{"id":68744,"date":"2014-12-17T20:33:40","date_gmt":"2014-12-18T01:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/?p=68744"},"modified":"2023-05-06T22:39:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-07T02:39:39","slug":"2015-boat-of-the-year-the-nominees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/sailboats\/2015-boat-of-the-year-the-nominees\/","title":{"rendered":"2015 Boat of the Year: The Nominees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Best Innovation: Zim 15<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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Zim 15<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Zim Sailing, of Fall River, Mass., builds 420s, Bytes, and Optimists, but the Zim 15, says Bob Adams, is the company\u2019s calling. \u201cThis boat is about capturing a huge market of 20- to 30-year-olds,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s about getting them sailing again.\u201d\nPost-collegiate sailors are all about team racing, and the boat is built for it. The hull is quick, the pointy foils are responsive (and hard to scull), and the rubber bow bumper eliminates repair work from late dips gone bad. The boat empowers crews with many controls, including the \u201cdangle pole,\u201d which tweaks the jib leech. A fair comparison is drawn to the beloved, but dated, Vanguard 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Exciting the dinghy base with one-design and team racing<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Two\u2014with one attentive crew<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Quick-adjustable rig and dangle pole, lightweight hull, responsive foils<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $11,500<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Special Recognition: Dragonfly 32 Supreme<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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Dragonfly 32 Supreme<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

These Danish-built trimarans have a strong following, and U.S. importer Richard Suriani says the 32-footer is for experienced multihullers. It\u2019s a high-quality build with a powerful sail plan and a center hull big enough to call home. \u201cIt feels like you\u2019re in a monohull,\u201d says Stewart. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot in there, and the craftsmanship is impeccable, which justifies the boat\u2019s $350,000 price tag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Performance cruising and shorthanded distance races<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Two to cruise, four to five to race<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> High-quality construction, volume and efficient interior, powerful sail plan, speed, and folding amas for slip access<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $350,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Salona 44<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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Salona 44<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The Salona 44 is a legitimate bluewater cruiser, laden with a pair of AC units, a generator, and a teak upgrade. The judges like the finish, and its $340,000 price tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Handicap racing, performance cruising, team building<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Two to cruise, eight to 10 to race<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Solid construction, immaculate interior finish, good value for volume<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $340,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

mxNext<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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mxNext<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The mxNext is the winged singlehander of one Vlad Murnikov. After two years as a prototype, it\u2019s now built by a small composites shop in New Hampshire. It\u2019s extreme, especially its torpedo-like bow, it has quirky tendencies, and the challenge of flying a spinnaker alone is, as Murnikov admits, \u201can intellectual exercise to get right.\u201d\n\u201cThe purpose of the design is to create a high-performance boat that is very simple, exciting to sail, and less expensive than similar boats,\u201d says Murnikov.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Solo speed sailing, for the fun of it, and proof of concept<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Singlehander<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Exotic design, quick and athletic experience, asymmetric kite<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $15,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

C&C 30 One Design<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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C& 30 One Design<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a modern boat that can sail one-design but do some offshore distance racing,\u201d says builder Randy Borges. C&C went for a niche in the market for a one-design coastal racer, so the focus is \u201cas simple as possible,\u201d easy to tune, and a boat any amateur program can race. \u201cThere\u2019s lot of stability for its size, says Borges. \u201cIt\u2019s a powered up, dry boat that\u2019s fun, fast, and affordable to sail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> One-design, coastal and beer-can racing, drysail storage<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Five to six<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Quality American build, comfortable and quick upwind, easy around the cans<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $125,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

ES44<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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ES44<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The ES44 is a sistership to the Tim Kernan-designed Wasabi<\/em>, an IRC winner in 2009 and 2010, and a rocket designed for heading straight to Hawaii. Wasabi’s molds are now in the hands of ES Yachts, and built in Conneaut, Ohio. It’s a small shop, says show rep Tom Mercer. The results are custom-boat quality, and the boat the judges will sail is Hull No. 2, built of E-glass and infused with carbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Distance and handicap racing<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Eight to ten<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Proven IRC results, semi-custom quality, versatility, well balanced boat, American built<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $425,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

C&C Redline 41<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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C&C Redline 41<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The C&C Redline 41 is deemed an updated King 40. BOTY rules require original tooling, so the 41, although well built, is excused from BOTY consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Offshore and handicap racing<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Eight to ten<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Versatile design, comfortable interior, offshore ready<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $470,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The angular 36-footer from France is a shorthander\u2019s dreamboat. There\u2019s a lean interior better for offshore sprints than extended cruises. \u201cIt\u2019s designed to go fast,\u201d says Jeanneau\u2019s Jeff Jorgenson. The whole package is impressive, but the construction quality less so. \u201cThey packed a lot in the boat,\u201d says Allen, \u201cbut it\u2019s a little thin on the detailing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Shorthanded or short-crew racing, coastal cruising<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Four to five<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Powerful hull design for stability and windy venues, ergonomics are excellent<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $350,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Hobie T2<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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Hobie T2<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Hobie Cat USA inherited the molds for what was once called the Hobie Tatoo, a higher-performance plastic beach cat built in Europe. It\u2019s like a bigger Wave, and not quite a Getaway. The judges don\u2019t find anything revolutionary about it, but its price ($7,000) is eye opening. \u201cThat\u2019s bang for your buck,\u201d says Allen. \u201cThe rig is powerful for a boat this size, it\u2019s pretty narrow, and with the double-trap setup, it\u2019s a perfect entry-level, high-performance beach cat. This thing will rip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Off-the-beach cat sailors ready for high performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Two to race it, one to hot dog it<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Powerful platform, stiff construction, and entry-level price<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $7,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Salona 33<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
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Salona 33<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n
\n <\/span>\n Walter Cooper<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The Salona 33 is \u201croomy\u201d and the standard package comes with a tiller (the test boat comes with wheels). It\u2019s construction mirrors the 44: vacuum-infused and cored, with steel grids locking it all together. For $155,000, what you get, says Tom Rich, is \u201cgood construction, amazing price.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Designed for:<\/strong> Offshore racing, performance cruising, and beer-can series envy<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Required crew:<\/strong> Five for the assym, six with the spin pole<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Best attributes:<\/strong> Construction quality, comfortable interior design, light helm, and price<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Price as tested:<\/strong> $155,000<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nominees in our 2015 Boat of the Year Awards deliver great boats and excellent value.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Dave Reed","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"20141217","hydra_display_updated":false,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"160","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"The Zim 15 earns special recognition for its innovative attempt to ignite the dinghy sailing market, plus other top performance designs ready for prime time.","_yoast_wpseo_title":"2015 Boat of the Year: The Nominees %%sep%% %%sitename%%","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","arc_story_id":"P2ZAOGSMUCFXBVOTIYNHBTZR4U","arc_website_url":"boty-2015-nominees\/","custom_permalink":"","arc_subtype":"right-sidebar","arc_exclude_from_feeds":false,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"sponsored_image":0,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\"","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[173,443,164],"class_list":["post-68744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sailboats","tag-boat-of-the-year","tag-boty","tag-sailboats"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68744"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68744\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}