Boat Prop Calculation Tools

Propeller calculators are software that helps determine the ideal diameter and pitch for a specific boat motor that is put to a specific use. There are also calculators that determine the power each rotation of a propeller will provide the boat. Beyond prop selection tools like welders, polishers, sanders, hammers, screwdrivers and spanners are useful when replacing or repairing boat props.
The software available to calculate pitch or diameters of props come with a preset integrated database. They calculate the speed, slip, pitch, rpm and drive gear ratios after the required information is entered into a query section. The software has useful, ‘Help’ options and the reports given by the calculator are printable.
Calculators determine the requirements for all types of propellers. Calculations can be obtained for outboard and inboard motors, gasoline and diesel motors, 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines, 3 blade, 4 blade and five blade props, stainless steel and aluminum props and for different types of boats like flat bottomed boats, cruisers, speed boats, skiers, fishing boats and pontoon boats.
The various measurements provided by these calculators include propeller sizing, pitch adjustment, shaft tapering, slip and speed calculations, the gear ratio and rpm of the propeller. Calculators are useful modern methods of calculation with near perfect accuracy. Since calculators are computer software they are easy to use. The digital reading on calculators has made calculators even more user friendly. They help to give precise information on propeller sizing and performance.
Another useful propeller tool is the propeller scan. This is a computer based propeller inspection system. The scan reduces the time spent in diagnosing the performance problems of a propeller. The problems are quickly detected and the prop can be modified or repaired accurately. The scan gives an accurate reading of the problem and this helps to correct vibrations and slippage when repairing the prop.
The tools required for removing and repairing props are screwdrivers, ratchets, hammers and many other automotive tools. It is important to keep a spare prop for possible collisions with underwater obstacles and to learn the basics of prop replacement as a safety measure. A pair of rubber gloves is necessary when handling a boat propeller because the blades can be very sharp.
The digital age has impacted the boat prop industry and online tools are available to help boaters choose the right propeller for their unique needs, diagnose problems and repair propellers with great accuracy. For repairing and replacing propellers traditional tools are adiquite. However, experts believe that props should not be repaired by the boater. Expert technicians will have the expertise and experience in repairing the propeller to precise specifications. Boaters should carry a spare emergency propeller with the same configuration as the propeller in use and replace the propeller rather than try to repair the propeller.
A propeller having precise computer calculated specifications and fitted carefully with traditional tools to the specifications in the engine manual will give hours of excellent propulsion for the boat.

INCREASING YOUR PROPELLER’S EFFICIENCY

Typically, a minimum space of about 10% of the prop diameter is needed between the hull and the tip of the propeller blade for a displacement boat; for a high-speed planning craft the clearance should be 15 to 20 % or more. Ideally, a boat’s props should be ‘fine-tuned’ to suit the boat’s hull shape and displacement. A quick way to determine prop’s performance is to listen to the engine. If the engine cannot get to its maximum rpm, the prop may be over-pitched or oversized in terms of diameter or aggregate blade area-meaning that it is like trying to start a stopped car using the third gear.
If the engine reaches its maximum rpm easily and may even over revolution, but the boat doesn’t get to its maximum speed, the prop might either be too small or under-pitched. This is like driving down the highway in first gear. Other characteristics indicate other problems to an experienced prop mechanic. If a boat is suspected not running at its optimum, have it checked out by an experienced prop shop, which markets, repairs and tunes propellers.
If decision is made to get a new propeller, first take a number of dimensions from the boat, starting with the distance from the shaft centerline to the hull bottom at the fore-and-aft center of the intended propeller location. This dimension will tell the largest diameter prop that can be fitted to the boat. The displacement of the boat should also be known, ideally, boat condition when it’s in sailing condition, known as half-load condition in naval architecture. This means the tanks are half full, half of the stores are onboard, and all the crew is onboard.
The maximum rated horsepower are also needed, in addition to the maximum rpm speed of the engine, the reduction gear ratio, the diameter of the prop shaft and whether the prop is to run clockwise or counterclockwise.
When a prop comes from the manufacturer, it is pitched reasonably accurately but not fine-tuned. The fine-tuning is done by the prop shop along with any additional needed work such as cupping and balancing. This is to make sure to get the right prop for the boat.

