Choosing the best watersports boat for your need, whether it’s water skiing, wakeboarding, or wakesurfing, is no easy task. Today’s watersports boats are incredibly complex machines, and while some are designed for multiple uses, others are made specifically for one watersport or another. Wondering how you’ll ever make the right choice? Watching this short video is a good start:

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If some of the terms and items used in this video throw you for a loop, don’t worry, we can help. The new Forward Drive we talk about so much is explained thoroughly in Volvo Penta Forward Drive: Designed for Wake Surfing, Introduced at Miami. And if you need more information on the different types of watersports, gear, and accessories on the market these days, read The Wonderful World of Watersports: All Things Towable. We also have a good in-depth look at some of the different types of watersports boats you might want to consider. To investigate further, read Water Ski and Wakeboard Boats: Designed for Watersports.

Wait a sec—what if you love the thought of watersports, but haven’t learned the ropes just yet? Then check out our How to Wakeboard and How to Kneeboard features, and learn the jargon by reading the Essential Tow-Boat Glossary. And don’t worry, it took us a while to figure out what riding “Goofy” meant, too.

When you feel you’ve learned enough to start boat shopping, take a look at these watersports boats listings, or visit our Ski and Wakeboard Boats explore page.

Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
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