boat types

[mrj]

what is the major difference in runabouts, bow riders, and fish and ski boats? which type would be better for tubing, wake boarding, and skiing?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: boat types

Those 3 sound like names for pretty much the same thing. Open bows. A fish and ski might have a trolling motor and a live well.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: boat types

Additionally, I'd say there are three sub types of fish and ski's. First is a semi or deep v, dual console, aluminum or fiberglass boat - typically outboard powered (Sea Ray, Triumph, Crestliner, and Lund are a few examples). Second is a fiberglass bow rider, either I/O or OB, with a trolling motor, livewell, etc added (Tahoe, Glastron, and Four Winns for example). Lastly is a bass boat hull, full windsheild, OB version that typically includes a ski pylon (Procraft, Nitro, Triton, and Skeeter for examples).

Confused yet? Heres another take - they all float (hopefully), they all can allow you to catch fish or tube or hang out. Go to google image search and play around with looking at different models. Each has it's strong points and weak points. Up to individuals to decide what they want.

 

[southkogs]

Re: boat types

As the other guys said, you're likely talking roughly the same boat in all of those terms. With the exception of probably the Fish and Ski style - they're usually a little more fish and a little less ski.

For tubing and skiing you can work with a bunch of different hull types, but if you're thinking you're really going to get into watersports go ahead and look into the inboard ski boats. They're nice boats and are specifically designed to do that sort of thing. Wakeboarding is it's own sport, and you need a boat that makes enough wake for the board to function. Ski boats are designed to do just the opposite. There are ways to add ballast to the boat to make it dig more, so it can work but you probably need to keep that in mind.

Unless you think you'll be fishing a lot - I'd steer away from the "fish n' ski" types unless you find a really good deal. They're kind of "okay" boats that are mediocre in trying to serve two different masters.