Boat Brands

Jackpot! You’ve finally arrived. All those years of scraping and grinding, wondering if the hard work would ever result in something more in life. You got the car, the guy or gal, great kids, a lovely home, but there was something missing. That siren at the bay kept calling, and that bay for some was aside a lake, while for others, along the deep blue ocean. Regardless, it was water, and said siren wanted you in the water, enjoying nature at a raw level, but safely, aboard metal, fiberglass and wood, with a drink in hand and Neil Diamond on the speakers. We present to you the fruit of your labors … your very own boat!

In the boating world there are Bill Gates/Jay Z boats (likely you haven’t gotten this far), and then scaled down from there. If you’re a fishing aficionado, there’s a whole range available, as well as great boats for cruising, day sailing, the variety is rather … varied. But within this variety, like the auto world, you have trusted brands, and some leap out more than others. In no particular order, here are the manufacturers who are leading the way.

Bertram

Bertram has the unique fortune of having won Boat Trader’s coveted “Boating Madness” popularity tournament. It’s an iconic brand in the boating world, with classic models like the 28’ and 31’. More geared at boating fans who rather than seeking the newest and the greatest are more into nostalgia and preserving boating culture, Bertram today focuses on manufacturing only 35’, 50’ and 61’ vessels.

Boston Whaler

Likely you’ve heard of this brand, if not in boating parlance at least socially. Boston Whaler constructs boats that go from the fishing level all the way to luxury with over 38 distinct models. Anywhere from 11’ to 42’, Boston Whaler boats have been going strong since 1960. A great value added with Boston Whaler is the resale value is strong. You can find 24’ boats that are over 20 years old going for $60,000 plus. Some of the used 18’ Boston Whalers cost the same as a new 18’ in other brands. In a word – value. The brand boasts 15 consecutive Consumer Satisfaction Index Awards as well, it’s hard to go wrong with a Whaler.

Chaparral

Our favorite brand, to say that is. Telling folks you own a new Chaparral. Sounds like you’ve bought a horse, and if they aren’t into boating you will always get a ton of follow-up questions, guaranteed. Per the previously mentioned “Boating Madness” tournament, Chaparral nearly pulled that title from Bertram. It is one of the most widely searched brands on the Boat Trader website and was voted number 3 in trusted brands on Ranker.com. On an unrelated point, the company awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships each year, which really speaks volumes to the corporate culture of Chaparrel. 

There are plenty more where this came from but a top 3 list, in the boating manufacturing world would not be complete without Bertram, Boston Whaler and Chaparrel. Any of these will quiet that siren in your head, and if they don’t, odds are the siren is real and the police have been looking for you.