BOAT OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
The Boating Tech Team’s top choices from this year’s tested boats.
Each year for over 30 years, Boating’s Tech Team, comprised of both staff and contributing editors, honors one boatbuilder with the most prestigious award in recreational boating: Boating’s Boat of the Year.
Our Tech Team sea-trials over 100 new model boats per year. That gives us more onthe-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 will emerge as
Boat of the Year? We’ll announce that honor in our January/February 2020 issue and award the trophy during a ceremony to be held at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2020.
BOSTON WHALER 380 REALM
This 38-foot LOA boat has a full-beamwidth 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. (To read our full review, see page 64 in our May issue.)
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. (See our boat review on page 66 in our June issue.)
CUTWATER C24 COUPE
This is the only steppedhull, 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 boat review on page 52 in our September issue.)
SOLACE 345
The model we tested (see page 46) 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.
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 (see page 62). This outboardpowered 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.
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 (see page 54). 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.