New sailboats from top boatbuilders around the globe battle for this year’s coveted Boat of the Year title.
Every year, Cruising World’s Boat of the Year awards put the newest generation of cruising sailboats through their most important test: real sailing, in real conditions, with no marketing spin. For 2026, our judges have already sea-trialed a remarkably diverse portion of this year’s fleet, from performance monohulls and bluewater cruisers to cutting-edge multihulls and hybrid-powered designs, revealing not just stand-out entries for the best boats of the year, but the major shifts shaping how and where sailboats are built, how they’re powered, and what modern sailors truly value.
An early autumn nor’easter nearly derailed Cruising World’s 2026 Boat of the Year first sea trials, but what followed became one of the most revealing contests in recent memory. After the storm passed, ideal conditions on Chesapeake Bay allowed judges to put 14 new nominees through their paces at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, exposing standout contenders and deeper trends reshaping the sailboat industry, from the absence of U.S.-built production boats and rising prices to the growing impact of tariffs and the accelerating shift toward hybrid and electric propulsion…
Read longtime Boat of the Year judge Herb McCormick’s full feature for a behind-the-scenes look at the boats, the sailing and the forces quietly redefining the future of cruising.
The 2026 Boat of the Year winner will be revealed live here and at the Annapolis Boat Show on October 15, 2026, at 6:00PM Eastern Standard Time, and also in the November/December 2026 issue of Cruising World.
This year’s lineup spans 27 cutting-edge cruisers, performance machines and liveaboard passagemakers.
Arey’s Pond Caracal 19
This elegant daysailer channels classic lines and wooden craftsmanship in a refined, small-boat package that’s built for pure, simple sailing enjoyment close to home.
Beneteau First 30
A compact performance cruiser that honors Beneteau’s racing heritage while offering modern comfort, the First 30 delivers big-boat feel and responsive handling in a nimble, 30-foot planing hull.
Beneteau Oceanis 47
The Oceanis 47 combines smooth Biscontini lines and Nauta’s smart interior with accessible elegance, making it an ideal choice for sailors who want to stretch their cruising range in style.
Beneteau Oceanis 52
With a refined hull by Biscontini and a light, plush interior from Nauta Design, the Oceanis 52 sets a new benchmark for comfort, precision, and ease of cruising under sail.
Contest 50CS
Dutch pedigree meets offshore confidence in the Contest 50CS. This semi-custom bluewater cruiser blends traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation for sailors who value quality and seaworthiness.
Dufour 48
A lively, sleek design that pairs generous sail area with signature Dufour comfort, the 48 is built for sailors who crave performance and liveaboard luxury in equal measure.
Dufour 54
Spacious, powerful, and refined, the Dufour 54 delivers long-legged cruising comfort with a bright, contemporary interior and a deck plan designed for effortless control.
Ha’Penny 20
Compact, handsome, and full of charm, the Ha’Penny 20 brings traditional craftsmanship to the pocket-cruiser category, delivering simplicity and joy on the water.
Island Packet 42 Motor Sailer
Blending comfort and practicality with range, the 42 Motor Sailer offers the best of both worlds: steady passagemaking under power or sail, with Island Packet’s hallmark livability.
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415
Smart, sexy, and sailor-friendly, the new Sun Odyssey 415 combines Marc Lombard’s performance design with Jeanneau’s focus on comfort, control, and easy cruising versatility.
Pegasus 50
Designed by sailors for sailors, the Pegasus 50 is a world voyager’s dream: efficient, ergonomic, and engineered for effortless, short-handed passages across any ocean.
Sirius 35 DS
The Sirius 35 Deck Saloon redefines all-weather cruising with a rich, panoramic interior and thoughtful German engineering tailored to serious voyagers and liveaboards.
Balance 580
A light, fast, and seaworthy bluewater catamaran built in South Africa, the Balance 580 merges comfort and performance for sailors who demand both luxury at anchor and confident speed under sail.
