It has been said that the happiest two days of a man's life are the day he buys the boat he's always wanted and the day he sells it. If that's true, there was a whole lot of happiness going on at the Las Vegas Sportsmen's Boat, RV & Travel Show last weekend at Cashman Field.

Salesmen were happy because people were buying boats. And I suppose those people were happy because they were buying boats. Time will tell whether these new boat owners will experience the second-happiest day of their life.

If you've been thinking about buying a boat, Candice Nelson of Dry Dock Boat Sales said there are some things you should consider before making that purchase, whether it's your first boat or you're upgrading.

"People need to consider how long they're going to keep the boat and what kind of boating they want to do, whether it's cruising, skiing, wakeboarding or fishing," Nelson said. "They also need to think about how many people they want to take with them, whether it's two people, four people or 10 people.

"You don't want to get too small of a boat, but they don't want to get too big of a boat, either."

Nelson isn't alone in her thinking. Paul Mastenbroek, manager of Marine Max Las Vegas, said people should ask themselves a few questions before looking look for a new boat, because he's going to ask you those same questions when you come into his store.

"I think the most important thing is how do you intend to use the boat? Do you like to go water skiing or tubing, or do you see yourself fishing with the boat? Or do you just want to go cruising and look at some sunsets? I think those are the most important elements, and that's what we want to find out before we can direct you to the boat that's right for you."

From my perspective, as a former boating officer on Lake Mead, I think the size of the boat is one of the most important characteristics buyers should consider. People who purchase a vessel that is too small for the number of people they want to take with them will almost always end up overloading the boat. An overloaded boat is easily swamped or capsized.

Through the years, I have often been asked about the size of boat I recommend for use on Lake Mead. Without hesitation, I tell the person doing the asking to buy a boat that is at least 21 feet in length. The wind can be a real issue on any Southwestern water, but I have personally experienced white-knuckle days on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. They aren't fun even in a 25-foot patrol boat.

The choice is up to you. You can buy a smaller boat, but do yourself and those who will be recreating with you a favor and spring for the bigger vessel.

Nelson also said boat buyers need to think about the vehicle they plan on using to tow their boat. That will determine how big your boat can be. If the boat is too heavy for the vehicle, you will have handling problems and might end up funding your mechanic's next trip to Alaska.

Knowing what you want to use the boat for will help in selecting the type and model you need. While you can enjoy a variety of activities with most boats, some are more specialized.

A pontoon boat is versatile, but it's probably not the boat for competitive water skiing. And bass boats, while capable of towing a wakeboarder, are probably not the best option. A good all-around choice is a runabout. These boats are maneuverable, can pull a skier or two and can serve as a useful fishing platform.

"There is some crossover between uses, but what you want to do with your boat really dictates the boat you choose," Mastenbroek said.

Doug Nielsen is an award-winning freelance writer and a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His "In the Outdoors" column is published Thursday. He can be reached at doug@takinitoutside.com.