Boat Brands: The Best Options For Your Next Vessel

There are many good boat brands on the market, and the best one for you will depend on your intended use, budget, and desired features. Here is a list of some of the top boat brands in no particular order:

- Sea Ray: Produces a range of boats from runabouts to yachts, with its Sundancer series being particularly popular.

- Yamaha: Offers a wide range of jet-powered watercraft, including sports-specific models and personal watercraft.

- Boston Whaler: Specialises in unsinkable saltwater fishing boats with excellent resale value.

- Viking Yachts: American brand with over five decades of experience, known for superior quality and performance.

- Bertram: Offers a focused range of refined models with long service life and high build quality.

- Chaparral: One of the most popular boating brands worldwide, offering a balance of affordability and performance.

- Grady-White: Renowned for its top-of-the-line expresses, centre consoles, and dual-consoles, as well as excellent customer service.

- Lund: Builds high-quality aluminium watercraft with sports-specific models for wakeboarding and skiing.

- MasterCraft: Producer of innovative and award-winning sport boats, with a focus on ski, wake, and powerboats.

- Bayliner: Popular entry-level boating brand known for its affordable and versatile watercraft.

Saltwater fishing boats

When it comes to saltwater fishing boats, there are several types to consider, each with its own advantages and features. Here are some of the most popular options:

Center Console Boats

Center console boats are a popular choice for offshore fishing due to their versatility. They offer 360-degree rod movement, ample fuel capacity for long trips, and hull designs that ensure safe and comfortable journeys. These boats are usually equipped for a range of fishing techniques, including trolling, live-baiting, and kite fishing.

Sportfishing Yachts

Sportfishing yachts are ideal for dedicated anglers seeking extended cruises and luxurious comforts. These vessels can handle cruises of up to 100 miles, providing days of comfortable fishing, often with amenities like air conditioning and ice makers. Their larger size also allows for fishing in more challenging weather conditions.

Walkaround Fishing Boats

Walkaround boats are a favourite among families who enjoy blue water fishing. They feature a cabin with a berth and a private head, providing comfort and shelter during inclement weather. Many walkarounds also have fully protected helms, extending the fishing season into late fall or winter.

Bay Boats

Bay boats are versatile saltwater fishing vessels, known for their roominess and elevated casting decks. A newer style, known as the hybrid bay boat, combines the security and capability for offshore fishing with the standard bay boat hull design suited for shallow waters. Examples of popular bay boats include the Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless Pro, Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid, and Tidewater 2300 Carolina Bay.

Other Notable Saltwater Fishing Boats

In addition to the types mentioned above, there are several other notable saltwater fishing boats worth considering:

• Boston Whaler 360 Outrage: Ideal for family anglers, offering a mix of comfort features and fishing amenities.
• Grady-White Canyon 326: A serious offshore centre console fishing machine with a spacious 72-gallon fish box.
• Invincible 46 Pilothouse: A rare combination of full helm protection and 360-degree fishability, with impressive speed and performance.
• Sea Fox 368 Commander: A triple-engine centre console loaded with features, including a huge tackle station and a pair of 40-gallon pressurized transom livewells.
• Solace 30 HCS: A hybrid bay boat that excels in both inshore and offshore fishing, featuring deep cockpits, ample rod holders, and a double berth in the console compartment.
• Sportsman Open 352 Centre Console: A spacious centre console with impressive performance and fishing features, offered at a competitive price point.

Yachts

Motor Yachts

• Sunseeker: This British brand has an extensive line-up of motor yachts, ranging from mid-sized to superyacht scale. Their yachts have a luxury finish and a sleek, distinctive appearance.
• Riva Yachts: Owned by the Ferretti Group, Riva Yachts has a long history of fine Italian craftsmanship. Their range includes Sportfly, Flybridge, and Open models, which are considered some of the most prestigious in the industry.
• Princess Yachts: Princess Yachts is another British brand that builds fine motor yachts from midsize to superyacht size. Their luxury motor yachts are some of the most technologically advanced for their size.

Sailing Yachts

• Hallberg-Rassy: This long-standing Swedish brand has a range of quality ocean-going sailing yachts that offer sturdy blue-water capabilities and comfortable, elegant interiors. Their models range from 34 to 69 feet and are excellent long-distance cruisers.
• X-Yachts: This Danish brand has been offering top performance in both competitive and cruising sailing yacht models since 1979. They are known for their quality boats and excellent sailing capabilities.
• Jeanneau: Jeanneau has been building innovative and capable ocean-going sailing yachts for over 60 years. Their current range includes large yachts, small ocean racers, and 35- to 49-foot cruising models that offer excellent handling and performance.

