The boating lifestyle is something for the entire family. The great thing about the love of boating is that it can be passed down from generation to generation. More often than not, boaters become boaters because their parents or grandparents were boaters themselves. This tradition continues when they introduce the boating lifestyle to their children.

Whether you have been contemplating buying a boat for some time, recently went out on a friend’s boat and enjoyed it, or attended a local boat show and fell in love with the watercraft, here are four reasons why you should buy a boat and start living on and around the water.

1. Attend Boating and Fishing Events

National Fishing and Boating Week occurs during the first week of June every year. With your own boat, you can be prepared for this extravaganza next year. During this celebration, you can attend many events, including boat parades and fishing derbies.

Most states will offer free fishing days or weekends. For most of these, you don’t even have to have a fishing license to go fishing, which is great for newbies. Generally, these free fishing days are during the National Fishing and Boating week, but some states hold their free fishing days at other times throughout the year.

For example, Rhode Island offers free freshwater fishing days the first weekend of May, and Connecticut offers a few days spread through the summer.

2. Get Easy Access to Water

Without a boat, you would need to have a waterfront property to have access to water. This can be extremely expensive, as waterfront properties are costlier than non-waterfront homes.

Luckily, buying a boat gives you the advantage of having easy access to various bodies of water, and since 90 percent of Americans live within 60 minutes of a navigable body of water, families have the perfect opportunity to make numerous boating memories.

3. Relieve Stress After a Hard Day or Week

Anytime that you are feeling stressed someone will tell you that you need to get out of the house. Being cooped up inside the house, especially in the dark and without the sun, is depressing. If you have gone outside when you were feeling stressed, you know how beneficial the outdoors can be. So, why not add some fun into the mix?

In fact, one particular survey from 2005 showed that boating was one of the top three stress-relieving activities, with the other two being exercise and weekend road trips. This same survey found that American households enjoyed partaking in a number of boating-related activities, including relaxing with friends and family, fishing, cruising, and waterskiing.

4. Get a Great Deal

If you’ve always wanted a boat but weren’t sure about the cost, now’s the perfect time to buy here in Connecticut. The Connecticut state legislature cut the sales tax on boats, boat trailers, and boat motors by half, effective July 1, 2018.

The sales tax on these items used to be 6.35%, but now those who buy boats will only pay 2.99%. Take a look at the boat you’re interested in, and see if it can now fit into your budget since you won’t have to pay nearly as much sales tax on it. Speak with a local boat specialist for more information on pricing.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of the boating lifestyle, would like to discuss financing options, or aren’t sure the style of boat that would be best suited to you and your family’s individual situation, contact our team at Petzold’s Marine Center for assistance. We’re ready to help you.