Voting opens in the inaugural Sailors’ Choice Awards 2026
The shortlist covers marine equipment and services across ten categories. Image courtesy of Richard Langdon Voting is now open for the inaugural Sailors’ Choice Awards 2026, which recognises marine equipment and services based on nominations from the sailing public.
The awards are organised jointly by Practical Boat Owner and Yachting Monthly, with sponsorship from Haven Knox-Johnston. Unlike many industry awards, the shortlist has been compiled from nominations submitted by members of the public rather than by businesses operating in the marine sector.
Public voting will now determine the winners in each category.
Voting is available on the Yachting Monthly and Practical Boat Owner websites.
Sailors’ Choice Awards 2026 shortlist
Deck equipment
- Buoycatcher Max boat hook
- Easymatic 16:1 mainsheet system
- Hydrovane windvane steering system
Electronics, navigation & communication
- Garmin Echomap Plus 45cv chartplotter and fish finder
- Orca Core 2 navigation system
- Savvy Navvy navigation app
Clothing & accessories
- Henri Lloyd Ocean Pro range of jackets and salopettes
- Lomo Coriolis sailing jacket
- Tilley TWS1 all-weather hat
Maintenance & boatbuilding products
- Bruntons Autoprop feathering propeller
- Star Brite Boat Wash shampoo
- Wavestream Bilge Filter
Engine & outboards
- Beta Marine 10hp marine diesel engine
- ePropulsion eLite electric outboard
- Sleipner SX35 pod thruster
Safety gear
- Garmin InReach satellite communications device
- Ocean Safety Jon Buoy Evac evacuation platform
- Spinlock Deckvest lifejacket
Domestic systems
- Eberspächer E-Airtronic 230V AC 1kW electric air heater
- Renogy bifacial solar panels
- Sea Smart Toilet System toilet sanitiser
Dinghy, tender & water toys
- 3D Superlight 270 ultra-lightweight inflatable dinghy
- Isle Explorer 3 hybrid inflatable SUP/kayak
- Takacat 380LX inflatable catamaran tender
Insurer
- Admiral Marine
- GJW Direct
- Haven Knox-Johnston
Customer service
- Icom
- Marine Super Store
- Premier Marinas
Katy Stickland, sail group editor at Future Publishing, says: “So many awards are nominated and decided by industry insiders; the Sailors’ Choice Awards is unique, as we have only accepted nominations from the sailing public, and it will be sailors and boat owners who will have the final say in choosing the very best products and services out there.”
Voting closes at 11:59pm BST on 31 August 2026. The winners will be announced on 22 September at the Southampton International Boat Show 2026.
