In testing more than 100 boats each year, Boating’s Tech Team gets to assess more boats—and more different kinds of boats­—than just about anyone else on the planet. Each editor brings their own Boat of the Year (BOTY) candidate boats to regular discussions, making our BOTY selection an ongoing and dynamic process. While candidates must meet the highest ­industry standards, as well as best practices in design, materials and construction, simply being a “great boat,” of which there are many, is not enough. The Boat of the Year must excel in its category more than any other boat excels in any other category. 

During 2023, Montara’s Surf Boss 2.0 rated that ­status. In fact, it was the first BOTY candidate in some time that our team agreed upon without much debate.

The Surf Boss 2.0 combines the best qualities of two of the most popular boat categories—pontoons and watersports—with hardly any compromise. Rendered in aluminum and powered by a V-drive inboard, its monohull is optimized for creating wakes and waves that pro riders have raved about. Topside, it offers the wide-open sociability of a pontoon.

Congratulations to the entire Montara Boats crew!

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The Montara Surf Boss 2.0 is one the most innovative boats we have ever tested, seamlessly blending the very best of a V-drive towboat with the attributes of a pontoon boat.

Let’s be clear: this is not some sort of compromise. The Surf Boss 2.0 is not a, “pontoon boat that also provides wakesurf waves and wakeboarding wakes.” It’s not a pontoon boat at all.

The Surf Boss 2.0 runs on a monohull bottom that’s optimized to create the kinds of wakes and waves that expert watersports enthusiasts can enjoy to the fullest. This hull was developed by a team that’s been designing and building—and riding behind—watersports boats for years. All of that combined experience was brought to bear in rendering the Surf Boss 2.0’s hull shape.

Pro wake athletes agree with our assessment. Gunner Daft, who was unaffiliated when we hired him to test this boat with us, was blown away by the wakes and waves delivered by the Surf Boss 2.0. Daft went on to sign with Montara. And, subsequently, Montara garnered the endorsement of legend, Scott Byerly, even developing a “Byerly Edition” of the boat. Visit the Instagram accounts of Byerly and Daft to see this boat’s watersports prowess.

And, though as stated, this boat is not a pontoon, it delivers the sociability of one. The wide-open deck is loaded with sofas and seating and the ability to swallow a whole crew of people and give elbow room and comfort to them all.  Innovations such as the massive storage area that Montara calls, “the basement,” are just so much icing on the cake.

There’s more: Innovation alone isn’t enough. To win a category, the boat must be built to a high standard and meet ABYC standards, as well as the discerning eye of our editors, each of whom possesses decades of experience evaluating boats for a living. The Montara Surf Boss 2.0 ticked all these boxes.

You can learn more details about this boat’s layout, features and construction by reading our boat test or by visiting the Montara Website.

To sum it up, Montara’s Surf Boss 2.0 delivers the best attributes of two very popular boat categories with little discernible compromise.

Congratulations as the 2023 Watersports Category Winner, Montara!

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Accessible/Skiff: Veer V13

The Veer V13  won first because we found it to be affordable for a segment of society not typically served by boatbuilders. It’s also offered colors that appeal to a younger, non-traditional demographic. We believe both of these features are great for the future of boating by helping to introduce new participants to the activity and lifestyle that is boating. Finally, we found the Veer V13 functional and safe, and it’s offered with your choice of internal combustion or electric outboard power.

Watersports: Montara Surf Boss 2.0

The Montara Surf Boss 2.0 is one the most innovative boats we have ever tested, seamlessly blending the very best of a V-drive towboat with the attributes of a pontoon boat. There’s more: Innovation alone isn’t enough. To win a category, the boat must be built to a high standard and meet ABYC standards, as well as the discerning eye of our editors, each of whom possesses decades of experience evaluating boats for a living. The Montara Surf Boss 2.0 ticked all these boxes.

Runabout: Four Winns H2e

First, this is an exceptionally well-done bowrider. The interior is luxurious, its construction is excellent and its appearance is at once fresh and classic. Performance-wise, it delivered superior speed, handling and ride quality. Finally, this Four Winns H2e bowrider is powered by an electric outboard. It gives boat buyers the choice of electric or internal combustion propulsion with the confidence of a longstanding and well-known—iconic, really—boatbuilder.

