Since our customers have diverse needs and wants (and some are just new to paddle boats) we have created this handy guide. Below are 6 key factors to consider when purchasing a paddle boat.
1) Cost We sell paddle boats for recreational and commercial use fitting any budget with prices ranging from $519 to $1765.
2) Number of passengers Our paddle boats come in a number of different seating capacities. See our paddle boat page for our current selection.
3) Amount of use All of the boats we sell are made with high quality materials by reputable manufacturers. However some boats are built mainly for recreational use while others are built for commercial use (heavy daily usage). This is not to say that a recreational user should not buy a commercial paddle boat since these can actually be cheaper to own in the long run since they are built to last longer.
4) Self Bailing vs. Shore bailing A self bailing paddle boat allows any water that gets in the boat to drain out automatically. Boats that are self bailing will be noted in the features list on the boat's product page. Shore bailing is when the boat is drained of water by pulling it up onto the shore and letting the angle drain the water out the back or by flipping the boat up on its side. Shore bailing boats may be kept dry by purchasing a mooring cover which is an option on most of the models we carry.
5) Type of water the boat will be used in If you will be using your paddle boat in salt water or brackish water, we strongly recommend getting a saltwater package which replaces standard metal pedal crankshafts with stainless steel crankshafts. This will prevent the crankshafts from rusting. Nearly all of our paddle boats come with this option.
6) Adding a motor The reasons for adding a motor to a paddle boat are to enhance fishing activities, to travel longer distances, and to allow riders to rest. Some of our paddle boats have an optional motor mount that allows a trolling motor to be added to the boat. While this method works, it can be cumbersome to reach the motor’s controls and there is not always a convenient place to put the motor’s battery or gas tank. A better alternative is to purchase a paddle boat that has a built in motor. In this case the controls are easy to reach/use and the battery has its own compartment. In our opinion this is the better option for customers that want the added benefit of a motor. Both the KL Water Wheeler ASL E and Pelican Energy DLX come with a built-in electric motor.
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