Original post: Jan. 27, 2025
Updated: Jan. 14, 2026
You weighed in on your favorites. Here are the winners for 2026.
For boaters, the water isn’t just a place—it’s a lifestyle, a sanctuary, and a playground all in one. From sunrise cruises to weekend adventures and long-haul voyages, the right gear—and certainly the right boat—can make every outing smoother, safer, and more enjoyable. Each year at this time, our readers weigh in, sharing the boat brands and models, tools, gadgets, and accessories that have earned their trust on the water. From navigation and communication to comfort, performance, and style, these are the brands that make life afloat not just possible, but exceptional. Here are this year’s Readers’ Choice winners across a range of marine categories.
Readers' Choice TOC
Favorite Motor Yacht
1st place: Marlow
Marlow Yachts: The brand earned readers’ top motoryacht honors for its consistent blend of thoughtful design, efficient performance, and long-range capability that appeals to cruisers today. marlowyachts.com
2nd place: Grand Banks
3rd place: Azimut
Favorite Vacation Destination
1st place: The Bahamas
With crystal-clear blue waters, gorgeous white-sand beaches that stretch for miles, plenty of islands to explore, and an abundance of water activities all around, it’s no doubt the Bahamas is our readers’ favorite vacation destination! bahamas.com
2nd place: USA
3rd place: Europe
Favorite Marine Generator
1st place: Cummins/Onan
Cummins/Onan claims first place for marine generators, recognized for unwavering reliability and dependable power. With more than 80 years in the marine market, Cummins/Onan generators offer reliability, optimal performance, and maximum efficiency. Generator power ranges from 4kW to 110kW. cummins.com
2nd place: Rehlko (formerly Kohler)
3rd place: Northern Lights
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
2nd place: Chubb
3rd place: Geico
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Favorite Express Cruiser
1st place: Tiara
Readers noted that Tiara’s balanced mix of contemporary styling, smart layouts, and poised, predictable performance makes long weekends on the water feel easy. tiarayachts.com
2nd place: Sea Ray
3rd place: Riviera
Favorite Watch
1st place: Rolex
Rolex earns first place in the Watch category, celebrated by boaters for its marine-ready durability, precision timekeeping, and iconic style. Rolex watches are crafted from the finest raw materials and assembled with meticulous attention to detail. rolex.com
2nd place: Garmin
3rd place: Apple
Favorite Trawler
1st place: Grand Banks
The unmistakable classic look of a Grand Banks trawler turns heads wherever she goes. Enduring craftsmanship, steady passage-making capability, and warm, livable interiors are all hallmarks of the brand’s long-distance appeal.. grandbanks.com
2nd place: Nordhavn
3rd place: Fleming
Favorite Personal Locator Beacon
1st place: Garmin
Proven accuracy, fast satellite connectivity, and life-saving reliability when every second counts on the water brought Garmin the gold in this category. garmin.com
2nd place: ACR
3rd place: SPOT
Favorite Power Catamaran
1st place: Aquila
Aquila claimed the Power Catamaran category as readers appreciated its spacious multihull design, efficient cruising abilities, and the practical, family-friendly layouts that set it apart on the water.. aquilaboats.com
2nd place: Horizon Power Catamarans
3rd place: Leopard Catamarans
Favorite Boating Navigation
1st place: Garmin
Garmin has earned its customers’ trust with precise charts, intuitive interfaces, and reliable, cutting-edge tech that makes every journey smoother, safer, and on course. garmin.com
2nd place: Raymarine
3rd place: Simrad
Favorite Audio Speakers
1st place: JL Audio
JL Audio is celebrated by readers for rich, powerful sound, durable construction, and seamless onboard integration that elevates every moment on the water. jlaudio.com
2nd place: Fusion
3rd place: Clarion
Favorite VHF Marine Radio
1st place: Garmin
Garmin is praised by readers for providing crystal-clear communication, rugged reliability, and smart features that enhance safety and confidence. garmin.com
2nd place: ICOM
3rd place: Raymarine
Favorite Boating Sunglasses
1st place: Costa
Superior polarization, rugged water-ready design, and crystal-clear visibility all work together to put Costa out on top. costadelmar.com
2nd place: Maui Jim
3rd place: Ray-Ban
Favorite Picnic/Downeast-style Boat
1st place: Hinckley
Hinckley topped the Picnic/Downeast category as readers gravitated to its unmistakable blend of classic lines, inventive craftsmanship, and the effortless, confident ride that’s become its signature. hinckleyyachts.com
2nd place: Palm Beach
3rd place: Sabre
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: MarineMax Vacations
3rd place: Private Yacht Broker
Favorite Boating Stabilizer
1st place: Seakeeper
Seakeeper led the Stabilizer category, known for its innovative gyro technology, smooth roll reduction, and the enhanced comfort it brings to both cruising and offshore adventures. seakeeper.com
2nd place: Naiad
3rd place: Humphrey
Favorite Inboard Engine
1st place: Volvo Penta
Volvo Penta stood out in the inboard engine category, recognized for its innovative technology and smooth, efficient power delivery that keeps boats running confidently on the water. volvopenta.com
2nd place: Caterpillar
3rd place: Cummins
Favorite Center Console
1st place: Grady-White
Grady-White topped the center-console category for its steady mix of seaworthy construction, intuitive layouts, and the reassuring ride that defines its reputation on open water. gradywhite.com
2nd place: Pursuit
3rd place: Boston Whaler
Favorite Cruising Itinerary
1st place: The Bahamas
From diving to fishing to ecotourism, the Bahamas remains 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: BVI
3rd place: Caribbean
Favorite Inflatable
1st place: Zodiac
Zodiac led the inflatables category thanks to its durable construction, versatile design, and reliable performance on both calm waters and adventurous outings. zodiac-nautic.com
2nd place: Highfield
3rd place: AB Inflatables
Favorite Foul-Weather Gear
1st place: Helly Hansen
From versatile coastal jackets to professional-grade offshore sailing jackets, Helly Hansen gear is perfect for coastal cruising, high-speed racing, or enjoying long days on the water. The brand’s rugged protection and superior comfort keeps boaters dry and warm in any conditions. hellyhansen.com
2nd place: Columbia
3rd place: Grundéns
Favorite Outboard Engine
1st place: Yamaha
Yamaha topped the outboard engine category for its reliable performance, fuel efficiency, and cutting-edge engineering that delivers smooth, consistent power across a wide range of boats. yamahaoutboards.com
2nd place: Mercury
3rd place: Honda
Favorite Sportfisherman
1st place: Viking
Viking led the Sportfisherman category, with readers drawn to its tournament-level performance, rugged build quality, and the purposeful layouts that serious anglers rely on offshore. vikingyachts.com
2nd place: Hatteras
3rd place: Rybovich
Favorite Marine Paint
1st place: Awlgrip
Awlgrip products provide a wide range of colors and effects, combined with high gloss and proven durability. Readers cited the brand’s long wear, vibrant finish, and professional-grade protection that keeps vessels looking flawless and performing their best. awlgrip.com
2nd place: Interlux
3rd place: Sea Hawk
Favorite Outboard Catamaran
1st place: World Cat
World Cat boats deliver a smoother, softer, faster, and drier catamaran ride in even the roughest conditions. Its stable twin-hull ride, practical deck layouts, and confident handling make varied conditions feel more approachable. worldcat.com
2nd place: Aquila
3rd place: Freeman
