Boating’s Boat of the Year is the Yamaha CrossWave.
When deciding which boat to award the honor of Boat of the Year, we consider the boat’s construction, its design, propulsion and more. We also consider subjective characteristics. For instance, two helm stations might both meet the standard for visibility, but in our opinion and experience, one is executed better. Most importantly, we consider how each boat we test—and our tech team tests about 100 different boats per year—rates against other boats in the same category. After all, there is no comparison between, for example, a wakeboat and a sport-fisher. So, from those category winners, we choose the one that brought the most dramatic revolution to its category.
Read Next: Boat Test: Yamaha CrossWave
In 2025, Yamaha created a brand-new category with the CrossWave as the sole entry. It is a new kind of boat: one that can fish in the shallows and head outside the inlet. It can carry up to four people for touring yet can be towed with a small car and stored in a garage. Its jet power provides fun, spirited handling, speed and acceleration. Unlike most personal watercraft, you can stop and walk around on it. It is super cool, super innovative and Boat of the Year 2025. Congratulations, Yamaha!
