{
  "dataset": "RBG RuggedScore",
  "version": "1.0",
  "site": "Rugged Boat Guide",
  "url": "https://ruggedboatguide.com/rankings/",
  "methodology_url": "https://ruggedboatguide.com/methodology/",
  "updated": "2026-08-24",
  "scope": "Mission-weighted editorial score for premium offshore, all-weather, cabin, pilothouse, Downeast and center-console boats as used by Rugged Boat Guide. It is not an absolute quality or safety score.",
  "scoring_scale": "0-100 overall; each dimension is scored 0-10 and multiplied by its published weight.",
  "weights": [
    {
      "id": "weather_protection",
      "name": "Weather protection",
      "weight_percent": 18,
      "description": "Fixed protection for helm and passengers from wind, rain, spray and temperature swings."
    },
    {
      "id": "offshore_architecture",
      "name": "Offshore / rough-water architecture",
      "weight_percent": 16,
      "description": "How strongly the hull/deck concept, helm environment and overall design support demanding open-water use."
    },
    {
      "id": "deck_safety_circulation",
      "name": "Deck safety & circulation",
      "weight_percent": 14,
      "description": "Side-deck access, handholds/bulwarks, cockpit security and ease of moving bow-to-stern."
    },
    {
      "id": "family_utility",
      "name": "Family / passenger utility",
      "weight_percent": 12,
      "description": "Seating, passenger comfort, head/galley usefulness and practicality for mixed-age crews."
    },
    {
      "id": "cruising_overnight",
      "name": "Cruising & overnight capability",
      "weight_percent": 12,
      "description": "Berths, cabin utility, storage and suitability for multi-day coastal use."
    },
    {
      "id": "season_extension",
      "name": "Season extension",
      "weight_percent": 10,
      "description": "How much the design encourages spring, fall and poor-weather use rather than fair-weather-only boating."
    },
    {
      "id": "mission_versatility",
      "name": "Mission versatility",
      "weight_percent": 8,
      "description": "Breadth across family use, day boating, commuting, cruising, entertaining and open-water operation."
    },
    {
      "id": "fishing_utility",
      "name": "Fishing utility",
      "weight_percent": 5,
      "description": "Cockpit openness, fish/rod storage, livewell/fishbox provisions and angler access where relevant."
    },
    {
      "id": "us_ownership_ecosystem",
      "name": "U.S. ownership ecosystem",
      "weight_percent": 5,
      "description": "Dealer/service familiarity, installed base, parts support and U.S. ownership convenience."
    }
  ],
  "principles": [
    "Mission before marketing: fixed architecture and documented features are weighted more heavily than slogans or brand recognition.",
    "Manufacturer specifications and official product documentation are the preferred factual sources.",
    "Commercial or referral relationships are excluded from the scoring calculation.",
    "The score is optimized for the Rugged Boat Guide mission: year-round family use, open-water capability, protected operation and practical deck movement.",
    "Fishing-first buyers may rationally prefer a lower RuggedScore model because fishing utility carries only 5% of the weighting.",
    "Scores can change when manufacturers change models, configurations or published specifications."
