Waterskiing has become among the most popular water sports in the world, since its advent in 1922. A Minnesota 18-year-old named Ralph Samuelson decided that if people could ski on snow, they could probably ski on water, as well. After several unsuccessful runs, Samuelson realized that by leaning back and lifting the tips of the skis out of the water, it was possible to skim the surface.

To ski properly, of course, you've got to have the right equipment. Skis and a rope are necessary, but most of all, you need the proper ski boat. Deck boats are ideal for both fishermen and water sport enthusiasts, but are not ideal ski boats. Instead, smaller boats often work well for waterskiing. Runabouts, for example, are small boats intended for day trips out on a lake or river. A runabout is the perfect ski boat if you have just a few passengers with minimal equipment.

Take the engine into consideration. You'll likely want an inboard rather than outboard engine, since they are more powerful. However, there are a few varieties to choose from, primarily direct drive and V-drive. While the small wakes produced by direct drive engines are great for waterskiiers, these boats can be less pleasant to ride in. On the other hand, if you're looking to wakeboard, a V-drive boat might be ideal. If you're looking for a happy medium, then crossover ''all-event'' vehicles are designed for maximum flexibility and might be the best choice for families that want to enjoy waterskiing and wakeboarding.