Center-Console: Formula 387

Our team tests over 100 boats per year, many of them center-console models. We selected the Formula 387 for its great ride and top-notch construction and pristine finish. But Formula has long maintained those bars high. What really wowed us was that Formula produced two distinct variants of the same boat for center-console buyers—a sport version and a fishing version. Putting a finer point on it, these two variants serve different missions with very little compromise between them.

Deckboat: Tahoe T21

Why did this Tahoe win? First, we found it to be priced lower than similar-size boats. But, a low price alone doesn’t win awards. No less than two members of our Tech Team stated that the Tahoe T21 is equivalent (if not superior) in ride, performance, construction and equipment to other similar boats. A review of our boat-test archive backs those assertions. As such, the T21 represents an outstanding buying experience delivering a higher-quality, higher-performing boat for a lower price than others in its category.

Pontoon: Manitou 24 Explore MAX

The Manitou 24 Explore MAX takes pontoon-boat ownership to another place. Powered by twin 150 hp Rotax S outboards (which themselves won our Marine Power Innovation award last year), which live under the expansive MAX deck aft, this ’toon offers sporty performance and the convenience of a joystick for docking control. But most importantly, the wide-open MAX deck provides pontoon buyers the ability to choose wide-open access to the water, as well as wide-open views.

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Pontoon boats are notoriously hard to dock compared to other boat types, but Sea-Doo’s Switch solves that problem. Thanks to handlebar steering with thumb paddle controls, proprietary software and water-jet power, this pontoon spins, shifts and shuttles better than Danny MacAskill.

The Switch also offers a unique layout. Maybe call it the unlayout. Instead of fixed seats and amenities, this boat allows tailoring the arrangement to suit the day. Choose wide-open empty space for fishing or beach-ferry duty today, with myriad seating and lounging options for tomorrow’s fireworks cruise.

The Sea-Doo Switch is also accessible, which includes its easy docking, but primarily its low price. A family of five can get out on the water for as low as about $28,000 for the Switch Compact, while the largest 21-foot, 230 hp Cruise model retails for a still-inexpensive $52,000 with a trailer.

Read Next: Our Test of the Sea-Doo Switch

The Boat of the Year is selected from the more than 100 boats we test every year. We award the honor to the boat that stands out in its category more than any other boat stands out in any other category. For 2022, we name the affordable, easy-docking, modular Sea-Doo Switch as Boat of the Year.

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We tested gas boats, diesel boats, electric boats, jet boats, outboard boats, inboard boats, sterndrive boats and surface-drive boats. We exceeded 150 mph on the water, and we cruised at displacement speeds. V-hull boats represented the lion’s share of our test pool, but we also ran plenty of catamarans in addition to some RIBs, a proa and even a hydrofoil. Coupled with our editors nearly 200 years of combined experience testing boats, this provides the Boating Tech Team with a river of experience that is broad and deep.

Each year, we apply that experience and select the most coveted award in recreational boating: the Boat of the Year (BOTY). Candidates must stand out in the category in which they reside or in the mission they are intended to fulfill. We do not pit a sport-fisher against a wakeboat, for example. Rather, if a wakeboat strikes us as a candidate, we assess how it innovates in that realm. So, the Boat of the Year is the boat that stands out in its category more than any other boat we tested stands out in any other category.

We announce the Boat of the Year winner in January. The five boats here are the 2022 BOTY finalists and themselves represent great boats for the missions in which they serve. Which boat will be the Boat of the Year? Find out in January.

Read Next: Learn more about Boat of the Year!

Malibu Wakesetter 21 LX

Marrying the bow seating space of a pickle-fork hull with the attractive lines of a traditional bow, this boat is actually offered with two hulls, one optimized for wake sports and the other allowing wake sports and water-skiing. Its G5 Tower and Integrated Surf Platform also won our editors praise.

