Cruising World announces 2011 awards
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — Cruising World magazine announced the winners of its 18th annual Boat of the Year awards. The Catalina 355 won the Domestic Boat of the Year Award, and the Discovery 50 was named Import Boat of the Year, according to a recent press release from the company.
An independent panel of experts inspected and tested 19 nominated boats following the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Md., earlier this year. Winners were chosen after extensive dockside inspections and sea trials of the boats, the release said.
The Catalina 355 was also named Best Midsize Cruiser, 30 to 39 Feet. “The judges were impressed with the 355’s sailing performance, accommodations, and overall construction quality,” said Bill Springer, Boat of the Year director and Cruising World senior editor, in the release.
The Discovery 50 cruising catamaran from England was named Import Boat of the Year, as well as Best Catamaran. “The Discovery 50 is well suited to withstand the rigors of offshore passagemaking, and the judges thought it had the best owner’s cabin of all the boats they tested,” said Springer.
Other winners were Beneteau First 30 for Best Small Cruiser, 30 Feet and Under, Dufour 45e for Best Cruiser, 40 to 49 Feet, Beneteau Sense 50 for Best Full-Size Cruiser, 50 to 55 Feet, Hylas 56 for Best Premium Cruiser Over 55 Feet, and Presto 30 for Cruising Spirit Award.
All of the winners, along with the rest of the 2011 BOTY nominees, will be featured in the January issue of Cruising World.
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