Awarding the most prestigious prize in recreational boating is no easy task. And it’s not getting easier; the dedication to craftsmanship, performance and safety exhibited by contemporary boatbuilders continues to rise. Boats in all categories now prove better than ever, as a review of our five 2020 Boat of the Year finalists attests.
Still, there can be only one.
The selection process starts with testing more than 100 boats per year of all sizes, types and makes, from PWCs to cruisers, and wakeboats to offshore fishing craft. This multiplicity of categories allows us to experience not just a wide variety of boat types, but also numerous boats in each category. That’s important because a ski boat cannot be compared to a fishing boat, nor a pontoon to an ocean racer. We judge boats by the others in the same category, by others with the same mission. And Boat of the Year is the boat that stands out in its category more than any other boat stands out in any other niche.
Read Next: Previous Boat of the Year Winners!
For 2020, we honor Axopar’s 28 Cabin. It can cruise, entertain and fish, and handles great. It delivers performance, versatility and innovation for a relatively affordable price. Congrats, Axopar!
