It perhaps should go without saying, but an award-winning sailboat should truly excel at, well, sailing. Still, when evaluating new boats, other factors inevitably come into play. There’s build superiority. High-quality systems and hardware. Truly innovative design. Cutting-edge technology. Excellent layout and accommodations. Value for dollar. These are all valid considerations, and such features executed to a high standard can sometimes overshadow a boat’s pure performance. Whoever once said that all boats are compromises to some degree was not wrong.
The five winners out of the 15 nominees in the 2026 edition of Boat of the Year contest all sailed like witches. Pure pleasure, each and every one.
For nearly three decades, we’ve annually inspected, tested and sailed new sailboats during and after each fall’s running of the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland. Catamarans have consistently gained market share, while the preponderance of entrants have been monohulls. That is, until 2025, when the nominees were split evenly between multihulls and monohulls. For 2026, once again, the fleet was divided virtually right down the middle. As far as trends go, once might be an anomaly, but twice seems something like a consensus. Clearly, catamarans are more popular than ever, and that’s a matter that shows no signs of reversal anytime soon.
Another trend, sadly, that repeated itself for 2026: For the second straight year, there wasn’t a single US-built production boat in the field. The flip side of that coin is that, even in a year when the word “tariffs” was consistently bandied about on the Annapolis docks, the nominees were a truly international collection representing a half dozen nations: China, Denmark, France, Germany, Slovenia and South Africa. And the breadth and variety of designs was outstanding across the board.
Last, and this needs to be underscored, the price of new boats is ever skyrocketing. For the 2026 fleet, the average price of a new boat was just shy of $1.3 million, with a median cost of $972,000. Judge Tim Murphy’s take is worth noting: “There are good ways and bad ways to spend a million dollars. In some cases this year we’re now at a factor of three (million), but it still holds true. The value that’s in that price tag is in every little detail—not just physical details, it’s the dynamic, how it all works together.” Truer words were never spoken.
Moving on, our Boat of the Year exercise would not be possible without the commitment of the builders and other members of the marine industry, and we very much appreciate their ongoing support.
In the pages that follow, you’ll find a breakdown of the winning boats in four dedicated categories, as well as the recipient of a special judges’ prize for a tidy yacht that hearkens back to an earlier age of voyaging and cruising.
For our judging panel, which tested the boat on four stellar days of ideal Chesapeake Bay autumn conditions, we’ll long remember this very interesting collection of new yachts, particularly those that rose to the top of their respective divisions. To put it simply, they all delivered some of the best sailing of the year.
Best Overall
Dragonfly 36 | A Trimaran Takes Flight
In recent editions of our annual Boat of the Year cycle, we’ve become smitten with one particular brand and the sailing wizard who runs the company and basically embodies the boats it produces: Dragonfly trimarans from Denmark and builder Jens Quorning, whose dad launched the business some six decades ago and who has now taken the reins. In 2024, the Dragonfly 40 was the unanimous winner of the Best Cruising Trimaran prize. Now, two years later, the quick and sporty Dragonfly 36 has not only captured the Best Performance Multihull Under 45 Feet award, but it is also Cruising World’s 2026 Boat of the Year.
“You can’t help yourself in praising that Dragonfly,” said Tim Murphy. “Quorning has given deep thought to every bloody fitting on the boat, he’s considered every option and found the spot where it works the best. He’s the second of three generations in the family business that have spent years studying the same problems and consistently improving them. The detail is incredible. The little tricks they’ve figured out for downwind sailing, like the placement for the barber haulers, is just beautiful. The sailing performance is fantastic, 10 knots of boat speed feels effortless. And in a year where seven-figure price tags were common, the 36 came in below the median price of this fleet. It’s an amazing boat in every way.”
Ralph Nanjaro had yet more praise: “It was elegant down below. It reminds me of an old Porsche 911. It doesn’t have massive sail area, but she’s fast and efficient. She’s easy to handle. And with those folding Swing Wing amas, you can dock the boat in a normal slip and it’s easier to get it hauled in a conventional boatyard.”
