BEST POCKET CRUISER/ DAYSAILER

Beneteau First 27 • J/9 Tartan 245

It’s not every year that the Boat of the Year judges have the opportunity to inspect a category of nifty, smooth-sailing vessels under 30 feet, but for 2022, there was a trio of such smart, cool boats to put through their paces. The only problem? Each boat was designed and built with a vastly different purpose (and sailor) in mind. The Tartan 245 was originally conceived as a training boat for sailing schools. The J/9 is an unabashed daysailer, meant to provide exciting spins around the harbor, even under mainsail alone. The Beneteau First 27 aims at performance. The judge’s task? Decide which nominee best suited its stated purpose.