Motorboat of the year shortlists

• The shortlist be released in the January issues of MBM, MBY and Custom Yachting, or you can come back here on the 6 December for the full list of nominees.
• RIBs and Sportsboats
  These are the drivers’ boats par excellence, combining high speed, great handling,
  dazzling looks and solid build. Whether solid or inflatable, the judges wanted a boat
  that was fun, and built to take a hammering.
  
  Wheelhouse and Walkaround
  Time to cut away the airs and graces to leave the essence of boating: vessels that are
  utterly at home on the sea while keeping their crew safe and comfortable in any
  conditions.
  
  Trawlers and Aft Cabins
  Discerning, well-informed buyers of trawlers and aft-cabin boats seek reliability, quality
  build and solid sea-keeping, for a final package that encapsulates the long-legged
  philosophy of serious cruising.
  
  Traditional and Retro
  These emotive boats draw on style and elegance above all, but they are not just toys –
  they must still be great performers on the water, drawing on the traditional qualities
  that made these designs successful in the first place.
  
  Steel and Inland
  These buyers spend long periods of time onboard and want to enjoy it. Quality of fitout,
  comfortable interiors and comprehensive inventories are the elements that stand out
  above all.
  
  Sportscruisers below 45ft
  The combination of fun, style, practicality and price is a difficult one to get right, but
  that is what discerning families and individuals are looking for in this hotly contested
  area of the market.
  
  Sportscruisers above 45ft
  For motorboats that are the epitome of glamour, the judges rewarded brave design
  and the new ideas that will filter right through the marketplace. Performance is
  important for excitement that matches the appearance.
  
  Flybridge below 50ft
  These are the vessels that represent an aspiration for so many boaters. They can be
  expected to cover an abundance of sea miles, combining the needs of a family or
  couple onboard with a touch of glamour – and all at the right price.
  
  Flybridge above 50ft
  For these luxury cruisers, the judges were looking for a high-end feel coupled with the
  ‘home from home’ elements that make staying on board a genuine pleasure. Has the
  space been used to sumptuous, jaw-dropping effect?
  
  
• Service Award
  Good personal service creates a bond between a boater and the hobby; bad service can
  destroy it in an instant. The winner must show commitment to customer satisfaction,
  not just the minimum that is expected.