My own take: “In judging this contest, we’ve always considered which boats best meet their intended design and purpose, and as a very spritely coastal cruiser that’s built to a high standard with very comfortable accommodations and exquisite furnishings, the Dragonfly 36 checks all its boxes. It does precisely what its creators set out to do.”
I’ll give Murphy the last word here: “I have to admit, a trimaran winning the overall Boat of the Year competition is a quirky choice. But I just don’t see a boat in this year’s fleet that beats it.”
In a unanimous vote, all of us fellow judges agreed.
Best Full-Size Cruiser Over 45 Feet
Three of the four contenders vying for the prize as the biggest and best Full-Size Monohull came from the mammoth French production boatyards that have captured more and more worldwide market share in the decades they’ve been in business. The Beneteau Oceanis 47 and Oceanis 52 were welcome additions to the fleet after several years in which it seemed the Groupe Beneteau conglomerate appeared more focused on its powerboat lines. The Dufour 48 is the latest offering from the French builder that has been making waves since 1962, when naval architect Michel Dufour launched the brand. However, in somewhat of a surprise, the top award went to a Boat of the Year newcomer from an upstart Slovenian maker of bluewater thoroughbreds.
Winner
Pegasus Yachts | Pegasus 50
A design from the accomplished Slovenian naval architect, offshore racer, boatbuilder and engineer Marko Paš, the Pegasus 50 was built with one mission clearly in mind: to sail across oceans safely and swiftly, with a corresponding high degree of comfort and utility. It’s not a perfect design, as judges Murphy and Naranjo both had questions about two of the boat’s notable features: the gimbaled settee in the salon and the tandem keel.
I was more enamored by the triple-headsail rig and the excellent cockpit configuration enclosed by a hardtop, with a large companionway adjacent to the interior accommodations, not entirely unlike the floor plan of a contemporary cruising catamaran. “I could see myself knocking off a lot of miles hunkered down in that really unique cockpit,” I said during deliberations.
Murphy agreed: “The cockpit arrangement was well done, with very good protection. There are twin helms, twin rudders, twin autopilots. The carbon mast is standard. It’s a real sailing boat, meant to be sailed long distances. The owner was on board for our sea trials. He’d crossed the Atlantic himself in 17 days from the Canaries to the Caribbean. He was as happy as could be with his vessel.”
His spirit was infectious, and his accomplishments noted. There was one more to add: He was the proud skipper of a Boat of the Year.
Groupe Beneteau | Beneteau Oceanis 47
The smaller of two new Beneteaus to debut in the United States last fall, the Oceanis 47 replaces the 46.1 in the brand’s lineup. Along with her sistership, the Oceanis 52, this is the eighth generation of the Oceanis line of dedicated cruising boats. A design collaboration between naval architect Pascal Conq and the interior experts at Nauta Design, the boat offers solid performance and comfortable accommodations in a well-equipped package that comes in at under $800,000. In relatively light air, it beam-reached at well over 7 knots and was a joy to drive with its twin helms and excellent visibility.
Groupe Beneteau | Beneteau Oceanis 52
A larger version of the Oceanis 47, with maximum beam carried well aft and an even more-elaborate double cockpit table, the comfortable on-deck space under the well-conceived dodger of the Beneteau Oceanis 52 (a replacement for the 51.1) doubles as a handy pilot berth for an off-watch crew making miles in the trade winds. Like its smaller Oceanis sibling, the 52-footer provides fine sailing performance, making better than 7 knots upwind in 10 knots of breeze, and its roomy interior will make every anchorage feel like home. As cruising boats go, the Oceanis line offers the best of both underway worlds.
Dufour Yachts | Dufour 48
Since its purchase several years ago by Fountaine Pajot—the collective behind the eponymous line of cruising catamarans—Dufour has undergone a continuous revamping of the style and look of its performance-oriented yachts. That rebranding has continued with the ultra-contemporary, Umberto Felci-designed Dufour 48. With an impressive solid Bimini top, integral bowsprit and sleek hull windows, the 48 is one of those boats that looks spicy on its mooring. It matches those smooth lines with solid sailing chops, making better than 6 knots to weather in less than 10 knots of breeze.
