WE'VE HANDLED THE SAFETY. YOU HANDLE THE FUN.The Hewescraft Sportsman — the essential all-welded, family fishing boat. Hewescraft has been the #1-selling Pacific Northwest brand for decades, and the 180 Sportsman is consistently Hewescraft’s #1-selling model. The Sportsman’s surprising combination of value for money Often imitated, but never duplicated, the Sportsman is unmatched in its class and has been our best-selling boat for more than a decade. It’s hard to believe that a hull this rugged can have a bow this sleek and outstanding fuel economy to boot—but that’s exactly why the Sportsman is so popular. Plus, it’s small enough to launch on your own and safe enough for the whole family to enjoy. If you’re looking for a great value, or a boat to pass on to your kids, this is where you start. We’ve learned that the best way for your family to enjoy the lakes and rivers of the Pacific Northwest is to leave your worries behind. That’s exactly why we created the Sportsman. Offering a combination of strength, safety, economy, and ease-of-use that no boat in its class can match, the Sportsman doesn’t cut corners. Instead, it delivers the proven strength of our all-welded aluminum construction with a design that’s light enough to be quick on the water and very easy to tow. And, with its gunwale flotation system and high sides, the Sportsman is also light on concerns. That’s something every family loves. |

When you think about it, buying a boat is a little bit like getting married. After all, this is the commitment of a lifetime, and you want to feel confident you’re making the right decision! Fortunately, there are plenty of fish in the sea, and plenty of boats and pontoons to choose from here at Howell’s Marine Sales & Service. The following tips can help you narrow down the options and find your perfect match!
What kinds of activities are you interested in? This should be your guiding question when choosing a boat. If catching fish is on the agenda, you should seek out a fishing boat, with features such as rod holders and livewells. If you want to pursue the excitement of watersports, you should look for a boat with a powerful engine that can reach high speeds. Meanwhile, if you are looking to host parties on the water, a spacious luxury boat will serve you best.
That being said, there’s no need to limit yourself. There are some boats that can cover all your bases! Pontoon boats, for example, are incredibly versatile. We are passionate about pontoon boats here at Howell’s Marine Sales & Service, and we recommend them to our customers who want to get a little bit of everything out of their boating experience.
Of course, you can’t talk about buying a boat without discussing all the costs involved! The upfront cost of purchasing a boat can be pretty steep, but the long-term costs are even more important to consider. When budgeting for a boat, remember to account for all the expenses that are going to add up over time – such as fuel, maintenance, and insurance.
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to set aside at least 10% of your boat’s total value each year for routine maintenance, and another 5% for any unexpected repairs. Meanwhile, you can expect to pay about 1.5% of the total value of your boat annually for insurance coverage.
If you have any questions about the boat buying process, you are always welcome to consult the sales team here at Howell’s Marine Sales & Service! We are always happy to assist. You can find us in Chatham, ON, near London.