Environmental Boat of the Year winners revealed
By IBI Magazine/Lars-Åke Redéen
Sweden's Nimbus Boats and Najadvarvet were both presented with a 2009 Environmental Boat of the Year Award at this year's Stockholm International Boat Show. A much smaller boat, the Whisper 55 from Marine and Medical Technologies AB, also received the award.
The prize was established by the Environmental Committee of the Swedish Yachting Association in conjunction with Sweboat and the Maritime Safety Inspectorate.
The Whisper 55 picked up its award in the 'daycruiser' category for its energy-saving design. The boat can be delivered in three versions, one of which has an electrical engine.
The Nimbus Nova 27S from Nimbus Boats AB won in the cruising category for its user-friendly and environmentally adjusted functions in a light driven hull built with very low environmental consequences.
All Nimbus Boats are designed in cooperation with Det Norske Veritas (DNV), which also certifies the boats. The Nimbus 27 Nova S is produced at the Nimbus factory in Mariestad, which was recently reopened after a major investment to produce boats under strong environmental rules.
The Najad 355 (pictured) from Najadvarvet AB achieved success in the sailboat category for its user-friendly solutions. The boat is built with both hull and deck in vacuum injected vinylester (epoxy can be used as an option), resulting in super strong boats with a high percentage of glass in the GRP and few emissions.
All boat makers and sellers were invited to nominate one or more of their boats for the Environmental Boat of the Year award. The only requirement is that the craft is available to buy on the open market; custom-built concept boats are therefore excluded.
(3 March 2009)
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