Boat Reviews and Tests

Boat reviews and tests of the most popular boat brands.

Revel in a turn

Boat Test: 2026 Revel RS25L

The Revel RS25L matches exhilarating performance with smooth handling and a high-tech, spacious interior built for comfort.

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Boat Tests

Boating’s boat tests are more than just a peek at a boat. Seasoned editors, possessing almost 200 years of combined boating experience, dissect the entire boat from engine to bow, pointing out each feature and how it’s important to the prospective buyer. With video walk-throughs and plenty of images incorporated into each test, anyone can get a great feel for a boat without actually stepping on board. Plus, each boat test includes suggested retail pricing and a real-world performance test, with the results posted. Check out our extensive library of boat tests today.

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Pontoon Boats

AlumacraftAqua PatioAvalonBaylinerBennington
BeneteauBertramBoston WhalerCarolina SkiffCarver
CenturionCenturyChaparralChris-CraftCobalt
ContenderCorrect CraftCrestlinerCruisers YachtsCypress Cay
Deep ImpactDonziEbbtideEdgeWaterEverglades
FormulaFountainFour WinnsG3Glastron
Grady-WhiteHarrisHurricaneIntrepidInvincible
LarsonLoweMalibuManitouMasterCraft
MontereyNauticstarPlaycraftPremierPrincecraft
Pro-LinePursuitQwestRangerRegal
RegulatorRinkerRobaloSailfishScout
Sea RaySea-DooSeaVeeSouth BayStarcraft
StingrayStratosSun TrackerSunchaserSupra
SylvanTahoeTiaraTigeTracker
TritonWellcraftWorld CatYamaha

Pontoon boats are very popular today, and range in price from very affordable to the six-figure mark. First off, they still serve as a perfect party platform, allowing guests to mingle, sunbathe, and relax on the water. But newer pontoon boats have increased horsepower to pull a water skier or tuber, with the whole family able to watch from the boat. Anglers can fish from the wide-open pontoon layout too.  Discover how pontoon boats today do more than ever before.

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Runabouts

The runabout boat exemplifies the boating lifestyle,  with either a flush-deck cuddy cabin or a bowrider layout. Boating defines runabout boats, loosely, as open boats that are traditionally under about 25 feet in length. But some modern runabout designs exceed over 40 fee in length. The smaller runabouts are easy to tow, yet many owners keep them in a slip, on a lift, or at a dry stack marina. Runabouts allow a family to fish, waterski or cruise. If you’re looking to buy a runabout boat, check out our extensive coverage.

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Fishing Boats

Boating helps anglers make their boat buying decisions. Whether looking for a bass, inshore skiff, flats, bay or offshore fishing boat, Boating provides the best fishing boat reviews for angling boaters. Come for the performance data, pricing and detailed descriptions of layout and features, stay for the insightful commentary from our powerboat experts. Consider yourself a fisherman? Start your search with us.

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Cruising Boats

A salty trawler, sleek express cruiser, or smaller cabin cruiser (such as a cuddy cabin or mid-cabin style) all fall under the cruising boats category, according to Boating. Here you’ll find model-specific information such as performance data, features and layout details. Whether you’re looking for an offshore or a river cruising boat, our boat tests and reviews will help make you an informed boat buyer.

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Water Sports Boats

What are your favorite water sports activities? Does your family like to waterski, wakeboard or wakesurf? Maybe they like to do all three, plus a bit of tubing? Our water sports boat section offers the widest variety of boats built by a variety of brands. Our experienced editors, who test and sea-trial more than 150 different boat models every year, give you insight for each model to help you in your boat-buying search.

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Personal Watercraft

Personal watercraft (PWCs) don’t have to be just for millennials. Whether your mindset is flat out speed, super-sharp handling, or even long-distance cruising or fishing, their is a personal watercraft to suit your needs.. Boating highlights all the new models from manufacturers such as Yamaha and Sea-Doo. These small but fast platforms have a dedicated following, but new users are also finding other uses for them. Check out the latest personal watercraft today.

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High-Performance Boats

Personal watercraft (PWCs) don’t have to be just for millennials. Whether your mindset is flat out speed, super-sharp handling, or even long-distance cruising or fishing, their is a personal watercraft to suit your needs. Boating highlights all the new models from manufacturers such as Yamaha and Sea-Doo. These small but fast platforms have a dedicated following, but new users are also finding other uses for them. Check out the latest personal watercraft today.

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