What are the best sailboats this year? Crusing World and Sail Magazine both put together a list a few months back of their best sailboats and catamarans. This article will combine these lists and find which sailboats came out on top of their peers this year.
Nominees for best sailboat of 2022 include:
- Bavaria C38
- Beneteau First 27
- Dufour 470
- Dufour 61
- Grand Soleil 44
- Hallberg-Rassy 340
- Hylas 57
- Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380
- Jeanneau Yachts 60
- Moody DS41
- Salona 46
- Tartan 245
Judges for the best boat of the year 2022 look for a combination of sailing performance and cruising comforts.
Before we get to the best sailboat or the year, let’s highlight our favorite sailboats from the line up (in order from largest to smallest LOA).
Dufour 470 – Long-Distance Cruising in Mind
This upper 40-foot cruising yacht is designed to be stylish, comfortable, and easy for long-distance cruising. It comes in three versions – easy use, ocean sailing, and racing.
LOA 45ft 11in BEAM 15ft 6in DRAFT 7ft 4in DISPLACEMENT 29,101lb SAIL AREA 1,151ft2 Dufour, Image courtesy of dufour-yachts.com
Moody DS 41 – Innovation for Cruising
The Moody Deck Salon is a an innovation that you’ll either love or hate. The bold deck-level salon harkens to the design of a catamaran, and it provides a safe from weather interior helm station. The large fiberglass bulwarks appear to be taken from motor yachts. This sailboat is hearty option for those wanting protection from the elements.
LOA 41ft 1in BEAM 13ft 11in DRAFT 7ft 6in DISPLACEMENT 25,574lb SAIL AREA 893ft2 Moody, Image courtesy of hanseyachtsag.com/moody/us
Sun Odyssey 380 – New Lines and Designs
This sailboat and best boat of the year nominee says good-bye to all tradition and hello to new designs. At first glance you’ll see the full-length chines in the hull designed to give more space down below without supersizing the beam. Additionally, the chines provide straight lines to aid in tracking, which can be helpful in offshore swells. Twin rudders also help the boat “grab” the water. And this mast has no backstay, which opens up space for a large squared main- sure to bring the velocity on those smooth seas days.
LOA 38ft 6in BEAM 12ft 3in DRAFT 6ft 6in (std.); 5ft 3in (shoal); 4ft 2in (lifting keel retracted) DISPLACEMENT 15,203lb (std. keel) SAIL AREA 704ft2 (with 110% genoa) Jeanneau Yachts, Image courtesy of jeanneauamerica.com
Oceanis 34 – A Modern Pocket Cruiser
There was a time when a 34 foot sailboat was large for ocean cruisers – It would be known as a “pocket cruiser”. This modern sailboat is designed for simplicity, light air sailing, and cruising couples or bay adventurers who love to entertain. Sailing is sure to fast and easy with twin rudders, integrated bow sprit for light air sails, and a self-tacking jib.
LOA 35ft 4in BEAM 11ft 9in DRAFT 6ft 7in (std.); 4ft 11in (shoal); 4ft 1in (retractable keel up) DISPLACEMENT 12,046lb SAIL AREA 531ft2 Beneteau, Image courtesy of beneteau.com
Best Boat of the Year Awards 2022
Which sailboat was the best? Depends on who you ask.
Cruising World Best Boat of the Year: Hylas 57
Sail Magazine Best Sailboat Under 40 Feet: Sun Odyssey 380
Sail Magazine Best Sailboat 40-50 Feet: Elan GT6
What do you think? Are these the best boats? What would you choose?