ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Oct. 12, 2022) – Cruising World magazine today announced its roster of nominees for the 2023 Boat of the Year awards. Testing for the awards is taking place during and after the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, which begins today along the shores of Chesapeake Bay.
Sixteen boats – 11 monohulls, and 5 multihulls – have been nominated for the 2023 Boat of the Year prizes. The annual awards, selected by an independent judging team, recognize the best new production cruising boats and multihulls laid out and equipped for coastal and offshore sailing and voyaging. This year’s judging panel is comprised of systems expert Ed Sherman of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), and longtime sailors, editors and award-winning marine journalists Mark Pillsbury and Herb McCormick.
“Once again, sailboat builders have raised the bar, putting up a worthy fleet of contenders ranging from comfortable cruisers to wave-piercing performance models,” said Herb McCormick, Cruising World Boat of the Year director. “We have one of the most well-rounded fleets in years, and we can’t wait to get out and put these new boats through their paces.”
The 2023 Boat of the Year awards will be announced in the January issue of Cruising World. The full list of nominees is below. For more information, contact Herb McCormick (boty@bonniercorp.com) or visit cruisingworld.com.
Cruising World’s 2023 Boat of the Year nominees include: Balance Catamarans 442, Beneteau First 36, Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, Dufour 37, Elan 50.1, Hallberg-Rassy 400, Hanse 460, J/Boats J/45, Lagoon 55, Lyman Morse LM46, Moody DS41, Nautitech 44 Open, Neel Trimaran 43, Fountaine-Pajot Tanna 47, Tartan 365, and X-Yachts X4.3.
Running parallel to Cruising World’s tests in Annapolis this week, the Sailing World magazine Boat of the Year program has narrowed its list of nominees to 11 boats, including four dinghies, five offshore-oriented raceboats, two performance cruising multihulls, and four recreational dinghies. Sailing World’s independent judges—Chuck Allen, Greg Stewart and David Powlison—will be tasked with selecting one overall Boat of the Year from the field following thorough inspections and sailing tests on the Chesapeake next week.
“Our Boat of the Year Awards are so well respected in the industry because the builders see firsthand how in-depth the judges go when reviewing each and every boat, on land and on the water,” said Dave Reed, Sailing World’s editor and Boat of the Year director. “One exciting element this year is the number of recreational dinghies, which is essential for the continued growth of the sport—boats that are relatively inexpensive and provide easy access to the water.”
The nominees or Sailing World’s 2023 Boat of the Year Award are: Beneteau First 36, Lyman Morse 46, X-Yachts X4.3, J/45, L30, MiniCat 310, Tiwal 3R, Nacra 500 MKII, SOL, Balance 442 and Neel 43.
About Cruising World: Cruising World is sailing enthusiasts’ passport to exploring the world’s coastlines and oceans while voyaging under sail. Its contributors inspire and entertain through stories, pictures and videos that underscore the beauty and adventure of sailing, while providing instruction on the disciplines of seamanship, navigation and boat handling. The Cruising World community is made up of experienced, committed sailors and boatowners. Cruising World’s mission is to nurture their dreams with practical how-to information and stirring real-life adventure features. For more information, visit cruisingworld.com.
