Since ancient times, boats have been serving humanity in different ways. A boat is a specially designed watercraft that helps travel through shallow waters. Though large ships and yachts also have significance, boats are unique ideas that work well where ships may fail. In the very beginning, boats were designed to be operated by manpower. There was no other option except it. However, with time, these crafts underwent an evolution and several types of boats were invented. Nowadays, there are many options when it comes to choosing a boat.
No matter how many types of boats for lakes have been introduced, the basic idea behind it is the same. Depending on their uses, boats have been divided into different kinds. Some are good for transportation of goods while others are perfect for passengers. In this article, we’ll break down the basic as well as in-depth classification of these transportation sources. So, let’s move down to explore which type of boat suits a particular user.
Table of Contents
Different Types of Boats
Basic Classification Of types of boats
Depending on their power sources, boats have been divided into three basic categories. For a better understanding, you can check different types of boats with names and pictures online. Here is a detailed illustration of all these kinds.
1- Man Powered Boats
These are the ancient kinds of boats and are also in use nowadays. These are also called unpowered boats that don’t use any kind of power engine. These boats move with human power. Though rarely, these are also used nowadays for different purposes like kayaking, rafting, and gondolas.
2- Motor Boats Or Engine Powered Boats
With an advance in technology, boats also underwent a remarkable evolution. Though the idea remained the same, their working method was changed. As man-powered boats were slow kinds of transportation that used to take a lot of time in transportation. However, motorboats or engine-powered boats are far faster and more powerful. They can move quickly to far-off places.
As the name shows, these kinds of boats are powered by an engine. Though the combustion engine used in these motor-powered boats is the same, different kinds of engines are used in them. Nowadays, there are such boats that feature more than one engine. Such boats are more powerful than those having a single engine. Also, different kinds of engines like normal combustion engines, jet ski engines, and engines with fins are now being used in boats.
3- Sailboats
Just like the powerboats, the sailboats also move on wind power. These boats move with the help of wind and have a sail option that makes them quite economical. They navigate through the wind, so they rely on this power source. As the director of the wind doesn’t remain the same, such watercraft now feature a wind-powered engine that helps them move through the water. This engine operates on wind and helps the boat to move even in an anti-wind direction.
Common types of boats
Besides the above-mentioned classification, different kinds of boats fall under any of the above categories. Here are some commonly used kinds of boats.
1- Deck Boats
As the name suggests, this kind of watercraft will have a deck to bask in the open water. Deck boats can be used for different purposes ranging from recreation to professional use. However, these are the most common types of boats used for recreational, water sports, and swimming purposes.
The V-shaped deck of such a boat helps to enjoy a party within the open water with your friends or family. Moreover, one can also use this for rental business as people love such recreational sources that let them enjoy within waters.
2- Trawler Boats
Based on its shape, a trawler boat works on less power consumption. This kind of boat has a hull that lets it move through the water smoothly. Having large cabins, these are good for long cruising as they offer a comfortable journey. These are one of the modern sources of transportation in water and have separate sleeping cabins to relax and sleep, a kitchen to cook, and lounges to enjoy meals in gathering.
With all the facilities they offer, such boats are now being used for far cruising and adventures. These are far more spacious than the normal boats and make the journey comfortable. Along with the facilities such a boat offers, it will be fuel effective too.
3- Bowrider Boats
Bowrider Boats are one of the most commonly used boats that families own for their personal use. Depending on their size, such boats offer a different seating capacity that makes them ideal for different families. Bowrider is popular as they have a wide hull to enjoy while standing or sitting.
The shape of their hull also makes them ideal for different water situations like rough waters. So, people tend to use them for lots of activities like swimming, water sports, recreational activities, or transportation through the water.
4- Yachts
Yachts fall under the categories of the most luxurious styles of boats. In the modern age, people love to own an appealing vehicle or watercraft. A yacht is a modern design boat that has all facilities to live within it. No matter if you are setting out for a short water trip or a long cruise, you can have a safe and comfortable trip on a yacht. Yachts are available long-range like silent yachts and pop yachts.
All the modern boats for fishing of this kind are equipped with all the facilities like bedrooms, kitchen, dining halls, bathrooms, and so on. Also, they are well equipped with navigators and radars. These features help to navigate while in the open sea and also help to find the shore and destination.
Depending on their sizes, yachts offer different amenities. Some big-sized yachts feature pools, garages, helipads, and many other facilities. All these facilities that a yacht offers make it a unique watercraft for personal as well as rental use.
5- Sedan Bridge Boats
At first sight, one may confuse a sedan bridge boat with a yacht as both seem similar. However, sedan boats are excellent for navigation and long voyages. Except for the bridge and navigation system, the rest of the features like amenities make the sedan bridge boats far better than yachts. The extended bridge of this boat makes the visibility far better.