Read Next: 2022 Malibu Wakesetter 21 LX

Taiga Orca PWC

Billed as the world’s first electric-powered PWC, we found its direct-drive simple to operate and discovered that it does not exhibit the idle steering issues of lag between forward, neutral and reverse that plague many PWC. Its lightweight carbon-fiber composite hull helps maximize efficiency.

Read Next: 2022 Taiga Orca Carbon

Scarab 285

Offering 600 hp, currently the most for a jet runabout, this boat proved quieter than others during our testing. We also liked that the BRP engines can be adjusted to stop the annoying “spin and creep” evidenced at idle by other jet boats. Uniquely for jet boats, custom vinyl, flooring and gelcoat are available.

Read Next: 2022 Scarab Jet 285 ID

Sea-Doo Switch

Here’s a boat that gets a family afloat for under $30,000, is trailerable with a midsize car, and is so truly easy to pilot and dock with handle-bar steering that it opens the world of recreational boating to a wider audience. Its customizable interior, with removable seats and accessories, lets owners set it up to suit the day.

Read Next: 2022 Sea-Doo Switch 21 Cruise

Solace 415CS

This diesel-powered center-console delivers superior range and seakeeping compared to its outboard-powered counterpart, which we documented side by side during a 400-mile round-trip cruise to the Bahamas Out Islands. The jack-shafted Volvo Penta Aquamatic system allows for the inclusion of an electric motor to make this a hybrid-powered vessel.

Read Next: 2022 Solace 415CS

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We award Boat of the Year to the boat that best helps advance the state of boatbuilding art and delivers a new and better experience to boaters.

The selection process starts with testing more than 100 boats per year, from PWC to cruisers and wakeboats to offshore fishing craft. We run a wide swath of boat types and numerous boats in each category. That’s important. A tow boat cannot be compared to a fishing boat, nor a pontoon to an ocean racer. We judge boats by others with the same mission. The Boat of the Year not only stands out on its own, but also stands out more than any other boat stands out in any other category. 

Environmental benefits and cool factor aside, the Ingenity Nautique GS22E’s electric propulsion means no hauling gas cans to the private lakes many wakeboats ply, no ethanol issues and easier winterization. Its wiring, electronics, monitoring systems and accessories installation provide examples of excellence that transcend watersports and apply to other boat types. That it is a killer surf and wakeboat is so much icing on the cake. 

Read Next: Our Test of the Ingenity Nautique GS22E

Congratulations, Nautique! The Ingenity Nautique GS22E is Boat of the Year 2021.

The post 2021 Boat of the Year: Ingenity Nautique GS22E appeared first on Boating Mag.

Read Next: Learn more about Boat of the Year!

Testing some 100 different boats a year provides Boating’s Tech Team with the ability to see how boats compare with others of the same type, and how a given boat fits into the bigger picture. Which one of these five finalists will be awarded Boat of the Year? Check back with us in January 2022.

Four Winns H4

This boat performs equally well using three variants of propulsion: outboard, sterndrive and Mercury Marine’s new Bravo IV, a forward-facing drive specific for those who enjoy wakesurfing. It runs fine on all three according to our tester, who gave the nod to the conventional sterndrive for overall nimbleness and maneuverability. Of course, the outboard delivers great corrosion resistance and is part of a Saltwater Package. Notably, the 23-foot-11-inch H4 rides a Beneteau-designed hull. The new vertical stem gives the boat a strong, contemporary look. Stand astern and observe that the beam pinches slightly abaft its widest point in a smooth line through the boarding platform—a subtle style point.

The H4 scored other accolades for a helm design incorporating a standard multifunction display and room for an optional second—so many bowriders lack helm space for the touchscreens boat buyers expect.

We liked the small touches Four Winns included, such as the ability to easily reach the swivel and slide levers for the helm seat, and were impressed by other appointments, such as the upholstery, designed and manufactured in-house, which delivered the tactile excitement and visual appeal of three textural layers. The fabric-covered speaker grilles also earned applause.

The Four Winns H4 brings the runabout lifestyle to a broader swath of boaters, and for a lower price than similar boats, and that is notable.

Read our test at boatingmag.com/story/boats/2021-four-winns-h4.

