The editors of Powerboat Magazine recently named the 2008 Boats of the Year during an awards ceremony in Universal City, Calif.

A Boat of the Year award by the magazine is one of the highest honors in the performance-boating industry. Powerboat has been naming its top picks for more than 30 years.

The awards are based on boats tested by the magazine during its annual Performance Trials in the fall. Industry veterans Bob Teague and John Tomlinson along the editors put the boats through a series of comprehensive tests. This year more than 40 boats were eligible for the Awards for Product Excellence honor.

“To win a Boat of the Year is the cinematic equivalent of winning an Oscar,” said Gregg Mansfield, editor of Powerboat magazine. “The winners should be congratulated for their hard work.”

Companies earning Boat of the Year honors were: Best New Model of the Year, Cigarette Racing, 49 Grand Sport; Tow Boat of the Year, Malibu Boats, Wakesetter 23 LSV; Runabout of the Year, Chaparral Boats, 284 Sunesta; Sport Cruiser of the Year, Formula Boats, 350 Sun Sport.

Deck Boat of the Year, Howard Custom Boats, 28 Sport Deck; Sport Boat of the Year, Advantage Boats, X-Flight 29 Cuddy Open Bow; Sport Catamaran of the Year, Eliminator Boats, 30 Daytona; Offshore Catamaran of the Year, Douglas Marine, Skater 30 Race/Pleasure; and Offshore V-Bottom of the Year, Fountain Powerboats, 35 Lightning.

Other awards included: Outstanding Sport Boat Workmanship, Hallett Boats for its 290-S Midcabin; Outstanding Deck Boat Performance, E-Ticket Performance Boats, 29 Luxury Cat; Outstanding Deck Boat Workmanship, Dave’s Custom Boats, Mach F-30 Sport Deck; Outstanding Offshore V-Bottom Performance, Donzi Marine, 38 ZR Competition; and Outstanding Offshore V-Bottom Workmanship, Nor-Tech Hi-Performance, 3900 Super Vee.

More than 70 industry leaders attended the awards banquet that was held on the back lot of Universal Studios near Los Angeles.