The editors at Cruising World and Sailing World have released the nominees for the 2018 Boat of the Year awards, the sailing industry’s premier program for recognizing the best new sailboat models in North America.
2018 Sailing World Boat of the Year Nominees:
Nautor’s ClubSwan 50
Elan GT5
J Boats J/121
Fulcrum Speedworks UFO Foiler
Stilletto Catamarans XC
HH Catamarans 55
HH Catamarans 66
RS Neo
RS Zest
2018 Cruising World Boat of the Year Nominees:
Malbec 18
Hallberg-Rassy 412
Elan GT5
Jeanneau SO 440
Allures 45.9
Jeanneau 51
Dufour 520
Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
Southerly 540
Moody 54
Hanse 588
Gunfleet 43
Discovery 58
Bavaria C57
Oyster 745
Corsair 760 Sport
Stiletto Xc
Maine Cat 38
Seawind 1260
FP Saona 47
Outremer 4X
HH 55
Bali 5.4
HH 66
Swan 54
The 2018 Boat of the Year winners will be announced in the January issue of Cruising World and the January/February issue of Sailing World.
But you can start to tell us… which is your favorite?
Out of this list two yachts stand out: Clubswan 50 and the J/121
But out of the two I would chose the J/121 because Swan today is overpriced for what you get.
Sorry Swan and it is a Swan 48 that gave me my passion for sailing at the age of 6!. But 45 years later with many nautical miles under the belt I chose the J/121.
Jboats are great yachts offering owners the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant cruise or a full blown regatta.
They hold up in all weathers and you know that under your foot you have a boat that you can trust. The J121 is a great length that will allow any sailor to cover many miles with pleasure. What is also impressive with the J121 is that this boat can be handled shorthanded. Well done to Jbaots. Other yacht makes should do the same.
It is obvious that a lot of thought has gone into this J/121. In my view Jboat have produced a boat that corresponds exactly to what the market needs: Fast, elegant and simple with a price tag that is not astronomical like some other contenders on this list.