What Is A Good Size Boat For A Lake?
A good size boat for a lake is determined by how many people fit on a boat and whether the water is rough or smooth. Arizona lakes are generally smooth so Arizona boaters don’t need a boat that can withstand the rough waters of the open ocean, but still need a big enough boat for all passengers to fit comfortably and safely. Consider the deadrise when choosing a good size lake boat.
Learn how to choose the best size boat for water sports, cruising and entertainment, and fishing on Arizona lakes.
What Is A Good Size Boat For A Lake?
Arizona lakes tend to be smoother than lakes in other parts of the country so you really don’t need a boat larger than 30 feet. But, the bigger the boat, the more people you can bring out and the more comfortable and luxurious it may be. Boats are harder to maneuver and harder to get on and off the trailer when the size increases.
A good size boat for a lake for water sports is 20 to 25 feet, for cruising and entertaining is 15 to 25 feet, and for fishing is 15 to 20 feet. Lake boats should be smaller than what is required for rough waters but large enough for optimal comfort and maximum enjoyment of lake activities.
Before you go out on the lake, be sure to check if it has a maximum length restriction. Some lakes have this restriction, especially ones that get very busy and where waterways become congested. In Arizona, Lake Havasu does not allow boats larger than 36 feet.
How Many People Fit On A Boat?
To determine how many people can fit on a boat, use this simple formula. However, this is the maximum weight the boat is allowed to carry, so account for the weight of equipment, water toys, and anything else you’ll be bringing along.
A good rule of thumb to determine how many people can fit on a boat is to do some simple math:
Maximum passengers on a boat = Boat Length x Boat Width / 18 (avg. weight of passengers)
For example, a boat that is 20 feet long and 8 feet wide with an average adult weight of 180 lbs can hold 8.88 passengers, but it will really be closer to 6-7 passengers when you account for the weight of gear and accessories. If the average weight of passengers are heavier or lighter than this, simply adjust the dividend.
Best Size Boat For Water Sports
For a fun day of water sports, you’ll need a boat that can go fast, create big wakes, and still have room for everyone and everything you’re bringing to be comfortable and under the maximum weight capacity.
The best boat size for water sports is 20 to 25 feet. Boats under 20 feet are too small to make decent wakes for water sports. A 20 to 25 foot ski boat will cause enough water displacement for knee boarding, wake surfing, waterskiing, and tubing.
Deep vs Shallow Deadrise For Good Wakes
But size isn’t everything when it comes to water sports. You need to choose a boat that has a deep V hull design. The deep V is created by where the bottom of the hull meets the freeboard. This is called the deadrise. A deep deadrise allows the boat to cut through the water smoother and a shallow deadrise gives the boat a more jarring ride. However, a shallow deadrise will allow the boat to plane much faster than a deep deadrise.
A boat with a “semi-V” hull, with a deep 21 to 24 degree deadrise is optimal for water sports.
Bowriders and Deck Boats
Bowriders and Deck Boats are a good option for cruising and watersports. You can fit up to 6 adults comfortably on a 20 foot bowrider including water sports equipment. A deck boat’s capacity is 1-2 more adults than a Bowrider.
Best Size Boat For Cruising
A 15 to 25 foot boat will fit up to 10 passengers comfortably when cruising on the lake. Cruising on an Arizona lake usually means there’s a party. And for a party, a pontoon boat is a popular choice.
Pontoon Boats
Pontoon boats are known as “party boats” because they are easy to drive and are a good size for a lot of passengers. Some pontoon boats are built with 2 stories and cool extras like a waterslide, built-in grill, bathroom, and dance floor. Count on a great sound system and a lot of friends and family having a great time.
Pontoon boats can be as big as 30 feet and hold 25 passengers, but these can be difficult to maneuver and load on and off a trailer. They have a large lounging area and wide open spaces for socializing. Pontoons are built with high rails so falling overboard is harder than on other types of boats.
They don’t perform well in rough water, but since Arizona lakes don’t typically have rough water, they are a popular choice for Arizona boaters.
Check out our pontoon boat inventory.
Best Size Boat For Fishing
A freshwater inshore fishing boat doesn’t need to have the large open areas for socializing that a pontoon has, but it does need to have good visibility to find fish and be small enough to motor into the nooks and crannies of the lake. Aluminum fishing boats and center consoles are a good choice for Arizona lakes.
The best size boat for inland fishing is 15 to 20 feet. This ensures comfort for all passengers while maintaining agility and maneuverability to locate and pursue freshwater fish. Boats under 20 feet are easier to maintain, trailer, and launch than larger boats.
Aluminum Fishing Boats
Aluminum fishing boats are lighter than fiberglass and require very little maintenance. They’re easy to drive and are tough enough to withstand a beginner boater. Since they’re so lightweight, they do tend to get affected by wind and waves. Arizona typically has calm weather and water but it’s something to be aware of.
Center Consoles
Center consoles are a good design for a fishing boat because you get a 360-degree view of the water and can cast your line without being impeded by the boat itself. The driver stands at the helm and passengers can walk all around the boat.
Final Thoughts
A good size boat for a lake is all about how many people will fit and how rough the water is. Determine how many people will fit on the boat with a simple formula. Arizona lakes are typically smooth and not very windy, so boats less than 25 feet are popular. Water sports, cruising and entertaining, and fishing are popular lake activities that require a good size boat. Whichever boat you choose, be sure to check out our inventory and find the best match!