10 Best Family Boats – Buyer’s Guide

Sharing experiences such as taking the wheel for the very first time, catching a fish, or trimming the sails are all part of family boating traditions. Developing a “crew” of family members through shared responsibilities and teamwork makes these moments not only fun, but also closer.

The boat needs to be one that everyone can use to their full potential, so that everyone can take part in the activities together for finding the best boats for families

Choosing the right boat depends on the type of boating you and your family enjoy most. What kind of accessories should it have, and what size should it be? It is important to consider whether one of these boat types is suitable for your family when answering these questions.

This buying guide will help you in choosing the Best Family Boat according to its features and your requirement.

10 Best Family Boat

1. Yamaha SX195

In addition to seating 8 people on the Yamaha SX195, it has in-deck storage that would be ideal for families. As a result, this boat has been designed with storage in mind, and it provides a lot more storage than other 19-foot boats.

A snap-in woven floor mat makes slipping easier on the boat deck during winter months by preventing slipping on it. When the floor mats are removed, they can easily be cleaned.

Similarly to the Tahoe 2150 Deck, the Yamaha SX195 can be fitted with a table in its cockpit. There is also a wet storage compartment and a swimming platform at the stern of this boat.

Features

• You will have easy access to back support cushions and cup holders in the bow reserved seats.
• No other boat has ever been able to match the speed and performance of the Super Vortex High Production Marine engine.
• With Yamaha’s 4.3-inch touch-sensitive display and extendable phone holder, you can enjoy the ultimate smartphone experience.
• A 19-foot boat has a unique deck and hull design, maximizing space, ease of use, and adaptability.
• As well as the compressor cleanout ports, mounts for beverages, and cushions for backrests are included.
• Additional equipment and wakeboards can be stored in a large space below the floor.

Must read: 12 Best Wakesurf Boats – Review Guide

2. Blackfin 332 CC

With a large, seaworthy, comfortable, and well-designed cockpit for the summer sun, the Blackfin 332 CC comes with a multifunction Raymarine touchscreen display and two 16-inch LCD screens, positioned in front of three bucket seats. 

There are two outboard motors that have a combined 400 horsepower to get you where you need to go. With thoughtful features such as the windshield vent for letting air through, as well as a 45-quart Yeti Tundra cooler that slides out.

Blackfin has created a versatile family runabout that will appeal to a variety of people.

Features

• Lounge w/Flip-Up Armrests, Storage & Center Fold-Down Arm Rest with Drink Holders: Front-facing lounge with adjustable armrests, storage, and a center fold-down armrest.
• Outstanding innovation award winner for center consoles and walkaround fishing boats at the Miami International Boat Show.
• Blue/White Lighted Baitwell with See-Through Window: Insulated Baitwell with cutting board lid.
• There are three flip-up bolsters and armrests at the Helm, a bow forward seat with facing backrests, flip-up armrests on the Forward Facing Console Lounge, a storage compartment, and a center fold-down armrest containing drink holders, a transom bench seat, which folds away.
• The Helm has a compass, an engine monitor, an additional platform, a foldaway MP3 adapter, and an extra-high platform for the platform.
• The fuel system consists of two water separator fuel filters and two double-clapped fuel lines.

3. The Cobalt 23SC

There is no better combination of size, style, and performance than the 23SC. The outboard bowrider on this mid-sized boat is designed to do it all.

Yamaha and Mercury outboards are reliable and will get you into shallow waters without losing performance, all while requiring little maintenance.

Under the port console, this vessel features a built-in head to ensure you do not miss out on any boating time, additionally, a bow ladder is provided for beach landings, as well as a stern ladder for easy entry and exit.

Also Read: 6 Best Dual Console Boats – Buyer’s Guide

Features

• The 23SC Cobalt Boat will be available in 2022 
• Mercer 300 Verado w/PAS 300HP Bimini, Hull bottom upgrade (white), 
• The PremiumBow Tonneau Cover and the Cockpit Tonneau Cover are both decorated with cobalt lettering. 
• The exterior color is satin black with a ski tow, a dinette table with a nautical receptacle, and floor covering in white. 
• It features a seagrass headboard with a porta potty, LED interior accent lighting (RGB), and a battery switch for charging. 
• The swim platform accent must be three colors with a dual color matching ACR (required).

4. Bayliner Element E18

Bayliner’s Element E18 is priced at around $20,000, but when you consider all that this boat can do, we think the extra few hundred dollars are well worth it.

