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In eight full days of testing, SAIL's judges test-sailed, critiqued, analyzed, and debated the pros and cons of 37 new boats. Here's what we found--and what you need to know--about the winners.
Story by Bill Springer and Charles J. Doane Photos by Peter McGowan
Modern production boatbuilding is simultaneously a science and an art with a single goal: to combine diverse fields--chemistry, mathematics, structural and electrical engineering, woodworking, and fluid and aerodynamics--via computer code and a knowing eye to design and create a boat that, among other things, will slice through waves, be a home away from home, stand up to a harsh environment, and, most important, stir the soul.
Thirty-seven nominees synthesizing science and art vied to be named one of the Top 10 boats of 2003. SAIL's veteran test team sailed them after the Newport and Annapolis boat shows last fall. Each boat was judged according to how it fulfilled its manufacturer's stated purpose in categories that included performance under sail, handling under power, safety and comfort on deck and below, livability, engine and systems installation and access, construction quality, aesthetics, and value for money. The winners scored consistently well across the board. Our new "Best of the Rest" section acknowledges exemplary features of boats that didn't make the cut. Your votes are in, the judges' votes are in, and here in alphabetical order are the winners. Bill Springer
Your ballots—
We received thousands of your votes via the mail and the Internet. For the most part, the highest vote-getters were also eventual Top 10 place-getters. The Swan 45, Island Packet 485, Catalina 350, Hunter 426, Beneteau 42cc, and the Horizon Cat also finished strongly.
The Judging team
Nigel Calder
Contributing editor Nigel Calder has over 40,000 miles of bluewater experience and is the author of several definitive reference books for sailors. Nigel is uniquely qualified to evaluate refrigeration, electrical, and engine systems as well as accommodations and sailing performance.
Charles J. Doane
Senior editor Charles J. Doane has more than 30,000 offshore cruising miles under his belt, and his insight into the workings of cruising boats makes him a valuable asset to the Top 10 team. He lives in Maine and cruises his Golden Hind, Sophie, all over Penobscot Bay.
Tom Dove
With over 45 years of sailing experience, contributor Tom Dove has test-sailed and reviewed everything from bluewater passagemakers to beach cats. When he's not out testing and writing about new boats, heÂ’s working on and cruising his 1977 Ranger 33, Crescendo, on Chesapeake Bay.
Jay Paris
Technical consultant Jay Paris is a naval architect who brings 30 years of expertise in yacht design to his judging duties for SAIL's Top 10. When heÂ’s not designing boats, he's busy making SAIL's Sailboat Buyers Guide the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource in the industry.
Bill Springer
Associate editor Bill Springer is responsible for making SAIL's Top 10 happen. He's tested hundreds of boats and is always on the lookout for the features that set a boat apart. He's lived on boats, worked as delivery crew, and cruised all over the East Coast and the Caribbean.
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Bavaria 32We chose it because it has a sweet helm, clean lines, comfortable accommodations, and reasonable systems, all of which make it an enticing package More
Beneteau 423High-volume boatbuilders strive to provide more boat, more conveniences, and more standard features for less money, and the Beneteau 423 made our list because it does just that More
Hallberg-Rassy 43Hull and deck construction meet the high standards we have come to expect from Hallberg-Rassy, as does the excellent mahogany joinery down below More
Island Spirit 40Solid construction, simple, robust, and accessible systems, safe and efficient sailhandling gear, a roomy interior, a manageable price, and good sailing performance More
J/109The J/109 is a well-conceived, well-executed dual-purpose boat that comes close to being all things to all sailors More
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35In addition to its striking appearance, the boat benefits from JeanneauÂ’s long adherence to simple and solid hull-construction techniques More |
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Malo 41The Malo 41 has many of the same features that impressed us on the other Swedish boats we sailed—strong no-nonsense construction combined with lush mahogany interior joinery work—as well as a few unique twists of its own More
Najad 460This Swedish-built Judel/Vrolijk design impressed our judges with the quality of its hull and deck construction and dazzled them with gorgeous interior joinery work in satin-finish African mahogany More
Sabre 426We were not at all surprised, therefore, to find that Sabre and Taylor have again done a superb job of balancing performance, liveaboard comfort, and quality construction in a single package More
Ultimate 24This Jim Antrim--designed sportboat has innovative, well-executed features, achieves the difficult task of combining ease of handling and stability with sportboat performance, and is a gas to sail More
Top 10 2003--The best of the restEach of these boats deserves to be recognized for a specific feature, design, or construction technique that was particularly innovative and/or well executed More | |||||||||