Boating

Scarab Boats came from a long pedigree of racing boats and were made famous in the mid-’80s when actor Don Johnson drove a Scarab Boat in Miami Vice’s mega-hit TV show. Team Scarab, which was started in 1975, originally built hardcore race boats and then partnered with Wellcraft, who built Scarab Boats under license. Scarab […]

Scout Boats is a family-run company that has been designing and building luxury sport and fishing boats since 1989. Their range of 17′ to 53′ boats is known for their stylish good looks, their technology and innovation, and their durability. However, just like any brand, Scout Boats can have its problems. In this article, we

Polar Kraft is a manufacturer of aluminum boats emphasizing fishing and utility. They have a long history and have maintained a good reputation for quality construction. Is this good reputation deserved? Let’s take a closer look. Here’s how Good Polar Kraft Boats are: Polar Kraft is a long-established aluminum boat of quality construction and practical

Honda Marine is an American company that builds a full line of four-stroke outboard marine engines ranging from 2 – 250hp at their factory in Japan. They were one of the first US companies to build a four-stroke marine outboard engine introduced to the market back in 1964. Many of the Honda outboard engine design

Phoenix Bass Boats is a relatively new company that builds fiberglass boats for most anglers, though they specialize in bass boats. Before we dive in, make sure to check our list of the most common issues with Phoenix boats, as all boats will have some problems eventually. They have received some high-profile endorsements and accolades,

Scout Boats is one of the few remaining family-owned designers and manufacturers of high-end, luxury fishing boats in the 17′ – 53′  range. Since its inception, back in the 1980s, the name Scout has become renowned for its innovation, attention to detail, and exceptional quality. In addition, Scout Boats manufactures a full range of sizes

G3 is a brand of competitively-priced aluminum boats that is very popular across the United States of America and has dealers in other parts of the world. With their high visibility and availability, and friendly pricing, the prospective buyer of an aluminum boat is bound to wonder how good they are. Here’s how strong G3

Suzuki Marine’s DF140A is a popular choice of outboard engine for those looking for a lightweight motor without compromising on performance. In addition, the DF140A is equipped with Suzuki’s advanced Lean Burn Fuel Control System, which means that this engine offers great fuel economy without having to hold back on your speed. This 4 cylinder

Tohatsu motors started when the Takata Motor Research Institute began experimenting with various forms of internal combustion engines. It has been producing high-quality, durable outboard motors since 1956. Their range of outboard engines includes High Power, Medium Power, and Portable motors to suit every boater’s needs. But Are Tohatsu Motors Any Good? Tohatsu outboard motors

At one time, Scarab Boats were among the most famous on television, as Sonny Crockett roared across the screen on the show Miami Vice. Now, the brand has changed hands, and they are a company that makes jet boats instead. What happened? More importantly, are Scarab Boats any good? Here’s how Good Scarab Boats are:

Mastercraft boats are a premium luxury brand of watersports boats. They are known for having great quality but are on the higher price end. Because they are more of a luxury brand, these boats are not as common among the average boater. However, their ability to create great waves makes them a fan-favorite for sports

Coleman is an established brand of outdoor equipment, including jackets, tents, canoes, stoves, and dirt bikes, among many other kinds of equipment. They have been selling outboards in recent years, and they are widely available from dozens of retailers, even online retailers like Amazon. Given how common and affordable they are, it is fair to

Nissan outboard motors were a brand that was produced from 1984 to 2014. The decline in the Japanese pleasure boating market brought about the brand’s closure. There are still many thousands of Nissan outboards on the water and on the market, but are they any good? Here’s how Good Nissan Outboard Motors are: Nissan outboard

Tracker Boats is a brand of aluminum boats established over 40 years ago. They are an entry-level brand of Jon and fishing boats, sold primarily through Bass Pro Shops. If you are looking at buying a Tracker and wondering if they are any good, here are some things you should know! Here’s how good Tracker

Tige Boats is a brand of boats focusing on wake sports. Their boats are made for wakeboarding and wake surfing, as well as water skiing. Before we dive in, however, make sure to check our list of the most common problems with Tige boats. If you are looking at getting a wake boat, you have

Malibu Boats is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of high-performance sport boats used for wakeboarding, water skiing, and other adrenaline activities. They claim to have the top market share of these niche boats in the United States since 2010. Since they started (back in 1982), the company has contributed to new ideas and

Malibu Boats is an American manufacturer of watersports boats that was founded in California in 1982. Today, Malibu is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of wakesurf, wakeboard, and ski boats, and they are now recognized as the builder of one out of every two tow-boats worldwide. If you’re looking for a fun boat, then

