If you’re looking to have a good time on the water, but don’t want to pony up money for boat insurance, you still have some good options, though. Here are some of the best boats for those who don’t have boat insurance:

• Kayak. These come in several varieties nowadays, including one and two seaters, and kayaks that are designed for river or open water travel. The original kayaks were built by the Eskimos and Inuit, of course, and used to traverse the frigid Arctic waters in search of seals and other game. A decent kayak can be obtained for about $400 and probably doesn’t warrant investing in boat insurance.

• Canoe. A slightly less cool version of a kayak, originally used by Native Americans in somewhat more temperate climates. Today’s canoes come in wood, fiberglass, or aluminum. Generally speaking, two or three people can fit in a canoe. Make sure the whole crew knows how to paddle one, though, or the guys sitting in front might need medical insurance to cover what the man trying to steer from the back will want to do with his paddle.

• Row boat. There probably isn’t a more exhausting way to get from one place to another on the water, and the only reason we can think of for wanting to spend any time in a rowboat these days is to impress a date (and we question how much fun your date is if the rowboat ride impresses her).

• Inner Tube. OK, it technically isn’t a boat. It is, however, a much better date idea than the rowboat. And who doesn’t like tubing down a river? There’s hardly anything more American or more fun. On top of that, the rubber inner tubes are both reasonably inexpensive and unlikely to damage anything when you collide, so boat insurance is unnecessary, which is fortunate, since no one would sell it to you to cover an inner tube anyway.

Let’s get serious. If you plan on doing any boating in anything more substantial that these, protect yourself and your investment. Buy boat insurance, and make sure your coverage will replace your boat if it gets damaged as well as protect you from liability if you have an accident out there.

Photo via Threat to Democracy

Tall ships have been with us since man first ventured off familiar shores and inlets to sail the open ocean in wooden hulled, tall-masted ships, though the name “Tall ships” has only been applied since the early 1900s. Originally, the ships were designed to cross the oceans, and today they often still do.

So, why would anyone continue to sail, especially across the ocean in a tall ship when modern technology has given us more efficient means of travel? If you have to ask that question, chances are you’ve never been sailing.

These days, tall ships serve many purposes. While their days of carrying cargo and passengers for profit are over, they continue to be sailed in ceremonial, educational, and recreational programs.

Many of today’s modern navies continue to maintain a tall ship or two in their arsenal. This includes the US Navy, which still has Old Ironsides, the USS Constitution under sail. Of course, as with all other tall ships, she’s seen all the combat she ever will, but the tradition lives on in the American Navy, and in several other navies around the world. We’re not sure whether or not the lack of chain shot being hurtled at them helps their boat insurance rates, but we’re pretty sure it doesn’t hurt them any.

Many tall ships are used for educational purposes. An example of this are the Appledore IV and Appledore V, docked in Bay City, Michigan, USA. Both two masted schooners are typically used for educational and team building sails. The professional crew consists of a captain and three crewmembers, with many of the typical crew tasks being performed by students.

Other tall ships offer recreational cruises ranging from a couple of hours to several days. Depending on the ship, passengers may be allowed to perform some of the sailors’ duties, or may simply enjoy the cruise.

If you ever get the chance to sail on one of these tall ships, whether it be in the Great Lakes or the open ocean, take it. There really is no better way to enjoy the wide open blue water than aboard a tall ship.

Photo via mikebaird

There’s something about being together in the relatively confined space that a boat offers, with the water surrounding you, which really brings a family together. Not only are there a lot of exciting and fun things you can do on the water, but you get a chance to really spend some time getting to know each other.

These days, families tend to fragment and go their separate ways, even when the children are young. There’s nothing wrong with everyone having their own interests and hobbies, but boating affords an opportunity to do something together, and that’s something you just can’t replace.

So, what kind of water fun is right for your family? Every family is different, and ultimately, that’s a question you’re going to have to answer for yourself. Here are some of the more popular family activities on a boat:

• Fishing. You don’t need a big boat, or a powerful one to have a blast reeling in whichever kind of fish inhabit your local waterways. Grab your tackle box and your kids and head out early to the marina to grab some bait and fisherman’s gossip. Make sure you find out where they’re biting and what they’re biting on. Then go out and have a great time.