Boat Console Covers

Wherever you live, when you leave your vessel unattended or unused for longer than a week, you've got to protect it in some way from the vagaries of Mother Nature, human and wildlife. Plenty of folks transport their boat in the boat dock to a garage making use of a trailer once the boat will not be used for lengthy periods. For boats which are stored on land inside a garage, the matter of a boat console cover is not going to come up.
How to Proceed When the Boat Is Stored For Extended Periods
Any boat is quite sensitive for the elements, but the main feature that needs to be protected is certainly the console in the boat. For these reasons several boats will come with a custom made console include which will ensure that water, sun or dust doesn't destroy it. One of the most detrimental, as well as one from the most widespread, components you'll ought to have to safeguard against are wind, rain and dust.
One in the most suitable substance to deal with all this component is, cover make by canvas cloth. A boat cover crafted from canvas ensures that the console is totally covered. Despite the fact that canvas normally offers exceptional protection against water, for the finest outcome several persons seal the boat console include with water resistant duct tape. After this really is accomplished, the canvas boat console cover will be certain to give you total protection even in the worst feasible storms.
Canvas is quite good in terms with the breath ability of the boat console include. This factor is extremely important if the boat is stored in a high humidity location. The higher moisture build up on the vessel, can begin to ruin everything within a brief space of time; this really is particularly dangerous for the electronic devices and equipment within the boat console. The canvas guarantees that there's ample air flow circulating inside so the dampness evaporates prior to it will create damage.
A canvas boat console cover will even offer outstanding protection against airborne dirt and dust and debris. While it permits air circulation it blocks the dust from obtaining into and settling around the console with the vessel. Even with the strongest wind, dust must not get into the canvas.
The very best way to safeguard your boat is to store it in a garage or boat shed. Even so, within event you have to leave it in outdoors, you have to have to cover it using a customized canvas boat cover for best protection.

How To Launch Your Boat

If your launching skills are rusty, here's how to leap from land to sea with the skills of an ancient mariner.

1. Before you back down the ramp, your boat, trailer and tow vehicle need to be primed for launch. Start by inspecting the ramp for submerged hazards, sharp drop-offs and slippery spots covered with algae.

2. Ideally you've test-started your boat's engine to avoid the embarrassing dead-in-the-water syndrome. Carefully inspect your hull and drive components for parasitic marine life; remove pesky zebra mussels or any other freeloaders so they don't infiltrate the lake you're about to enter. Give the bilge drain plug(s) a final check to make sure they are installed and securely tightened. Center the steering. Use the trim control to raise the outboard motor or stern drive to the upper limit of its range to avoid dragging the skeg during launch. All essential gear—life jackets, fenders, safety equipment and refreshments—should be stowed neatly on board.

3. Shift your tow vehicle into four-wheel-drive if it is so equipped. Low range, if available, is handy for providing optimum control over a large boat and trailer. If you're using a front-drive tow vehicle to launch something light, such as a personal water craft, locate, but don't press, the switch that disables traction control.

4. Now check the trailer. Disconnecting the cable that powers the tail lamps will prevent bulb failure during their immersion. Remove the tie-down straps securing the boat's transom (back end) to the trailer. Unhook the strap that connects the boat's bow (front end) to the winch mechanism. Reel in that strap and secure the hook so it doesn't drag on the ground after launch. Some trailers equipped with surge brakes have a lever (located at the front of the trailer tongue) to disable the brakes during backing.

5. Your able helper—someone familiar with starting, shifting and steering procedures—should now climb aboard the boat. In the event you have no helper and are attempting a single-handed launch, skip to step 11.

