Massachusetts Marine Trades Association

Top Ten Reasons to Rent or Buy A Boat

With so many opportunities for boating fun available today, there's no reason why anyone can't take advantage of the benefits that recreational boating has to offer.

Read our personal list of Top Reasons for Boating below:

1. Boating Improves Quality of Life
   Recreational boating goes a long ways towards improving your quality of life. Move forward on a boat and watch your troubles fade in the instance. Recreational boating fun provides a constructive outlet for entertainment that reduces stress and provides enriching opportunities for self discovery, whether it's learning how to water ski or simply enjoying the warm glow of an evening sunset.

2. Boating is an Affordable Recreation Alternative
   Are you under the impression that recreational boating is too expensive for your current budget? Think again. Gas prices may be high but the Massachusetts coastline is 1200 miles long and non-coastal waterways in Central and Western MA are plentiful.  You needn't motor that far to enjoy new sites or stick with your favorites.

3. Water Access is Closer Than You May Think
   Do you know that about 90% of Americans live less than an hour from a navigable body of water? This means that water access is a lot closer and more convenient than you might think. To find a recreation boating marina near you, visit our marinas and ramps page.

4. Boating Equals Bonding
   40% of all households, in a 2005 study by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, listed relaxing with family and friends as their favorite boating activity (followed by fishing, cruising, and waterskiing).  In other words, to many people the best part about boating doesn't revolve around the latest waterskiing tricks or the number of fish caught- the best part of boating is simply the opportunities it provides for boating fun with friends and family.  Recreational boating is quality time spent away from the television set and the video games, creating an atmosphere that brings people together and creates fond memories to last a lifetime.

5. Boating Helps Reduce Stress
   A little boating fun goes a long way towards reducing stress.  In fact, a 2005 National Marina Manufacturers Association survey of over 1,000 American households listed boating in the top-three of all stress-relieving activities.

6. Boating is Convenient
   Because over 90% of Americans live less than an hour's drive from an accessible body of water, you can be enjoying the fresh air and water in no time!

7. Boating is an Engaging and Rewarding Activity
   Whether you're instilling your child with extra confidence as they learn how to properly secure a line, or you're enjoying the delicate taste of fresh fish that you caught yourself, boating recreation provides many different rewards for all ages.

8. Boating is Good Exercise
   From a rigorous sailing excursion to an invigorating run on waterskis, boating provides sporting enthusiasts with many active endeavors to choose from.  In fact, we'd argue that simply breathing in the brisk wind coming off the water in itself can go a long ways towards strengthening one's constitution.

9. Recreational Boating is Easy to Learn
   If you're new to boating, take heart. With so many available boating classes and courses to choose from, you'll be out on the water before you know it. Whether you've always wanted to learn how to sail, or you're just interested in new ways to spend quality time with your family, a wealth of available boater education courses make boating easier to learn than ever.

10. Boating is FUN!
    Last but definitely not least, one of the top reasons for boating is simply because it's so much fun. There are so many activities to explore when it comes to boating, whether you like to fish, waterski, snorkel, or simply enjoy relaxing on the water.