Best Full-Size Catamaran Over 45 Feet
The largest individual class in this year’s Boat of the Year contest with six nominees, the Full-Size Cat roster was split almost evenly between boats with a decided performance bent and those going full bore into the ever-growing realm of electric and hybrid propulsion. Four of the vessels hailing from South African builders—the Island Spirit 525E, Leopard 52, Royal Cape Majestic 530 Hybrid and St. Francis 460—were unabashed showcases for this still-emerging technology. The other two cats—the Balance 580, also from South Africa, and the HH52, a Chinese product—were pure, sleek sailboats from builders who’ve earned top honors in previous Boat of the Year contests.
Winner
HH Catamarans | HH52
When deliberating the merits of the nominees in the large cat class, Tim Murphy offered a bit of a history lesson: “The Balance and the HH were the top boats here, and we’ve seen a lot of iterations over the years in both these brands. They’ve evolved and gotten better and better. They’re two really good boats, nothing else in this class comes close to these two. The evolution in the HH goes all the way back to the Gunboat years, with the same naval architects, Morelli & Melvin. So there’s been a lot of shared knowledge passed down through the years. It’s evident in the HH52, you can just see the refinements. Take the sight lines on the boat, they’re just perfect for all the routine things you have to do, like raising or reefing the mainsail. I just think the HH was steps ahead of the other nominees.”
Ralph Naranjo’s take on the HH is also worth repeating: “This is a vessel that takes cruising performance to another level, and it does so with some of the most advanced composite technology available today. The engineering-driven design work resonates throughout the boat. The interior design team complemented rather than competed with the workings of this machine. The technology chosen to handle the three-furler headsail system was run from the pit at the base of the mast and allowed for full view of what was in play. The interior featured elegant minimalism. Meticulously executed carbon-fiber construction details were left exposed, not hidden from view. The cabin layout followed course with strict avoidance of the superfluous. The only downside to this boat? I can’t afford one.”
Balance Catamarans | Balance 580
In his summation of the latest model from Phil Berman’s top-notch team at Balance cats, Naranjo ticked off its many fine features: “Easy reach at 10 knots in 20 knots of wind. Smooth helm, Lewmar hardware, safe and functional mainsheet placement at stern quarter. Good nonskid, stainless-steel tube lifelines. Two sensible diesel sail drives. Twelve lines led back to the helm, lots of clutches and two electric winches spaced close together. A well-designed sprit and three headsails. Solid, well-installed sliding doors. Sailed efficiently, tacked easily and powered smoothly.”
Group Island Spirit | Island Spirit 525E Electric Drive
Built in Thailand at a new facility, this 52-footer is specifically aimed at the charter trade and at owners looking for a comfortable liveaboard home afloat. There’s a lot happening here, starting with vacuum-infused composite construction and moving on to solar and electric-drive integrations. With a half dozen staterooms and heads, a forward cockpit, plenty of lounging space and an excellent flybridge from which to take it all in, this is a boat that will provide an ideal platform for vacationing sailors or a growing family.
Leopard Catamarans | Leopard 52
When you talk about “the future is now” in energy-efficient yachts, you might want to start with the quartet of 400-watt solar panels integrated into the solid Bimini top on the Leopard 52. But that’s just the start of it. The hybrid setup on our test model carries a pair of 25-kW electric motors and a 27-kWh lithium battery bank that runs at 400 volts and works in tandem with a Joool OneBox energy management system that controls the various voltages and frequencies. Otherwise, the boat runs on standard 12-volt DC and 110/240-volt AC with conventional inverters/converters. There’s also a 24-kW generator (a so-called “range extender”) that allows pure electric motoring; power regeneration is also possible under sail.
Royal Cape Catamarans| Royal Cape Majestic 530
This South African-based builder has been knocking out rangy cats since 2003 and these days offers 53- and 57-footers, with or without a flybridge. The company prides itself on its craftmanship and customization—a stated selling point is “building around the owner’s vision”—as well as its safety features and liveaboard capability. Royal Cape generally builds a couple of boats each year and just delivered to the Caribbean its 75th yacht, 18 of which were Majestic 53s. Of those, the builder is now on its second Hybrid model, one of which was our test boat for 2026.