6. Lower the tow vehicle's windows and mute the radio so you can hear communications from your helper. Adjust your mirrors so you can keep eyes on the boat without craning. After a final check to make sure there's a clear path into the water, begin slowly backing the tow vehicle. Steer carefully to keep the trailer centered on the launch ramp and in a straight line with the tow vehicle. If your rig goes catawampus, drive forward to correct the tow-vehicle-to-trailer alignment.

7. As the boat hull enters the water, give the brake pedal an occasional light tap. This keeps speed in check and uses the boat's momentum to slide your craft smoothly off the trailer. Do not be alarmed when most of the trailer, including the wheels and fenders, becomes immersed.

8. Halt the tow vehicle well before its rear wheels reach the water's edge. (If the ramp angle is shallow, those wheels may have to enter the water.) Your boat should now be floating free of the trailer and under the command of your able helper. Remind your assistant to check the steering and reset the trim before starting the engine.

9. Use minimal throttle to extract the empty trailer from the water's clutches without spinning the tow vehicle's wheels. If the ramp is slippery and traction is severely limited, try switching off the traction control. To help your tow vehicle gain a secure footing, steer away from algae patches.

10. Don't forget to reattach the tail-lamp cable before towing your trailer on the road. And when the boat is back onboard the trailer, return the surge-brake lever to its normal operating position.

11. Launching without an assistant is tricky, but it can be done. The essential difference is that you need a mooring line so the boat doesn't float away without you. That rope should be loosely tied to either a dock or to the trailer until you're onboard. Follow steps 6, 7 and 8 while also performing the helper's duties. Once the trailer is down the ramp far enough for the boat to be buoyant, climb aboard by any convenient means. If remaining dry is your goal, try walking down the trailer's tongue and hopping onto the bow. Once onboard, detach the mooring line, lower the trim, start the engine and drive the boat to a dock or to the shore so you can drive your vehicle and trailer from the boat ramp and into a parking space. The single-handed launch method should not be used if there is a queue of fellow boaters waiting for their turn on the ramp.

Ways For Tiny Boat Construction

Boat building is undoubtedly not a hobby, but we can name it as a passion- a deep innovative passion of any individual. Passions and dreams are the seeds that grow success and fame in coming future. Inside whole world, there are cores of persons involved in business, construction and service industries but a really group of people today are interested in self or group. It is extremely imaginative course of action along with technical and constructive.
Boat making is one from the earliest branches of engineering, which involves the building method of hulks, spars, boxes, sailboats and rigging. Technically, proper dimensions and fixed cutting from the plywood size can enable in constructing any great boat in a very smaller phase of time. Tiny or large, boat dimensions and its lay out should be measured perfectly. As any form of great designer wear demands excellent measurement to fit on one’s body, the same way small or large boat demands great measurement and dimensions to fix the boat pieces.
How to build a smaller boat?
The innovative procedure of boat making involves patience, time and accurate dimensions of the plywood just before cutting and fixing. It is advised to generate a boat model in advance of attempting the final construction work simply because it can give an idea of practice construction tools and strategies. Here are some essential methods to know and follow:
Firstly,
One will need to prepare and choose the boat measurements and its dimensions on the plywood. The further preparation depends upon the measurement done.
Secondly,
Cut the plywood components as per the dimensions and measurements taken on it. These kinds of components are technically referred to as boat parts, which want to get fix from the final building belonging to the boat.
Thirdly,
It is all about trimming and shaping the parts that are cut. Plywood elements or boat components are necessary to acquire trim prior to fixing.
Next,
It would be to make certain the nailing, gluing and stitching on the plywood parts into the final construction of boat. It needs correct nailing and gluing in the parts in advance of stitching.
Finally,
Add decks, hatches and houses into the boat construction procedure. Also, the most imaginative component of it i.e. painting is usually followed immediately after that. This ways includes painting belonging to the boat that is certainly most gorgeous element of boat building. Paint the natural colors that suit the structure and appearance of the boat.
Thus, this long method of creating requires patience and knowledge prior to proceed more. Apart from being innovative, it is a type of unique and innovative process that may be handled with the enable of group or self. You are able to surf the internet and even discover boat setting up CDs and tapes available with audio visual effect. Viewing these tapes can make your constructing progression a lot more effortless and fast. Soon after, the little boat develops will takes less time than normal or big boat constructing.