With three different seating areas, this 18.2-foot boat can comfortably carry nine passengers. As well as an engine that produces 90 horsepower, the boat comes with a trailer, allowing you to take part in a number of activities, for example, water sports, traveling, or just having fun on the water.

Also Read: 6 Best Cuddy Cabin Boats – Buyer’s Guide

Features

• With 115-HP Mercury® outboard power, auto-style handling, and 360-degree views, this is an intuitive boat that offers intuitive accessibility. Beginner boaters will find it easy to operate.
• In addition to improving stability on the plane, the M-Hull design maintains level flotation throughout curves.
• Up to 9 passengers can converse comfortably in the large layout with three social zones. Passengers and gear are protected by deep freeboard and high gunnels.

5. Tahoe 2150 Deck

A wakeboard and ski locker are located on the floor of the Tahoe 2150 Deck and provide ample storage space for up to 11 people.

Family-friendly amenities make this boat ideal for families. It is equipped with a sink and a refreshment center. Boating with the family is made easier with the drop-down curtain for changing.

In addition, the table can be removable and can be installed in several locations. There aren’t many bowriders or roundabouts with tables, and they are usually reserved for pontoons.

Swimming and water sports are ideal on this boat. On both sides of the boat, there are swimming platforms. A starting price of $34,000 makes this boat affordable, but it does come with a lot of amenities.

Features

• A custom-made trailer is standard on every 2150 hull, which cradles the hull perfectly for a long time and many miles.
• A 5-gallon water cooler is available at the port restaurant, whether you’re preparing a meal or cleaning up after a fishing trip with a pull-out sprayer and fresh water tank.
• It is possible to set up the table at either the bow or the aft of the vessel.
• A comfortable, convenient, and worry-free trip: NMMA® certified, fuel system that meets EPA standards, Drink holders made of stainless steel, Bimini top with matching boot, a change room that drops down & stainless steel hardware on the frame, bow anchoring cleat made of stainless steel.
• The cockpit has a digital depth sounder, an acrylic windscreen, hydraulic steering torque, and a steering wheel with a wheel in motion.
• There are two mounting positions for the removable table, an adjustable driver’s bucket seat that slides, swivels, and has a flip-up bolster, and an adjustable bow lounge with storage underneath.

6. Catalina 275 Sport

Getting out on the water doesn’t require much effort or crew, so maybe you’d like a simpler and also stylish boat that allows you to enjoy sailing in a simple and stylish manner.

Having a few friends over for a relaxing afternoon on the water may no longer require the amenities of a larger boat. I wonder if there’s anything more fun to own than a pretty and fast boat.

A new design from Catalina is the Catalina 275 Sport. Sailing is no longer about big boats, but sailors do not wish to abandon racing or day sailing, as many have informed us. It is less common for them to spend nights aboard, but they still want the option of overnighting, whether with their kids or grandkids.

These desires and expectations were met by the 275 Sport. Keeping the beam modest allowed trailering, so we chose a modern, long waterline. Its stunning hull combined with a powerful rig, including a self-tacking jib and large main, makes the 275 both fast and easy to sail.

It’s all about the cockpit on the 275. From the comfortable, ergonomically designed outboard coamings, the helmsman will regain a sense of the simplicity of steering a responsive, well-balanced boat.

Whether you’re going out for the weekend or simply escaping the weather, these options are suitable. In addition to the enclosed head, there is always the benefit of having this.

Features

• CONSTRUCTION: The hull is constructed of fiberglass laid by hand with hull liners attached to the hull, Molded-in nonslip surfaces and fiberglass deck liners make this a one-piece fiberglass deck.

Explore More: 12 Best Deck Boats 2022 – Buyer’s Guide

• SPARS & RIGGING: High-speed roller car with low friction mainsail with full batten square tip, Mainsail with loose footing, White UV-Protected Self-Tacking Jib, A complete running and standing rigging system, Halyards with low stretch internal to the ship.

• SAIL HANDLING & EQUIPMENT: Main Halyard of the Vectran Line, Gear for furling the headsail with ball bearings, Deck Hardware and Retractable Bow Sprit, Adjustable backstay with main sail flicker at masthead in 24:1

• DECK HARDWARE: Hiking stick with carbon fiber tiller, Rudder bearings with low friction, Pelican Hooks and Stern Looks with Pelican Gates are lifelines, Adjustment for main sail by Cunningham, Cabin top mounted with jib track and cars.