Crestliner is a brand of all-welded aluminum boats most popular with freshwater fishermen and in the United States Midwest. As one of the largest brands of aluminum boats, just how good is Crestliner Boats? Here’s how good Crestliner Boats are: Crestliner Boats is a rugged brand of aluminum boat, on par with Lund. For over

Force Outboards were a brand of motor that grew directly out of the Chrysler Outboard brand. They began in 1983 with the acquisition of Chrysler Outboards by Bayliner, and the brand was discontinued in 1999. Here’s How Good Force Outboard Motors are: Force Outboards were simple engines made for ease of operation and repair. They

Formula Boats is an established brand of pleasure boats that has a racing heritage. They have a variety of styles, from bowriders to large motor yachts. They’ve been around for a long time, but just how good are they? Here’s How Good Formula Boats Are: Formula Boats is a top-tier brand of performance luxury boats

It’s a little-known fact, but the international company, Suzuki Marine, has designed and manufactured marine outboard motors since 1965. The company’s expertise in marine outboard motors was built on the back of their experience and knowledge of designing and building automobiles and motorcycles. With the addition of their outboard motor line, Suzuki has come a

Heyday Boats is a new brand of wake boats. They are designed and built to meet a price point. So if they are made to be affordable, it is fair to ask, Are Heyday Boats any good? Here’s How Good Heyday Boats Are: Heyday Boats are entry-level wake boats. They use hull design to generate

Havoc is a brand of aluminum boats designed for duck hunting and fishing. While they tend to get decent reviews from owners, we want to know: Are they any good? Here’s How Good Havoc Boats Are: Havoc Boats has gained a strong reputation for their speed, handling, and durability in navigating very difficult waters. They

Chrysler Marine made boats and motors, both inboard and outboard, before being dissolved as part of Chrysler’s deal with the government to obtain bailout loans in the 1980s. Their outboards are still occasionally seen on back creeks and with collectors and marine historians. It is an interesting question from a historical perspective: How good were

Crownline Boats has built its reputation on comfort and innovation in hull design, making bowriders, cabin cruisers, wake boats, and center consoles in the competitive powerboat market. When potentially purchasing a Crownline boat, the prospective owner needs to know: Are Crownline Boats good? Here’s How Good Crownline Boats Are: Crownline Boats is a solid mid-tier

Honda Outboards has helped to set the standard for customer satisfaction within the boating industry and beyond. In addition, and unlike some of their competitors, Honda Marine only produces 4-stroke outboards; 4-stroke engines are known to run quieter, are more fuel-efficient, and burn cleaner than their 2-stroke equivalents. This makes a Honda 4-stroke engine better

Pursuit Boats is a brand of boats known for the quality of construction and customer service. The company’s boats are expensive. If you are looking into the brand, it is fair to ask, how good are their boats? Check out the most common complaints and issues with the Pursuit boats. Here’s How Good Pursuit Boats

Contender Boats is a brand of offshore fishing boats that are seen as being expensive. They are often compared to Grady White and Yellowfin. So, how good are Contender boats? Here’s How Good Contender Boats are: Contender Boats is an upper-tier brand of semi-custom offshore fishing boats, mostly center consoles. They have fewer amenities than

Everglades Boats is a brand of offshore and bay boats made in Florida. They focus on center and dual consoles and some cabin models in the 23- to 45-foot range. They have been around for over two decades now and are common along the east coast of the United States. Are Everglades boats a good

Yamaha is a Japanese company that started developing and building outboard motors in 1958. They first entered the US market in 1970, where they quickly established themselves as an industry leader by offering both reliability and service that was second to none. Nowadays, Yamaha offers a range of both 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines ranging from

Cobalt is a manufacturer that has been around for over four decades now. They make lines of luxurious sterndrive and outboard boats and a range of specialized wake boats. Are they reliable, good, and worth the cost? Here’s How Good Cobalt Boats Are: Cobalt Boats is recognized as a high-tier manufacturer of powerboats. Their reputation

Robalo Boats is one of America’s biggest recreational fishing boats and has been around since 1969. Most Robalo customers are super happy with their Robalo boat, but like with any boat manufacturer, things can occasionally go wrong. In this article, we take a look at the 3 most common problems with Robalo Boats: A Brief

Hurricane Boats is a brand that manufactures deck boats in a variety of configurations. All of their models have a focus on comfort and are considered to be of good quality. How good are Hurricane Boats? Let’s find out! Here’s How good Hurricane Boats are: Hurricane Boats is generally considered to be a mid-tier deck

G3 Boats is a popular brand of aluminum boats. They have built a reputation for being among the toughest-built of aluminum brands. So how good are they? Let’s examine what owners and others in the marine industry say. Here’s how good G3 Boats are: G3 Boats is a brand owned by the Yamaha Boat Company,

Chaparral boats are luxurious and affordable. They’ve been in the business for nearly 50 years, but are they good and reliable? Let’s find out! Here’s How Good Chaparral Boats Are: Chaparral Boats is considered to be a mid-tier to upper mid-tier brand. They bring solid construction and some degree of luxury for a competitive price.