St. Francis Marine | St. Francis 460
South Africa’s St. Francis Marine builds only about four boats a year, and it shows. We sea-trialed the 460 in honest, post-frontal chop with a mixed 10-to-15-knot breeze—not dog-day conditions, but that beats flat calm any day for reading a boat’s real character. The 460 sliced through short, steep seas with a steadiness that felt more like a 50-footer than a 45. Upwind, pinching to 43 degrees apparent in 13 knots true, she still pushed through at 5.1 knots—quite respectable for a fully loaded bluewater cat in light, shifty air. The optional hybrid system, built with Hybrid Marine in the UK, will run 4 to 6 knots on electric alone. Her new owner, still learning the boat, put it simply: “Solid. Well built.” Well said.
Best Midsize Cruiser Under 45 Feet
The difficult task in selecting this year’s Best Midsize Cruiser was strikingly evident from the moment we stepped aboard each nominee. These were wholly different yachts in tone and execution, the common denominator being the size range in which they were grouped. That said, though they were separated by more than 10 feet of waterline, the two French entries—the Beneteau First 30 and the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415—were both performance-oriented speedsters ideal for club racing and coastal cruising. The Sirius 35 was altogether different, a compact wonder with bluewater aspirations. It all came down to that singular question: Which one best served its intended purpose?
Winner
Groupe Beneteau | Beneteau First 30
There certainly is no such thing as a perfect little sailing vessel, but the folks responsible for the alluring Beneteau First 30 sure did take their best swing at creating one. In a contest where excellent sailing was experienced across the board, the Slovenian-built 30-footer was right up there with the big boats.
“It’s really fresh, you know, it’s a fresh thing they’re doing,” said Tim Murphy. “This is a planing hull with rudders from the Class 40 offshore racers that give mere mortals a taste of that true sailing performance. You don’t have to be a sponsored, professional-sailing rock star to enjoy that kind of fun. Our colleagues at Sailing World recorded 14 knots on Chesapeake Bay, and the top speed is reportedly 19 knots. That’s something new. And I think we can feel really good about introducing our readers to this boat.”
Ralph Naranjo concurred: “Quick to get underway. Absolutely invigorating boat to sail. With well-balanced rudders and easy tiller steering, this 6,700-pound speedster fits the concept of a minimalist cruiser perfectly. Reef early, and her demeanor remains tranquil. Keep full sail in play or unroll the asymmetrical and you have a manageable handful to keep upright. Those who love to sail and are content with a small but cozy cabin won’t be disappointed. The surprise belowdecks is a nicely finished cabin with a gimbaled two-burner stove and oven. Add in an enclosed head and cabins fore and aft, and this is a legit pocket cruiser.”
Groupe Beneteau | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415
Like Beneteau, Jeanneau is now on multiple generations of its most popular models, and the 415 is the company’s ninth iteration of its bedrock Sun Odyssey line. You don’t stick around in the marine industry for that long without a record of excellence, and the new 41-footer maintains the high standard. On a windy fall day on Chesapeake Bay, we trucked along at better than 8 knots with the code zero set off the fixed bowsprit. The twin helms and dual rudders offered immediate fingertip feedback. If you’re looking for a competitive club racer and fine coastal cruiser, look no further.
Sirius Yachts | Sirius 35 DS
The fact that this German-built 35-footer won a special 2026 award (see next page) speaks for itself. Here are a few of the attributes that made it a winner: a private master stateroom in the center of a 35-foot boat; the Jefa canting wheel that opens space in an otherwise cozy cockpit; the clever mainsheet set off the steering pod that keeps sheeting aft but out of the way; the twin keel that, among other positive features, promotes excellent maneuverability under power, particularly in reverse.
I’ve referred to this yacht as a “Swiss Army Boat” because everywhere you look, another cool feature is discovered. I can’t begin to tell you how much this boat won me over.