Aspen C-108

This 38-foot boat is a proa—a catamaran with asymmetrical amas. The port hull is narrower than the starboard one, reducing overall drag without giving up a cat’s stable footprint. That skinny hull also gets fitted with a proportionally smaller engine (115 vs. 200) thanks to the physics of drag and propulsion. The 115 burns less gas, of course, and weighs less, which means even less fuel burned. It also costs less. Underway, handling is normal, and it retains the maneuverability advantages of twins while docking. The Aspen C-108′s rugged build, luxury amenities and efficiency make it a cruiser for a crew of five, with a top speed of 30 mph and a long-legged maximum range of over 500 miles.

Read our test at boatingmag.com/story/boats/2021-aspen-c108.

Super Air Nautique GS 22E

The GS22E is a high-end boat that can fulfill its mission with batteries and a motor instead of dead dinosaurs and an engine.

Powered by an Ingenity electric motor and a 124 kWh battery sporting the highest energy density of any recreational electric-drive boat available, the GS22E boasts up to three hours of “typical watersports use” per charge. At idle, it is nearly silent. At speed, the cockpit is much quieter than an internal-combustion boat, with most of the noise coming from water breaking outside the boat. Charging intervals range from 12 hours to a 1.5-hour DC fast charge. At the helm, you can monitor battery power, temperatures and running time. The weight of the battery, combined with Nautique’s bottom design and shaping systems, enhances this boat’s ability to generate great wakes and waves.

Electric power, great performance, a top-notch build and luxury all combined to earn this boat its spot as a Boat of the Year finalist.

Read our test at boatingmag.com/story/boats/2021-super-air-nautique-gs22-e.

Aquila 36 Sport Hydro Glide

This catamaran cruiser boasts a hydrofoil between its hulls—aka sponsons or amas—that markedly increases efficiency. To prove it, we ran it side by side against an Aquila 36 Sport without a foil installed. The Hydro Glide achieved the same top speed as the nonfoil boat despite being powered by twin 300 outboards compared to the other boat’s twin 400s. It proved 30 percent more efficient at cruise, and a wide-open throttle still achieved 1 mpg, while the other boat managed just 0.5 mpg. It planed faster, reached 30 mph faster, and our tester reported it delivered a lighter feel at the helm. On top of all that, its 14-foot-7-inch beam houses luxury cruising accommodations.

Read our test at boatingmag.com/story/boats/using-a-hydrofoil-to-improve-efficiency.

Boston Whaler 240 Vantage

Boston Whaler’s unsinkable 240 Vantage earned its spot on the BOTY finalists list for more than just safety.

This dual-console boat is intended for fishing, day cruising or a day of watersports fun. It does so with remarkably few compromises for a modestly sized, trailerable boat. It sports a lounge that can be configured five ways plus hides a cooler within. A folding aft bench couples with this lounge to create wide-open space or maximize seating. Details? Every seam and fitting appeared perfect to our eye, and items like the built-in bucket holder and trash chute are sure to be copied. Rated for more horsepower than competitors, attention to detail is readily visible from the curvaceous lines of the hardtop to the amenable enclosed head. Boston Whaler’s 240 Vantage raises the bar for trailerable, do-it-all boats.

Read our test at boatingmag.com/story/boats/2021-boston-whaler-240-vantage.

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Awarding the most prestigious prize in recreational boating is no easy task. And it’s not getting easier; the dedication to craftsmanship, performance and safety exhibited by contemporary boatbuilders continues to rise. Boats in all categories now prove better than ever, as a review of our five 2020 Boat of the Year finalists attests.

Still, there can be only one.

The selection process starts with testing more than 100 boats per year of all sizes, types and makes, from PWCs to cruisers, and wakeboats to offshore fishing craft. This multiplicity of categories allows us to experience not just a wide variety of boat types, but also numerous boats in each category. That’s important because a ski boat cannot be compared to a fishing boat, nor a pontoon to an ocean racer. We judge boats by the others in the same category, by others with the same mission. And Boat of the Year is the boat that stands out in its category more than any other boat stands out in any other niche.

