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Cruising World magazine announced today the winners of the biggest annual honors in sailboat building, the Boat of the Year awards. The Tartan 4300 and the Delphia 33 topped the list for the 2008 awards. These boats, along with the rest of the winners and reviews of all the boats sailed by CW editors over the past year, will be featured in the January issue of Cruising World. This marks the 15th edition of these prestigious awards by the nation's number one cruising sailboat title. (For complete contest coverage, click here.)

"Our winners in 2008 are designs that match the wide range of our readers' cruising styles," said Cruising World editor John Burnham. "They include offshore-capable boats like the Tartan, economical family boats like the Delphia and premium daysailer/weekenders like the Sabre Spirit."

Named Domestic Boat of the Year as well as Best Midsize Luxury Cruiser, the Tartan 4300 sets the standard for comfortable, safe and fast cruising, whether for extended coastal and island voyages, or to take an owner farther afield.

"This boat is close to being nearly everything I think a cruising boat should be," said judge and lifelong sailor Stacey Collins.

Solid construction, including an epoxy-infused hull, a well-crafted interior finish, great access to critical systems and machinery and, of course, excellent performance under sail made this Tartan a clear winner.

The Delphia 33, built in Poland, was named Import Boat of the Year, in part for its well-crafted hull and interior, and in part because it's a boat that could affordably take a family or couple sailing.

The Delphia's galley and storage rival those found on many a larger boat. It's quick under sail, and the judges noted the builder's keen attention to detail throughout.

"You could have a husband and wife, and two kids in the back cabin, and still have stowage space for everyone's stuff," noted judge Tom Linskey.

Other noteworthy categories and their winners in the 2008 BOTY competition: Best Small Cruiser, Najad 355; Best Midsize Cruiser, Beneteau 40; Best Full-Size Cruiser, Hunter 49; Best Unlimited Cruiser, Hylas 70; Best Cruising Multihull, Catana 50; and Judges' Choice Award, Sabre Spirit.

An independent panel of experts named the winners after inspecting and then testing the 24 boats that won the nominations announced during the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis in October.

Cruising World Boat of the Year Winners 2008

Domestic Boat of the Year
Tartan 4300

Import Boat of the Year
Delphia 33

Best Small Cruiser
Najad 355

Best Midsize Cruiser
Beneteau 40

Best Midsize Luxury Cruiser
Tartan 4300

Best Full-Size Cruiser
Hunter 49

Best Unlimited Cruiser
Hylas 70

Best Cruising Multihull
Catana 50

Judges' Choice Award
Sabre Spirit

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For complete contest coverage, click here.

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