Best Performance Multihull Under 45 Feet
With just a pair of nominees, the judges approached this two-boat “match race” with a lot of trepidation. After all, we had sailed—and thoroughly enjoyed—models from each of these worthy brands before. And we’d proven that by awarding each brand top honors in their respective classes in previous Boat of the Year competitions. Furthermore, both entrants represented different configurations in the multihull world: the Dragonfly 36 being a folding trimaran with accommodations limited to the central hull, and the Excess 13 a proven example of a performance cruising cat. The only thing we were sure of was we’d be treated to an excellent sailing experience aboard both of these well-executed nominees.
Winner
Dragonfly Trimarans | Dragonfly 36
Our Overall Boat of the Year for 2026 is also the unanimous winner of this Best Performance Multihull prize. It sails fast and is well-built, and its basic but more than adequate interior layout is lovingly rendered and comfortable. Adding to what’s already been said (see page 60), Tim Murphy dug a little deeper with regard to the Swing Wing amas, which the company refers to as floats.
“They’re set up differently than the ones on the Corsairs, another popular ‘folding’ trimaran. You can’t leave a Corsair in the water because when they’re folded, they’re not entirely stable and they’d require bottom paint. They’ve solved that problem on the Dragonfly. The floats come in on the same water plane. They remain stable. You can have it in a slip and if a squall comes through, you don’t have to worry that your boat’s going over. Just one more thing about this boat that was really, really lovely. This one was a standout.”
Excess Catamarans | Excess 13
For its latest model, the 42-foot, 7-inch Excess 13, the French builders switched naval architects, from VPLP to Marc Lombard. But this new boat still has the look and feel of previous Excess offerings: pronounced chines in the hull to open up space in the staterooms; maxed-out waterlines; matching hull graphics; and a disclike coachroof that extends over the cockpit to form a hard hood or dodger. The best carryover from previous models, however, is the stellar performance. In a breezy northerly, both upwind and on a reach, the Excess 13 trucked along at better than 8 and 9 knots.
Judges’ Special Recognition Winner
Sirius Yachts | Sirius 35 DS
Sailing the Sirius 35 DS was almost like being transported via time travel to the world of sailing and voyaging back in the mid-1970s. These days, think “world cruiser” and you might conjure a 50-footer (or larger) adorned with solar panels, a generator, electronic autopilot and all the attendant bells and whistles. Way back when, however, a 35-footer was more than adequate for long-range sailing. The late, great Hal Roth crossed many an ocean in his Spencer 35, Whisper, and won the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal for his Pacific Ocean wanderings with his wife, Margaret, in 1971. Around the same time, Lin Pardey conducted a survey of cruisers and boats transiting the Panama Canal. The average length: 37 feet.
Though its features and technology are far more advanced than those old war horses, the 35 DS would’ve fit right in with that fleet. In fact, our test boat arrived stateside after a straightforward transatlantic voyage. We even considered this boat for the overall Boat of the Year prize, but concluded that since the first hull launched in Europe back in 2010, that was a bridge too far. Still, we could not deny its excellence, and instead presented it with the Judges’ Special Recognition prize for 2026.
“Even though this technically isn’t a ‘new’ design, it was eligible for Boat of the Year in 2026 as this was the first time it was introduced in the United States,” said Tim Murphy. “Then the Sirius CEO, Torsten Schmidt, had an American sailor who bought the boat and picked it up in Germany, had a great European cruise, then sailed it across the Atlantic. So he came to the show in Annapolis because he had an opportunity that hadn’t happened previously in the 55 years this builder has been in business.”
The crowds who flocked to Sirius’ boat-show stand confirmed it was a strong move. “I want to state emphatically,” Murphy said, “this is a really good boat.”
Ralph Naranjo added: “In some ways it’s a traditional vessel done to a fare-thee-well, meaning that everything about it that hearkens back to an earlier era has taken a great leap forward. You can get yourself in trouble in a larger vessel, we’ve seen that in this contest. So a smaller boat like the Sirius 35 that has good stability numbers and excellent structural credentials makes a world of sense.”
It’s also a Cruising World Boat of the Year standout.
