Powerboat Magazine Picks 2001 Boats of the Year
Powerboat magazine honors top boats for 2001.
May 13, 2001
VENTURA, Calif. — Powerboat magazine selected its Boats of the Year for the 2001. The highest honors given in the monthly magazine's annual Awards for Product Excellence program, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the awards went to seven boats. The winners were:
Chaparral 220 SSi: Runabout of the Year
Powerboat Magazine Picks Boats of the Year
MasterCraft X-9: Tow Boat of the Year
Howard 28 Bullet: Custom Sport Boat of the Year
Donzi 28ZXO: Production Sport Boat of the Year
Eliminator 28 Daytona: Sport Catamaran of the Year
Eliminator 28 Daytona: Sport Catamaran of the Year
Fountain 35' Lightning: Offshore Boat of the Year
- Fountain 35' Lightning: Offshore Boat of the Year
Douglas Skater 32: Offshore Catamaran of the Year
"Powerboat takes great pride in its annual Performance Trials program," said editor Brett Becker in a press release from the magazine. "During the Trials, we test each boat and require it to meet set standards for performance, workmanship and value. Awards are given based on how well a boat scores in those areas.
"Each boat is judged for the same criteria as other boats in its category," Becker continued. "Year after year, manufacturers use our test team's suggestions and critiques to improve the quality of their products."
Each year, nearly 50 boats undergo a thorough testing during Powerboat's Performance Trials held in Florida and California. Evaluators examine every inch of the boat from its workmanship to its performance on the water.
Nineteen awards were handed out to the manufacturers during an awards banquet earlier this month in San Diego. Given for outstanding contributions to the marine industry, the Publisher's Award went Correct Craft, the Orlando, Fla.-based builder of Ski Nautique tow boats. Articles profiling each of the award-winning boats is in the May issue of Powerboat magazine.
Powerboat Magazine 2001 Awards for Product Excellence
| Award | Manufacturer | Model |
| Runabout of the Year | Chaparral | 220 SSi |
| Outstanding Runabout Workmanship | Cobalt | 262 |
| Outstanding Runabout Performance | Ebbtide Campione | 210 BR |
| Tow Boat of the Year | MasterCraft | X-9 |
| Outstanding Tow Boat Performance | Malibu | Sunsetter VLX |
| Outstanding Tow Boat Value | Centurion | Elite Bowrider |
| Custom Sport Boat of the Year | Howard | 28 Bullet |
| Production Sport Boat of the Year | Donzi | 28ZXO |
| Outstanding Sport Boat Workmanship | Formula | 280 Sun Sport |
| Outstanding Sportboat Performance | Fountain | 29' Fever |
| Outstanding Sportboat Value | Lightning | 23 XS |
| Offshore Catamaran of the Year | Douglas | Skater 32 |
| Sport Catamaran of the Year | Eliminator | 28 Daytona |
| Outstanding CatamaranWorkmanship | Marine Technologies | 42 Victory Supercat |
| Outstanding Catamaran Performance | Eliminator | 36 Daytona |
| Offshore Boat of the Year | Fountain | 35' Lightning |
| Outstanding Offshore Value | Advantage | 30' Victory |
| Outstanding Offshore Workmanship | Cigarette | 42 Twin Step Tiger |
| Outstanding Offshore Performance | Baja | 36 Outlaw |
