You cast your votes, and the results are in for Southern Boating’s 4th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Every vote was counted, including the write-in candidates, and tallied in a secure location without any bias…or input from our team or advertisers.
Readers voted for their preferences in 37 categories from favorite center console to express cruiser and must-have galley item to favorite fishing reel. Safety products, favorite vacation destinations, engines, sunglasses, and boat insurance company are a sampling of what’s included in this year’s choices.
In some categories, first and second place were separated by only a few percentage points, but overall, there was a definite winner.
Thank you to all our subscribers who participated. Once again, your feedback and input made this event a huge success.
Favorite Vacation Destination Region (U.S.)
1st place: Southeast
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina…our readers love to head to the Southeast U.S. when it’s time for vacation. And why not? The region boasts warm weather, plenty of coastal resorts with full-service marinas and water activities, restaurants and shopping galore, and some of the best beaches in the country.
2nd place: Northeast
3rd place: Hawaii
Favorite Express Cruiser
1st place: Tiara
Tiara’s model lineup, including the 48 LE, combines sport styling, luxurious amenities, and thrilling performance in a yacht that is ready to meet the demands of a day cruise. tiarayachts.com
2nd place: Monterey
3rd place: Sea Ray
Favorite Non-U.S. Vacation Destination
1st place: The Bahamas
With crystal-clear blue waters, gorgeous white-sand beaches, and plenty of islands to explore, there’s no doubt the Bahamas remains the No. 1 favorite non-U.S. vacation destination. bahamas.com
2nd place: Europe
3rd place: BVIs
Favorite Boat Insurance Company
1st place: Progressive
Progressive lets you customize your boat insurance and offers a discount for taking a boating safety course. progressive.com/boat
2nd place: Geico
3rd place: State Farm
Favorite Fishing Reel
1st place: Shimano
Precision engineering, durability, and pro-level performance make Shimano reels the favorite among anglers.
fish.shimano.com
2nd place: Penn
3rd place: Daiwa
Favorite Marine Generator
1st place: Kohler
Kohler marine generators provide quiet, dependable marine power. They produce up to 180 kW at 60 Hz and 150 kW at 50 Hz, while remaining compliant with the latest emission requirements. marine.kohlerenergy.com
2nd place: Onan
3rd place: Cummins
Favorite Binoculars
1st place: Bushnell
Bushnell has a full lineup of marine binoculars with waterproof construction along with a firm grip, even in wet conditions. The high-quality binoculars deliver bright, clear, HD imagery. bushnell.com
2nd place: Nikon
3rd place: Steiner
Favorite Outboard Power Cat
1st place: World Cat
World Cat boats, like the 260CC-X, deliver power and performance even the roughest conditions. worldcat.com
2nd place: Aquila
3rd place: Invincible
Favorite Cooler Brand
1st place: YETI
Yeti’s hard- and soft-sided insulated coolers are extremely durable and ready for any outdoor adventure. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, like the Hopper M20 backpack, they are built to be by a boater’s side for each catch or cruise. yeti.com
2nd place: Igloo
3rd place: RTIC
Favorite Watch
1st place: Rolex
Rolex watches are crafted from the finest raw materials and assembled with meticulous attention to detail. The Yacht-Master model sets the standard for luxury sailors’ timepieces. rolex.com
2nd place: Apple
3rd place: Garmin
Favorite Cruising Itinerary
1st place: Bahamas
From fishing to diving to ecotourism, the Bahamas is still a fan favorite. Comprising 700 islands and more than 2,000 rocks and cays, the archipelago is easy to reach from the East Coast. There are plenty of places to explore, so boaters can make a cruising itinerary for a few days or a few weeks. bahamas.com
2nd place: Florida Keys
3rd place: BVIs
Favorite Power Catamaran
1st place: Horizon Power Catamarans
Every Horizon Power Catamaran delivers exceptional performance and reliability, and offers special features such as the extended flybridge on the PC68. Each luxury powercat can also be fully customized. horizonpowercatamarans.com
2nd place: Aquila Power Catamarans
3rd place: Leopard Catamarans
Favorite Boating Navigation
1st place: Garmin
Garmin’s easy-to-use navigation equipment lets you pinpoint your location and access data to pilot safely through the water day or night. garmin.com
2nd place: Raymarine
3rd place: Simrad
Favorite Marine Audio
1st place: Garmin/JL Audio
Garmin/JL Audio, manufacturer of high-performance marine audio systems, develops innovative products that are engineered to reproduce the finest audio experience in open-air boating environments. jlaudio.com
2nd place: Fusion
3rd place: Clarion
Favorite Sunglasses
1st place: Costa
Costa offers a variety of stylish sunglasses with superior lens technology. costadelmar.com
2nd place: Maui Jim
3rd place: Ray-Ban
Favorite VHF Radio
1st place: Garmin
Boating enthusiasts choose Garmin VHF marine radios for their durability and ease of use. garmin.com
2nd place: ICOM
3rd place: Raymarine
Favorite Charter Company
1st place: The Moorings
With a fleet of more than 400 yachts in over 20 destinations worldwide, The Moorings creates unforgettable charter vacations ideal for boaters of all skill levels. moorings.com
2nd place: Private Yacht Broker
3rd place: MarineMax Vacations
Favorite Water Toy
1st place: Jet Ski
It’s no surprise that a Jet Ski is once again the favorite water toy. These very reliable personal watercraft offer hours of fun and the ability to reach high speeds while remaining very easy to control.