• INTERIOR: To convert a salon into a large berth, add a filler cushion, The sole is made from high-pressure laminate with a texture of teak and holly, Featuring light-diffusing lenses and screens for opening the forward hatch, A deadlight that diffuses light in the middle of the deck, Lighting using LEDs.

• ENGINE: A large tachometer is mounted on the electronic central panel, Separator for separating water and fuel in a remote location, Filter for cooling water that uses seawater, Reservoir for remote cooling, System for Aqualift Mufflers

7. Boston Whaler 240 Vantage

Its smart features and options allow it to be used in a variety of ways, including cruising, fishing, beaching, entertaining, and water sports, around the pool. 240 Vantage is described by Boston Whaler as a “Swiss Army knife of boating.”

The boat’s stylish port-side console hides a head and sink, which can be adjusted to provide a variety of seating configurations. In addition to its extra-wide bow, the boat offers a variety of seating options.

One of our most versatile boats for families, this boat includes an optional hardtop and glass helm, allowing buyers to customize it exactly as they wish.

Features

• The cockpit prep center is optional for a family-friendly layout.
• Seating with storage that converts into a port lounge.
• Both windlasses and boarding ladders are available on the redesigned bow.
• There is a sink and head on the portside console so that you can stay comfortable all-day.
• Additional weather protection is available with an optional hardtop.
• Stylish new glass dash with intuitive helm station.
• An optional aft Livewell, convenient rod storage, and a centerline fish box make fishing easier and more convenient.

8. Cobalt R7WSS

Cobalt’s ‘Free Space Reclamation’ technology allows the Cobalt R7WSS Surf to feature a massive cockpit. A deep V hull design makes it equally at home in choppy intercostal waters and for any water sport, the Cobalt R7WSS Surf certainly holds its own with the plush, sporty performance you’d expect from a Cobalt.

Water sports enthusiasts will find the WSS Surf package extremely helpful, as it features built-in ballast tanks and easy-to-use Surf settings. A push of a button builds the perfect wake to surf right or left.

Explore More: 12 Best Wakesurf Boats – Review Guide

When Performance Mode is engaged, the deep-v Cobalt’s Surf technology adjusts, resulting in smooth, stable performance

Features

• Trim Package for Makassar Dash and Interior.
• Indicator of Rudder, Merced
• Indicator for Volvo Rudders
• Weather forecast from XM
• Transom speakers with plat sound.
• Sound system with transom & arch spikes – one pair.
• System for satellite radio
• System for treating grey water
• Porcelain toilet head with electric power
• Electrified porcelain head with macerator
• Detail of a porta-potty head with a pump-out
• Cover for bow tonneau
• Covers for cockpits
• Covering for moorings
• Lighting for the interior accents (RGB) using LEDs
• Upholstery Accents with Quilted Patterns
• Keyless remote control for courtesy lights
• Console for sinking (head compartment)
• The cockpit, sink console
• Cockpit Mat, Soft-Trac
• Foot tread made of stainless steel (only for helms)
• Cushion for Sunpad (w/Dinette)
• Shower on the transom
• Switch for tilting the transom
• The umbrella comes with a receiver (mounted on a ski pylon)
• Lighting for underwater areas
• Racks for wakeboards, Triton
• A fire extinguisher with CE requirements
• Exhaustion from Captain’s Call
• Plus (with mufflers) from Captain’s Call
• Smart Tow (Merc DTS) with cruise control
• Volvo EVC with Cruise Control Zero Off
• (W/S Mount) Driver’s Rearview Mirror
• System of automatic fire extinguishers

9. Bennington 20 SL

It can seat nearly a dozen adults fully grown on the Bennington 20 SL pontoon boat. For several reasons, this boat is a great option for saltwater fishing with the family. Regular exposure to saltwater on the boat can cause damage, so you can add a feature that will help protect it.

The boats also come with a 10-year warranty, so you won’t need to worry about anything at all while you enjoy your time out on the open water.