Fiberglass Boat Building Plans

Building a ship could be a problem, even for essentially the most completed carpenter or hobbyist. If you have ever considered the opportunity of building your personal boat, here are 4 superb reasons to observe through together with your ideas.
Firstly:
You’re going to get a greater high quality boat as a result of you’ll follow through on the venture with consideration to detail. You will most certainly use superior materials and take the time to make sure that the whole lot is completed to a better standard that a factory made boat that is pumped out from an assembly line. You even have the choice of putting in as much time as you require completing your project. Factories or boat yards have schedules to keep, they cannot afford to spend too much time on a single mission, and if they go over the time allotted, they don’t seem to be earning profits on that project. This is another reason why they may cut corners or not do as good a job as you’ll in crafting your individual boat.
Secondly:
Cost savings. If you have the cupboard space, you possibly can definitely save a lot of money buying your provides in bulk. Check into concepts resembling reclaimed timber, this could add up to enormous value savings. Shopping for a manufactured boat can price a lot of money. You might be paying for the price of the materials used to construct the boat and you are additionally paying the labor prices and the time it took to build that boat. If you happen to construct your own boat, there isn’t any labor costs involved, simply your own time. You need to invest in an excellent set of plans, no matter what the fee, do not minimize corners on this facet of your build. In case you have bad plans, there’s absolutely no method that you can create a great product.
Thirdly:
Hobbies typically turn into businesses. For those who discover that building boats may be very fulfilling, and you wish to continue, you have got a number of options. First, in case you continue to build boats and preserve them all, you’ll likely fill your yard up with boats. If, then again, you start to sell these boats, you possibly can establish an extremely lucrative business for your self from an interest that you enjoy. There is no such thing as a better work on this planet than work that you just get pleasure from and receives a commission for.
Forth:
You constructed it, so you recognize all the history of the boat. While you buy a ship, not unlike a used automotive, you do not really know the entire historical past behind it. The vendor may leave some essential issues out, because they actually wish to unload the boat. As you already know, it is “buyers beware”, so you get stuck with a large gap in the water that you simply throw money into. Building your own boat guarantees that you are not buying someone else’s problems and losing money because of it.
Fifth:
Start with a project that’s manageable. This boat should be one that may be very easy and simple to complete. The worst factor you are able to do is to tackle a complex venture that you haven’t any likelihood of finishing. Not solely with this leave you frustrated, but you will also have spent a lot of money on supplies that can now go to waste.

Tips to Fabricate Your Own Duck Boat

Duck boats are customized and design with the aim of duck hunting. And with right planning, you can discover ways to develop a duck boat yourself.
In developing a boat you have the option to construct the boat completely yourself or outfitting a preexisting jon boat or row boat to customize it for duck hunting. These two options are can be found which is completely up to you to choose.
However, should you don’t have a jon or row boat, Need to say, it is simply as simple to develop a duck boat yourself. All that’s required is meticulous planning plus your willingness to exert the mandatory effort to create a duck boat.
So here goes a few of the factors:
BUDGET
To build your own duck boat is less expensive than buying it. However, you’ll still need a quantity as an earmark as this can determine the type of materials you’ll use. This also allows a tight rein about the cash therefore you don’t save money than you must.
MATERIALS
Generally, the most typical materials which enables you to develop a houseboat are wood, aluminum, polyethylene and fiberglass. Selecting the best materials is determined by your priorities and preference. If budget may be the main concern here, wood may be the cheapest materials make use of. You must coat it with special paint so it won’t easily rot. However, if durability is high on your list, aluminum and fiberglass are good materials for this function. Aluminum is very sturdy but would require some welding skills and fiberglass is not prone to leaks and very durable but budget-wise, it is not exactly the cheapest. Polyethylene is an alternative too but make sure, you haul it right as dragging can cause damage to the material.
DESIGN
Creating a good and workable duck boat plan could make the dwelling process easier. You’ll get an idea of the type of material you’ll need beforehand, the abilities required as well as the complete instruction to create a duck boat.
INFORMATION
Simply, you can get a good information from Building a Duck Boat – Tips and Things to Keep in Mind.