Comar C-Cat 48
This Italian-built cat pairs modern style with a performance-oriented design, offering sailors a refined balance between spirited sailing and contemporary comfort.
Dragonfly 36
A high-performance folding trimaran that packs thrilling speed and versatility into a trailerable platform, ideal for adventurous sailors who want it all.
Excess 13
Sporty, bright, and built for sailors who crave connection to the sea, the Excess 13 combines youthful design energy with dependable cruising capability.
Fountaine Pajot 41
Compact yet spacious, this 41-footer from Fountaine Pajot is designed for families and couples seeking easy handling, modern amenities, and efficient cruising comfort.
Fountaine Pajot 44
A fresh new design that blends open living spaces with strong sailing performance, the 44 brings new energy and innovation to mid-size cruising cats.
Fountaine Pajot 55
Expansive, luxurious, and effortlessly stylish, the Fountaine Pajot 55 is a flagship cat designed for long-range adventures with friends and family in comfort.
HH52
With its advanced carbon construction and cutting-edge design, the HH52 delivers high-performance cruising without compromise—an ideal platform for sailors who love to push limits.
Island Spirit 525e
Built in Thailand and fully powered by electric propulsion, the Island Spirit 525e reflects a new era of sustainable multihull cruising with space, comfort, and clean technology.
Knysna 550
As a versatile platform for cruising and charter, the Knysna 550 blends high-performance sailing with modern luxury in a bluewater catamaran built for style, safety, and easy handling.
Lagoon 38
Compact, comfortable, and classic, the Lagoon 38 remains a beloved choice for cruisers seeking reliability, simplicity, and timeless Lagoon design DNA.
Lagoon 60
Bold, luxurious, and modern, the Lagoon 60 elevates the brand’s signature living space and style, making it a standout for sailors ready to go bigger and farther.
Leopard 52
Built for passagemaking comfort and ease of operation, the Leopard 52 continues the brand’s tradition of robust, reliable catamarans with smart livability and efficient systems.
Majestic 530 Hybrid
The Majestic 530 Hybrid combines long-range cruising capability with hybrid-electric propulsion for a quiet, efficient, and forward-thinking multihull experience.
St. Francis 500
Strong, elegant, and South African-built, the St. Francis 500 offers ocean-tested performance, smart ergonomics, and the confidence of a proven bluewater platform.
Every boat that enters the Boat of the Year program is evaluated with one mission in mind: to understand how well it serves the cruising sailor. For this year’s contest, testing began with focused sea trials on the Chesapeake Bay immediately following the 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show. Our judges climbed through bilges, opened wiring panels, traced plumbing runs, hoisted sails, reefed early, reefed late, tested feel on the helm, shook out noise and vibration, and dug into the details that separate “good” from “built for the cruising sailor.”
In our judging process, every system and decision matters—just as it does at sea. The result is the most thorough and respected sailboat evaluation program in North America, and one we’re proud to elevate yet again this year.
For more than three decades, Cruising World’s Boat of the Year awards have represented the highest benchmark in bluewater boatbuilding. The program has always been built on rigorous testing, honest evaluation and an unwavering commitment to helping sailors choose the best boats for real cruising life.
This year, we’re taking Boat of the Year into a new chapter. Beginning with this issue, we kick off 10 months of coverage highlighting the most compelling new cruising sailboats entering the market, a fleet spanning bluewater passagemakers, performance cruisers, multihulls, pocket cruisers, electric innovations and more.
In October 2026, for the first time ever, we’ll announce our winners at the Annapolis Sailboat Show during a special awards ceremony. Trophies will be presented dockside, winners will be revealed online, and our November/December 2026 issue will feature full coverage of the finalists.
It’s a new timeline designed to build excitement, celebrate innovation over a longer runway, and give these boats the thorough, real-world testing they deserve. In short, the program is evolving, but our standards are not.