Your Guide to Boats, Ownership, and Getting Started So You Can Have Fun On The Water

Boat ownership is one of the most rewarding investments a man can make - not in dollars, but in time on the water with the people who matter. Whether you're researching your first aluminum fishing boat or planning a guys trip to test the waters before buying, ManTripping covers the lifestyle, logistics, and legacy of getting your crew on the water.

The numbers tell a story most boat marketing ignores: regular guys own boats, used boats dominate the market, and the biggest barrier isn't money - it's getting started. ManTripping approaches boating the way we approach everything else: practical information for men who want to do something, not just dream about it.

The Case for Buying A Boat Sooner

Your dad probably had you on the water before you could ride a bike. Maybe it was a jon boat on a farm pond, his buddy's bass boat, or a rental at the state park. That's how 85% of anglers got started - before turning 12, according to the RBFF's 2025 Special Report on Fishing.

But here's where it gets interesting: the median boat owner is now 60 years old, with more owners in their 70s than their 40s. First-time buyers average 46. As Info-Link's Jack Ellis noted in the NMMA's 2024 year-end report, "Many of the people who owned boats 25 years ago are the same people who own boats today, but they're 25 years older."

That means most men spend three decades between "I should get a boat" and actually buying one. Meanwhile, your kids are growing up. The window for father-son fishing trips - the kind your dad gave you - isn't infinite. The RBFF data shows participation drops sharply after age 18. Every year you wait is a year your kids get closer to being too busy, too cool, or too gone to care.

The boat doesn't have to be fancy. It just has to float.

What Boat Ownership Actually Costs

Somewhere along the way, owning a boat became synonymous with being rich. The reality is different: 61% of boat owners have household incomes under $100,000. They're not trust fund kids. They're guys who decided the boat mattered and figured out how to make it work.

The financing knowledge gap is real - 60% of potential buyers don't even know boat loan options exist, according to NMMA/MRAA research on next-generation boaters. After learning about 15-year financing options, one-third of survey respondents said boat ownership suddenly seemed attainable. Meanwhile, an estimated 75% of actual boat purchases are financed according to the National Marine Lenders Association.

Here's rough math on a starter setup: a $25,000 aluminum fishing boat with 10% down financed over 15 years runs approximately $215/month at current rates. That's less than many truck payments. Add boat insurance costs ($300-500/year), registration, and maintenance, and you're looking at a real but manageable commitment.

Your dad's boat probably wasn't impressive by any magazine standard. It was scratched, maybe leaked a little, definitely smelled like fish and gasoline. But it got you on the water. It gave you the memories.

The Pre-Owned Market Is A Real Opportunity Where Fun And Value Intersect For Boaters

Industry headlines focus on new boat sales declines, but that misses nearly 80% of the actual market. According to the NMMA's 2024 Statistical Abstract, pre-owned boats accounted for 858,798 units sold compared to 238,117 new boats - making used boat sales nearly four times larger than new and representing 78.3% of all transactions.

For first-time buyers, this is actually good news. Buying a used boat opens up massive inventory at every price point while new boat prices have climbed out of reach for many families. Combined with $12.1 billion in annual use spending (fuel, maintenance, docking) and $12.4 billion in aftermarket accessories, the real boating economy runs on existing boats, not showroom floors.

The path to ownership doesn't require new boat pricing. It requires knowing where to look and what to look for when inspecting a used boat.

Choosing the Right Boat for How You'll Actually Use It

The boat market is telling you something worth hearing. According to NMMA's mid-2025 industry data, while pontoons dropped 10.9%, jet boats fell 14.4%, wake sport boats declined 9.9%, and sterndrives plummeted over 20%, freshwater fishing boats held steady - the only segment posting modest growth in a contracting market.

This reflects a simple truth: boats designed around an activity tend to hold value better than boats designed around a vibe. When budgets tighten, "we should use the boat more" loses to "let's go catch something."

Fishing gives you a reason to go out. "Let's take the boat out" is vague. "The bass are hitting topwater at sunrise" is a plan. Purpose creates frequency, and frequency creates memories. A guy trying to decide between a bass boat vs pontoon should think hard about whether he wants to fish or float - because the boat you actually use beats the boat that looks good at the dock.

The 57.9 million Americans who went fishing in 2024 - an all-time record according to RBFF - are voting with their time. The fishing boat market is responding.

Where You Plan To Use It Will Determine The Type Of Boat You Should Buy

Not all water is created equal, and neither are the boats that work on it.

Freshwater Lakes and Rivers

The heart of American recreational boating. Aluminum fishing boats, bass boats, and pontoons dominate here. Trailer-friendly (95% of boats are under 26 feet), accessible from public ramps, and forgiving for new owners learning the ropes. States like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the Ozarks region offer endless options for weekend fishing trips with the family.

