Buizen 48, Series 3, Sailing Boat of the Year

by Des Ryan on 13 Jun 2008 When you climb over the transom you realise that a Buizen yacht is very different from most production boats, and when the Buizen 48 was awarded 'Sailing Boat of the Year' recently for 2008, it wasn't really a surprise.

Everything about the yacht says comfortable cruising. Firstly, the traditional cockpit, with companionway down to the saloon has quite disappeared, instead being replaced by level indoor/outdoor space – a space where you can invite granny to join you for an outing, and she'll be entirely comfortable. Then there's the outdoor wheel position, complemented by the second wheel in the pilothouse, for when the weather is a little rough. The galley is neatly positioned on a lower level, the cabins are spacious and convenient, and the finishes are all of superb quality.

That didn't stop Eddy Buizen's wife Jeanette from become teary as her husband stepped up to take the award and thank the industry for its support over thirty years of boat manufacture, when the award was presented on the Gold Coast recently.

Steve Howe said, 'It is a thrill for the company to have won the industry's top award and wonderful that the industry had finally bestowed upon Eddy Buizen the official recognition he so justly deserved'.

'The Buizen 48 is a boat that is built to an outcome not a price point and the focus on the hand built quality and integrity that goes into every yacht is the passion that drives the company', Steve said.

It was the 'Series 3' edition of the Buizen 48 that finally took the award, with some enhancements and innovations over previous models.

On the outside, there's the optional Midnight Blue colour in an ultradurable epoxy paint system which adds elegance and on-water

presence. The cockpit steering pedestal and command instrumentation console have been redesigned, and new stainless steel throttle controls installed in the cockpit and helm for user-friendliness as much as style.

Inside, the Buizen ‘B’ symbol inlaid into the solid teak floor complements the bespoke interior while a larger island bed in the forward stateroom adds to its comforts. The internal fittings and finishes of the yacht have been upgraded, making use of new modern design and materials.

There are also technical and engineering upgrades: Hydraulic flow to the winches has been upgraded, while improvements in the engine room and plantroom ensure easier maintenance. An optional hydraulically-adjustable boom vang can be conveniently operated from the cockpit while the autopilot is now the latest Raymarine 8002 series.

To see more photos of the Buizen 48 sailing, click on the thumbnails below, and to learn more about the winning Buizen 48, visit their own Website