional fishermen, nothing beats the rugged durability and no-frills performance of an aluminum bass boat or multi-species fishing rig from makers like Lund. These utilitarian vessels are purpose-built for chasing fish on everything from small ponds and streams to the huge reservoirs created by dams along the Colorado River and elsewhere.
With specialized fishing features like integrated livewells, lockable rod storage, fish finders, and more, aluminum fishing boats give you all the tools required to put more fish in the boat. Easy-to-operate stick steering and outboard power also maximize your range on bigger waters while still allowing you to navigate shallower areas other bigger boats can't access. If serious angling is your priority, these tough aluminum rigs are tailor-made to spend long days chasing Arizona's bountiful sportfish.
Jon Boats - The Affordable All-Access Pass
On a tighter budget but still want to explore Arizona's beautiful lakes? A compact and simple jon boat could be your most economical path to fun. These lightweight aluminum boats are about as basic and barebones as it gets, with a flat bottom, bench seating, and simple tiller outboard setup. However, that open-util design also allows jon boats to launch and load easily from tight spaces and shallow ramps that bigger vessels can't access.
While definitely not a luxury ride, jon boats offer affordable all-access to scores of small lakes, ponds, and hidden backwaters where you can fish, explore nature, or just enjoy the scenery in solitude. They also make for a great first boat for teaching young family members proper boating skills without a huge investment required. For casual cruising, canoe-camping trips, and no-frills water access on a budget, humble jon boats deliver outstanding regional value.
More on Arizona's Top Lake For Boating
Now that you have an overview of the most popular lake boats to consider for Arizona boating, let's explore some of the state’s premier lake destinations perfect for getting out on the water:
Lake Powell - Straddling the Arizona/Utah border, the massive 186-mile long Lake Powell is a boater's paradise renowned for its beautiful red rock scenery and scores of side canyons to explore. With nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline created by the damming of the Colorado River, there's no shortage of quiet coves and beaches to discover. Lake Powell is extremely popular for everything from powerboating and wakesports to fishing and relaxing on the water.
Lake Havasu - This reservoir on the Colorado River along the Arizona/California border was formed by Parker Dam and offers boating access to incredibly scenic waterways like the historic Topock Gorge. Its massive size and consistent warmth make it ideal for watersports, fishing, swimming, and even scuba diving in designated areas.
Roosevelt Lake - As the largest of the lakes created by dams along the Salt River about 60 miles east of Phoenix, Roosevelt Lake is a fisherman's playground with healthy populations of bass, crappie, catfish, and more. Its sprawling nature with over 100 miles of shoreline also make it suitable for other activities like wakesports, pleasure cruising, and hanging out on sandbars.
Saguaro Lake - Slightly closer to the Phoenix metro area about 40 miles east, Saguaro Lake allows easy access for weekend getaways on the water. While more modest in size, it's considered one of the better lakes for waterskiing, wakeboarding thanks to reliable flat-water conditions.
Lake Pleasant - A mere 45 minutes northwest of Phoenix, Lake Pleasant is known as a quick escape for Phoenix boaters looking to enjoy water skiing, wakeboarding, pleasure cruising, and quality bass fishing over a weekend. Its compact layout and serene nature also make it a top pick for sailing and paddling outings.
Local Arizona Boat Dealers Build Your Perfect Lake Rig
With such an impressive variety of lakes and boating opportunities throughout Arizona, finding your ideal setup requires guidance from skilled professionals intimately familiar with the local waters and conditions.
That's where premier local Arizona boat dealers like us at Laken Water Sports can help take the guesswork out of the buying process.
We are experienced dealers and carry a huge selection of new and used pontoon boats, wakeboats, deck boats, fishing boats, and more from respected brand names like Barletta and Heyday. We have boats for all budgets and our experts can help you find what you're looking for. More importantly, they can personally advise you on choosing the right size and model equipped with the amenities that will maximize your enjoyment for how and where you plan to boat most frequently.
Many dealers like Laken Water Sports also provide financing options to take some of the sting out of boat payments, along with value-added services like professional maintenance, repairs, dry storage, and accessories to fully outfit your dream rig. The bottom line - don't go it alone when preparing for Arizona lake adventures! Turn to these local boating experts for
Final Thoughts
From wild whitewater thrills to serene family cruising, splashing in hidden coves to hauling in a huge bass, boating experiences on Arizona lakes run the full gamut of possibilities. With so many incredible destinations like Lake Powell, Lake Havasu, and Saguaro Lake ready to explore, the only question is - what's your favorite way to play on the water?
Whether your dream is wakeboarding behind a world-class wake, hosting epic on-the-water parties with your pontoon boat's premium audio system, or simply kicking back and working on your tan while gently cruising the lake, Arizona has all the lakes you need for your boat.. Don't wait any longer to begin your next great lake adventure - your perfect lake boat is waiting!