  ],
  "boats": [
    {
      "id": "nord-star-49-plus",
      "name": "Nord Star 49+",
      "overall": 94,
      "band": "Elite all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 10,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.7,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 9.6,
        "family_utility": 9.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 9.8,
        "season_extension": 10,
        "mission_versatility": 9.2,
        "fishing_utility": 6.0,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 5.6
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nord-star-42-plus",
      "name": "Nord Star 42+",
      "overall": 93,
      "band": "Elite all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 10,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.5,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 9.7,
        "family_utility": 9.6,
        "cruising_overnight": 9.5,
        "season_extension": 10,
        "mission_versatility": 9.3,
        "fishing_utility": 6.3,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 5.6
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nord-star-36-plus",
      "name": "Nord Star 36+",
      "overall": 92,
      "band": "Elite all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 10,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.3,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 9.7,
        "family_utility": 9.3,
        "cruising_overnight": 9.0,
        "season_extension": 10,
        "mission_versatility": 9.2,
        "fishing_utility": 6.4,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 5.6
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nord-star-33-plus",
      "name": "Nord Star 33+",
      "overall": 91,
      "band": "Elite all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 10,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.1,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 9.7,
        "family_utility": 9.0,
        "cruising_overnight": 8.6,
        "season_extension": 10,
        "mission_versatility": 9.1,
        "fishing_utility": 6.5,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 5.6
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nord-star-31-plus",
      "name": "Nord Star 31+",
      "overall": 89,
      "band": "Strong all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 10,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.0,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 9.7,
        "family_utility": 8.7,
        "cruising_overnight": 8.0,
        "season_extension": 10,
        "mission_versatility": 9.0,
        "fishing_utility": 6.5,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 5.6
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "boston-whaler-405-conquest",
      "name": "Boston Whaler 405 Conquest",
      "overall": 88,
      "band": "Strong all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 8.5,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.0,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.8,
        "family_utility": 9.4,
        "cruising_overnight": 9.2,
        "season_extension": 8.3,
        "mission_versatility": 8.8,
        "fishing_utility": 8.8,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.8
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nord-star-28-plus",
      "name": "Nord Star 28+",
      "overall": 88,
      "band": "Strong all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 10,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.9,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 9.6,
        "family_utility": 8.4,
        "cruising_overnight": 7.4,
        "season_extension": 10,
        "mission_versatility": 8.8,
        "fishing_utility": 6.5,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 5.6
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "pursuit-os-445",
      "name": "Pursuit OS 445",
      "overall": 88,
      "band": "Strong all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 8.3,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.3,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.5,
        "family_utility": 9.5,
        "cruising_overnight": 9.4,
        "season_extension": 8.1,
        "mission_versatility": 9.1,
        "fishing_utility": 9.1,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.4
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "pursuit-os-405",
      "name": "Pursuit OS 405",
      "overall": 86,
      "band": "Strong all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 8.1,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.1,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.4,
        "family_utility": 9.2,
        "cruising_overnight": 9.0,
        "season_extension": 7.9,
        "mission_versatility": 9.1,
        "fishing_utility": 9.1,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.4
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "boston-whaler-365-conquest",
      "name": "Boston Whaler 365 Conquest",
      "overall": 85,
      "band": "Strong all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 8.3,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.8,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.7,
        "family_utility": 9.0,
        "cruising_overnight": 8.7,
        "season_extension": 8.0,
        "mission_versatility": 8.8,
        "fishing_utility": 8.7,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.8
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "back-cove-39o",
      "name": "Back Cove 39O",
      "overall": 84,
      "band": "Very good mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 9.1,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.4,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 6.8,
        "family_utility": 9.4,
        "cruising_overnight": 9.6,
        "season_extension": 9.2,
        "mission_versatility": 8.0,
        "fishing_utility": 4.2,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.0
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nord-star-26-plus",
      "name": "Nord Star 26+",
      "overall": 84,
      "band": "Very good mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 10,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.7,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 9.6,
        "family_utility": 7.6,
        "cruising_overnight": 5.5,
        "season_extension": 10,
        "mission_versatility": 8.5,
        "fishing_utility": 6.3,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 5.6
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "boston-whaler-325-conquest",
      "name": "Boston Whaler 325 Conquest",
      "overall": 83,
      "band": "Very good mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 8.0,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.7,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.6,
        "family_utility": 8.6,
        "cruising_overnight": 8.0,
