Active Interest Media Marine Group Editors
Select the Best of the Year in Editors’ Choice Awards
The AIM Marine Group Editors’ Choice Awards are chosen by the editors of the AIM Marine Group magazines—Power & Motoryacht, Sail, Soundings, Yachts International, PassageMaker, BoatQuest.com, and Soundings Trade Only. Presented at the Tranquilo Hotel on Friday, October 31, 2014, during the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, the Editors’ Choice Awards highlight boatbuilding achievement for boats of all sizes in categories including Best Motoryacht, Best Passagemaker, Best Sportfishing Boat, and Best Down East Cruiser, and most innovated technology.
AIM’s editorial experts conducted a lengthy examination of new models launched in each category over the last 12 months. The editors focused their criteria on the innovation of design and the quality of construction, backed up by hands-on testing.
“Boaters value their time on the water more than ever,” says AIM Marine Group Publisher Gary De Sanctis. “So to find the glimmers of gold—incidences of true groundbreaking innovation that’s well executed—and then to share them with our audience of serious boaters across all categories—that’s the goal.”
To uncover these winning designs, the editors reviewed entries submitted by manufacturers and evaluated each to ensure it executes its mission and purpose. “Creative design has to be built to make a difference,” says George Sass Jr., editorial director for the AIM Marine Group and Editor-in-Chief of Power & Motoryacht. “We’ve seen all of these boats perform in their element. That’s what sets them apart.”
The complete list of the AIM Marine Group Editors’ Choice Award winners begins here. ▶
Best Multihull 40-49 Feet:
Aquila 44
Our judges wrote: The designers took the power cat catamaran concept and turned it on its end. That’s the type of innovation that will set future trends.
See more about the Aquila 44 here ▶
Best Multihull 30-39 Feet:
Aspen 32
Our judges wrote: With the new Aspen 32, Larry Graf continues to push the envelope. The out of the box thinking produced one of the most efficient, and innovative boats in this size range.
