Did you know that 100 million Americans go boating annually and that almost 12% of American households own a boat used for recreation?
If your family doesn’t have a boat in the driveway or in storage at a facility, it makes sense to consider the benefits of owning one. It’s not something to do without thinking it through, figuring out what type and size makes sense, and figuring out how much you can afford to spend.
Continue reading to see five reasons why this might be the year for your family to get a boat.
- Peace of Mind
One reason recreational boating is so popular is that it can provide peace of mind. And who doesn’t need some calm in these stressful times? Being out on the open water can have a calming effect that helps you rest, relax, and destress. You can up the ante if you drive to a body of water in a rural region. Your family can load up the car, hook the boat trailer to the vehicle, and head to a cottage or camping site for time in the great outdoors. Adding some boating to the mix can make for a great trip that leaves you and yours feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
- Make the Most of Family Time
Family time isn’t just fun time. It can also lead to a higher quality of life. For instance, it can help you deal with stress, might lead to a longer life, boost psychological well-being, and enhance cardiovascular health. One reason boating is such a popular recreational activity is that it affords the opportunity for families to spend time with one another. You can enjoy the open waters together, relax and engage in conversation, and enjoy some water sports.
- Boating Can Provide Opportunities for Physical Activity
Are you getting enough physical activity every week? It’s recommended you strive for two and a half hours weekly of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or one hour and 15 minutes weekly of vigorous aerobic activity. If you don’t want to go to the gym, use your boat to get some of the physical activity you and yours need to be healthy and happy. When you board the boat and move away from shore, you and your family can enjoy swimming, water skiing, snorkeling, and other fun activities. You’ll all have fun as you get the physical activity your bodies need for optimal health.
- It’s an Inexpensive Way to Travel
Buying a boat means you’ll be able to travel rather inexpensively. As long as you can dock your boat at or near your destination, you and yours can cruise the water and go on an excursion. If you have little ones, you won’t have to worry about being asked “are we there yet?” a million times. They’ll sit back and enjoy the ride to and from your vacation destination.
- Travel to Warmer Regions
If you live in an area that gets plenty of snow and bone-chilling temperatures during the winter, your boat can be your means to travel to warmer climates. Sure, you could road trip your way to a state with favorable temperatures year-round. But that won’t be nearly as fun as traveling by boat — and going by boat means you won’t have to deal with bumper-to-bumper traffic.
If you are going to use your boat for transporting you and your family, ensure you get one that’s an appropriate size. Buying used can save you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, so you can potentially get a lot more for your money. In fact, you can use some of those savings to upgrade the most essential component of your boat — the engine. If you fancy such an upgrade, consider outboard electric boat motors.
As you can see, there are some good reasons to buy a boat. And, no, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to purchase a new one if that doesn’t fit your budget. Purchasing a used boat means you can get a steal of a deal. But get it checked out by a professional. You don’t want any nasty surprises that cost you a ton of money to rectify.
