Oh, 2024, you were a wild ride.
Putting aside all the big events of 2024 that affected economics, politics, and culture (of which there were many), we're purposely putting on our Ray Bans to focus on the boat biz.
2024 was the beginning of several new trends in boating. New concepts like the fold-down terrace are popping up everywhere, while we're also seeing the resurgence of the vertical bow. A renaissance of the pilothouse and walkthrough floorplan has been a welcome change, while the continued trend of outboards over inboards is affecting boat design across the board. There were even some real eyebrow raisers, like the surprising push towards parity with electric outboards as they ever closer to matching their gas-powered brethren.
If that weren't enough, several boats were released in 2024 were just plain sweet. Sometimes that's all that matters.
Here are the 15 best boats we covered in 2024.
1) Formula 457 CCF
No surprise to see Formula on the list. The iconic Indiana brand did it again with the 457, which included the Center Console Sport in 2023, and in 2024 the arrival of the Center Console Fish. It's big, it's powerful, it has everything you could ever want for fishing, and it's quintessentially Formula. We hopped aboard the 457 CCF at FLIBS to get the low-down, and it did not disappoint. It's ready for 2025. Read More.
2) Monterey Elite 30
Arguably the biggest standout in the new vertical bow trend among American manufacturers, Florida's Monterey Boats clearly took some inspiration with the launch of the all-new Elite 30. Walking through Fort Lauderdale, the Elite 30 stuck out like a sore thumb. That's a compliment. It's exactly what you'd expect from Monterey in terms of quality, design, and layout, but the addition of the vertical bow (along with some other nice surprises) made it an obvious contender for Best Boat of 2024. Read more.
3) Hurricane SunDeck 3200
A huge surprise at FLIBS came via Hurricane, who blew through the industry with not only the crafty little 24CC, but perhaps their boldest design ever -- the SunDeck 3200. If you weren't aware you were standing in the Hurricane booth, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were elsewhere. The SunDeck 3200 is a huge crossover bowrider that will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Regal and Boston Whaler, and that's no small ambition. The most surprising thing about the 3200, if you can narrow it down to one, is the shocking amount of space at the helm and around the main salon. It's the most spacious 32-foot boat we've seen in years, maybe ever. Read more.
4) Tiara 56 LS
The almighty Tiara is once again on our list of Best Boats of 2024, where they rightfully belong. With the ever-increasing horsepower offered by outboards, it stands to reason they would begin powering larger boats. Cue the 56 LS, which is not only Tiara's largest outboard powered model ever, but one of the largest outboard powered yachts on the market, period. When you pair all that power with Tiara's sterling reputation for quality and luxury amenities, it makes for a unique blend. The 56 LS is sweet. Read more.
5) Sea-Doo Switch Fish
The Switch ruffled a lot of feathers when it launched in 2021, but its unrelenting popularity is a testament to its value. Consumers keep asking for it, so BRP obliged by specializing its capabilities. First there was the luxury-styled Switch Cruise Limited launched in 2023, and now they're answering the anglers by releasing the Switch Fish. Sea-Doo has taken the already malleable LinQ concept (users can quite literally change the layout of their boat), and added various fishing amenities, allowing boaters to stylize the vessel as they see fit. Toss in the right colour scheme, some funky handlebar steering, and you're primed for sneaking into a honey hole. Read more.
6) Chris-Craft Launch 27 150th Anniversary Edition
Chris-Craft is one of the oldest recreational boat manufacturers in the world, dating all the way back to 1874, so it stands to reason they'd make a splash for their 150th anniversary. That they did, by releasing a custom and incredibly decadent Launch 27 150th Anniversary Edition. Chris-Craft already builds some of the finest boats in the world, and the Launch 27 150th Anniversary takes everything that makes a Chris-Craft special and adds an extra coat of gloss. What a ride. Read more.
7) Boston Whaler 365 Conquest
The 2024 Conquest 365 is exactly that -- a conquest of incorporating everything that makes a yacht great. The company calls it "the SUV of the sea," which is both clever and truthful. With a 36'6" LOA on a 12' beam and a highly customizable floorplan, you'd be hard pressed to find more capability and adaptability in a sub 40-foot boat. At the launch event in Miami, they called it "a capable multi-day entertainer and formidable fishing boat." Apt description. And a great value to boaters who need one boat to do it all. Read more.
8) Regal 50 SAV
The SAV stands for "Sport Activity Vessel," which is almost selling the 50 SAV short when you consider just how much it can do. Yes, it can handle any sport or activity you can possibly envision like fishing, watersports, sandbar socials, and long distance cruising. But it's somehow even more, thanks to the ever-popular fold-down terrace trend, which turns the stern of the 50 SAV into a gargantuan social space. At the launch event in Miami, there were easily 20 people gathered on the stern for a speech from CEO Duane Cuck. There was no rubbing of shoulders. In fact, you could have probably fit 20 more. And don't even get us started on the 'Garmrest' -- a brilliant little detail that embeds a Garmin touchscreen into the armrests of the helm seats. The 50 SAV is truly one of a kind. Read more.
