Summer is just around the corner, and whether you have the urge to fish, a need for speed or just love lounging on the lake, there are plenty of reasons to make an upgrade to your boat this summer season. From extra passenger space to added engine performance to modern designs that are sure to turn heads as you pass by the dock, a better boat can make your time on the water this year that much more enjoyable.
So, get the sunscreen ready, grab some towels, find a lake and keep reading to learn more about the best boats you can buy in 2021.
Nitro Z19 Pro
Best Freshwater Fishing Boat
Learn more about this 2021 angling boat
Those that prefer freshwater excursions, check out the new Nitro Z19, the perfect boat for fishing lakes and rivers. Offering a powerful Mercury outboard four-stroke engine, with upgradeable horsepower, you get the right amount of performance and speed, supported by an aerodynamic body design. The included foot-controlled Minn-Kota trolling motor lets you stealthily move along shorelines and shallow weedbeds. Anglers will also love the 44-quart insulated cooler to keep catches fresh or stash drinks, lockable rod storage to keep your gear safe, and a 16-gallon live well for storing fish. And, at just the right length of nearly 20’, you get enough room for four passengers.
Boat Specs:
Length: 19’4″
Fuel Capacity: 50 gallons
Average Dry Weight: 1,850 lbs.
Maximum Horsepower: 200HP
World Cat 325CC
Best Saltwater Fishing Boat
Learn more about this 2021 fishing boat
The newest saltwater fishing boat from World Cat is the 325CC. Boasting big enhancements from previous models, including removable transom seating, a boost in protected storage units, YETI coolers on both the port and starboard sides, and a refresh to the design, you’ll have everything you need for a day of deep-sea fishing or exploring ocean coves.
Boat Specs:
Fuel Capacity: 279 gallons (two tanks)
Dry Weight: 10,100 lbs.
Cruise speed: 28.3 mph
Top speed: 52.2 mph
Seating: 12 people
Horsepower: 800HP (two 400HP engines)
Bayliner Element
Best Boat for Under $20K
Learn more about this 2021 deck boat
Bayliner has brought a unique offer to market with the Element — a deck boat that, although just over 16’ long, seats six people and costs just under $16,000. The signature M-hull offers great balance and stability, while the 60-horsepower Mercury four-stroke outboard supplies enough power to reach a max speed of 30 mph and a cruising speed of 21 mph. To boot, it’s small footprint allows this miniature deck boat to fit in standard-sized garages and is simple to tow.
Boat Specs:
Length: 16’2”
Width: 7’5”
Person Capacity: 6
Maximum Horsepower: 80HP
Alumacraft Trophy 205
Best Aluminum Boat
Learn more about this 2021 aluminum boat
The Alumacraft Trophy 205 is a heavy-gauge option for those searching for a boat that will last a lifetime. Built with the latest livewell systems, extra room for storage and ergonomic seating, this aquatic craft will set you up for fishing success. Add-ons give you your choice of engines from top brands, including Honda, EVN and Suzuki, among others.
Boat Specs:
Length: 20’8”
Width: 98”
Weight: 1,915 lbs.
Maximum Horsepower: 300HP
MasterCraft NXT Series
Best Wakeboard Boat
Learn more about this 2021 wakeboard boat
For those that prefer cruising the wake, take a look at MasterCraft’s 2021 NXT Series. With this, they offer a standard 60-horsepower Ilmor engine that pushes out a buttery wake, while the interior has a comfortable setting arrangement that can fit 14 people. A digital dashboard gives you everything you need at your fingertips, so you can find the perfect spot to run a line.
Boat Specs:
Length: 22′
Width: 99″
Weight: 4,300 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 49 Gallons
Hull: Vector Drive
Baja Marine 36 Outlaw
Best Speedboat
Learn more about this 2021 speedboat
If you’re interested in speedboats, chances are you’ve come across at least one Baja boat. If you’re looking to make a purchase, you can’t go wrong with the top-of-the-line Baja Marine 36 Outlaw. It’s built solely for speed, thanks to its powerful Mercury Twin motors, reaching up to 82 mph, while remaining easy to control, thanks to the added length and 40” draft.
Boat Specs:
Length: 37’1″
Width: 8’6″
Dry Weight: 9,300 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 168 gallons
Harris Crowne 250
Best Pontoon Boat
Learn more about this 2021 pontoon boat
Those that prefer a more classic boating experience should take a look at the 2021 Harris Crowne 250. This boat re-wrote the book on how a pontoon should look and perform. Harris blurred the lines between a traditional pontoon aluminum structure with a fiberglass material that supplies a sleek look. Plus, with two 400-horsepower Mercury Verado outboards, this pontoon can keep up with the best of them — reaching speeds over 60 mph.
Boat Specs:
Overall Length: 27’11”
Width: 8’6″
Capacity: 11-13 persons
Maximum horsepower: 400HP
Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310LX
Best Jet Ski
Learn more about this 2021 jet ski
For those that are searching for a personal watercraft, check out the Kawasaki Ultra 310LX, which is the company’s flagship jet ski. You’ll reach speeds up to 67mph, making it the fastest model on the market. Plus, enjoy a built-in marine stereo that’s great for a stop at party cove.
Boat Specs:
Riders: 3
Engine: Supercharged 1,498CC Inline-Four
Hull: Reinforced Fiberglass
Horsepower: 310HP
Do you have a love for high-performance machines?
Buying a new boat is an exciting adventure that opens up a lot of fun new adventures for you and your family. As pilots, we can appreciate all types of high-performance machines, from boats to motorcycles to airplanes and beyond. Like other recreational vehicles, airplanes give you the freedom to explore, travel and journey to new places throughout the world. In fact, the process of buying a boat isn’t much different from buying an airplane. If you’re looking into a new hobby, one that can let you roam at your leisure, obtaining a private pilot license may be a good option. Becoming a certified pilot costs less than most new boats on the market right now, and with a personalized instruction program through Inflight Pilot Training, you can obtain a license on your own timeline.
If you’re interested in learning more about Inflight training programs, contact us today or call (952) 698-3000.
