2012

Best Boats 2012 Nominee: Island Packet 360

by Peter Nielsen, Posted September 9, 2011

The Island Packet 360 continues the company tradition with a look that combines the modern and the traditional, and a cruiser-friendly “Full Foil Keel” below the waterline and a Hoyt Boom on the foredeck. The result is a boat that works equally well for weekend cruising or a bluewater passage. ipy.com SPECS LOA: 36ft

Best Boats 2012 Nominee: Aquila RP 45

by Peter Nielsen, Posted September 9, 2011

The Aquila 45 integrates IRC (International Racing Class) design features in a comfortably sized inshore/offshore racer-cruiser. Despite its high performance the boat is specifically configured to accommodate short-handed sailing. aquilasailingyachts.com SPECS LOA: 43ft, 8in Beam: 13ft 9in Displacement:

Bavaria Cruiser 45

by Charles J. Doane, Posted September 13, 2011

It wasn’t so long ago that German builder Bavaria Yachts was giving other mass-production sailboat builders a serious run for their money here in the United States.

Corsair Sprint 750 MK II

by Peter Nielsen, Posted September 14, 2011

This fast folding-wing trimaran is in its second incarnation, with a revised deck plan and rig and larger amas to improve sailing satisfaction and performance. Not changed: the adrenaline rush that comes with double-digit sailing speeds! corsairmarine.comSPECSLOA: 24ft 4inLWL: 23ft 1inBeam (folded)

Best Boats 2012 Winner: The Passport Vista 545 CC (Flagship: Monohull)

by Peter Nielsen, Posted November 17, 2011

Passport has been creating strong, beautifully detailed cruising boats at its yard in Xiamen, China, for 20 years and each new model evolves slightly from the previous one. Looking at the new Passport Vista 545 CC at Annapolis made us wonder if the factory locks a man inside the boat each night and gives him breakfast only after he has come up with some small improvement.

Best Boats 2012 Winner: The Com-Pac CP 23 Pilothouse

by Tom Dove, Posted November 17, 2011

Among the many large, expensive sailing vessels at this year’s Annapolis show, the crowd-stopper was this diminutive 23-footer with a tall pilothouse. Something about it—perhaps the proportions, perhaps the novelty, perhaps the accessibility— made people pause, do double takes and smile.