Open Bow
- Bow is not enclosed; has seating for passengers.
- Safety of passengers in the bow area is critical.
- Waves easily break over the bow.
- Typically used in inland lakes and rivers.
- Ideal for towing skiers.
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Closed Cabin (cuddy)
- Ideal for inland lakes and rivers, and can handle heavier seas
than an open bow.
- May have sleeping quarters, small sink and toilet.
- Ability to securely store equipment.
- Less room for passengers on main deck area.
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Cruiser
- May have full kitchen, sink & bathroom.
- May have multiple sleeping quarters.
- Some have generators and shore power connection.
- Have enclosed super structures.
- Can travel long distances & handle larger seas.
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Bass
- Open construction with flat deck space.
- Multiple storage areas, including live wells.
- Fast and maneuverable.
- Typically use outboard motors.
- Low freeboard .
- No shelter from the elements.
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Jon
- Low freeboard, flat bottom and narrow beam.
- Use for calm inland lakes and rivers only.
- Limited passenger and cargo capacity.
- Lightweight, easily transported and launched.
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Pontoon
- Stable platform with large deck space.
- Can be outfitted with many amenities.
- Easily take water over the bow.
- Have large turning radius.
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Ski
- Inboard engines keep propellers away from skiers.
- Can have a limited amount of extra weight added (bladders) for
increased wave height.
- Center towing pylon or high towers keep boards and tubes out of
passenger area and allows good lift.
- Not made for rough seas.
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Dingy
- Small boat carried onboard, or towed behind, a larger boat.
- Used to transport people and supplies from ship to shore.
- Low freeboard, limited capacity.
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Inflatable
- Lightweight and easily transported.
- Available in various sizes.
- Can handle rough seas.
- Easily punctured by sharp objects, but multiple air compartments
help keep craft afloat.
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Rigid Hull Inflatable
- A combination of a fiberglass hull with an inflatable upper
freeboard.
- Very good multi-purpose boat.
- Inflatable compartments require monitoring to ensure proper
inflation.
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