Features

• Welds Are Beautiful: These boats are built with handcrafted quality right underneath the deck. 
• There are a lot of furniture manufacturers out there, but to create a seat that will last years beyond the showroom, you need the best materials and finishes.
• To create your world-class soft-touch premium vinyl for yachts, you have to use the best materials available.
• The aluminium side panel, which is a full-height section, not only gets a long-lasting, brilliant paint finish, but each section is also work-hardened for enhanced strength, stiffness, and a custom finish that is typically reserved for high-end models.
• This floor plan has become one of the most popular over the last 20 years due to its flexible seating and ample under-cabinet storage.
• With the Quad Bench floor plan, you get maximum seating capacity, storage space, and lounge area. You can expand your entertainment space with a sleek Fastback stern and speakers on many floor plans.

10. Four Winns HD 180 OB

Up to nine people can sit in the Four Winns HD 180 OB. 

These details were taken into account when designing this boat. Among the small comforts offered are hinged sun pads, which make it easier to board the boat without stepping on cushions. When you are wet, this can be annoying.

A large sunshade that extends from the cockpit to the stern is included, along with a lounger in the back.

In comparison to other listed products, Four Winns HD 180 OB offers a more middle-of-the-road starting price. A vessel like this starts at around $30,000.

Features

• Sterndrive runabouts have an uncluttered swim platform – and they won’t disappear anytime soon – because there is no outboard engine to disrupt their beauty.
• When the optional low-profile extended rear deck ($1,053) is added to the Four Winns HD 180, this wide-open space comes to life. This is where the group will gravitate when the key is turned off, so it is the best investment a grand buyer can make.
• After a ski run or swim, people have an easier time getting back on the deck due to its low level of water. A padded mat, available in espresso brown or gray, makes it even more comfortable for passengers to sit and submerge their legs.
• When guests are ready to head into the cockpit, guests can lift the sun pad’s starboard side to reveal a walkthrough. This keeps guests from damaging the plush, two-tone upholstery.
• It is possible to prop up the walkthrough section to form a backrest if you wish to make lounging on the pad more comfortable.
• This boat is also huge because of its wide beam, which measures 8 feet, 4 inches, and is about 2 inches smaller than a Sea Ray SLX 250. This boat is even bigger due to its high gunwale height.
• With sterndrives, you get a robust 200 horsepower starting at a robust 200 horsepower compared to the outboards, which are available with 90 to 150 horsepower.
• A new generation of sterndrive engines is available from both MerCruiser and Volvo Penta. Volvo Penta’s 4.3L V-6 engine powered our test boat.
• Direct injection and closed-cooling make this engine more responsive than the MerCruiser. Unlike modified car motors, MerCruiser’s 4.5L V-6 engine produces 200 horsepower from the ground up.
• As a wakeboard boat, the HD 180 retains its stability at slower speeds due to the pods, making it an excellent wakeboarding boat with just nine passengers and 899 pounds of ballast. A crisp, well-formed wake resulted from trimming up just a little at 21 mph.

Also Read: 5 Best Jon Boats – Buyer’s Guide

How To Choose The Best Family Boat?

There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing a boat, but choosing the right one for your family is even harder. Family boats must meet many requirements to ensure that they are suitable for your family.

The following points should be kept in mind:

1. Activities You Will Be Doing

If you are considering a particular kind of boat, it is important to consider the activities you want to do with it. If you plan to fish or participate in water sports a lot, you will need a different boat than someone who plans to take day cruises.

By focusing on the activities you enjoy doing, you can narrow down your choices.

2. Boat Type

Not all boats are created equal. There are a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from. You might want to consider the following kinds:

Pontoon Boats

The great stability and buoyancy of pontoon boats make them extremely popular. Families and large groups often prefer them because of their spacious decks.

You can use them for day cruising and even some watersports, even though most pontoons are usually found on freshwater rivers and lakes.

Bowriders

In a bowrider, most of the seating is located in the bow region, which is forward from the helm. They’re best used on lakes or rivers because they’re not comfortable in rough seas, so bowriders are popular with watersports enthusiasts or day cruisers.

Must Read: 10 Best Bowrider Boats – Buyer’s Guide

Cruisers

They are perfect for those seeking offshore fishing, as their name suggests, or those who want to cruise. It is generally expected that cruisers will have V-shaped hulls that are capable of taking on rougher seas.

New boat buyers often have the option of choosing the type of outboard engine they want, so they can get a cruiser customized to their specifications.

Deck boats

It’s possible to have the best of both worlds with a deck boat if you like the open space of a pontoon but want the speed and versatility of a bowrider. There are a couple of basic differences between a deck boat and a pontoon.