        "season_extension": 7.7,
        "mission_versatility": 8.6,
        "fishing_utility": 8.6,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.8
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "pursuit-os-355",
      "name": "Pursuit OS 355",
      "overall": 83,
      "band": "Very good mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 7.8,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.9,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.3,
        "family_utility": 8.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 8.4,
        "season_extension": 7.6,
        "mission_versatility": 9.0,
        "fishing_utility": 9.0,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.4
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "pursuit-os-325",
      "name": "Pursuit OS 325",
      "overall": 80,
      "band": "Very good mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 7.5,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.7,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.2,
        "family_utility": 8.3,
        "cruising_overnight": 7.8,
        "season_extension": 7.3,
        "mission_versatility": 8.9,
        "fishing_utility": 9.0,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.4
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "parker-287-explorer",
      "name": "Parker 287 Explorer",
      "overall": 79,
      "band": "Capable; more mission-specific",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 8.8,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.7,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.7,
        "family_utility": 6.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 5.4,
        "season_extension": 8.5,
        "mission_versatility": 8.0,
        "fishing_utility": 8.6,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 8.8
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "boston-whaler-285-conquest",
      "name": "Boston Whaler 285 Conquest",
      "overall": 78,
      "band": "Capable; more mission-specific",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 7.6,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.5,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.5,
        "family_utility": 7.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 6.4,
        "season_extension": 7.3,
        "mission_versatility": 8.4,
        "fishing_utility": 8.5,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.8
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "grady-white-canyon-456",
      "name": "Grady-White Canyon 456",
      "overall": 72,
      "band": "Capable; more mission-specific",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.8,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.5,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.5,
        "family_utility": 7.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 4.2,
        "season_extension": 4.7,
        "mission_versatility": 9.0,
        "fishing_utility": 9.8,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.7
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "regulator-41",
      "name": "Regulator 41",
      "overall": 70,
      "band": "Capable; more mission-specific",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.8,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.7,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.6,
        "family_utility": 7.2,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.7,
        "season_extension": 4.5,
        "mission_versatility": 8.8,
        "fishing_utility": 9.9,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.0
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "grady-white-canyon-386",
      "name": "Grady-White Canyon 386",
      "overall": 69,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.6,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.3,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.3,
        "family_utility": 7.2,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.5,
        "season_extension": 4.5,
        "mission_versatility": 8.9,
        "fishing_utility": 9.7,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.7
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "boston-whaler-330-outrage",
      "name": "Boston Whaler 330 Outrage",
      "overall": 68,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.6,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.0,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.2,
        "family_utility": 6.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.5,
        "season_extension": 4.5,
        "mission_versatility": 8.9,
        "fishing_utility": 9.6,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.8
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "edgewater-370cc",
      "name": "EdgeWater 370CC",
      "overall": 68,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.6,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.2,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.2,
        "family_utility": 7.0,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.4,
        "season_extension": 4.4,
        "mission_versatility": 8.8,
        "fishing_utility": 9.7,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.1
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "grady-white-freedom-307",
      "name": "Grady-White Freedom 307",
      "overall": 68,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 5.0,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.4,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.4,
        "family_utility": 8.0,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.8,
        "season_extension": 5.0,
        "mission_versatility": 9.0,
        "fishing_utility": 8.5,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.7
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "grady-white-canyon-336",
      "name": "Grady-White Canyon 336",
      "overall": 67,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.4,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.1,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.2,
        "family_utility": 6.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.2,
        "season_extension": 4.3,
        "mission_versatility": 8.8,
        "fishing_utility": 9.7,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.7
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "edgewater-340cc",
      "name": "EdgeWater 340CC",
      "overall": 66,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.4,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.0,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.0,
        "family_utility": 6.7,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.0,
        "season_extension": 4.2,
        "mission_versatility": 8.7,
        "fishing_utility": 9.6,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.1
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "regulator-31",