2nd place: Snorkeling gear
3rd place: Standup paddleboard
Favorite Motor Yacht
1st place: Marlow
Marlow Yachts, like the 70E MKII, are meticulously planned and designed before being built from the finest materials for the ultimate luxurious yachting experience. marlowyachts.com
2nd place: Grand Banks
3rd place: Azimut
Favorite Boating Stabilizer
1st place: Seakeeper
Seakeeper gyrostabilizers eliminate up to 95 percent of boat roll on vessels up to 165 feet. The Seakeeper 3 is designed for boats up to 41 feet. seakeeper.com
2nd place: Naiad
3rd place: Quantum
Favorite Inboard Engine
1st place: Volvo Penta
Volvo Penta inboard engines deliver powerful acceleration, comfortable cruising speed, and an extended range. volvopenta.com
2nd place: Caterpillar
3rd place: MerCruiser
Favorite Trawler
1st place: Grand Banks
The unmistakable classic look of a Grand Banks trawler turns heads wherever she goes. She features a raised wheelhouse, high bulwarks, and curved hull lines, as seen on the GB42. grandbanks.com
2nd place: Nordhavn
3rd place: Beneteau
Favorite Personal Locator Beacon
1st place: Garmin
Garmin manufactures handheld rescue beacons and survival equipment for the marine market and more. Personal Locator Beacons, such as the inReach MINI, aid in rapid response. garmin.com
2nd place: ACR Electronics
3rd place: Ocean Signal
Favorite Life Raft
1st place: Viking
Viking life rafts of the throw overboard type, like the 25DK+, are essential when it comes to safety at sea. viking-life.com
2nd place: Winslow LifeRaft
3rd place: Revere Survival
Favorite Connectivity Provider
1st place: Starlink
Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency Internet both in-motion and while anchored. Enjoy streaming movies, making video calls, playing video games, and more. starlink.com
2nd place: KVH
3rd place: Globalstar
Favorite Center Console
1st place: Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler designs center console boats that are well-equipped for both water sports and offshore fishing, such as the 280 Dauntless. bostonwhaler.com
2nd place: Blackfin
3rd place: Pursuit Boats
Favorite Green Boat
1st place: Greenline
Greenline are the only yachts to offer H-Drive as well as full E-Drive. Their models, such as the 58 Fly, include solar panels, recycling garbage cans, and the use of eco-friendly fabrics on board. greenlinehybrid.com
2nd place: Silent-Yachts
3rd place: Aquasport
Favorite Marine Paint
1st place: Awlgrip
Awlgrip’s industry-leading products provide a wide range of colors and effects, combined with high gloss and proven durability. awlgrip.com
2nd place: Interlux
3rd place: Pettit
Must-Have Galley Item
1st place: Coffee Maker
That cup of joe is important any time of the day, so a coffee maker is most definitely a must-have galley item!
2nd place: Icemaker
3rd place: Grill
Favorite Foul-Weather Gear
1st place: Helly Hansen
From professional-grade offshore sailing jackets to versatile coastal jackets, Helly Hansen gear is perfect for coastal cruising, high-speed racing, or enjoying long days on the water. hellyhansen.com
2nd place: Columbia
3rd place: West Marine
Favorite Outboard Engine
1st place: Mercury
Mercury outboard engines, fuel and electric, deliver no-compromise performance, fuel-efficiency, reliability, and innovative features to ensure maximum fun. mercurymarine.com
2nd place: Yamaha
3rd place: Suzuki
Favorite Fishing Rod
1st place: Penn
Anglers choose Penn fishing rods for their high-tech style, precision, reliability, and corrosion-resistance in saltwater. pennfishing.com
2nd place: Shimano
3rd place: Ugly Stik
Favorite Alcohol
1st place: Beer
Who doesn’t enjoy a good beer? Not our readers! After a long day of cleaning the boat or out trying to catch the night’s dinner, sit back on the aft deck and enjoy a cold one!
2nd place: Rum
3rd place: Vodka
Favorite RIB
1st place: Zodiac
Zodiac rigid inflatable boats, like the Medline 9, provide the ultimate on-the-water experience for any water sport. Benefits include stress-free docking, lightweight towing, reduced drag, and better fuel efficiency. zodiac-nautic.com
2nd place: Highfield
3rd place: AB Inflatables
Favorite Sportfisherman
1st place: Viking
Viking sportfishers, like the new 90, are designed for the ultimate luxury tournament fishing and yachting experience. vikingyachts.com
2nd place: Hatteras
3rd place: Bertram
Favorite Boating Magazine
1st place: Southern Boating
No competition here! When it comes to your favorite boating magazine, there’s no doubt that Southern Boating is No. 1 in Readers’ Choice! southernboating.com
Favorite Picnic/Downeast-style Boat
1st place: Hinckley
The Hinckley Picnic Boat 40S has a spacious open-deck design that is ideal for relaxing and entertaining. The captain also has a great view whether seated or standing. hinckleyyachts.com
2nd place: Palm Beach
3rd place: Sabre
