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Boat of the Year

Notice of Race

 

A Bold New Format for This Season

This year's Boat of the Year championship brings an exciting revamp designed to make competition fairer, more inclusive, and more accessible than ever before. Here's what's changed:

  • Tiered Scoring: Events assigned 1, 2, or 3 points based on significance
  • Cox-Sprague System: Points normalized by fleet size — fair across all classes.
  • Category Awards: Special recognition for Junior, Grand Master, and Female Helms.
  • More Events: Expanded NBYA-sanctioned races — more ways to qualify.

 

How the Cox-Sprague Scoring System Works

The Cox-Sprague system assigns points based on a boat's finishing position relative to fleet size, normalizing results across fleets of different sizes. This means a strong finish in a small fleet is weighed fairly against a strong finish in a large one.

Scoring is based on class results. Only PHRF divisions are eligible. Separate rankings are maintained for Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker boats.

Who Can Compete?

Championship is open to a wide range of racers — here's everything you need to know to be eligible and qualify for end-of-season honors.

  • Who Qualifies? Boats with active PHRF certificates racing in any NBYA BOTY-sanctioned event.
  • Minimum Points A minimum of 8 points is required to qualify for the championship.
  • Category Winners Top qualifying Junior Helm (<25), Grand Master Helm (>75), and Female Helm. Awards are self-declared — review the NOR for details.

BOTY Sanctioned Events

Races are weighted by their significance to the championship — the more prestigious the event, the more points on the line. Plan your season around these races to maximize your score. Races are weighted by their significance to the championship — the more prestigious the event, the more points on the line. Plan your season around these races to maximize your score.

1-Point Events

  • Club Spring & Fall Series
  • Pret Gladding
  • IYAC Newport Cup
  • Sail for Hope
  • MOHOSA Worlds & Regatta
  • 20HC Fall Race, Prince Henry, Cuttyhunk
  • 20HC Spring AAI
  • Bud Humphrey
  • Rhody Regatta
  • NE Solo Twin
  • Ida Lewis Distance Race
  • BI Race Week

2-Point Events

  • NBYA Fall/Challenge Regatta
  • EGYC Regatta
  • Safe Harbor Regatta
  • CYC-ATI Race
  • NYYC Annual Regatta
  • 20HC Three Bridge Fiasco

3-Point Events

  • Summer Club Evening Series

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NBYA Boat of The Year Winners

2026 NOTICE OF RACE

2025 - Vela, Mike Zani (Spinnaker) & No Award
2024 - No Award
2023 - Tie between Divided Sky, Vincent McAteer and Grimace, Dawson Hodgson (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2022 - Mischief, David Schwartz (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2021 - Zephyros, Tim Grimes (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2020 - Divided Sky, Vincent McAteer (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2019 - Vixen, Jim Del Bonis (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2018 - Moose McClintock (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2017 - Moose McClintock (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2016 - Mischief, David Schwartz (Spinnaker) & Larvik, Kim Anderson (Non-Spinnaker)
2015 - Mischief, David Schwartz (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2014 - Mischief, David Schwartz (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2013 - Nemesis, Mark Rotsky (Spinnaker) & Caneel, Chip Hawkins (Non-Spinnaker)
2012 - Caneel, Chip Hawkins
2011 - Caneel, Chip Hawkins
2010 - Caneel, Chip Hawkins
2009 - Rigadoon, William Riggs
2008 - Caneel, Chip Hawkins
2007 - Caneel, Chip Hawkins
2006 - Rumors, Woodhouse/Kehew/Nannini
2005 - Wazimo, Bob Manchester/Barrett Holby
2004 - Wazimo, Bob Manchester/Barrett Holby

Note: For the years 2004–2012, the awards were presented as a single, combined winner.

NBYA Boat of the Year Trophy: Deed of Gift

  • The name of the trophy shall be The Narragansett Bay Boat of the Year Trophy.
  • The trophy has been provided by GMT Composites, 48 Ballou Blvd, Bristol, RI 02809 to Narragansett Bay Yachting Association. GMT Composites retains ownership of the trophy. GMT Composites will bear the costs of updating the trophy each year. Trophy reverts to GMT Composites if NBYA can no longer award the trophy under the terms of this deed.
  • The trophy shall be awarded to the owner of the boat on Narragansett Bay that has the achieved the best overall performance for the season. NBYA shall define and publish the criteria that will be used to choose the winner.
  • The trophy will be given to the winner in the Fall. It is the winner’s responsibility to return the trophy to GMT Composites in good condition by the end of the following September. The trophy must be displayed at the winner’s yacht club from July 1 through September 15. The winner may display the trophy as they choose during the rest of the year.