SAIL.SailMagazine

SAIL scoured the fall boat shows for the shining stars among this year's crop of new boats. Here they are

There was a buzz around the docks at the Annapolis and Newport shows, and it wasn't the sound of the plague of locusts we were half expecting, given the disasters of recent months and years. No, the sun shone, the water sparkled, the brightwork gleamed, and you all came to the show. Well, it sure seemed that way. On the opening day at Annapolis it seemed the docks might sink beneath the throngs of visitors; boats were being sold, business was being done, and the retail outlets did brisk trade.It's too soon to tell if consumer confidence has truly returned, but the signs were good as the judging team for SAIL's Best Boats awards trolled the docks. There were fewer new boats than in previous years, but the fleet lacked for nothing in variety and quality. From entry-level dinghies to fully kitted-out global cruisers, every sailing niche was represented. Here are our choices for SAIL's Best Boats Awards.