12 Easy Ways To Build Up Your Own Wooden Boat

How to build your own wooden boat
Each and every holiday, especially the shiny and hot day, we enjoy heading to beach, rivers and lakes just to paddle our boats and see the sunset. But none of us understand and know how to construct their own boat. Do you know that any individual, who using the correct tools and components can construct an easy wooden boat! Now get your tools and components and let us commence developing our own wooden boat.
You will need all the tools listed below;
Chisel
Clamps
Close weave do the job clothing
Disposable plastic material gloves
Hammer
Hand plane
Hand sanding block
Handsaw
Heavy drift
Lofting batten
Particle mask
Aircraft
Energy drill
Energy jigsaw
Energy plane
Random orbit sander
Safety glasses
Collection square
Steel ruler
Components used to build a wooden boat.
one box of 2in timber nails
one item of 11/4in by 10in metal sheeting
one item of 2in by 4in medium hard wood , 16ft extensive
one item of 2in by 4in medium hard wood, 2ft extensive
one item of 3/4in by 6in medium hard wood, 120ft extensive
one item of 7/8in by 10in medium hard wood, 16ft extensive
one item of pound white guide
one item of scrap aboard, 4ft extensive
one item of 16 and 1/2in by 1/4in medium hard wood, 4ft extensive
2 items of 7/8in by 2in medium hard wood, 16ft extensive
4 items of 1in by 10in medium hard wood, 16ft extensive
The process!
First; develop the transom that may be used as assistance to the frames from the counter. To produce a single, select the board with sizing 4ft extensive, 16 and 1/2 by 2 inches. Make a trapezoidal form figure by cutting the board 42 and 7/16” in period and make and angle reduce that may make the top side 8 inches shorter than the bottom side. Minimize a grove with 2inches deep and 14 inches extensive in the center top from the trapezoid figure.
2. Have the board using the sizing of 16ft extensive, 2in by 4in and round off its ends.
3. Have the board of sizing 2ft extensive, 2” by 4” to develop the stem. Make the end left side from the stem 1/4″ narrower and 2” down the 4” in period by cutting a small grove onto the left end side. Then reduce the correct side by ensuring that its 1/4″ narrower and 2 3/16” down the 4” period. Make the 2 ends a mirror of each other by repeating the whole process once again.
4. Develop the sides, using the 16” by 4” by 1” boards, reduce an angular or V-shaped reduce of about one 1/2” wide and 1/2” deep within the 10” width side of each planks. Make sure that the two boards will fit correctly collectively. Use nail to connect the two boards collectively. Repeat this process to develop the other side from the fishing boat.
5. Place strips of white guide within the V-shape reduce within the stem then protected the planks on the stem by nailing each side of planks towards the stem.
6. Place the trapezoidal transom in a way that the groove is facing the sky. Attach the left side from the fishing boat towards the transom by the use of nails.
7. Make use of the random orbit sander to smoothen the edges and sides from the fishing boat.
8. Use nails to connect the keel towards the transom and stem from the fishing boat.
9. Use nail to connect the keel to each from the bottom boards within the fishing boat.
10. Patch the cracks and cover the nail holes with white guide. Cover the huge cracks with metal sheeting.
11. Place some boards for bench seats along the sides from the fishing boat about 2 to 3ft apart from each other.
12. Install the outboard motor towards the stem from the fishing boat.
You’ve already created an easy but awesome wooden boat.
Wood boats are probably the most common water automobile to relax ourselves even though we enjoy the beauty of dynamics in the river, beach or lake. Making a wooden boat is just easy, collect your components and begin enjoy even though you construct your awesome wooden boat.

