Everywhere there are bodies of water people have come up with ways of navigating those waterways. Private boating can include everything from the largest and most exclusive multi-million dollar private yachts to small one-person rowboats and kayaks.

Sports have grown around different aspects of boating in which teams or individuals compete against one another to see who can navigate a certain course in the shortest amount of time. There are a number of sailing and rowing competitions, many of which feature in the summer Olympic Games.

Boating equipment, or materials used to outfit water vessels, can vary from the most necessa ry to very specific luxuries. Some examples of boating accessories include: navigation and communication systems, radar systems that help fishermen locate schools of fish, flotation devices, among others.

A majority of modern watercraft is propelled by diesel or gasoline powered piston driven motors.

Pleasure craft, boats or ships used for recreational purposes are broken into different categories determined most often by their size or how they are propelled. Dinghies are small boats under 16 feet. Paddle sports boats include kayaks and canoes. Cruisers are larger powerboats with cabins.

Many cities with access to waterways host regattas. These regattas allow people who own boats and those just interested in boating to come together to celebrate the world of boating. Large flotillas of private vessels can be found at these events. Often there are food vendors, musical performances and other activities on the shore as well.