Boating is the world's foremost magazine for boating enthusiasts. Written by experts for those who love the sport, the editorial covers the waterfront -- from runabouts to sportfish convertibles to luxury showpieces, and everything in between.
At MasterCraft, we believe that the most memorable days are spent on the water. That’s why we deliver unmatched quality, comfort, and performance, coupled with leading technology to elevate your every moment. You asked for the best wakes and waves—we made them. You wanted comfort and reliability—we perfected them. Every detail is handcrafted with precision, so you can focus on creating unforgettable experiences. With the most extensive lineup of sizes, styles, and innovations, MasterCraft promises you moments that become stories you’ll tell for a lifetime. We don’t just build the best boats—we build your greatest memories. Build your memories with MasterCraft at mastercraft.com/boats WAVE Equipped with SurfStar, each MasterCraft model boasts high-performance surf capabilities with uncomplicated functionality, putting wakes and waves for all skill levels at your fingertips. QUALITY Each…
We produce Boating’s Boat Buyers Guide (BBG) for you as a compendium of new models that you can use as a tool when shopping for a boat. Our Certified Tests include performance data you can trust and use to compare the speed and efficiency of similar models. The list of high points accompanying each test gives you a snapshot of major features, making it easy to compare one boat to another. The body text of each boat test represents more than just a simple descriptive walk-through of the boat. Instead, our Tech Team brings to bear multiple lifetimes of boating experience and insight gleaned from testing over 100 boats per year. We use these to surface the aspects that we deem to be most important about any given boat. No…
ON BOARD WITH CAPTAIN’S TEST FOR COMPARISON’S SAKE NEWS How did you get your start painting transoms? I used to work as a captain in the British Virgin Islands. I would come home from trips and paint fine art on canvases and murals. In 2017, I was on a trip to the Bahamas and I saw a faux-teak transom with marine art on it. I went to Roy Merritt [of Merritt Yachts] and told him I could do better. Merritt was in the process of building a 72-footer with a faux-teak transom, and he told me, “This is your canvas.” How many transoms do you paint a year now? Now I do about 30 transoms a month. I also hooked up with Viking and do most of its transoms. We also created…
1. What’s better for roughwater boating: a deep-V or a hull with a flatter bottom design? A. The flat bottom because it will skim over the waves.B. Neither; an inverted-V bottom will be a much better performer.C. The deep-V hull will provide a smoother ride in the rough because it will slice through waves.D. A round-bottom hull is best because it will bounce with a softer landing.E. None of the above 2. Many high-performance-boat designers add a “pad” or a wide, flat surface at the very bottom of a deep-V hull. Why is this done, and what is the effect on performance? A. The flat surface makes the boat easier to drive at higher speeds because it’s easier to balance the boat on a wide, flat surface than on a narrow…
ENTRY-LEVEL HYPERLITE REMIX THE WRAP: Designed to accommodate a variety of foot sizes yet still offer some degree of support, open-toe bindings such as the Remix are ideal when sharing a board among family and friends. Look for a molded EVA footbed, floating tongue, and dual lace zones that can open wide and then cinch down to separately secure your foot and ankle. THE TRAP: Wide range of adjustability comes at the expense of individualized support and comfort. All but casual riders will likely be looking to upgrade to a more advanced binding. PRICE: $265; hyperlite.com MIDRANG HYPERLITE TEAM X THE WRAP: A traditional platestyle binding that retains great range of motion, closed-toe bindings such as the Team X offer midrange support while still remaining somewhat sharable for riders of roughly…
As surfboats, such as the ones reviewed in these pages, gain popularity across the country, certain municipalities are growing concerned over how the waves might affect the shorelines and bottoms of their local lakes. Some states—including New Hampshire, Washington and Minnesota—have commissioned studies to assess the impact that boat wakes can have on erosion and water quality. The Water Sports Industry Association has addressed the concerns over the issue, advocating for operating wake- and surfboats at least 200 feet from shore to lessen any impact. Others have suggested operating in surf mode in areas with at least 15 feet of water depth so as not to impact the lake bottom. We encourage all wake and surf enthusiasts, as well as fellow boaters and residents, to be mindful of their surroundings…