It has a larger open deck space while still offering the speed and capability of a bowrider, this way you can enjoy time on the water with your family while also having plenty of seating. Is there anything better than this?

Fish-and-Ski Boats

The purpose of Fish-and-Ski boats should be obvious from their name. Water skiing, wakeboarding, and similar watersports are available in the afternoon, along with all the basic supplies you’ll need.

you May Like This: 9 Best Ski Boats For The Money – Buyer’s Guide

Many bowriders have similar layouts to bowriders, with fish-friendly features such as live wells, holders for fishing rods, and trolling motors as well as tow-sports items such as lockers and ski pylons.

To design a boat for multipurpose use, multiple purposes must be considered (for example, a Livewell on a watersports boat might serve as a drink cooler, and the bow seating on a fishing boat might serve as a casting deck). Family vacations that include fishing and skiing are perfect for those who want to do both.

Walkarounds

Walkaround boats are ideal for families who like fishing and day cruising while also wanting overnight capabilities. They usually have an enclosed bow with a sleeping area and weather protection, while the aft cockpit has a large open cockpit for setting a trolling spread or swinging a rod.

Even though center consoles are a great choice for many types of fishing, walkarounds are a good choice for many types of fishing, particularly for those fishing in rainy or cold conditions with young children.

Jet Boats

While jet boats offer fewer choices than more traditional options, and jet propulsion has a tendency to be less efficient, they are still popular because they don’t have propellers.

It is extremely rare for a boat to sustain a propeller injury in any case, but many parents find peace of mind in giving up on the prop altogether and propelling the boat instead with a powerful jet of water instead.

In addition to remarkable performance, a low draft, as well as all the other features and accessories runabouts offer, jet boats offer a variety of accessories and features.

Sailboats

A sailing experience is very different from a powerboating experience, of course. Despite speeds being greatly reduced, sailing is a far more complex sport than merely turning a steering wheel and pressing down a throttle.

The “drawbacks” of sailing are, somewhat, part of its appeal. It requires skills and teamwork to sail a boat from dock to port, in which each member of the family plays a specific role.

In addition, there are a wide variety of sizes and comfort levels available in modern sailboats. Additionally, sailboats are generally less expensive than powerboats since they don’t require large, powerful engines.

3. Boat Size

It’s time to choose the right boat size after you determine what kind of boat you want. Compared to larger boats (17-28 feet), smaller boats (17-25 feet) have a much greater degree of nimbleness and are faster, perfect for water sports.

A smaller boat has a smaller deck and seating area, making it less ideal for fishing and cruising. You can also use a larger boat (18-30 feet), which gives you more deck space and more control over the vessel if you’re planning on going offshore or out in rougher water.

The size of your boat can be determined by how much space you need, the size of the boat you can handle, and how much space you need.

4. Price

We won’t forget to mention the price when discussing important aspects of buying a boat. Cost is a major determining factor when choosing what boat to buy for the majority of us.

If you purchase a used boat, you can make some savings, but it is important to keep in mind that boats must be maintained, so you don’t want to invest all of your savings in a boat that will require expensive maintenance later on.

Our recommendation? Do not blow all your savings on just one vessel. Spend as much as you feel comfortable with. Registering and insuring the boat, paying mooring fees, repairs, fuel, and other maintenance costs will require some money in reserve, and not getting into the red right away shouldn’t be a concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here below is the query list about the best family boat. I try my best to answer all possible questions about the family boats and how to purchase it but if you still have any questions then you can ask me in the comment section.

Conclusion

You can choose from the above options to make your perfect family boat, and with a variety of choices to choose from, you can pick one that fits the budget and the needs of your family.

The models listed above are not the only ones available if one of these boats sounds right for you. You may find that one of these companies offers a better fit for your needs due to the high level of customization including a wide selection of models available.

Although our top best pick is Yamaha SX195 which is a well-known brand all over the world. It has large storage space for 8 people, offers a mountable table, and a swimming platform on the stern. These features make it the ideal choice for families.

While Blackfin 332 CC is 2nd top pick due to its affordable option and also it has a pair of 16-inch Raymarine multi-function touch-screen displays, and a 400 horsepower. It has large storage and seating space for your family and friends.

In addition to choosing a boat based on what is available locally, you also need to consider what the dealer offers. Specials and incentives may reduce these prices or make them differ substantially from those listed on the manufacturer’s site.

You’d be a great family choice to own one of these boats because boating is a great, family-friendly activity