Newport Boat Show 2026: Award Winners, New Boats and a Castle Hill Sunset

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By US Harbors

The weather was perfect as the US Harbors crew arrived in Newport on Thursday for the opening day of the 55th Newport International Boat Show. The show marks the unofficial start of the fall boat show season, and part of its appeal is that it’s just steps from the restaurants and shops along Bannister’s Wharf, off America’s Cup Avenue. We walked down Thames Street to visit The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame, a fitting stop in a city with a deep maritime history. Newport was home to the America’s Cup for more than half a century, until 1983, and that history was on the water again this year, with the 12 Metre North American Championship bringing the Cup’s classic yachts back to Newport waters during the show.

The docks were busy for a Thursday, and much of the early buzz centered on the Newport for New Products Awards, now in their 20th year. Editors from Yachting, Power & Motoryacht, SAIL, Passagemaker and Soundings judged this year’s entries on opening day, and a few of the winners came from close to home.

Best New Boat Overall – Hood 42 LM

Among the white fiberglass on the docks, the Hood 42 LM stood out for its traditional look and sophisticated design, and it took the show’s top award. Designed by Chris Hood of C.W. Hood Yacht Design and built by Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding in Maine, the 42 is the third model in the builders’ Hood series, after the Hood 35 LM and Hood 57 LM. A Hood 46 LM is now in build.
Hood 42 LM, Photo courtesy Cory Silken, Lyman Morse
Hood 42 LM, Helm. Photo by US Harbors
Hood 42 LM, Photo by US Harbors

The hull is cold-molded wood composite. Twin Volvo Penta diesels give her a mid-30-knot cruise and a top speed of 39 knots. Yachting senior editor Sam White, one of the judges, called her a throwback to the golden era of American dayboat cruising. For more on this beautiful build, see our earlier feature, Quietly Sophisticated: The Hood 42 LM.

Full disclosure: the US Harbors office is in the Lyman-Morse Camden, Maine location, and we count the team there as friends.

Other New England Boatbuilders at the Show


Artisan Boatworks, Best Freestanding Display
We caught up with our friend Alec Brainerd, owner and boatbuilder at Artisan.

Artisan Boatworks, winner of the Best Freestanding Display at the 2026 Newport International Boat Show

Hinckley Yachts, Best In-Water Power Boat Display

three boats docked in calm water
Hinckley Yachts, winner of the Best In-Water display at the 2026 Newport International Boat Show

Hunt 56, Best New Power Boat

One of the bigger stories on the docks this year was a new chapter for a storied New England brand. In March, DiMillo’s Yacht Sales of Portland, Maine, acquired Hunt Yachts from Hinckley. For DiMillo’s, the deal filled a gap in its lineup. Hunt’s Ocean Series gives them a flybridge cruiser for customers looking to move up. The Hunt 56 made its debut in Newport as the first new model under Hunt Yachts by DiMillo’s, and it drew a crowd on opening day.
Ray Hunt Design’s deep-V, is a revered hull design that C. Raymond Hunt pioneered decades ago. Hunt Yachts are built in Taiwan by Global Yacht Builders, which has been building their Ocean Series since 2008. The DiMillo’s team was on hand for the unveiling, along with Ray Hunt, grandson of C. Raymond Hunt and project manager for the Hunt 56.
Hunt Yachts 56. Photo courtesy Hunt Yachts by DiMillo’s
Hunt Yachts 56, winner of the Best New Powerboat at the 2026 Newport International Boat Show. Photo courtesy Hunt Yachts by DiMillos
More Award Winners
  • Riviera 55 Belize, Best New Power Boat Over 35 Feet: A strong Newport debut from the Australian builder.

  • Riviera 55 Belize, Best New Power Boat Over 35 Feet. Photo by US Harbors
  • Dragonfly 36, Best New Sailboat: A folding trimaran built for cruising.
  • Highfield ADV9, Best New Power Boat Under 35 Feet: A cross between a tender and an adventure boat.
  • TuffTide 13, Best Product for New Boaters: An easy step up from a kayak or paddleboard.
  • Propspeed Foulfree Multi-Surface, Best Maintenance & Safety Product
  • Vandal 50, Best Innovative Boat: A foil-assisted aluminum catamaran capable of more than 45 knots.
Vandal 50, winner of the Best Innovative Boat at the 2026 Newport International Boat Show

Newport Is Always a Good Idea

Celebrating our anniversary at Castle Hill

Since the show always falls on my wedding anniversary, my wife joined me in Newport this year, and we decided to take a break from walking the docks for a cruise around Ocean Drive and a stop at the Castle Hill Inn. We sat on the lawn overlooking Narragansett Bay, watched the sunset, and ran into our friends David Levesque of Latitudes & Attitudes and his wife, Karen, who had the same idea.

We’ve already marked the 2027 dates. We will see you on the docks, or maybe on the lawn at Castle Hill.
Watching the sunset at Castle Hill. Photo by US Harbors
Resources
Award details come from the Newport International Boat Show’s September 18, 2026 press release.
boats docks in a harbor from above
An aerial view of the docks at the Newport International Boat Show