• Water skiing. You need a little more boat for this, with a reasonably powerful engine and boat insurance. You also need some skis, of course. You should always have at least three people when you go water skiing: one to drive the boat, one to ski, and one to serve as a spotter, watching the skier and alerting the driver when he falls or has other issues. Teenagers in particular tend to love water skiing, though kids can be started much younger.

• Sailing. If you buy a sailboat, make sure you take some time to learn how to sail it before you get out on the water. It’s not as easy as it looks. That’s not to discourage you, it isn’t rocket science either, and it doesn’t take long to learn the basics, but you will want to make sure you have a basic understanding of how to handle the craft before you hoist the sail.

• Cruising. That’s right. Some families just like being on the water together. No activities, per se, no agenda. Just the boat, each other, and the water.

Photo via donjd2

• Clean your boat. This one should go without saying, but unfortunately, a lot of boat owners don’t invest even a few minutes in keeping their boat clean. Something as simple as spraying your boat off after you pull it out of the water can keep your boat in the water by avoiding the damage caused by long term exposure to the elements.

• Wax and paint your boat as needed. Make sure you use anti-fouling paint.

• Take care of your batteries. This is even more important for your boat than your car, because boat batteries by their very nature are exposed to more water and moisture. Keep the batteries clean and dry.

• Cover your boat when it’s out of the water. Why anyone would invest the few bucks you need for a boat cover after spending thousands of dollars on the boat itself is beyond us. It’s almost as bad as taking your boat out without any boat insurance.

• Flush your engine. Every time you bring the boat out of the water, you should flush the engine.

• Once per year, take your boat to a marine mechanic and have it looked over thoroughly. We know, this costs money, but it’s a lot cheaper than replacing the boat in most cases.

• Make sure your bilge pump is in working order before going out on the water. We hope you never have to use it, but when you do is a very bad time to discover that it isn’t working.

In short, take care of your boat and your boat will take care of making sure you have a good, safe time out on the water. Taking care of a boat the right way takes time and money, but in the end, it’ll be well worth it when you’re out on the lake and some other guy is sitting at home flipping through the channels with a boat he can’t use in the yard.

Still, the itch to get away hits all of us once in a while. Next time you decide to take a vacation, why not the hitch the boat to the back and find a place with a nice lake? Here are some fine examples of places you can drop your boat in the water next time you’re looking for somewhere different.

• Lake Michigan. If we’re going to put out a list of great lakes, it’s only fitting that we start it off with a Great Lake. Drive north of Chicago into Wisconsin or, especially, Michigan, and you’ll find some fantastic places to drop your boat in the water. Pay good attention to the weather forecasts if you venture out on the Great Lakes, however. Lake Michigan is usually calmer than the others, but like any lake, she can be dangerous if you’re out there on the wrong day.

• Beaver Lake. Located in the heart of the Ozarks, in Benton County, Arkansas, this beautiful 90 mile lake is quickly becoming well known. While the boating here isn’t quite as good as it was when it was less known, there’s still plenty of room to have fun on the lake. This destination is particularly good for the fishermen out there.

• Tellico Lake, Knoxville, Tennessee. This is where most of the major boat manufacturers test their boats, so it can be a great place to check out what’s coming down the pipe in the boating world. And the fishing isn’t half bad, either. Top that off with being close to the city and another fantastic little lake, Lake Loudon. If you happen to be a Vols fan, join them during the boat tailgate parties before UT’s football games.

• Finger Lakes. If you like things fairly pristine, the Finger Lakes in New York are an excellent choice. The series of 11 lakes is not as highly developed as most, and can really be an outdoorsman’s dream. Or, conversely, if you are the sophisticated type who enjoys a good glass of wine, the area is also home to some fantastic vineyards.

Wherever you go, make sure that your boat insurance has you covered both in and out of the water. And remember, you may not be able to go boating on all of our countries lakes and rivers, but that’s no excuse for not trying.

