The Fleet is in

With foreclosures, credit woes, and skyrocketing oil prices painting a gloomy economic picture recently, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see so many new boats being introduced this year. And it makes perfect sense that boatbuilders should compete that much harder for our business. As they say on TV, “when [builders] compete, you win”—in this case you get better, more innovative, more comfortable boats that stand out from the crowd because they might not sell if they don’t. Builders across the board have stepped up to the plate, and their offerings range from the waterbug-like Weta trimaran to new models from storied builders—like Pacific Seacraft, Moody, and Prout—that are back on the scene.

With all these new designs for everything from offshore passagemakers and cruising multihulls to daysailers and coastal cruisers, we at SAIL will be looking for the cream of the crop in this year’s fleet. Best Boats 2009 judges Nigel Calder, Charlie Doane, and I will be at the Newport International Boat Show in September and the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October for the U.S. debuts. We’ll be poking, prodding, and poring over all these boats to pick the winners of SAIL’s Best Boats awards for the most innovative, best designed and executed boats of the year. Interested in a new boat? Just interested? Come on down.

Alliaura Marine

The Feeling 55 is a beamy offshore-cruising monohull that stands out for several reasons. First, it’s equipped with twin 55-horsepower diesels with saildrives. The extra weight in the stern won’t increase speed under sail, but two screws provide superior control when maneuvering under power in tight quarters as well as redundancy that makes it easier to cruise to a schedule. The boat’s wide aft section provides enough room for a large cockpit and a full tender “garage.” The accommodation plan also benefits from the generous interior volume created by well over 15 feet of beam. www.alliauramarine.com

Bavaria

Bavaria Yachts, like all European builders, has been affected by the weak dollar, but that hasn’t stopped this German manufacturer from launching three new models in the U.S. this year. The Bavaria 38 is the largest of the group, and like previous Bavarias its hull was drawn by J&J Designs and should be quick and comfortable under sail. The accommodation plan appears to be spacious and seakindly without being flashy. The new Bavaria 31 and 34, meanwhile, are entry-level friendly, though quite similar to the 38 in both design and construction. All three are outfitted with light stained-mahogany interiors, Harken and Lewmar deck hardware, and factory-supplied sails. www.bavariayachts.com

Beneteau

This large builder, with factories in both Europe and the States, continues to launch new and progressive designs like the Beneteau First 45, which builds on the success of Beneteau’s acclaimed racer/cruiser First series. The company is also launching another strong player in the racer/cruiser market, the slightly smaller Beneteau First 40, and is targeting the cruising market with the new Beneteau 31 and 34. These fresh-looking coastal cruisers should accomplish the difficult task of being even more comfortable than their predecessors. What’s more, the company’s new flagship, the Beneteau 54, is designed to provide all the comfort and style of a high-end yacht with a price tag that benefits from Beneteau’s substantial buying and production power. www.beneteauusa.com

Broadblue Catamarans

The Broadblue 500 is a cruising catamaran that makes the most of its 50-foot length and 28-foot beam. The accommodation plan centers on a large bridgedeck saloon with room for a U-shaped settee, a separate sitting nook, a forward-facing nav station with a 360-degree view, and a good-sized galley. This leaves the hulls free to accommodate three or four large sleeping cabins and three or four heads. www.broadblue.co.uk