Boat owners often follow the same trends, once they start to become mainstream. Although trends frequently come and go, some boating trends are quite practical, while others are fun.
Here’s a list of some of the current trends boat owners are enjoying.
- Private docks
Boat owners who live by the water are investing in private boat docks. The ease of docking their boat right by their house instead of paying massive storage fees is appealing to many boat owners. It’s also more appealing to have a private dock instead of having to bring their boat around to a public dock.
It seems like it would be easy to just bring their boat a short distance and head out on the water, but public docks can be both frustrating and dangerous. No matter how safe they are, they can’t count on other people following safety protocols.
The best part is that there are different types of docks for different conditions. For instance, there are fixed docks, roll-in temporary docks, and even floating docks for rivers with fluctuating water levels.
Private boat docks are trendy for a good reason; they make life easier for people who live by the water by providing a private, secure location to disembark and embark without having to deal with crowds.
- Electric boat motors
There has always been a trend toward eco-friendly equipment and it was only a matter of time before that trend hit the boating world. Today, boat owners are embracing eco-friendly options like lithium-ion powered motors over gas and diesel.
Electric boats provide several benefits over gas-powered boats. In addition to producing no emissions, an electric motor makes it possible to reach torque instantly. For those who water ski, wakeboard, or kite surf, this is a major benefit.
The other benefit to electric boats is longevity. Electric motors have fewer moving parts than gas-powered motors, which gives them a longer lifespan. This makes owning an electric boat less expensive and easier to maintain.
- Kayaking
Many people have noticed that kayaks have been a little harder to find in the last year – at least, certain models have been scarce. Kayaks have always been a favorite, but they’re getting more popular than ever. This trend is partly due to the coronavirus pandemic, which ended up making people want to be closer to nature and get out on the water.
There are several different types of kayaks, and all of them are getting more popular. For instance, people kayak in white water, which is pretty fast, but others prefer large, calm bodies of water. There are also kayaks made just for fishing, and those are getting even more popular these days.
Here’s why people love kayaking:
- It’s a good workout and relatively low-impact
- White water kayaking is thrilling
- Paddling around a calm lake is relaxing
- Fishing with a friend in a kayak is a great way to bond
- Kayaking is an excellent way to explore nature and see things from a different point of view
Since kayaking is so peaceful, it makes sense that it would become more popular during a time when stress seems to be at an all-time high.
- Pontoons
Pontoons have been popular for a while, and people love using them for everything from fishing and cruising to water-skiing and tubing. Pontoons are also easy to outfit with a water slide, which makes them fun for family adventures.
Pontoons function like a combination between a boat and a barge. They’re perfect for cruising around with friends and family when you just want to have a good time and be out on the water.
These boats can navigate shallow waters and have superior stability compared to some other types of boats. For instance, you can dance and barbecue on a pontoon – two things you can’t do on other boats. They’re also easy to maintain, which is critical for owning a boat.
Boating season is almost here
With summer right around the corner, boat owners will soon be heading out to the water to catch some fish and some downtime with their friends. First-time boat owners will also be heading out to enjoy the summer and indulge in some of the current, popular trends in the boating world.
