You Just Bought a Boat. Now What?

With more interest in outdoor activities to ease stress and be socially distant, more than 310,000 new powerboats were sold in 2020, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. That’s the highest growth rate since the 2008 recession, and it spanned across all categories including wake surf, pontoon, and freshwater fishing boats, as well as personal watercraft.

If you’re one of those new boat owners, you may be wondering … now what? What other water sports gear can you get to enhance your family’s boating adventures this summer? Let us help you get the most out of your new lake lifestyle!

Pontoon boats and freshwater fishing boats accounted for 50% of new powerboat sales in 2020. If either of these were your choice, one essential is life vests. State regulations regarding PFDs vary, so become informed on the requirements in your state, and then stock up and stow!

Adding an inflatable pontoon slide to your pontoon will also keep the youngsters entertained for hours while the adults cozy up to a sand bar or hang out in your lake’s popular party cove. One of our best sellers, the RAVE Sports pontoon slide easily inflates and simply attaches to side rails with the enclosed safety straps. The kids will never want to go back home!

Versatile, smaller boats less than 26 feet were also a big seller in 2020 and this trend is expected to continue in 2021. If that’s your boat and you have young water sports enthusiasts on board, a pair of Steady Eddy™ trainer skis will bring a big splash to the summer. Designed with fun graphics for kids, these trainer skis feature a removable training bar to keep the ski tips together while learning, adjustable bindings to fit a range of sizes, and a training rope with a handle on the long end for an adult to release from the boat if the new skier falls. With a pair of Steady Eddy skis on board, learning to ski has never been easier!

Newer to the boating industry, wake boat sales were up 20% in 2020 and are expected to keep growing in 2021 and beyond. All wake boats need a practical wake surf board, so that’s why we designed the Fractal Wake Surf Board. Best for beginner and intermediate-skilled wake surfers, the Fractal features a comfortable soft foam top and a shape for consistent weight distribution and easy control.

Personal watercraft sales including Jet Ski, Sea Doo and WaveRunner, are also on the rise. Add to the fun of your Jet Ski with a Cutter towable tube and tow rope! The Cutter is a 2-person tube built for action-packed rides with a sleek design that rides the waves.