Americans chose the boats of the year. And the winners are.

A truly eteorgenic gallery of boats that won the 2015 Best Boats award, given by the American magazine Sail. They range from the carbon “shooting” boat to the aluminum sloop designed specifically to brave the ice… A very heated challenge, which even forced the jurors to rule a tie in the “Performance under 30 feet” category. We present all the winners, category by category.

THE BEST MONOHULL – GUNFLEET 58

The luxury cruiser churned out by the British shipyard was born from the pencil of Tony Castro. The hull features Kevlar, balsa, and carbon reinforcements so as to combine strength with low weight. Great is the draft “range” thanks to the movable keel: it can vary from 1.75 m to 3.60, allowing the boat to navigate in shallow water. The cockpit is spacious and well-protected, and the deck features a deck house architecture with a central cockpit without a clear division between the maneuvering and guest areas, with numerous sunbathing areas both aft and forward, so as to ensure maximum comfort while cruising. Below deck, the area of the square really leaves one speechless given its size. The interior configuration includes four cabins (with the master cabin aft and a “vip” forward) and two bathrooms, both with separate shower stalls. Data: Length. 18.25 m; Beam max 5.20 m; Fish. 1.75 – 3.60 m; Disl. 31,000 kg. www.gunfleetmarine.com

THE BEST MULTIHULL – GUNBOAT 55
Here is one of the most aggressive habitable catamarans on the market. A characteristic, that of sportiness, which has been inherent in the shipyard’s DNA since the earliest models. This is already clear just by looking at the profile of the hulls, which are particularly “angular.” The glazed superstructure (partly retractable when sailing in good weather) gives the wheelhouse area and the saloon incredible light. Just the position of the wheelhouse turns out to be peculiar, in the middle of the boat and completely sheltered. Data: length. 17.35 m; wd. 7.62 m; draught 0.61/2.80 m; displ. 12500 kg. www.gunboat.com

THE BEST 41-50 FOOT MONOHULL – GARCIA EXPLORATION 45
Aluminum takes the lead in the construction of the Garcia Exploration 45, but what is most striking is the presence of polyethylene foam, which provides remarkable thermal and sound insulation in all conditions. This hull can then rely on a series of watertight bulkheads and hatches, increasing safety in case of collisions or water ingress. The helmsman has the ability to steer the boat from the inside due to the presence of a 270-degree window. Jimmy Cornell, the daddy of the ARC, had a hand in its design. Data: length. 14.88 m; wd. 4.43 m; displacement 14,100 kg. www.sailaway.it – Garcia Italy

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THE BEST MONOHULL 31-40 FEET – XC 35
Designed by Niels Jeppesen,the XC 35 is the newest member of the renowned category of avant-garde cruisers, which focus, in order to win public favor, on a high level of sailing comfort, made possible by a heavier relative displacement and a deeper hull. Its deep-V hull facilitates sailing among large waves,especially in upwind gaits. The elegance of this boat is achieved through good overall proportion and remarkable purity of lines. The hull is rather narrow and streamlined (with an interesting, slightly set back maximum beam) and the bow sections are extremely fine, giving the hull an aggressive feel. Data: Lft. 10.61 m; wd. 3.27 m; draf. 2.15 m; disl. 4300 kg; sup. vel. 74 sq. m. www.italy.x-yachts.com

THE BEST 41-50 FOOT MULTIHULL – FOUNTAINE PAJOT SABA 50

A fifteen-footer that stands out, among other things, for the particular layout of the bow section. Here we find not only the classic trampoline, but a real sunbathing area has been equipped. Different versions of the interiors. The “Owner” has a master suite with bathroom and three guest cabins with three bathrooms. Data: length. 14.98 m; wd. 7.99 m. www.fountaine-pajot.com

THE BEST 31-40 FOOT MULTIHULL – DRAGONFLY 32
This trimaran from the Danish shipyard Quorning Boats is available in two different configurationsù: one can decide first whether to opt for tiller or wheel steering, and then for two different rigs: one more high-performance and the other easier to handle. In both cases, however, much attention was paid to sailing performance under sail. Retractable side hulls make it suitable for all ports. Internally, up to eight people can be accommodated. The boat is not brand new, having been launched in 2012, but the shipyard decided to carry out a thorough tune-up. Data: length. 11.99 m; wd. 8/3.70 m; draught 0.50/1.90 m. www.trimarans.com

THE BEST PERFORMING MONOSHOW/1 (under 30 feet) – C&C 30
American shipyard C&C’s One Design racer designed by Mark Mills was born for racing. A strong, lightweight hull built in vacuum infusion with extensive use of vinylester resin and carbon fiber. Adopting the high stern edges allows the racer to reduce drag, lengthen the waterline and be faster in light airs and more stable when the wind picks up. Data: width 3 m; displ. 1,812 kg. www.c-cyachts.com

THE BEST PERFORMING MONOSHAPE/1 (under 30 feet) – SEASCAPE 27
Born from the pencil of Sam Manuard, a designer and experienced sailor in the Mini class, the Seascape 27 is an interesting racer-cruiser with bold water lines and edges that run the length of the hull. The 11-meter-high mast is made of carbon fiber and has no backstay; at the bow the presence of two stays offers the possibility of rigging both a genoa and a jib. Data: length. 7.99 m; w. 2.54 m; sup. sail 47 sq. m. www.seascape.it

SAIL’S INNOVATION AWARD – MORRIS OCEAN SERIES 48 GT
A boat that made Americans fall in love, designed for those who aim for life aboard without having to make too many stops ashore. Do not be fooled by the somewhat retro lines, because the most modern techniques were used in its construction. Distinguishing it is undoubtedly the high glazed deckhouse, which greatly shelters the cockpit. The style chosen for the interior is decidedly classical, with great use of woods, and it is all played out on several levels. Three double cabins provided. Data: length. 14.90 m; w. 3.99 m; sup. vel. 94 sq. m. www.morrisyachts.com

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SMALL BOAT – ARGO TOPAZ TOPPER
A family boat or also suitable for initiation courses, capable of carrying up to four people but equally technical and equipped with gennaker as well. Easy to rig and put in the water thanks to its tilting drift. The preformed Trilam hull makes it rigid and easy to maintain, and it is shaped like a skiff. With rollafio and float, the risk of a scull at 180 is almost eliminated. Data: long. 4.4 m; w. 1.85 m; sup. vel. 23.69 sq. m. www.topboats.it