Cruising World Magazine have just announced that the Garcia Exploration 45, of which Jimmy Cornell’s Aventura was the prototype, has won the 2015 Boat of the Year competition for Best Full-Size Cruiser Under 50 Feet.
“A bulletproof yacht with an incredible array of features, an innovative interior, and the ability to sail anywhere on the planet,” was how the judges described it. “This boat is truly meant to go on any ocean, any sea, and let you feel really good about it.”
Aventura was put through her paces off Annapolis, having sailed there after a round trip from Europe to the High Arctic earlier this summer.
Aventura in the High Arctic
Ed Sherman one of the judges commented. “Underway, I was immediately overwhelmed by how quiet everything was — no squeaks, no groans. This is a really solidly built boat. With the wind generator and solar panels, you have power-replenishment capabilities without the necessity of running a generator. The service items on the engine that you’d need to get to on a day-to-day basis were pretty accessible. On top of all that, it was actually fun to sail. That was almost icing on the cake.”
As a veteran Northwest Passage sailor, judge Mark Schrader found the boat to be smart and effective. “There are lots of things anybody planning to do deep ocean stuff will really appreciate. There’s a window in the centerboard trunk that’s helpful. The visibility from down below is outstanding. I like the sheltered cockpit with the partial hard dodger. There are three headsails, so you have infinite options. It’s a very well-done boat. It will take you where you want to go.”
After the challenges of the Arctic, Aventura will next be heading into the Pacific as part of the Blue Planet Odyssey round the world rally.
If you’d like to see one of the Garcia Exploration 45’s on display, visit the Paris Boat Show this weekend.
Arctic Monkey is being exhibited there, before heading up to the Northwest Passage in the summer of 2015 as part of the Blue Planet Odyssey Northern route.
Arctic Monkey, Exploration 45, is exhibited at the Paris Boat Show this week
