What are considered the bmw of boats?

The question you're asking is difficult to answer. Everybody has their own taste in boats. Many people think the old wooden boats from long ago are the best. Some (like one of the other answers you received) love the big European fiberglass boats. Some even like sailboats over power boats. The answer you're looking for is already answered to you! It's the boat that you think is the bmw of boats. p.s. I personally like the Hatteras and Egg Harbor vessel's myself.

classic wooden boats like chris craft or cobalt, regal, boston whaler

To be completely accurate, Germany as of today only has one boat builder. So obviously, Germany isn't into building boats. Since BMW is a German company and does not build any car in the USA, there's NO BMW of boats. America has the most boat builders in the world as of this date. That means that the USA is were the world shops if they want a boat of quality. There are many very good boat manufacturers in the USA and around the world. It depends on if you're looking for a sailing craft, power boat or something in-between. Bayliner is no where near a great boat. But check out the link below to see where many brand names are built. One of the best builders is Christensen Yachts. There are no two ships alike. Everyone is a unique issue and the interior is built to the buyers wishes, no matter how strange.

I don't know enough about cars in general or BMWs in particular to make some sort of direct comparison there I'm afraid. But the very best* by a long, long way are still Riva Boats in Italy. Take a sneak peak and drool (pics - a positive feast of them!) at: http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=riva+boats&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=a3eBTLenBqmK4gbVy43TCw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDMQsAQwAw&biw=1175&bih=682 (And as for ... just don't a$k !) :)) * Not that BMWs are, of course, anywhere near that - that much I do know about cars (though they are most certainly very well engineered cars, but very heavy and ploddy to drive, and crudely fitted out in the interior). That accolade would most probably go to Ferrari - or Lamborghini, or Iso Grifo, or Maserati, or Alfa Romeo ... or Fiat 850 - also in Italy. Now there's a coincidence! -|--) [BTW, 'I haven't been on one' ... well, er ... boat ... 'that was worth the money that was paid for it!' Well not new $ anyway. Nor car for that matter - it's all a tax on the rich! And why not? So calm down, Fang - it's all just a bit of fun. (It's not me asking the question!) Just a shame a bit more doesn't percolate through to the hands that make it all possible - in the boatshed. Oh, and please stop thumbing me down everyone - I'm running out of fine Italian sports cars to add each time!! Promise I'll recant, honest! (not)]

Cobalt. Chris-Craft would be the Rolls Royce.

If you're thinking sail boats, try an Oyster built in the UK.

BMW=good engineering, reliability, performance, well built. With this in mind you can scratch the Italian boats off of the list. They may look spiffy, but what a serious pain in the buttocks to work on/with. I haven't been on one Italian boat that was worth the money that was paid for it.