What is confirmed right now?
The official 2026 exhibitor boat list already includes several boats that overlap directly with Nord Star buyers. Below, we use only models currently listed by the show and connect them to Rugged Boat Guide’s existing head-to-head research. The list can change daily.
Confirmed boats now make the all-weather comparison stronger
Since our first snapshot, the list has expanded with more boats that overlap directly with Nord Star’s family/offshore mission. Particularly relevant confirmed entries include:
| Confirmed model(s) | What a Nord Star shopper should compare |
|---|---|
| Targa 37 / 41 / 46 | True Finnish all-weather design, protected helm, deck circulation and rough-water mission. |
| Jeanneau NC 895 Sport / 1095 / 1295 | Enclosed family utility, interior volume and mainstream U.S. dealer ecosystem. |
| Nimbus T9 / W9 / W11 | Walkaround ergonomics and Nordic styling with less emphasis on a full wheelhouse. |
| Saxdor 340 GTWA / 400 GTC | Modern glass enclosure, side-deck movement and price-to-space tradeoffs. |
| Marex 375 / 440 | European family cruising comfort and enclosed living space. |
| Back Cove 372 / 39O | Downeast protection, cruising refinement and cockpit/cabin balance. |
| Pursuit OS 325 / OS 405 | U.S. premium offshore express solution with strong fishing capability. |
| Boston Whaler 365 Conquest / Conquest 405 | Premium American cabin/offshore alternative and brand/service reach. |
Five confirmed boats Nord Star shoppers should board
| Confirmed 2026 show boat | Closest Nord Star research match | RBG RuggedScore | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grady-White Canyon 336 | Nord Star 36+ | 92 vs 82 | Classic premium center-console mission vs enclosed all-weather family platform. |
| Pursuit OS 325 | Nord Star 31+ | 89 vs 82 | Express/offshore crossover with a strong U.S. support ecosystem. |
| Regulator 31 | Nord Star 31+ | 89 vs 76 | Fishing-first offshore pedigree vs weather-protected multi-mission use. |
| Pursuit OS 405 | Nord Star 42+ | 93 vs 85 | Large premium express cruiser vs walkaround pilothouse adventure cruiser. |
| Back Cove 39O | Nord Star 42+ | 93 vs 86 | Downeast refinement and U.S. familiarity vs more expedition-oriented deck movement. |
Also confirmed: the European all-weather cross-shops
The show list also includes Saxdor 340 GTWA, Axopar 29 and 38, Targa 37, Targa 41 and Targa 46. Those are especially important for a Nord Star shopper because they move the comparison away from “pilothouse versus center console” and toward different interpretations of the modern Scandinavian all-weather boat.
Rugged Boat Guide has not assigned RuggedScores to those models yet because our current standardized dataset does not contain enough model-level evidence to score them consistently with the 27-boat set. We would rather leave a score blank than manufacture precision.
Where Nord Star has the clearest structural advantage
Against the confirmed U.S. center-console and express boats, Nord Star’s advantage is not that it beats every competitor at every mission. It does not. Fishing-first buyers can reasonably favor Grady-White, Pursuit or Regulator. The Nord Star case is strongest when a buyer values full weather protection, season extension, walkaround circulation, family utility and cruising versatility at the same time.
What to do on the docks
Board the confirmed comparison boats first. Take notes on helm protection, side decks, passenger seating and cabin access. Then register your interest in seeing a Nord Star at Annapolis. If enough qualified buyers want the comparison, that is the strongest argument for trying to get a Nord Star into the Mid-Atlantic show conversation.
Should Nord Star be at Annapolis?
Tell us if you would board one—or join a Nord Star 36+ prospective-buyer cruise if a boat becomes available.