Photo via rkramer62

When we refer to motor boats, we’re referring to a boat with an internal combustion engine, of course. There were steam ships far back into the 1800s, dating back to before the Civil War, but most of us don’t think about steam engines when we talk about boating.

Take me back to Lake Canstatt

The first time a gasoline engine was used to propel a boat was way back in 1886, on Canstatt Lake. Eleven people took part on the maiden voyage. One of them was the engine’s designer, none other than Gottlieb Daimler, who also designed the first practical gasoline engine for automobiles.

The first powered boat had only one cylinder, but it didn’t take long for Mr. Daimler to put a V type engine to work propelling watercraft. He first used a 2 cylinder V engine in 1887, and showed it to the world at the Paris Exhibition of 1889.

Electrify the ignition

By the turn of the century, it had been discovered that electric ignition was more reliable, predictable, and safer for combustion engines, and it didn’t take long before this was adopted in most powered watercraft. Of course, motor boats were still very much a novelty at the time.

By 1903, boating enthusiasts had hit upon the idea of racing motor boats. While they could have no idea how fast powerboats would eventually go, at the time the whopping 18 knots must have seemed almost like flying.

The first hacker

One of the early pioneers of motorboat design was John Hacker. An American, he developed the V-hull and the hydroplane early in the 20^th century. The V hull continues to be the basic design of most powerboats today, and his early Kitty Hawk hydroplanes were already reaching over 50 miles per hour before 1910. We’re not sure, but we’d guess his insurance agent wasn’t crazy about the unthinkably high speed (for that day). Wonder what his boat insurance cost? We do, too.

Photo via scazon

Water skiers today probably have no idea that they are enjoying a sport that almost didn’t get off the ground (or, more accurately, the water). Prehistoric man was hitting the slopes on snow skis by 5,000 BC in Scandinavia, but we don’t have evidence of anyone successfully trying it on the water until the 1920s. It took them almost 7,000 years to figure out that you don’t have to freeze your butt of to have a good time skiing!

There’s no way of knowing for sure who first had the idea. More than one sailor probably had the idea during a keelhauling. Unfortunately, none of them lived to pass the suggestion along. So, the world would have to wait.

Sweden awarded a patent for a water ski design in the 1840s, but it’s not exactly clear if it was ever actually built or used. Of course the steam ships of the day traveled at an alarmingly fast 5 miles per hour, and skiing behind a sailboat isn’t exactly anybody’s idea of a good time, so that may explain why the sport didn’t catch on in the land of the Vikings.

The first person known to successfully water ski was Ralph Samuelson of Minnesota. It took him several tries, but in 1922, Ralph managed to do what, as far as can be proven, no one else had ever done. By then, he was being pulled at a whopping 20 miles per hour. A few years later, Samuelson skied behind a World War I era flying boat, at a then record setting 80 mph. Samuelson was also the person who first brought us the ski jump.

Since then, water skiing has exploded, reaching all over the world. It has been featured in intercollegiate competition, as a Summer Olympics exhibition, and in numerous shows on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters everywhere. Join in the fun this summer. Get your boat ready, make sure your boat insurance is in order, and have a great time out there on the water.

Photo via OakleyOriginals

Still, there are some important things to think about before you take the plunge:

Size matters

Choosing the right size of boat is one of the most important decisions you can make. Couples can live in a smaller boat than families can. Your budget will also be a dictating factor in this decision.

Houseboats come in a variety of flavors as well. Some will be long and slender while others will be shorter yet wider. Deciding how you want to live and how much space you truly “need” is key decisions before you ever buy a boat. Shop, shop, and shop some more. You don’t want to regret your houseboat decision on day three.

Where to setup your floating home

Finding a marina that fits you is almost as important as finding a houseboat that works for you. Every marina comes with a personality all its own. Some marinas are full of yachts and millionaires. Others are full of sailboats. Choose a marina that fits your style.

Marinas all offer up different types of amenities. Will you need full service hookup? Have you thought about cable TV or Internet? Keep in mind that the more amenities you want, the more your marina rent will go up.

