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10 Unforgettable family fishing trips across the US to get your family outside
Going for an adventure outdoors is one of the best ways to spend time together as a family. Not only does it offer a chance to bond and create lasting...
Recent News & Articles
How Much Does a Bass Boat Cost? The Complete 2026 Buyer’s Guide
Key Takeaways Bass boat prices range from roughly $3,500 (used aluminum) to $150,000+ for new tournament fiberglass. The most popular price range for first-time buyers is $8,000 to $25,000, covering...
How Much is a Pontoon Boat in Florida?
Key Takeaways There’s no single honest price figure for Florida, compare matched listings instead of a statewide average. Match condition, length, model year, engine package, tube design, equipment, and trailer...
Boat Brands to Avoid in Florida: A 2026 Buyer’s Guide
Which Boat Brands Come Up Most Often as Ones to Avoid? Bayliner (older models), Kingfisher, Luhr/Luhrs, and certain Monterey configurations generate the most documented complaints in USCG recall data and...
Do You Pay Sales Tax on a Used Boat? What Every Buyer Needs to Know Before Closing
Key Takeaways Sales or use tax applies to used boat purchases in most U.S. states, whether bought from a dealer or a private seller. Tax rates range from 0% in...
Texas Boat Registration Cost: What You’ll Actually Pay in 2026
Boatzon, the online marketplace connecting boat buyers and sellers across the country, built this blog to answer that question with real numbers instead of vague ranges. The Texas boat registration...
How Many Hours Is Too Many on a Boat Engine?
Key Takeaways No universal limit exists. Engine type and maintenance history determine everything, not a single hour count. Average recreational use is 50–100 hours per year, according to the Bureau...
California Boat Registration Requirements: A Complete Guide for Owners
Key Takeaways California requires registration for nearly all motorized boats and sailboats over 8 feet, handled through the DMV, not a county tax office. Registration numbers start with “CF,” which...
Boat Registration Fees by State: What Every Owner Should Know
Key Takeaways Boat registration fees by state are typically set by length, propulsion type, and sometimes value or age. Fees range from roughly $15 to over $190 depending on the...
Do I Need a Boating License in Florida? Here’s the Real Answer
Key Takeaways Florida doesn’t issue a traditional “boating license.” It issues a Boating Safety Education ID Card. If you were born on or after January 1, 1988, you must carry...
Florida Boat Registration Requirements: 2026 Guide
Key Takeaways Florida requires both a title and a registration for most powered vessels. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) office handles titling and registration. Florida has more...
Best States to Buy a Boat: Real Price & Tax Data (2026)
What Actually Makes a State One of the Best States to Buy a Boat Three things drive this decision: how many boats are for sale, what tax you’ll owe, and...
What to Look for When Buying a Used Pontoon Boat
Quick Inspection Checklist Before you even step onto the boat, it helps to know what you’re looking for at a glance. Use this table as a fast reference while you...
The Quiet Cost of Owning a Boat: 12 Expenses Buyers Forget
Recurring costs that arrive every year Some expenses show up like clockwork, and they form the backbone of your ownership budget. These are the ones to nail down before you...
How Boat Transport Works: What It Costs to Ship a Boat and Do It Right
How much boat transport costs Transport is priced primarily by distance, and the rate is usually quoted per mile. Boat transport generally runs between roughly $1.60 and $3.75 per mile,...
Federal Documentation vs. State Titling: Which Should You Choose?
What each option actually is Understanding the two systems side by side clears up most of the confusion. They are not competing for the same boat so much as serving...
Family Weekend Cruisers Under $50K: What to Look For
Match the boat to your water first Before you compare specific models, define where you will use the boat. The best family boats are the ones matched to a realistic...
How to Read a Boat’s HIN (Hull Identification Number)
Where to find the HIN The primary HIN is stamped or attached on the starboard (right) side of the transom, the flat surface at the very back of the boat,...
Pontoon vs. Deck Boat: Which Suits a Family Weekend
The core design difference The single biggest distinction is what holds the boat up. A deck boat has a single rigid fiberglass hull, while a pontoon boat has a deck...
The Boat Slip vs. Dry Storage Math: What Actually Costs Less
The three storage options and what they cost Storage comes in three broad forms, and the price gaps between them are significant. Understanding what each one actually includes helps you...
Boat Ramp Etiquette: How to Launch Without Embarrassing Yourself
Why the staging area is your best friend Every decent launch site has a staging area, a pull-off spot near the ramp where you get the boat ready without blocking...
10 Negotiating Tactics That Save Thousands on a Used Boat
1. Anchor the conversation with comparable sales The single highest-leverage thing you can do is open the conversation by referencing what comparable boats actually sold for in the last 90...
How to Read a Marine Survey Report (And When You Actually Need One)
What a marine survey actually is Pre-purchase, condition and value, and insurance surveys There are three common types of surveys, and they’re not interchangeable. A pre-purchase survey is the most...
Used Boat Inspection Checklist: 25 Things to Check Before You Sign
Before you arrive Pull the basic paperwork Ask the seller for the Hull Identification Number (HIN) by email before you drive out. The HIN is a 12-character code that starts...
Hurricane Season Boat Prep: What Owners Should Do Before the Next Storm
Confirm your insurance before the season opens What “named storm” coverage actually means Most boat policies handle a thunderstorm the same way they handle a fender-bender… you pay your standard...
10 Unforgettable family fishing trips across the US to get your family outside
Going for an adventure outdoors is one of the best ways to spend time together as a family. Not only does it offer a chance to bond and create lasting...