Luxury Yachts

• Azimut: The Italian Azimut|Benetti Group is one of the most respected luxury brands in Europe and the US. Azimut builds seven lines of models ranging from 42 to 125 feet, including outboard-powered boats, flybridge speedsters, and larger motor yachts.
• Sunreef: Sunreef Yachts builds power and sailing catamarans in Gdansk, Poland. Their yachts range from 44 to 100 feet, and they have a superyacht range in development.
• Sanlorenzo: Sanlorenzo has been building high-quality motor yachts since 1958. They offer a range of sophisticated, custom luxury yachts, with their Yacht Series ranging from 78 to 120 feet and their Superyacht Series offering yachts up to 220 feet.

Superyachts

• Lürssen: This German brand builds some of the largest and most innovative yachts in the world, ranging from 50m to 180m in length. They have more yachts among the world's top 20 largest yachts than any other shipyard.
• Feadship: This Dutch brand is a major player in the superyacht world, having built some of the largest luxury vessels. They create purely custom vessels and are recognised as one of the best shipyards in the industry.
• Oceanco: Another Dutch builder, Oceanco focuses on superyachts in the 80-meter range, with their largest yacht being Infinity at 374 feet. They specialise in creating custom yachts of both motor and sailing varieties.

Small Yachts

• Hinckley Yachts: Hinckley Yachts, based in Maine, produces elegant pocket cruiser yachts. Their Picnic Boat range combines classically beautiful lines with cutting-edge technology and a rich, plush interior finish.
• Chris-Craft: This all-American brand offers a range of smaller yachts with true yacht looks and power. Their 34-foot Catalina and 35-foot Calypso models include small interior cabins and heads, fitting them into the yacht category.

Affordable Yachts

• Ranger Tugs: Ranger Tugs offers a great choice of family-friendly pocket yachts and long-distance cruisers at affordable prices. Their R-23 model, in particular, is very competitively priced.
• Cutwater Boats: While Cutwater describes its vessels as boats, their cruising trawlers have the size range and finish to qualify them for yacht status. They offer functional and reliable vessels with a quality finish and plenty of home comforts, all at a reasonable price.

Sportfish Yachts

• Scout Boats: Scout's center console sportfishing yachts offer luxury and a range of features, including accommodation, large horsepower, multiple outboard engines, spacious flybridges, and fishing accessories.
• Boston Whaler: This well-loved American brand is celebrated for its "unsinkable" boats. Their current line-up includes the Conquest, Realm, and Outrage ranges, which offer multiple hefty horsepower engines, offshore fishing equipment, and a beautiful finish.
• Viking: Viking Yachts provides a head-turning, luxurious, and powerful range of sportfishing yachts. Their family-run brand includes nearly 20 models ranging from 38 to 90 feet, including convertibles and enclosed flybridge yachts with a high-spec finish.

Trawler Yachts

• Nordic Tugs: These American-built trawler yachts are luxurious, long-range, and spacious. They are meticulously crafted, creating reliable and adventure-ready cruisers.
• Outer Reef Yachts: Outer Reef builds semi

Speedboats

When it comes to speedboat brands, there are several reputable manufacturers that stand out. Firstly, Cigarette Racing Team, a premier builder of performance boats, is known for its collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, resulting in a 59-foot speedboat with a top speed of over 80 mph. Another well-known brand is Baja Marine, particularly its 2020 Outlaw model, which boasts a top speed of 82.4 mph and is highly controllable.

For those seeking extreme speeds, the Skater brand is a top choice. Their 28 Flat Deck model can reach speeds upwards of 110 mph and comfortably fits five people. If you're looking for something even faster, the Fountain 34 Thundercat is a superb option, with max speeds surpassing 130 mph.

Lastly, for a combination of speed and luxury, the Bertram 50 Express is an excellent choice. With a 4-foot, 2-inch draft, it's versatile enough for various locations, and its powerful yacht-like performance will keep up with even the fastest fish.

So, whether you're an adrenaline junkie seeking heart-pumping speeds or a luxury enthusiast wanting a comfortable ride, these speedboat brands offer something for everyone.

Personal watercraft

The official definition of a PWC varies from state to state, but they are generally recognized as vessels that use an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as their primary source of propulsion. PWCs are subject to the same laws and requirements as other vessels, with a few additional laws specific to them.

The market for PWCs is dominated by three major brands: Kawasaki (Jet Ski), Yamaha (WaveRunner), and Bombardier (Sea-Doo). However, other manufacturers include Polaris, Arctic Cat, and Honda. Electric PWCs are also available from brands like Narke and Taiga.

