CRUISING WORLD 2009 BOTY WINNERS:

Dyflin

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For anyone who's interested...

Domestic Boat of the Year:
Island Packet 460

Import Boat of the Year:
Malö 37 Classic

Best All-Purpose Cruiser, 30 to 40 Feet:
Catalina 375

Best Midsize Cruiser:
Dufour 40 Performance+

Best Full-Size Cruiser:
Dufour 525

Best Racer/Cruiser:
X-34

Best Long-Distance Cruiser:
Island Packet 460

Best Special-Purpose Cruiser:
Moorings 43.3

Best Value:
Beneteau 34

Cruising World announced today the winners of its 16th annual Boat of the Year awards. Topping this year's list of winners for the most anticipated awards in the sailboat-building industry were the Island Packet 460 and the Malö 37 Classic. The IP 460 took home the Domestic Boat of the Year award, while the Malö was named Import Boat of the Year.

The Island Packet 460, the Malö 37 Classic, and six other boats won awards from an independent panel of experts who inspected and tested 21 nominated boats during the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis earlier this year. Decisions were based on extensive inspections and sea trials of the boats. All of the winners, along with the rest of the '09 BOTY nominees and several other boats reviewed by the magazine's editors, will be featured in the January issue of Cruising World.

In addition to claiming the Domestic Boat of the Year award, the Island Packet 460 was also named Best Long-Distance Cruiser.

"The judges felt the IP 460 was a boat well designed and executed for a cruising couple," said Cruising World senior editor Mark Pillsbury. "The builder took care with construction, stuck to the design brief, and provided the sort of storage room and amenities needed by a voyaging couple. Under sail, the boat performed quite well."

The Scandinavian-built Malö 37 Classic was named Import Boat of the Year for its performance on the water and luxurious attention to detail throughout.

"The Malö is a semicustom sailboat that's built to exacting standards and is ready to sail any ocean," said Pillsbury. "The boat is elegant below and purposeful on deck. Under sail, performance was top-notch."

Other noteworthy categories and their winners in the 2009 BOTY competition: Best All-Purpose Cruiser, 30 to 40 Feet: Catalina 375; Best Midsize Cruiser: Dufour 40 Performance+; Best Full-Size Cruiser: Dufour 525; Best Racer/Cruiser: X-34; Best Special-Purpose Cruiser: Moorings 43.3.

Following their deliberations, the judges decided this year to add an award for Best Value. Taking home this honor was the Beneteau 34.

"The Beneteau 34 was the least expensive and one of the smallest of the cruising boats we looked at, yet under sail was a pure delight and handled well in the rather boisterous conditions we encountered," said Pillsbury.

http://www.cruisingworld.com/boats-and-g...1000067780.html
 
Been on a few Island Packets and yes they are ugly from the outside but they are excellent cruising boats for short handed sailing. Not seen a new one but the general idea works well.
 
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I have to say, those Islands Packets are ugly boats. Couldn't own one.

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It wouldn't melt your heart, but I'd hardly call the 460 ugly /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

460_L02_1.jpg
 
Funny you should mention that. I'd hope to do it next summer but by one of those amusing quirks of fate that just make you laugh 'til you cry I've just had an (unexpected) tax bill almost exactly equal to the cost of shipping her over! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

So unless something remarkable happens it looks like it will be later rather than sooner /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif


/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif!!!!!!!!
 
That sucks. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

You'll have to slum it with me!
 
Or I could follow the national trend as recommended by our Guvmint and dip into the equity a bit just enough to bring the essential toys closer to home. This is after all a crisis and one needs all the moral support one can get in ones hours of impending need.

Although I'm happy to accept slummy offers in the meantime /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Ill make a deal, you can slum it with us, until she gets back, and then, when the country falls apart, we can all flee on yours! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
No need to apologise to Burnhambloke, he doesn't care one way or t'other /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously, you can say what you like, everyone has their own opinion and IP's are not to everyone's tastes. Worked very well for us though and they really are beautifully put together for extended cruising.


/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
I was invited aboard an Island Packet SP Cruiser this summer for a look round. It looked a very nice boat, but all boats are a compromise and this one was well towards the comfort for living on end of the market. It may have been a bit far for me but it was nicer than a First 18, to live on. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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