Do you know!

Chine is a sharp corner on either side where the hull bottom meets the boat sides, which usually run from bow to stern, curving upward at the bow and disappearing underwater near the middle of the boat.

Chine Type:

There are three type of chine;

a) Hard (angular)
This type typically seen on a semiplaning or planning boat and is intended to throw spray to sides of the hull and prevent water from rising up the hull sides where it increases drag. Deep V type boats generally have wide flats at the chines to contribute additional lift.

b) Soft (rounded)
Soft chines describe a sharp turn in the hull section but not a hard corner. This chines type give a smoother ride in a seaway than hard type chine, and a flatter bottom with higher speed potential than a round-bilge displacement design, but their top speed is not as high as a previous type chine. A boat with soft chines will have spray rails forward to break the suction of wave climbing in the bow.

c) Reverse
This type of chines actually turns downward toward the water surface as in a “Boston Whaler”. This chine usually forms a “tunnels” like look on either side. When the boat is underway, water thrown out by the center hull is deflected downward by the chines and as a result it provides additional lift. Normally, because of the tunnels on either side of the hull give minicathedrals look, the hull shape is often called as a cathedral hull.

Displacement Hull Forms

Displacement hull forms are the familiar monohull, the catamaran and the submarine. The moderate-to-full-displacement monohull form provides the best possible combinations of high-payload-carrying ability,economical powering characteristics, and good seakeeping qualities. Amore slender hull form achieves a significant reduction in wave-making resistance, hence increased speed:however, it is limited in its ability to beam. The catamaran provides a solution to the problem of low transverse stability. It is increasingly popular in sailing yachts and is under development for high-speed passenger ferries and research and small support ships. Sailing catamarans, with their superior ttransverse stability permitting large sail-plane area, gain a speed advantages over monohull craft of comparable size. A powered catamaran has the advantage of increased deck-space and relatively low roll angles over a monohull ship. The submarine, operating at depths which preclude the formation of surface waves, experiences significant reductions in resistance compared to a well-design surface ship of equal displacement.

Protecting Fiberglass Boat Deck

How to extend the life of your deck protection

Quality carpet on a boat deck protects the fiberglass boat deck and cockpit, and more comfort for the crew and passengers. Unfortunately deck carpet takes a beating of a marine environment and often has a short lifespan. Exposure to sun and water, combined with the typical outdoor wear and on a boat, inevitably result in a need to replace carpet deck.
The life of the boat deck carpet is usually five years, on average, which is about the same as boat top and canvas. Of course, tolerance carpet worn deck depends on the individual. With frequent cleaning and minor repairs can deck carpet last ten years.
Deck Carpet Care and Maintenance should include:
• Cleaners Seasonal
• Immediate treatment spot to spot
• Repair of broken or cracked binding snaps
• Protection of the carpet in full sail on the deckhouse and the cockpit (if possible)
Boat owners should plan to upgrade deck carpet, when they thought to sell their crafts in order to improve the sale value of vehicles. When buying pre-owner boat, most boaters like to see upgraded deck clean carpet. At least, skippers should simply plan on upgrading the deck with marine grade carpet, carpet replacement deck when their current carpet has reached acceptable standards.

