Boat of the Year Category Winners 2024

Boating’s Tech Team of editors tested some 120 boats during 2024. Represented were boats from many categories, powered by all kinds of engines and motors. From this pool of boats, and after careful deliberation, we selected the top boats that impressed us most to develop this list.

It’s important that you know how we assess boats. First, the boat must be safe, as well as designed and built with industry best practices. We rely on the standards set by the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) for this, as well as other published and respected sources.

Secondly, we judge boats by their category peers. There’s little value in comparing a watersports boat to a fishing boat, for example. Also note that all categories of boats are not represented. This doesn’t mean that boats in other categories not shown here were in some way inferior. It simply means that no boats that we tested from other categories stood out in those categories as much as did these category winners.

Congratulations to the following 2024 Boat of the Year category winners!

The 38 Surf is capable of fishing, entertaining, wakesurfing and overnighting. Tom King Dayboat—Large: Regal 38 Surf

This boat, powered by the new Volvo Penta Twin Forward Drives, rates as the world’s largest wakesurf boat. Beyond that accolade, Regal built in tremendous versatility, delivering a boat that can entertain, overnight and even fish, all while providing surfing thrills safely. That the boat is finished beautifully, and loaded with thoughtful details, further solidifies its stature and status.

Read Our Boat Test The Elite 30 is a sleek boat with sports-car flavors and cutting-edge ­European style. Florida Film & Tape/Clayton Dodwell Dayboat—Small: Monterey Elite 30

The Monterey Elite 30 is an American-made dayboat that takes on the European builders, who have arguably owned this category for a number of years, with a wider beam, more horse- power and innovations such as its ingeniously executed centerline helm with all-glass display. Featuring a straight stem, but with more flare worked into the bow than similar boats, we found the ride and handling great.

Read Our Boat Test The NorthCoast 41 combines fishability with smooth handling and pleasant accommodations. Courtesy NorthCoast Boats Fishing—Large: NorthCoast 41

In a world where center-console fishing boats have come to rule the roost, NorthCoast debuts a cabin model to give CC buyers second thoughts. It delivers all the fishability an avid angler can use, plus a luxurious interior for when the boat is used as a cruiser, or simply for fisherman who don’t mind a comfortable place to get out of the heat, the cold or the wind enroute to the grounds. Outboard-powered, and with its deep-V hull, it will run faster, smoother, quieter and less smoky than the sedan fishing boats of the past.

Read Our Boat Test The BRX pulls ­water toys and gives a ­good-size group a thrill ride. Courtesy Checkmate Powerboats Performance: Checkmate Pulsare 2400 BRX

Time was when boat buyers could choose from many new performance boats. With the Pulsare 2400 BRX, Checkmate gives boaters seeking such a boat an alternative to used boats—with the versatility of a bowrider. Running on V-bottom with a pad, and with a Mercury Racing motor set back on a jackplate, this boat really goes. It can be powered as a 65-mph run- about or, with the Mercury Racing 500R, for 90-plus- mph thrills. Inside, plush upholstery, a new digital dash, and other upgrades ensure user-friendly speed and comfort.

Read Our Boat Test The K7 Supercharged offers the versatility of a jet drive and the fun of a watersports V-drive. Courtesy KYMA Boats Watersports: KYMA K7 Supercharged

V-drive inboards do a great job, so why bother with water-jet power in this specialized category? We didn’t honor Kyma for simply being different.

The 6.2L 575 Indmar jet gives this boat shallower draft, better slow speed handling than a V-drive, and its wakesurf waves rank on par with those produced by V-drive boats, thanks to the innovative use of the Seakeeper Ride stability system.

Read Our Boat Test The 232 Center Console is a fishing machine with a comfortable ride. Courtesy Sailfish Boats Fishing—Small: Sailfish 232 Center Console

Usually, more expensive boats get honored with Boat of the Year awards: Expensive boats generally see more money applied to them for the R and D that creates innovation. Of course, there’s plenty to be said for a boat that delivers more bang for the buck than its competitors, even at a moderate price.. The Sailfish 232 Center Console’s ride and standard equipment are equivalent to boats costing more. It is a true “great buy.” A nice detail is the front-entry head, and there are enough seats and drink holders to allow this fishboat to serve as a runabout and retain great fishability.

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