Each year, the American magazines Cruising World and Sailing World select the top boat in six different categories as part of the Boat of the Year Contest. The awards recognize and honor the best and newest sailboat models introduced to the North American market over the past year. This year, the Sun Odyssey 349 made a strong impression and received two trophies!
Cruising World Magazine tells us all about it:
“[…]Given such competition, it would clearly take an exceptional boat to rise to the top. That’s what the judges discovered when they boarded Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349. After a thorough inspection, they named it not only the year’s top Pocket Cruiser, but also 2015’s Import Boat of the Year. With over 100 already built and sold, the marketplace has already spoken. There’s just tons to like about this “little big boat.”
First off was the cost. […] “It’s the lowest-priced boat in this class and represents exceptionally good value,” said [Judge Ed] Sherman. “It could be a terrific entry-level cruiser for a young couple or someone just starting out, but it could also be a fine option for someone scaling back from a larger yacht who still wants to go cruising in a good sailboat.”
“It’s a Marc Lombard design,” said [Judge Tim] Murphy, “and you can see in the whole Jeanneau range that they are really paying attention to how the boats sail. I think we see that more clearly in the Jeanneau line than we do with other builders with offerings in this size range.”
“The cockpit worked for me,” said [Judge] Mark Schrader, “and so did the twin wheels and twin rudders. It’s typical Jeanneau grid construction, which they have dialed in very well. I do think they’re giving themselves short shrift when they say it’s an ‘entry-level’ boat. I’m not an entry-level sailor and I really like it.”
Sherman summed up the judge’s collective opinion concisely: “It has come in at such an exceptional price for what you get that it’s really the best value in the entire contest.” The formula, then, is simple: Marry value with quality and the result is a winner.”
http://www.cruisingworld.com/2015-pocket-cruiser-nominees