Robalo Boats is a bluewater boat manufacturer that specializes in offshore fishing vessels. They have been around since 1968. So, just how good are their boats? Here’s How Good Robalo Boats Are: Robalo is considered to be a mid-tier brand of boat. In terms of cost, though, they are acclaimed to have superior construction, fit

Key West is a family-owned boat building company based in South Carolina that was started in 1986. Their goal was and is to build good quality boats while giving the customer great value. Their range consists of Center Console (CC), Dual Console (DC), and Walk Around models, which offer something for every boating style and

Duffy Boats are electric boats running on batteries that are common along the coast of southern California and are occasionally seen elsewhere. They are a popular rental in some areas for harbor or river cruises. So, are Duffy boats good and reliable? Here’s How Reliable Duffy Boats Are: Duffy Boats has been the major pioneer

Mercury Marine makes both outboard motors and sterndrive and inboard engines. They compete with Yamaha as the top two manufacturers of marine engines in the world. While they are undeniably popular, it is fair to ask: are Mercury outboards any good? Here’s How Good Mercury Outboard Motors Are: Mercury Marine outboards are one of the

Centurion Boats makes a premium brand of wake boats. They have a history of durability and innovation in the watersports branch of the boating industry. They are universally recognized for the quality of the waves they generate and the quality of the boat they produce. A Brief History of Centurion Boats Rick Lee established himself

Stingray Boats have been around for over 40 years. They make a variety of boats from 17 to almost 28 feet in length. Be sure to also check our article with the most common problems with Stingray boats. How good and reliable are they? Here’s How Good Stingray Boats Are: Stingray Boats are generally characterized

Ranger Boats are among the most popular bass boat producers on the market; many people credit the company as having pioneered and developed the modern bass boat. Make sure to also check out our list of most common problems with Ranger boats today. Are Ranger Boats as good as their reputation? Here’s How Good Ranger

Pioneer Boats is a popular brand in the southeast of the USA, and they specialize in smaller bay boats. Are they any good? If you are looking to buy one, here’s what you should know: Here’s How Good Pioneer Boats Are: Pioneer Boats makes mostly mid-tier bay boats, but they have a reputation for top-tier

Tahoe is a trademarked brand of fiberglass boats used as runabouts for fishing, water sports, and weekend family fun. Let’s take a look at Tahoe’s history and their industry reputation! Here’s How Good Tahoe Boats Are: Taho Boats’ versatile offerings of both outboard and inboard powered small sport boats provide families and fisherman alike with

Starcraft Marine has been in existence since the turn of the 20th Century. Before we start, check out our list of the most common problems with Startcrats boats. Are Starcraft boats any good? Here’s How Good Starcraft Boats Are: Starcraft Marine produces solidly-built boats from entry-level to mid-range in cost. They make fishing boats and

Freeman Boatworks is a relatively new manufacturer of custom offshore performance fishing catamarans. They are a premium brand. Setting aside their hefty price tag, are they a good and reliable brand? Here’s How Good Freeman Boats Are: The boats built by Freeman Boatworks use a new design of catamaran to be the ultimate offshore center

Johnson Outboard Motors was in existence from 1922 to 2007, when their parent company shut down the line. Despite ceasing production two decades ago, there are still many Johnson outboards on the water and the market. So, if you are looking at buying one, you need to know: Are these outboards (still) any good? Here’s

Yellowfin Yachts is a premium brand located in Florida. Their lines of expensive boats are a common sight along the lower east coast of the United States. Beyond their sticker price, are they a good brand of boats? Here’s how good Yellowfin Boats are: Yellowfin Yachts are well-built boats using the highest quality materials by

Tracker Boats have been around nearly as long as their parent company, Bass Pro Shops. Under the White River Marine Group banner, they are a part of the family that is the largest manufacturer of fishing and recreational boats by sales volume in the world. Before we start, check our article with the most common

Sea Hunt boats have steadily grown in popularity in the 18 – 30 foot range of center console saltwater fishing and family-friendly boats. The company is considered mid-tier, which means they build what is considered a middle-quality boat. Any boat brand can have its problems, so we have checked out the various boating forums to

