The Catalina 445
Cruising World’s Boat of the Year awards program entered its 17th year of recognizing and honoring the best new sailboat models introduced to the North American market at this year’s fall boat shows. Each new model was examined by a special nominating panel, consisting of CW’s editor, Mark Pillsbury, senior editor and BOTY director, Bill Springer, and long time BOTY veteran Tim Murphy. All of the nominees had further dockside examinations during the Annapolis boat show by this year’s team of independent judges made up of BOTY veterans Alvah Simon, Stacey Collins, and Tim Murphy, along with systems expert Roger Hellyar-Brook. Once the show broke up, the on-the-water sail tests began.
The 18 nominees, split into five categories, are:
Weekender: Corsair Dash 750; J/95; Morris M29; Sensei 9M
Midsize Cruiser, less than 40 feet: Island Packet Estero; Hunter 39; J/97
Full-Size Cruiser, 40 to 50 feet: Hunter 50CC; Beneteau First 40; Catalina 445
Premium Cruiser, 50 feet and over: Morris M52; Tayana Annapolis 64; Passport Vista 615; Oyster 655
Multihull Cruiser: Sunsail 384; Leopard 38; Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41; Lagoon 400
The nominees and the public will find out who won each category as well as the Domestic and Import Boat of the Year in the January issue that hits newsstands in mid-December.
To see mini reviews and photos of these boats click here.
