Advertisement

The Judges

Sailing World Magazine's 2016 Boat of the Year judging team included Chuck Allen, Tom Rich and Greg Stewart.

Sailing World Magazine’s 2016 Boat of the Year judging team included Chuck Allen, Tom Rich and Greg Stewart. SW’s editor and Boat of the Year coordinator Dave Reed manages the project and guides deliberations, but has say in final decisions.

For our 2016 Boat of the Year tests, we were dependent on the reliable Fareast 580 RIB, a 19-foot saddle-seat design that served double duty as transfer boat and photography platform. Fareast also builds our overall Boat of the Year. Its RIBs are popular among coaches and race management because of their handling and durability. For more, visit Fareast Yachts.

Chuck Allen

BOTY judge Chuck Allen jumps into any boat and makes it look easy. With North U.’s Regatta Services, he films, photographs and coaches. He’s a versatile sailor with 10 years of BOTY perspective and a history of picking winners, including the raffle ticket that won him his tricked-out Beetle Cat. Walter Cooper

Greg Stewart

BOTY judge Greg Stewart is a wizard at Nelson/Marek Yacht Design, often surrounded by spreadsheets and line drawings of boats awaiting refits. He’s a naval architect’s architect, with a keen appreciation for hull shapes, measurements and Chuck Allen’s antics. Walter Cooper

Tom Rich

BOTY judge Tom Rich has built boats for more than 25 years. He started with America’s Cup 12-Meters, which led to two tours with Team Dennis Conner before founding New England Boatworks, Rhode Island’s pre-eminent raceboat depot. Walter Cooper
Advertisement
Advertisement