9) Bayliner Pilothouse & Explorer Yachts
Bayliner made a raucous re-entry into the pilothouse and explorer yacht category in 2024, and their competitors will be taking notice. Their all-new Pilothouse offerings in 23 and 25 feet, and their Explorer offerings in 23, 25, and 29 feet, are poised to eat up a significant market share in the 'pocket cruiser' category. Add in an attractive pricetag and you've got a winner on your hands. Many boaters looking to get into cruising and overnighting simply don't have the space or budget to keep and maintain a large yacht in the 35+ category. Bayliner will be right there to scoop them up. Read more.
10) Wajer 38 S Outboard
Tom Brady's favourite boat brand is finally getting into the outboard game. The boutique Dutch builder has done well thanks to Brady's official (and unofficial) spokesmanship, but even without TB12's endorsement every boater is forgiven for coveting the Wajer brand. Their boats are sleek, fast, and expertly designed. They're instantly recognizable, functional for multiple scenarios, and have a degree of elegance that's unmatched. By appealing to the 'every boater' with an outboard option, a midsize Wajer 38 S with 1200 horsepower on the transom suddenly goes to the top of boaters bucket lists. The 38 S is the de facto cream of the crop in luxury offshore center consoles. Read more.
11) Axopar AX/E Boats
Finland's Axopar has been on a tireless slog to break into the North American market, and based on their increasing appearance on waterways everywhere, it seems to be working. They're also the unheralded leaders in the electric outboard market, which makes the launch of AX/E boats a bigger deal than most realize. Axopar has partnered with Evoy Motors, who recently cracked 300 horsepower on their Storm 300 platform. Why is that a big deal? That's the highest horsepower electric outboard we've seen truly reach the mainstream market, and they're only on the transoms of the AX/E lineup. If electric outboards can match gas-powered outboards in terms of power, while at the same increasing their range capabilities, there is market viability. AX/E is the Trojan horse delivering that promise. Read more.
12) Maserati Tridente
We've long heralded the unsung relationship between boat manufacturers and car manufacturers. They've been in cahoots since forever, with both sides using the others tech to advance their own interests. But few have combined a car and a boat like the inimitable Maserati Tridente. It's not just a tech swap -- the car and the boat were designed with the same stylistic queues, and both are surprisingly high performers for electric vessels. Reaching 600 horsepower in an electric boat is unheard of. Both machines use similar tech under the hood, as you'd expect, but that doesn't take away from the elegance that is the Tridente. It's a unique link between the auto industry and the boat biz, but it's also a serious performer. It could be the precursor to the future of electric boating. Read more.
13) Saxdor 340 GTWA
Saxdor deserves a spot on this list, if for no other reason than they deserve the recognition for their design ingenuity. European manufacturers are adding a new flair to the recreational market, and there are few boats that capture it as well as the 340 GTWA. Not to toot our own horn, but we summed it up nicely in the article: "The unique walkaround design blends hydrid design details with a traditional cabin cruiser while still maintaining Saxdor's European chic styling." Yep, that's it all right. Add another fold-down terrace for a huge social space at the stern, plus serious offshore and big water capability, and you've got a sleeper for boat of the year. Read more.
14) Nimbus 495 Flagship
Another burgeoning European boatbuilder overhauling their approach to recreational boating, the Nimbus 495 flagship is one of the biggest boats on the list, but it's headed into smaller markets. That's a wise move. Nimbus is part of the larger Nimbus Group which includes brands like Aquador, Bella, Flipper, and Paragon Yachts. In 2023, they also acquired Florida's Edgewater Powerboats with plans to build boats stateside. In other words, they have been systematically expanding into the North American market. With an absolute stunner in the 495 flagship, other North American stalwarts like Cruisers Yachts and Sea Ray will be watching. Read more.
15) Balise Luxury Pontoons by Crest & Mastercraft
The 'luxury pontoon' is a relatively new concept, but who better to bring it to new peaks than MasterCraft and Crest? In the company's own words, their singular mission was to "be the most luxurious and innovative pontoon boat on the market." The first two models, the Horizon and the Helix, are a bold statement towards that mission. They're large (24 or 26 feet), highly customizable (can be ordered with a 'Cruise' or 'Lounge' floorplan). They're absolute rippers too, with your choice of either a base Mercury V10 350 Verado, and the ability to upgrade to a Mercury V10 400hp Verado or even a Mercury Racing V8 Supercharged 500R. Yes, please. Read more.
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