The sailing kit sailors actually trust – new awards to spotlight gear that works at sea

What sailing gear genuinely earns a place onboard? From safety kit and electronics to insurers and customer service, sailors are being invited to nominate the marine products and services they believe actually deliver when it matters and have proved their worth in real at-sea usage

The products that stand out are in with a chance of winning a new award.

The idea behind the Sailors’ Choice Awards 2026 is to shine a light on the best marine equipment and services. Uniquely, all products will be nominated and voted for by the sailing and boating public, rather than industry insiders. This means that gear that works in the real world rises to the top.

A sailor-led stamp of approval for marine products

Yachting Monthly and Practical Boat Owner – organisers – say that knowing that a product has won a Sailors’ Choice Award will be a stamp of approval. It will help others buy with confidence and insight, especially in a busy market place.

The ten categories covering gear and services

Sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston, the awards will celebrate marine excellence across ten categories:

• Deck Equipment
• Electronics, navigation & communication
• Clothing & accessories
• Maintenance & boat building products
• Engines & outboards
• Safety gear
• Domestic systems eg. plumbing, air con, heating, cooking
• Dinghy, tender & water toys
• Insurer (overall provider)
• Customer service award

How to nominate products and services

Those who wish to nominate gear need to know the brand, model/product name and reason for nominating. Nominations close on 30 June, and need to be entered online via either Yachting Monthly or PBO.

“We wanted the awards to acknowledge the products that really work as decided by the very people who are using them day in, day out,” says Katy Stickland, sail group editor at Future Publishing. “Readers are invited to nominate the products they have been impressed by, giving others more confidence when choosing what to buy.”

Haven Knox-Johnston’s Paul Knox-Johnston says that supporting the inaugural awards feels like a natural fit for his firm. “Everything we do is built around helping people get the best out of their boats, whether that is through reliable insurance, practical advice, our webinar series, or the free booklets we produce to help boat owners feel more confident and inspired on the water. These awards celebrate the gear and service providers that make boating easier, safer and more enjoyable – exactly what we want to champion.”