Read Next: Previous Boat of the Year Winners!

For 2020, we honor Axopar’s 28 Cabin. It can cruise, entertain and fish, and handles great. It delivers performance, versatility and innovation for a relatively affordable price. Congrats, Axopar!

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Video by Mike Plante

On February 13, 2020, Boating awarded Solace Boats with the trophy for 2019 Boat of the Year for the Solace 345 model. The presentation took place dockside at the Miami International Boat Show before the international press and a throng of well wishers. Check out the video for special insights into the design of this innovative boat.

See Past Boat of the Year honorees, here: boatingmag.com/boats/boatings-boats-year-2000-2013/

Read our complete test of the Solace 345: https://www.boatingmag.com/solace-345-boat-test/

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Our Tech Team sea-trials over 100 new model boats per year. That gives us more on-the-water experience aboard more different makes and models of boats than any other group of marine professionals in the world. In the course of those trials and tests, we remain alert for boats that stand out, not just from the fleet but, more importantly, also from the other boats in the same category. It is the boat that stands out in its category more than any other boat stands out in any other category upon which is bestowed the honor of Boat of the Year.

At this point, after much debate and comparison, the Tech Team has winnowed the field down to the following six boats it ranks as best in their respective classes for 2019. Which one emerged as Boat of the Year? Find out here! Then, learn more about Boating’s Past Boat of the Year Winners.

Boston Whaler 380 Realm

This 38-foot LOA boat has a full-beam-width windshield, bow seating, a cabin and four engines. Putting unsinkability aside, no other boat combines all these features. Plus, it’s built and finished well. Read our review, here.

Aspen C 107

Utilizing a proa concept hull, this “catamaran” features one hull that is wider than the other. Not only that, it uses twin engines of two different horsepower ratings. The narrower hull makes less resistance, and so needs less power to perform as well as the fat hull with the more powerful engine. Yet the narrow hull offers plenty of stability as part of a cat form. It delivers owners a less expensive boat—versus two “big” motors—that is more fuel–efficient to run. Construction, finish, etc. are also top-grade. Read our review, here.

Cutwater C24 Coupe

This is the only stepped-hull, outboard–powered boat that sleeps four, fishes well, and delivers a trailerable sport–utility boating experience. We know of no direct comparison boats (at this size), which definitely makes it a Boat of the Year contender. Read our review, here.

Solace 345

The model we tested stands as one of the most -innovative designs we have seen in a very long time. The most prominent feature is the placement of the twin outboard motors to the outside and the walk-through transom platform, which give it the look and appeal of a cat hull. Yet this is a monohull. This boat also buzzes with technology, including a host of hydraulically operated accessories, such as the swim platform that extends out from the 52-inch-long walk-through transom, the hinged windshield, a slide-out cooler/seat, and the fold-down tower and buggy top. All of this is digitally controlled via CZone switching. We could go on and on, but suffice to say that Stephen -Dougherty has reinvented the center-console with the Solace 345. Read our review, here.

Chaparral 21 SSi OB

While so many boat companies continue to build luxury boats for the champagne–sipping crowd, Chaparral takes aim at the new boater with the 21 SSi OB. This outboard–powered vessel is also available in sterndrive propulsion, and both are modestly priced but luxuriously equipped with -top-quality vinyl, durable foam underneath, and premium hardware all around. Even with -wakeboard-tower options and a standard premium stereo, it costs about the same as the midsize SUV or crossover needed to trailer it, and its performance on the water with the Yamaha 150 outboard is exciting, with excellent fuel economy. Read our review, here.

Finseeker 220 CC by Crownline

The first center-console developed by the engineers at Crownline and brought to market under the Finseeker brand should be a smash hit. First, there aren’t many center-consoles in this size class, and second, the boat bears all the features one could hope for in a center-console—a sign the engineers studied the marketplace thoroughly before lofting the hull. The look is new and rugged, but also stylish with Finseeker’s own take on Carolina flare for big water. Its fishability is rivaled only by its comfort features. The Finseeker 220 CC will be popular on all coasts and in large Midwestern impoundments. Read our review, here.

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