When purchasing a PWC, it is important to consider factors such as the number of passengers, intended use, and budget. Recreational PWCs are a popular choice for families and beginners, while stand-up models are designed for more experienced riders. Luxury/Touring PWCs offer increased storage and range, making them suitable for long trips and different water conditions. Tow Sports PWCs are designed for activities like wakeboarding, while Sport Fishing PWCs include features such as livewells and fishfinders.

Electric boats

Electric Pontoon Boats

• Crest Current: A 20-foot pontoon boat with forward couches and an L-shaped lounge at the back. It is powered by an ePropulsion Navy 3.0 or 6.0 Evo outboard motor and comes with a 48-volt E175 lithium-ion battery, providing around 8960 watt-hours of electric power.
• Pure Watercraft Pure Pontoon: A 25-foot 9-inch boat, powered by a single or twin Pure Outboard, producing up to 50 horsepower. It comes with a 65 kWh GM automotive battery pack, offering a range of around 30 miles at top speed or 185 miles at 5 mph.
• Vision Marine: Vision Marine builds 20-foot and 23-foot tri-toon pontoon boats, the WX 20 and WX 23, with couches at the front and back. They are powered by ePropulsion 3.0 outboard motors and can be fitted with one to three 3-kWh lithium-ion batteries, giving a top speed of around 5 mph and a running time of 3 to 10 hours.

Small Electric Boats

• ElectraCraft TR: The TR range includes 15-foot and 18-foot mini trimaran-hull cruisers, perfect for exploring waters that only allow electric boats. They feature full tops and center-facing seating. Powered by an inboard electric motor, they have a top speed of 6 mph and a cruising speed of 4 mph, with 3.5 hours of running time at full speed.
• Gosun Elcat: An inflatable solar-powered catamaran, powered by an ePropel Spirit 1.0 Plus motor and a 1,276-watt-hour lithium-ion battery. It is 14-foot 9-inches long and 8-foot 2-inches wide, with space for up to six passengers.
• Nauticraft Encore E: A simple 14-foot 2-inch long, 4-foot 11-inch wide boat, sold in both pedal and electric versions. It is powered by a 55-pound-thrust Minn Kota electric motor, wired to a 12-volt battery.

Electric Offshore Fishing Boats

• X Shore Eelex 8000: A Scandinavian-made center console boat with a 170-kW direct-drive inboard motor and a 126 kWh battery capacity. It has a range of around 40 miles at 20 mph and a top speed of 30 mph.
• Princecraft Brio: An electric pontoon boat lineup, including three models from 17-foot 7-inch to 21-foot 7-inch. They are offered with a range of Torqeedo power systems and batteries, with various options for speed and range.

Electric Lake Fishing Boats

• Veer V13: A 13-foot rotomolded polyethylene model, designed specifically for fishing, with a forward casting deck and Marine Matt surfaces. It can be fitted with accessories via a SportTrak track system and is available with a gasoline outboard or Mercury's new line of Avator electric outboards.
• Ingenity Luxury: A 25-foot 6-inch boat with a unique fiberglass hull, a combination of pontoon and trihull design. It is powered by an inboard/sterndrive electric system and a 63 kWh integrated battery system, with a cruising speed of 20 mph and a top speed of 25 mph.

Electric Deck Boats

• Four Winns H2e: An upscale bowrider designed for an electric outboard motor. It is powered by two high-density 700v battery packs and can run faster than 35 mph at full throttle, according to the builder.
• Super Air Nautique GS22E: A 22-foot 100% electric towboat, with a motor that provides 220 kW of peak power and 145 kW of continuous power. It offers instant torque delivery and can be used for 2 to 3 hours of watersports on a single charge.

Electric Bass Boats

• Freedom Electric Marine Twin Troller: A compact 10-foot by 4-foot boat with 45-pound-thrust electric inboard motors, integrated into rotomolded polyethylene catamaran-style hulls. It has a hull draft of 8 inches and can carry up to three people or 4800 pounds.
• Lurion iON21: A boat that is yet to be released, but according to the manufacturer, it will feature a 100 kW electric inboard motor, coupled to a surface-piercing drive, delivering the equivalent of 250 hp. It is expected to have a top speed of 100 mph and up to 2 hours of running time at full speed.

There are also a number of other electric boat brands worth mentioning, including Duffy Electric Boats, Twin Vee, Candela, and Nautique Boats, offering a range of electric boat models to suit different needs and preferences.

Frequently asked questions