      "name": "Regulator 31",
      "overall": 66,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.4,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.4,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.3,
        "family_utility": 6.3,
        "cruising_overnight": 2.8,
        "season_extension": 4.2,
        "mission_versatility": 8.5,
        "fishing_utility": 9.8,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.0
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "grady-white-canyon-271",
      "name": "Grady-White Canyon 271",
      "overall": 65,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.2,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.8,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.0,
        "family_utility": 6.4,
        "cruising_overnight": 2.8,
        "season_extension": 4.1,
        "mission_versatility": 8.6,
        "fishing_utility": 9.6,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.7
      }
    }
  ],
  "brand_profiles": {
    "Back Cove": {
      "overall": 84,
      "band": "Very good mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 9.1,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.4,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 6.8,
        "family_utility": 9.4,
        "cruising_overnight": 9.6,
        "season_extension": 9.2,
        "mission_versatility": 8.0,
        "fishing_utility": 4.2,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.0
      },
      "basis": "Average of models in Rugged Boat Guide current research set",
      "models": [
        "Back Cove 39O"
      ]
    },
    "Boston Whaler": {
      "overall": 80,
      "band": "Very good mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 7.4,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.8,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.8,
        "family_utility": 8.3,
        "cruising_overnight": 7.2,
        "season_extension": 7.2,
        "mission_versatility": 8.7,
        "fishing_utility": 8.8,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.8
      },
      "basis": "Average of models in Rugged Boat Guide current research set",
      "models": [
        "Boston Whaler 285 Conquest",
        "Boston Whaler 325 Conquest",
        "Boston Whaler 365 Conquest",
        "Boston Whaler 405 Conquest",
        "Boston Whaler 330 Outrage"
      ]
    },
    "EdgeWater": {
      "overall": 67,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.5,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.1,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.1,
        "family_utility": 6.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.2,
        "season_extension": 4.3,
        "mission_versatility": 8.8,
        "fishing_utility": 9.6,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.1
      },
      "basis": "Average of models in Rugged Boat Guide current research set",
      "models": [
        "EdgeWater 340CC",
        "EdgeWater 370CC"
      ]
    },
    "Grady-White": {
      "overall": 68,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.6,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.0,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.1,
        "family_utility": 7.2,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.5,
        "season_extension": 4.5,
        "mission_versatility": 8.9,
        "fishing_utility": 9.5,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.7
      },
      "basis": "Average of models in Rugged Boat Guide current research set",
      "models": [
        "Grady-White Canyon 271",
        "Grady-White Freedom 307",
        "Grady-White Canyon 336",
        "Grady-White Canyon 386",
        "Grady-White Canyon 456"
      ]
    },
    "Nord Star": {
      "overall": 90,
      "band": "Elite all-weather mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 10,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.2,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 9.7,
        "family_utility": 8.9,
        "cruising_overnight": 8.3,
        "season_extension": 10,
        "mission_versatility": 9.0,
        "fishing_utility": 6.4,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 5.6
      },
      "basis": "Average of models in Rugged Boat Guide current research set",
      "models": [
        "Nord Star 26+",
        "Nord Star 28+",
        "Nord Star 31+",
        "Nord Star 33+",
        "Nord Star 36+",
        "Nord Star 42+",
        "Nord Star 49+"
      ]
    },
    "Parker": {
      "overall": 79,
      "band": "Capable; more mission-specific",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 8.8,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.7,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.7,
        "family_utility": 6.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 5.4,
        "season_extension": 8.5,
        "mission_versatility": 8.0,
        "fishing_utility": 8.6,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 8.8
      },
      "basis": "Average of models in Rugged Boat Guide current research set",
      "models": [
        "Parker 287 Explorer"
      ]
    },
    "Pursuit": {
      "overall": 84,
      "band": "Very good mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 7.9,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.0,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 7.3,
        "family_utility": 8.9,
        "cruising_overnight": 8.7,
        "season_extension": 7.7,
        "mission_versatility": 9.0,
        "fishing_utility": 9.1,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.4
      },
      "basis": "Average of models in Rugged Boat Guide current research set",
      "models": [
        "Pursuit OS 325",
        "Pursuit OS 355",
        "Pursuit OS 405",
        "Pursuit OS 445"
      ]
    },
    "Regulator": {
      "overall": 68,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.6,
        "offshore_architecture": 9.6,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.4,
        "family_utility": 6.8,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.2,
        "season_extension": 4.3,
        "mission_versatility": 8.7,
        "fishing_utility": 9.9,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.0
      },
      "basis": "Average of models in Rugged Boat Guide current research set",
      "models": [
        "Regulator 31",
        "Regulator 41"
      ]
    },
    "Scout": {
      "overall": 68,
      "band": "Specialized mission fit",
      "dimensions": {
        "weather_protection": 4.8,
        "offshore_architecture": 8.7,
        "deck_safety_circulation": 8.0,
        "family_utility": 7.5,
        "cruising_overnight": 3.5,
        "season_extension": 4.6,
        "mission_versatility": 8.6,
        "fishing_utility": 9.0,
        "us_ownership_ecosystem": 9.2
      },
      "basis": "Brand-level editorial profile for offshore/family cross-shopping; not a specific model score",
      "models": []
    }
  }
}