Best Boats

Best Boats 2012 Winner: The Leopard 44 (Cruising Multihull Under 50ft)

by Peter Nielsen, Posted November 17, 2011

South African builder Robertson and Caine consistently hits the mark with its cruising/charter cats, designed by American firm Morrelli & Melvin. The new 44 combines practicality, volume and decent performance in a capable-looking package.

Best Boats 2012 Nominee: Fluid 550

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 30, 2011

Yet another new arrival from South Africa, the Fluid 550 is available with either fixed keels or daggerboards, and has a pair of sheltered helm stations. It falls into the luxury catamaran niche and is packed with interesting features, like a built-in soft enclosure for the cockpit. fluidyachts.com SPECS LOA: 40ft, 8in LWL:

2013 Best Boat Winners

by Sail Staff, Posted November 20, 2012

There were many impressive nominees this year, and our judges had no easy task. In the end, a retro trimaran, a carbon-fiber racer and an ocean-capable lifting-keel cruiser are all among this year's winners.

Best Boats 2006

by Sail Staff, Posted April 11, 2007

I needn’t point out that sailboats don’t evolve as quickly as electronics, but incremental changes over the years have gone a long way toward making boats safer, easier to sail, and more comfortable to live on. Each instance of applying fresh thinking to common problems—think staying out of the weather, or stowing the main—can claim a little credit for pushing the evolution of sailboats

Best Boats Nominees 2005

by Bill Springer, Posted August 8, 2011

Are you looking for a daysailer with luscious overhangs, meticulous craftsmanship, and responsive performance? How about a 15-foot dingy that depends on a retractable bulb keel rather than herculean hiking for stability? a stylish performance cruiser? Or a cruising catamaran with a helm station built into the cockpit roof?That's just a taste of the 43 boats you'll find at the boat shows

2010 Best Boats Performance Boat: J/95

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 12, 2011

Rod Johnstone’s latest design taps into a new market segment for the Rhode Island-based company: shoal-draft boats. The versatile J/95 has both twin rudders and a centerboard, neither of which has been seen on J/Boat before. With the ballasted board up the boat draws just 3 feet, while remaining perfectly controllable under full sail. The J/Boats performance ethos remains intact; the boat is

2009 Best Boats Deck/Cockpit: Outbound 52

by Charles J. Doane, Posted August 17, 2011

One of the things we liked most about the Outbound 52, which also wins the Best Flagship award this year, is its no-nonsense center-cockpit layout. Where most center-cockpit boats have wide, shallow cockpits that promote a nagging sense of vulnerability, the Outbound 52’s cockpit is deep, narrow, and secure. Relative to the helmsman, the primary winches are installed at waist height on the

Best Boats 2012 Nominee: Jeanneau 44DS

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 30, 2011

The latest in Jeanneau’s deck saloon line promises to be as popular as its predecessors. The distinctive styling has been taken a step further with the inclusion of even bigger portlights to brighten up the accommodations. jeanneauamerica.com SPECS LOA: 43ft, 9in Beam: 14ft Displacement: 21,450lbs. Draft: 7ft,

Best Boats 2012 Nominee: Lagoon 560

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 30, 2011

An imposing yacht from any angle, Lagoon’s latest cruiser offers the interior space of a 75ft monohull and the deck space of a small aircraft carrier. Okay, so that’s an exaggeration. What’s not is the luxurious standard of cruising comfort offered by boats like this. cata-lagoon.com SPECS LOA: 56ft LWL: 54ft Beam:

Best Boats 2008

by Sail Staff, Posted December 20, 2007

There was a lot to see in this year’s Best Boats fleet. Multihull designer and guru Chris White, monohull designer Jeremy Wurmfeld, and I combed the docks at the Newport and Annapolis sailboat shows in search of boats worthy of SAIL’s Editors’ Choice awards for innovation and overall excellence. We walked the docks, familiarized ourselves with the fleet, and spent lots of time debating the merits