Saltwater and Coastal

Different beast entirely. Corrosion-resistant materials matter, as do size and seaworthiness. Center consoles rule the inshore and nearshore fishery. Florida leads the nation with registered boats representing roughly 10% of total U.S. registrations. A saltwater fishing charter is a smart way to test these waters before committing to ownership.

Great Lakes

Often underestimated. These are inland seas with serious weather, requiring boats that can handle chop and distance. The Great Lakes states collectively represent a significant portion of the national fleet.

Inshore and Bay

The sweet spot for many anglers - protected waters with serious fishing. Flats boats, bay boats, and smaller center consoles work well. Less intimidating than open ocean, more variety than freshwater.

Getting Started Without A Boat Guy To Mentor You

Here's something the marine industry knows but doesn't advertise: the next generation of boat buyers didn't grow up on boats.

Previous generations inherited the knowledge. Dad had a boat, you learned the ropes, you eventually got your own. The terminology, the maintenance, the unwritten rules of boat ramp etiquette - it all got passed down. You learned how to back a trailer, how to launch without holding up the line, how to load out quickly so the next guy could use the ramp.

But a lot of guys today came to outdoor recreation through hiking, mountain biking, camping, overlanding. They've got the adventure gene and the income. They just don't have a boat guy in their life who already showed them the ropes. The NMMA's research on next-generation boaters identified this knowledge gap as a primary barrier - these potential buyers "do not have a solid foundation in the basics of boat ownership."

If that's you, you're not behind. You're just taking a different path to the same water. The knowledge gap is closeable. Learning this stuff as an adult - with your kids watching you figure it out - might actually be better than inheriting it. You're building something instead of maintaining something.

Try These Boat Trips Before Boat Ownership

Not ready to buy? Rentals and charters let you test the lifestyle without the commitment. More importantly, they let you figure out what kind of boating actually fits your life.

A deep sea fishing charter teaches you whether offshore is your thing. A pontoon rental on a Midwest lake shows you whether slow cruising appeals to your crew. A bass boat guide trip reveals whether tournament-style fishing matches your intensity. Even trying wakesurfing on a friend's boat can show you whether watersports justify the investment in a wake boat.

The guys who end up happy with their boat purchase usually spent time on different types of water first. The guys who end up selling their boat in three years usually didn't.

Seasonal Boat Care Makes Ownership Easier

One thing that surprises first-time owners: a boat needs attention even when you're not using it. Get your boat ready for summer means more than just filling the tank. Batteries need charging, impellers need checking, and that winterized fuel system needs to come back to life.

The flip side matters too. Preparing your boat for winter storage properly - fogging the engine, stabilizing the fuel, draining the water systems - is the difference between a boat that starts in April and one that needs a mechanic. Boat trailer maintenance is part of the equation too; those bearings and tires need attention before towing season hits.

None of this is complicated once you've done it a couple times. It just needs to get done.

Making the Boat Happen

The average first-time buyer waits until 46. That's not a financial milestone - that's when guys finally stop making excuses. The money wasn't dramatically different at 40 or 36. The time wasn't either. Something just clicked.

Your kids have a window. That 85% of anglers who started before age 12 had dads, granddads, or uncles who didn't wait for perfect. They had someone who said "we're going fishing" and figured out the boat situation. Whether that means buying a first boat for beginners or just finding a buddy with a boat, the memories start when someone makes them happen.

The boat you can afford at 36 gets you the same sunrises, the same fish, the same memories as the boat you'll afford at 46. The only difference is ten years of trips you'll never get back.

Your kids don't need you to have the nicest boat. They need you to have a boat.

Sources

Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)

• 2025 Special Report on Fishing: 85% of anglers started before age 12; 57.9 million Americans fished in 2024 (all-time record); participation drops sharply after age 18.

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)

• December 2024 Industry Data Summary: Median boat owner age is 60; more owners in their 70s than 40s; first-time buyers average 46 years old.
• 2024 Total Industry Sales Report: Pre-owned sales totaled 858,798 boats (78.3% of all transactions); new boat sales totaled 238,117 units.
• June 2025 Industry Data Summary: Segment declines - pontoons down 10.9%, jet boats down 14.4%, wake sport boats down 9.9%, sterndrives down 20.1%; freshwater fishing boats only segment posting growth.
• Next Generation Boaters Research: 60% of potential buyers don't know financing exists; 91 million potential boaters in Growth and Emerging segments; knowledge gap identified as primary barrier.
• 2024 U.S. Boat Sales Statistics: 61% of boat buyers have household income under $100,000.

National Marine Lenders Association (NMLA)

• Boat Financing Guide: 75% of boat purchases are financed; 10% most common down payment.