Keeping The Shine Of Your Fiberglass Boat

Tips to keep fiberglass boat shine
To keep the gel coat, which is that the glossy coat of the fiberglass boat in good condition, to protect it against the ravages of ultraviolet radiation and the effect of the sea, waxing your boat once or perhaps be twice in a season of navigation, or once every three months. Waxing your boat can be a family navigation project for the installation of the boat for winter or a good first project for the installation of your boat for next season. A good wax job will keep your boat in order throughout the year.
Tools needed:
• Mild liquid dish soap
• 5 gallons plastic pails
• Water
• paste wax
• Towels
Procedure:
• Step 1
Wash the boat with a mixture of 1 cup of mild liquid dishwashing soap and 3 liters of water in a bucket of 5 gallons plastic. Thoroughly rinse the boat and allow the boat to dry completely.
• Step 2
Apply paste wax on the surface of the boat with a clean cloth folded in four. Use for overlapping, circular movements to a complete coverage of the surface. Allow the wax to a matte white surface.
• Step 3
Fold a clean cloth into quarters and begin to polish the dull white residue removed from the boat in a circular, overlapping motion. Rotate and fold the cloth frequently to ensure that the cleaner is used to polish the surface

To Clean Fiberglass Boat

The first rule in the management of fiberglass boat, it must be cleaned often. The second rule is, from top to bottom clean. There are many boat cleaning products for specific surfaces. With a product for a region on another surface is sometimes cause damage. Always try a mild cleanser first, and for the hard work, used a biodegradable degreaser. Always avoid high silicon content cleaner and waxing.
Here are some tips for cleaning a fiberglass boat.
Tools needed:
• Rubber gloves
• Pail
• All uses clean (low silicone included)
• Nylon bristles
• Biodegradable Degreaser
• 600 sand paper
Cleaner Steps:
Step 1
Fill a bucket with hot water and add a quarter cup of all purpose cleaner. Use a brush to remove dirt, remove dirt, grease and dried blood fishing trips.
Step 2
Use a degreaser to remove bird droppings on your boat in fiberglass. Let the degreaser sit for a few moments, then rub the stained area with a broom.
Step 3
Stubborn stains with fiberglass-600 sandpaper. Wet the sandpaper and gently rub the stain.
Step 4
Apply to facilitate your fiberglass boat wax next cleaning.

BUYING THE FIRST BOAT

Steps Before Buying Your First Boat
All vehicles need a lot of thought before buying same is the case with boats. Firstly you have to decide the reason for buying the boat. Mostly people buy it for fun and recreation therefore you need to make sure that the boat serves its purpose well. Here is a few thought before you make the decision.
FIRST:
You'll need to decide what type of a boat is right for you. What you want to use the boat for and where you want to use it.
Keep in mind that there are several different types of boats that are used for different purposes and if you're not experienced with larger and high speed boats that you'll want to stick to a size and speed that you can manage comfortably without feeling out of control in tricky situations.

Types of boat are anonymous;
Cruising boat is the most popular and has been built for cruising in the open water and lakes. Most cruisers will come equipped with at least one cabin that is great for overnight trips.

Another type of boat is the fishing boat and as the name indicated these boats is bought with the purpose of being used for fishing on fresh or saltwater. There will be less room on a fishing boat for passengers than there is on a cruising boat, however large fishing boats may have one cabin that is perfect for the longer fishing trip. If you're an avid fisherman you'll want to choose the fishing type boat over other types of boats.

Yet another pleasure boat to consider is one designed with water sports in mind. If you love to water ski or wake board then you'll want one with plenty of power and speed.

SECOND:
Once you've decided the type. It’ll be the time to think about the size you need.
The larger the boat, the more functionality you'll have. If you're on a limited budget, you of course won't want to buy a large boat to start with. The advice is to buy a boat within your expenses and experience. Then work your way up with your next boat purchase.
THIRD:
Consider a pre-owned boat. This is a way you can purchase an economic one and save you some money. Contact a dealer specializing in used models or look for boat owners that have a craft for sale, and buy directly from them. The difference between the new and pre-owned boat is a new boat often has warranties and guarantees that will protect you for the first year or so.

There are many different models that you can choose from after you've decided on what type of boat you want to buy. You don't always need to stick with the popular manufacturers of boats since brand name isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

Once you've made up your mind as to type and size you want, you are in for many good times on the water.