Newport show hands out new boat and boat product awards

NEWPORT, R.I. – The Summit 35 was named “Best New Sailboat”, the C.W. Hood 43 captured honors as the “Best New Powerboat,” and the EFOY Smart Fuel Cell was judged “Best New Boating Product” from among the North American debuts appearing at the Newport International Boat Show this past weekend, organizers reported in a recent statement.

The selections were made as part of the show’s Newport For New Products program, which recognizes the best boats and the best product being introduced at the show for the coming model year, organizers explained.

The Summit 35 is a new racer/cruiser sailboat designed by Mark Mills to compete in IRC and PHRF races. Built by EdgeWater Boats in Edgewater, Fla., the 35 is similar in line to the King 40 and the judges noted that it is “a well-built and well-detailed boat that is the result of great work between a design team and a build team who knew their design brief and hit their target,” according to organizers.

The C. W. Hood 43 is a motoryacht that the judges said has “features usually found in a much larger boat.” It offers a helm station in the rear of the salon so guests are positioned for better socializing yet forward visibility is not severely compromised, stated organizers. Multiple windows and a retractable sunroof keep the salon open and airy, they added. The hull was fabricated in Rhode Island and the boat was assembled and finished by Hood in Marblehead, Mass.

The EFOY Smart Fuel Cell from U.S. Marine is a methanol-based energy generator that emits only H2O and CO2 as by-products and recharges a boat’s batteries as the battery is discharging. The judges suggested that this is “an energy-generating approach everyone may be using in the future,” according to organizers.

In addition to the overall winners, three other entries were recognized as the “best” of their respective categories. The K650 presented by Yum Boats won Best New Sailboat Under 30′, the Flanders HL27C won as Best New Powerboat Under 30′ and the Arrgoni Hydraulic Hi-Lo Table was named Best New Boating Product, Non-Operational.

Newport For New Products judging is conducted by an independent panel of boating experts provided by the magazines, and awards are given based on innovation, value to the consumer and aesthetics, organizers explained.

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