spirit 46 nfnp 368
Newport, RI, September, 20010 The UK’s Spirit 46 was named “Best New Sailboat”, the PB50 from Palm Beach Motor Yachts in Australia captured honors as the “Best New Powerboat”, while the global Navico’s Simrad NSE 2.0 was judged “Best New Boating Product” from among all the new boats and boating products appearing at the Newport International Boat Show this past weekend. The selections were made as part of the Show’s Newport For New Products program sponsored by Cruising World, Sailing World and MotorBoating magazine and recognize the best boats and the best product being introduced at the Show for the coming model year.
The judges called the Spirit 46 “ a traditional boat that’s not bound by tradition”. A stretched-out design that makes for a spacious aft deck and ample storage, they called this boat “ truly extraordinary”. The one entry unanimously picked by all the judges on their first round, Spirit 46 was named Best New Sailboat for 2011.
The PB 50 – chosen Best New Powerboat –was judged to have an “elegance of proportion and design” that is “sensational”. A big boat that delivers performance and fuel economy with its lightweight composite material construction, the judges were just as impressed with its excellent fit and finish.
In the Best Boating Product category, the judges chose a navigation system that provides the world’s first full autopilot control and integration; support for Broadband Radar™ True Motion Radar, Lowrance StructureScan™ sonar imaging, and digital switching, monitoring and control of boat systems with BEP Marine’s C-Zone™. The judges were overwhelmed by all the capabilities of the “Best New Boating Product”, the Simrad NSE 2.0.
In addition to the overall winners, two other entries were recognized as the “best” of their respective categories. The Class 2M from France won Best New Sailboat Under 30′, and the Sealegs 7.1 Amphibious RIB won as Best New Powerboat Under 30′. The overall best boat winners were also recognized as best in their size categories as well.
Newport For New Products spotlights the new boats and boating products that make the most significant contributions to the experience of recreational boating. The program recognizes the Newport show’s unique place as the first United States boat show of the new model year. Judging is done by an independent panel of boating experts provided by the magazines and awards are given based on innovation, value to the consumer and aesthetics. For more information, go to the Show web site: www.newportboatshow.com
