WINNERS OF 2014 MOTOR BOAT AWARDS ANNOUNCED Monday 6 th January 2014, The Landmark Hotel

Transcription

1 WINNERS OF 2014 MOTOR BOAT AWARDS ANNOUNCED Monday 6 th January 2014, The Landmark Hotel Tuesday 7 th January 2014 The winners of the 2014 Motor Boat Awards were announced last night at a Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony hosted by IPC Marine Media at The Landmark Hotel in London. A gathered audience of over 250 international guests saw Motor Boat Awards presented to winning boats in nine categories ranging from 16 foot Starterboats to super-luxury Custom Yachts. A further seven boats were Highly Commended by the judges. The Award Ceremony was co-hosted by the editors of Motor Boat & Yachting and Motor Boats Monthly, Hugo Andreae and Rob Peake. These two IPC Marine Media titles launched the Awards in 2007 and their experienced journalists make up the judging panel. A total of 55 boats were selected as finalists for the 2014 awards and the winners came from Austria, England, Italy and the US. The US-built Bayliner Element won the Starter Boat Category, which Motor Boats Monthly editor Rob Peake described as: the perfect first step afloat financially, as well as practically. The Austrian-built Frauscher 1017 GT collected top spot in the Performance Boat category thanks to its outstandingly fast, agile hull and outrageously beautiful design. The Wheelhouse and Walkaround category was won by UK builder Trusty Boats for its new Trusty T28, which the judges praised as a handsome and adaptable craft with a classic little ship feel. The Outer Reef 700 took the honours in the Trawler Yachts and Aft Cabin category, with Motor Boat & Yachting editor Hugo Andreae saying: it does everything a world class trawler yacht should and matches it with a level of build quality and customisation that we would never have believed possible at this price. The first of two Italian winners from Azimut-Benetti was the Azimut Atlantis 34 in the Sportscruiser up to 45ft category with Rob Peake praising the way clever cost savings

2 had given ordinary motorboaters a chance to buy into one of boating s most exclusive marques. The Sportscruiser over 45ft category was dominated by UK boats, but it was the Sunseeker San Remo that took the prize on the night. Motor Boat & Yachting editor Hugo Andreae admitted that this was one of the hardest fought categories saying the Sunseeker won through because it perfectly balances the demands of sleek, sporty looks with generous space below decks. It s also beautifully built and huge fun to drive. Plymouth-based UK builder Princess Yachts International won the Flybridge up to 55ft category with its new Princess 43, which the judges described as being so refined, spacious, classy and capable that it s hard to see why buyers at this price would look anywhere else. The Azimut 80 made it two wins from two for the Italian yard Azimut-Benetti when it was announced as the winner of the Flybridge over 55ft category because it delivers on every level, matching designer looks with sophisticated finishes, fabulous entertaining spaces and a driving experience which exceeded all expectations. Ferretti made it a third win for the Italians as the Ferretti 960 won the highly-prized Custom Yacht category. Motor Boat & Yachting s specialist custom yacht contributor, Alan Harper, said: It stretches the limits of customer expectations to a whole new level, delivering a genuine superyacht experience without the associated costs, complexities and risks. Alongside the three UK-manufactured boats that won on the night, a further three were highly commended by the judges the English Harbour Yachts 16, the Hardy 62 and the Pearl 75 in the Starter Boat, Trawler Yachts and Aft Cabin and Flybridge over 55ft categories respectively. This reflects the UK s continuing position as a leader in the design and manufacture of leisure boats. This year the reader-nominated Garmin Europe Outstanding Service Award was presented to Norfolk Yacht Agency whose customers convinced the judges not just with sheer force of numbers but with their heartfelt enthusiasm for the service they d received.

3 The final award of the night, The Judges Special Award, was given to Williams Performance Tenders for its outstanding contribution to the marine industry. On presenting the award to founding partners and brothers Matthew and John Hornsby, editor of Motor Boat & Yachting, Hugo Andreae said: Williams are one of the outstanding stars of the British boat building industry. From a small shed in their parents back garden, they have grown into the UK s most prolific boat builder. Simon Owen, Publishing Director of IPC Marine Media, congratulated the winners, summarising, The wide range of nationalities we have welcomed onto the stage tonight perfectly reflects the growing international reach and appeal of Motor Boat & Yachting and Motorboats Monthly. Despite the harshness of recent years, it s enormously gratifying to be in the company of winners and finalists who have once more impressed our judges with their mixture of high quality construction, design innovation and outstanding on-water performance. The 2014 Motor Boat Awards Pre-Dinner Drinks Reception was sponsored by Intellian and, after dinner, guests enjoyed a celebratory drink at the Motor Boat Awards Post Dinner Bar, sponsored by Dometic.