Lund is a company that specializes in manufacturing fishing boats from both aluminum and fiberglass. They are very popular in the American Midwest and Canada and are generally seen as a premium brand. How good are they? Here’s How Reliable and Good Lund Boats are: Lund Boats are more expensive than most of their competitors’

Cobia Boats has a strong reputation for building quality and reliable boats. Cobia Boats stand out on boating forums because of their huge fan base; there don’t seem to be many complaints or problems about them. However, if you are planning to buy a Cobia boat, then there are a few things that you need

Yamaha makes some of the most popular boat engines globally, and their 40 horsepower outboard is very common. While they are widely known for their quality, there are still a few problems that may arise from time to time that you should be aware of if you own one:   Is Your Engine 2-Stroke or

Though they are no longer being made, Fisher boats can still be found for sale and on the water, mostly on river sand lakes in the inland USA. The boats are still around because they were made from aluminum, which is tough and almost indestructible. But is the brand any good? Here’s How Good Fisher

Alumacraft was among the first aluminum boat builders in the US. For a long time, aluminum boats had a reputation for being cheaply-made and shabby in appearance, but manufacturers like Lund and Tracker have changed that. So, how does Alumacraft quality hold up in the current landscape? Before we start, make sure to check our

Four Winns Boats are a popular brand, making entry-level and mid-tier boats. They make a large number of models under several different lines, and their pricing is favorable. Are they decent boats? Here’s How Good Four Winns Boats Are: Four Winns is a solid brand of boats. Their reputation is strong in the industry and

Sea Ray Boats has been in operation for over half a century and claim to be the largest manufacturer of recreational powerboats in the world. They are generally considered to be upper mid-tier boats, not one of the more expensive luxury brands. Before we start, check this list we gathered about the most common complaints

Monterey Boats makes a wide variety of boats, from sport boats (specifically wake boats), day and overnight cruisers, boats for fishing in inland and offshore waters, and some larger motor yachts. They have built a strong reputation, reflected in their numerous industry awards and sustained customer satisfaction. Here’s How Good Monterey Boats Are: Monterey Boats

Parker Boats is a mid-tier manufacturer that has been around for half of a century. They have a straightforward mantra: Strength, Simplicity, and Seaworthiness. How do they live up to that standard? Here’s How Good Parker Boats Are: Parker Boats are built tough with thick fiberglass compared to other manufacturers. Their reputation in the industry

While wood has long been used as a traditional boat-building material, some people perceive wooden boats to be very high maintenance. Nowadays, there are many options for boats without wood. We’ve put together a list of popular types of boats without wood so that you can spend less time on the maintenance and more time

Cobia Boats are generally considered to be upper mid-tier boats. They are seen as pricey for what you are getting. With a loyal following and over half a century in business, they are considered a popular boat brand. But are Cobia boats good? Are Cobia Boats Any Good? The Cobia Boat Company makes solid hulls

Tidewater Boats is a comparatively young company, founded to be a value-based choice for the prospective boat buyer. But before we dive in, make sure to check our list of the most common problems with Tidewater boats. So the prices are pretty good – but are the boats? Here’s How Good Tidewater Boats Are: As

Bayliner is a brand that has been around since 1957. They have a reputation for being introductory-level boats and a mixed reputation for quality. The prospective buyer needs to know: Are they any good? Here’s how good Bayliner boats are: Bayliner makes boats that are good for beginners. They have had many problems in the

With all the emphasis on cleaner and renewable energy these days, electric outboard motors are getting a lot of attention. Are electric motors any good compared to a gasoline outboard motor? In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of electric outboard motors, their durability, and the different brands available: Why Choose An

There are few names in the marine industry that carry the prestige of Grady White. They have been built in Greenville, NC since 1959, and their status is legendary. Practically, just how good and reliable are their boats? Here’s How Good Grady White Boats Are: From the first models that rolled out of their assembly

With a founding date of 1881, Chris Craft has a long history in the American maritime scene. Some of their classic models are the epitome of pleasure craft. But after all those years, and after being sold several times, are they still any good? Here’s how Good Chris Craft Boats Are: Even today, Chris Craft

When you are looking at buying a wake boat, Axis Wake is a brand that stands out because of its favorable price. Which begs the question: Can an affordable boat also be good? Is it really reliable? Before we start, make sure to check our article about the most-common problems with Axis boats. Here’s How

The first Mako center console boat, a 19-foot center console introduced at the 1967 Miami Boat Show, was the talk of the show as it generated 400 orders that weekend Five decades later, are they still considered good boats? Here’s How Good Mako Boats Are Mako Boats were at one time the standard for offshore,