Ocean boating is an excellent way for thrill seekers to enjoy a day on the water. However, because it's a more adventurous experience, you want to ensure you're at the helm of the right vessel.
Because ocean conditions vary widely, ocean boats come in all shapes and sizes. Today's article covers the nine best boats for ocean boating – whether you're interested in saltwater fishing, sunset cruising, or something in between.
9 Best Ocean Boats
If you want to go boating in the ocean, there are special considerations to remember. That's why we recommend these nine types of boats for ocean boating:
1. Cabin Cruisers
Cabin cruisers are essentially miniature vacation homes. They're ideal rigs for ocean cruising because they're fully equipped for spending extensive periods on board. Even the smallest cabin cruisers can sleep four to six people and have cooking and bathroom accommodations. Plus, their large size makes navigating large ocean waves a breeze.
Learn More About Cabin Cruisers
2. Center Consoles
Center consoles are ideal for saltwater fishing. Not only that but they're also designed to handle all sorts of sea conditions. Even small center consoles offer a safe and comfortable ride through open seas. And larger vessels have the necessary features and fuel capacity to venture far offshore for deep-sea fishing.
Learn More About Center Consoles
3. High-Performance Boats
Are you the type of boater who likes to feel the wind in their hair? If so, high-performance boats are the ocean boats for you. These performance-oriented vessels are designed for speed and range in size from 20 to over 50 feet. There is also a wide variety of organized activities (like poker runs) for performance boat owners held annually across the country.
Learn More About High-Performance Boats
4. Motor Yachts/Power Cruisers
As their name suggests, motor yachts are sizeable recreational vehicles with one or (more likely) two engines for primary propulsion. While there's no definitive distinction between large boats and small yachts, yachts generally run anywhere from 40 to 90 feet. Depending on the brand and design of your motor yacht, you can do pretty much anything with it. We recommend dock-to-dock coastal cruising, island hopping, or ocean crossing, as these vessels are ideal for the long haul.
Learn More About Motor Yachts/Power Cruisers
5. Multi-Hull Power Boats (Catamarans)
Multi-hull power boats (also called "power catamarans") are a type of pontoon boat that rides on two hulls. They've become extremely popular in recent years, offering more deck and cabin space than their monohull counterparts. They're also incredibly fuel efficient, making them ideal for ocean boating. Multi-hull power boats are known for being stable at rest, so they're a great option for diving during the day and sleeping at night.
Learn More About Multi-Hull Power Boats
6. Sailboats
Thanks to their versatility, sailboats are some of the best boats for ocean boating. Bluewater (or ocean crossing) sailboats are ideal for world circumnavigation, while medium-sized rigs can be raced in harbors or across seas. Plus, advancing construction technology has made sailboats stronger but lighter – allowing them to move in minimal wind while withstanding the pounding of head seas (oncoming waves).
7. Sportfishing Yachts
Any anglers out there? Sportfishing yachts are the ocean boats for you. These rigs are seaworthy in the roughest conditions and can travel 100+ miles from land. Therefore, they're the perfect vessel for dedicated fishermen chasing marlin, tuna, and wahoo.
Learn More About Sportfishing Yachts
8. Trawlers
Trawlers are a powerboat designed for long-distance cruising. They have everything you need to comfortably live on board – including private staterooms, full kitchens (we call this a "galley"), spacious living rooms, and more. Most trawlers cruise in a slow, economical way, making them ideal for ocean boaters who are looking to enjoy the ride.
9. Walkarounds
Walkaround boats are exactly what they sound like. Primarily fishing vessels, they have a small cabin (aka a cuddy cabin) with 360 degrees of fishability – thanks to an unobstructed pathway around the vessel. Plus, most walkaround boats have a cabin, berth, and toilet for overnight stays.
Must-Haves for Ocean Boating
Whether you're interested in hunting down trophy fish or simply going whale watching, you must feel safe and confident in your vessel of choice.
Seaworthy Enough to Handle the Conditions
Any boat that goes through an inlet and into the ocean must be large enough and seaworthy enough to handle the conditions. Because boating in the ocean varies drastically depending on the location and weather, deciding whether your vessel suffices will likely be a judgment call. (And spoiler – the answer will vary from day to day.)
Check the latest weather forecasts and condition reports before venturing into the ocean, and always keep your vessel in tip-top shape.
Ocean Boating Safety Gear
Having the proper safety, communications, and navigational gear is non-negotiable when it comes to ocean boating. Safety gear includes (but is not limited to):
- VHF Radio. Also, familiarize yourself with how to use it.
- GPS. A GPS will help you return to an inlet should you ever lose sight of land.
- Navigation knowledge. All ocean boaters need to have a firm grasp on navigating a boat with and without the assistance of electronics.
Check out our guide to Boat Safety Checklist & Safety Equipment.
Corrosion-Resistant Hardware
If you take a boat intended for freshwater and stick it in the ocean, you'll encounter corrosion streaks and deteriorating hardware quickly. That's why all the ocean boats above have stainless steel fittings and fasteners.
Fuel Economy
While many boats are seaworthy enough to take offshore, some will burn significantly more fuel than others. High-performance boats, for example, are primarily designed for speed. And while their big engines are equipped to navigate beyond sight of land, they'll likely have fuel-related range restrictions. (If a captain miscalculates their range, running out of fuel is a significantly larger problem in open water than it is on shore.)
When calculating the range of your boat, many experts recommend accounting for a bare minimum of 10% fuel capacity in reserve. Some will even suggest keeping as much as a third in reserve.
Best Types of Boats for Ocean Boating
We hope this article helped you understand the best types of boats for ocean boating. It doesn't matter whether you're interested in saltwater fishing or island hopping – as long as your rig is appropriately sized and designed for the ocean, we're confident your ocean boating adventures will be a blast.