4 WINNERS OF THE MOTOR BOAT AWARDS 2014 Starter Boats Bayliner Element Manufacturer Brunswick Corporation (USA) High Commended - English Harbour Yachts 16 (UK) Performance Boats Frauscher 1017 GT Manufacturer Frauscher (Austria) Wheelhouse and Walkaround Trusty T28 Manufacturer Trusty Boats (UK) High Commended - Contest 52MC (Holland) Trawler Yachts and Aft Cabin Outer Reef 700 Manufacturer Outer Reef Yachts (USA) High Commended - Hardy 62 (UK) Sportscruiser up to 45ft Atlantis 34 Manufacturer Azimut-Benetti (Italy) High Commended - Elan Power 30 (Croatia) Sportscruiser over 45ft Sunseeker San Remo Manufacturer Sunseeker International (UK) Flybridge up to 55ft Princess 43 Manufacturer Princess International (UK) High Commended - Monte Carlo 5 (France) Flybridge over 55ft Azimut 80 Manufacturer Azimut-Benetti (Italy) High Commended Pearl 75 (UK) Custom Yacht Ferretti 960 Manufacturer Ferretti Group (Italy) High Commended - Monte Fino echo 85 For information on IPC Marine Media contact Anna Gawan Phone: anna_gawan@ipcmedia.com.

5 About the Motor Boat Awards All boats currently in production and available for sale in the UK are eligible for a Motor Boat Award provided they were tested by Motor Boat & Yachting & Motor Boats Monthly prior to 1 st January Boats do not need to be entered; eligible craft are automatically considered. Boats are judged by a panel of experienced professionals and decisions based on their personal, hands-on sea trial experience of each vessel. On average over 70 boats are short-listed and their company representatives are invited to join the evening. The winners are announced on the night. About Motor Boats Monthly The UK's best-selling motor boat magazine, Motor Boats Monthly is all about practical, fun motorcruising. Focussing on the 20ft 50ft motorboat sector, MBM offers the latest boat tests, a comprehensive second-hand boat buying section, reviews of the latest products, news stories and in depth cruising features. With all of this content and more also available online and in tablet-friendly digital versions, MBM s readers are always equipped with the very best information and advice. About Motor Boat & Yachting Motor Boat & Yachting is Europe's premier motor cruising magazine. MBY's boat tests are acknowledged as the most authoritative in the business and its technical coverage is without equal. Core editorial coverage focuses on quality production / semi-production boats from 35ft to 90ft. About Pantaenius Founded in 1899, Pantaenius is one of Europe s most respected providers of yacht & motor boat insurance with over 35 years experience in this specialist market. The handson cruising experience of key staff, combined with specific training in insurance, ensures that your requirements are handled with professionalism and understanding. Pantaenius is supported by a network of experienced surveyors and a 24-hour emergency claims help-line manned by its own staff. The Pantaenius products are unique to the Company and provide flexible and comprehensive cover for yachts and motor boats. For more information visit and our sister Group company About Intellian Intellian is the global leader in maritime satellite communication antenna systems. The company was founded in 2004 and has shown tremendous growth year-on-year, with new office openings and numerous product launches to offer an innovative and full line of VSAT communications and satellite TVRO antennas for recreational boats and ocean vessels in the commercial, oil & gas markets, and the military. About Dometic Marine Dometic Marine, a division of the Dometic Group, is the world s largest supplier of innovative and technologically advanced comfort systems and equipment for yachts and pleasure boats and a major supplier of HVAC and toilet systems to the commercial, workboat and military markets. Leisure boats from 20 feet to mega-yachts are users of the company s premium brands which include Condaria, Cruisair, Dometic, Marine Air and WAECO. Their extensive product range includes marine air conditioning and sanitation systems, refrigerators, stoves, battery chargers and other equipment for the leisure market.