ccording to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the average boater owns five boats in there lifetime. This is a great fact, because as boaters go through life, they evolve. Maybe starting with a small open fishing boat in their single 20's, move up to a cabin cruiser to woo their new found love, up to the full blown family boat, then the 2nd smaller boat for the kids to hang out on in their teens, and finally sell it all and get back in an 20-something foot boat so you can take those quiet boat trips. A lifetime of boating is a long journey. Read on for some tips when looking to make the move into your next boat.

There are a few special features that make a boat call out to you, make it the one you want. Whether its fast, fully loaded with bells and whistles, great for overnight stay... something will call out to you. Keep these in mind:

Size You want more space for storage, comfort, more people, stability, etc.

Activities You want to try new things like overnighting, cruising, wakeboarding, hardcore fishing, sailing, etc.

Speed You want to go faster, or for some, you don't need to go quite that fast.

Functionality You want a more comfortable head or galley, you want your family to be able to sleep on the boat, or you need more space to stow your toys.

Aesthetics You want a boat that looks different.

Handling You want something that will handle better in choppy water and keep you safe, dry and comfortable.

Reliability Perhaps you bought a pre-owned boat before, or a new one that did not live up to your expectations. You want to upgrade in quality.

Always use your knowledge of your previous boating experiences when buying a boat. If it helps, write down what you need, want, and especially dont need. This will keep you focused.

Buy bigger Your family and group of friends are growing and they will keep growing. Once you find what you think is the right boat, check one out that is two feet longer. Three years from now, will your family be more comfortable in this one?

Look for value in a used boat You'll find what you're looking for for much less than sticker! The great thing about most boaters is they're mostly diligent about maintaining and caring for their boat. With an average boat being in hand for almost 10 years - used boats are usually well maintained. Look for the features you are seeking in a used boat. Speak with the owner and right away you'll get a good idea if they're a good owner selling a great boat or just looking to get rid of a headache.

Involve the whole family Each of you want something different from your boat. Find a boat that will bring you all together for many years to come.

As an experienced boater you should always keep you and your family in mind. A Quality, Safe, Maintainable, and most importantly ENJOYABLE boat should get you from your current boat to your next boat.