Below you will find articles and research reports written by the BoaterInput team.
Best Boat Accessories – fun and practical items to make boating easier and more enjoyable
Like many of you, boating is one of my very favorite activities. Hanging out with friends or family and enjoying nature is my idea of a good time. So how can you make the [...]
Is a Boat Club Right for You?
Boat Clubs have become an extremely popular alternative to boat ownership in recent years. So much so that industry giant, Brunswick, acquired Freedom Boat Club - the oldest and largest boat club back in [...]
Boat Cleaning 101 – Key Steps and Products to Use
Keeping your boat clean is important to not only make your boat look nice but also to protect your investment. In this article, I describe common boat cleaning steps and identify some of the [...]
Sea Doo Switch – a sporty, youthful pontoon boat for a different kind of boater
Modular Layout Pontoon boats have often been thought of as the “minivans of the water”. Large and comfortable but not exactly nimble on the water. Bombardier is changing that perception with the recent [...]
BRP Introduces Rotax Outboards – Is this the return of the 2-Stroke?
New Coke, CNN+, Sony Betamax, the Edsel and Cheetos Lip Balm (yes, there actually was such a thing). These are all examples of good companies that misread the market and introduced a “bad” product. [...]
Is there an electric outboard in your future? The launch of the Mercury Avator 7.5e
There has been tremendous focus within the boating industry in recent years on developing electric, more environmentally friendly, boats. Initial efforts, while intriguing, have often fallen short in terms of practicality and affordability. Take for [...]
Where can I get a boater license online?
Are you a beginner boater or have a teenage son or daughter who is interested in captaining your "ship"? Many states now have Boater Safety certification requirements in order to legally operate a motorboat or [...]
Brunswick Launches Veer Boats. First Impressions.
The New Veer X13 In January of 2023, Brunswick introduced a new line of boats called Veer designed to appeal to younger/1st time boaters. The first entry is the X13 model, a 13’ boat [...]
Boat Buying Tips: How to Address Common Challenges
Buying a boat has become increasingly challenging in recent years. The surge in demand due to the pandemic coupled with supply-chain issues put a major strain on new and used boat inventories. As a result, prices have increased and finding the boat of your dreams has become a difficult and time-consuming task. In this article, I discuss some of the key challenges associated with the shopping process and provide some boat buying tips based on the learning from our recent industry study.
Where To Buy Boat Supplies – Survey Findings
Determining where the buy boat supplies such as oil, lubes and cleaning supplies can be a bit of a challenge. On the one hand, you want to be sure to get the right product for your boat and motor without paying an exorbitant amount. On the other hand, if it is Wednesday and you have guests coming for the weekend, then timeliness is suddenly a critical factor.
Should Real-time Imaging be Banned from Tournaments?
Real-time imaging sonar (e.g., Garmin Livescope, Lowrance LiveTarget) is a game changing technology that has been instrumental in tournament fishing recently. Anglers who have taken the time to "master" the technology have often scored huge [...]
MerCruiser vs Volvo – A Review of Sterndrive Engines
If you are considering purchasing a sterndrive boat, you might be wondering whether the brand of engine matters - MerCruiser vs Volvo? In this article, I compare owner satisfaction with each brand based on our [...]
“Great boat, solid ride… great bay boat for fishing. Fast with Yamaha 300!!” (Overall Rating: 10)
“Excellent high-end Pontoon Boat with a 400hp R Mercury outboard Racing motor. Too nice to be a Pontoon Boat. Rear twin electric recliners.” (Overall Rating: 9)
“Great boat and a great price point. Carolina flare and deadrise makes for an exceptionally dry boat which I would expect from any Carolina boat builder that builds primarily for the Atlantic. This is not a shallow draft boat for its size, however….I would say it drafts in 12″ +.” (Overall Rating: 8)