Children and pets are good additions

Living on a houseboat might seem like a bad place to have children or pet. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. Head down to your marina and check out how many people have pets. Dogs are especially good boat mates. Your yard might not be green, but most dogs love to swing in the water. Fido could even be more at home on the sea than on the land.

Children bring on a few extra considerations. You will need to consider the size of your houseboat. You will want to make sure you have enough room for the children to go and get out of your hair. Schooling is another consideration. Just like landlubbers, you will want to research the school district near the marina. You are not the first to have children on a houseboat. Thus, there is help out there for you.

What about TV or Internet

Many marinas offer up nice amenities like cable TV or Internet. This will require you to do some shopping around for the services provided via your marina. Another option for TV is to use a satellite. There will be a lot of adjusting, but you can take your HGTV with you everywhere you go.

Internet can be almost as easy. Many cell phone companies offer up wireless access cards for your computer. These won’t work as nicely on the open sea, but will provide some form of access while you are landside. Some providers provide Internet access via satellite, but this service is often spotty at best.

Living on a houseboat can be exhilarating and fun. There are special considerations to keep in mind, but the advantages more than make up for it. Keep your boat insurance renewed, your fishing pole in tip top shape, and enjoy living in a versatile space.

Photo via RickC

There are some specific questions you should ask the retailer before you commit to buying the boat, as well, to make sure that it’s the right boat for you:

What is the manufacturer’s status and reputation?

You want to choose a boat manufacturer that’s still in business. Over the past several years, many have gone under. You want to make sure you buy a boat from a company that’s weathered the economic storm, because you’ll need them to be around to honor the details of your warranty.

Is a pre-purchase survey available?

If the boat hasn’t already had a pre-purchase survey done, you should consider getting one or asking for one. In some cases, your boat insurance company may require it before you will be covered. You can hire someone to do a survey for about $10 per foot, and the survey will be worth every dime. In many cases, you can convince the seller to pay for the survey. Even if you don’t wind up buying the boat, the seller can use it when others look at buying the boat.

Can I take it out for a test drive?

Most of the time, a boat vendor will allow you to take a short test drive. In many cases, someone from the store will need to ride with you. You wouldn’t buy a new car without driving it a little bit, you shouldn’t consider buying a boat that you haven’t driven, either.

What’s covered by the warranty, and what is the support procedure?

You should know what is and isn’t covered by the warranty. From day one, you might have to get support from a secondary manufacturer if something breaks. If your GPS stops working, for example, you may have to talk to the GPS manufacturer rather than the boat manufacturer.

Photo via daveparker

So, for those of you who are just disaster prone, here are the top 5 items you need to make sure you bring along when boating:

1. Radar Reflector. For right around 20 bucks, you can get a little device that will show up as a blip every time a radar signal passes by. This can be especially useful if you plan on getting lost and don’t intend to be able to find your own way back home, or if you plan on being injured and knocked unconscious.
2. Waterproof Handheld GPS and/or VHF. Now, if you’re smart, you’ve got these devices mounted on your boat. The problem is that you’re not likely to have your disaster leave you inside the boat. You’re more likely to find yourself in the water, nowhere near your boat. You can get a combo VHF/GPS unit for less than $300. Just make sure you get a waterproof one, and then attach it to your body tightly.
3. A Collision mat. When you ram your hull into a huge rock, you need to be able to staunch the leak. A canvas collision mat can help to keep your bilge pump from becoming overwhelmed long enough to be able to get back home. A good one will cost about $150.
4. A Sharp Knife or Multitool. Clip that sucker to your belt in case you need to cut your anchor line, or cut off your left ankle to get free of that random bear trap someone dropped in the water two decades ago. You’re looking at less than $50 for a high-quality tool.
5. Personal locator beacon. Most boats have an EPIRB, but you can get a personal locator beacon in case that tiny boat tosses you overboard before drifting miles and miles away. A personal locator beacon will run you somewhere around $400.

Finally, if you know for  sure that you’re that disaster prone, you might consider just not going out on a boat. In some ways, it’s just tempting fate and asking for trouble.

Photo via yeowatzup