The winners of the prestigious 2012 Motor Boat of the Year Awards, sponsored by Pantaenius, were announced at a spectacular invitation-only award ceremony held at the Savoy Hotel in London on Monday January 9th 2012. Representatives from the boat manufacturers and sales companies, together with marine industry VIPs, were among the evening’s 200 invited guests.

Fifty-seven boats were short-listed for this year’s Awards which feature nine categories ranging from the smallest ‘Starterboat’ to the fast and furious ‘Performance and Superboat’ to the elegance and sophistication of the larger ‘Custom yachts’. Each nominated boat has been personally tested by the professional journalists from Motor Boat & Yachting and Motor Boats Monthly during rigorous sea trials.

Simon Owen, Publishing Director at IPC Marine Media gave a short address to the gathered guests and welcomed the evening’s new sponsor, Pantaenius. ‘This year, we’re delighted to welcome Pantaenius as the Awards’ new main sponsor. I would also like to say a big thank you to KVH for kindly sponsoring our pre-dinner drinks reception and also to Peters & May for providing our after dinner drinks. Their sponsorship allows us to celebrate design, innovation and excellence in our industry.’

In the tradition of the Motor Boat of the Year Awards, a Judges' Special Award is presented. This year the Judges' Special Award was awarded to David King, Chairman of Princess Yachts International.

This year’s Garmin Europe Ltd Outstanding Service Award, which celebrates the highest levels of professionalism and endeavour within the marine world, was presented to Essex Boatyards.

The Awards were appropriately presented in the same room at the Savoy that Motor Boats Monthly was launched 25 years ago.

A full list of Winners is annexed to this press release; further details are available at www.ybw.com/mobo-awards2012.