Due to the high bridge, the sedan offers an appealing look to many other boat types. Moreover, the increased height of the bridge offers maximum space for amenities. The hull of this boat is deeper than common boat options. This thing helps in making the boat stable. Hence, you’ll have a safe and comfortable voyage on it.
6- Tow Sports Boats
Tow sports boats are almost identical to ski boats, surf boats, and wakeboard boats. However, all these boats have a different use that is the major differentiation among them. Towboats are good for adventurous activities like riding the long waves. However, the parent boat is ideal for family use too.
The difference between the towboats and other boats with the same design is the placement of their engines. The ski boats and surf boats have engines in their centers that make their ride quite safe and smooth. However, the wakeboard or tow sports boats have engines in the back area. This thing helps them create big waves that offer maximum fun to the person riding the waves.
7- Water Ski or Water Shooters
These types of boats have different names like personal boats, personal watercraft, water shooters, and so on. These are good to enjoy in open waters. Unlike many other boats that offer a smooth and slow ride, these boats have a high speed that makes them ideal for adventures like riding the waves. Moreover, these come in various shapes and sizes making cornering possible. Cornering is also a way to have fun in the water.
These boats come in a long variety ranging from a seat model to stand-up models. No matter which model you choose, these boats are designed for adventures and fun. By pushing the lightweight boat downward with the legs, one can propel the boat straight in the air. Lots of other tricks help the riders to enjoy themselves in the open water.
8- Canoes Boats
Canoe boats are one of the simplest types that are man-powered. One can have a small or large size according to his or her needs. The person driving the boat will have to drive it with the help of a wooden blade. By pushing the water with the wooden blade, one can make the boat move in the desired direction.
To meet the weight requirements, the canoe boats are made of a variety of materials like fiberglass, aluminum, or molded plastic. However, in ancient days, such boats featured wooden material. Even this material is also used in the modern age too. But such material makes them too heavy to propel. So, people love to use other alternative materials like fiberglass, aluminum, or plastic. All these have a lightweight that helps in an easy propelling of the boat.
9- Dinghy Or Row Boats
TheRowboatss or dinghy boats have different uses. One can use it as a navigator for large ships and boats, fishing, water sports, swimming, exploring, and so on. These boats come in large varieties depending on their sizes and material kinds. They can be made of inflatable plastic or aluminum or fiberglass material.
Moreover, they can be man-powered or with a motor power system. The modern rowboats are equipped with a motor that helps the boats to go through the water easily without any hard work. However, some may be with a man-powered system like those used as transportation for a ship docked near the beach.
10- Rescue Boats
As the name suggests, these kinds of boats are mostly used for the safety community. However, some boats of this kind are also used for fun making and personal enjoyment. These are some of the fastest boats ever made as they need to reach the destination right in time. Some boats may be attached to the larger ships that help in rescuing the individuals in any emergencies. However, the government rescue teams also own these security boats.
Mostly, the rescue boats have first aid kits and life jackets in them. That equipment proves very beneficial for emergencies like sea disasters. These also come in a variety of materials, some materials are inflatable while others are hard.
Other Types of Boats
Besides the above-mentioned types of boats, here are some other kinds of boats that are used for different purposes.
- Skiff boats
- Fishing boats
- Kayaks boats
- Center console boats
- Hovercrafts
- Cabin cruiser
- Pontoon High-performance boats
- Banana boats
- Houseboats
How many types of boats are there?
There are 20 common types of boats. All these types are illustrated in the above section.
What are the four classes of boats?
Depending on their sizes, boats are classified into the following four classes.
- Class A:
Less than 16 feet in length.
- Class I:
Ranging from 16 feet to 26 feet in length.
- Class II:
Ranging from 26 feet to 40 feet in length.
- Class Ill:
Ranging from 40 feet to 65 feet in length. Some may be more lengthy than it too.
What’s a small boat called?
Small boats are called dinghy boats that come in motor as well as man-powered variants. One can choose any of these types of boats according to his or her requirements.
Final Verdict
Boats are being used for transportation, fishing, water sports, and many other purposes since ancient times. However, with an advance in technology, these watercraft have also undergone an evolution. In ancient times,man-powered boats were the only option. However, nowadays, a long list of different motor-powered boats is available on the market. One can choose any of the above-mentioned types of boats according to his needs. Now, different yachts like the below deck sailing yacht, Maltese falcon yacht, and many other luxurious boats are available for personal as well as rental use. If you’re also an amateur voyager, you can choose any of the above types of boats.
