Top award for Palm Beach

For the second year in succession the Australian designed and built luxury power boat, the Palm Beach 55, has been award the "Best Powerboat" trophy at America's Newport International Boat Show.

Designed and built by acclaimed sailing skipper Mark Richards, who has been at the helm of Wild Oats XI for her five line-honours wins in the Sydney-Hobart race, the Palm Beach 55 is a semi-custom vessel that blends modern construction with the classic look of a "Down East" boat from the US New England region.

The judges at the show recognised the Palm Beach 55 Express as being superior to the products from many of the world's best-known brands.

Richards says the award was a proud moment for Australian design, construction, innovation and technology in the marine industry: "It is the first time in the 41-year history of this highly regarded show that the same company has won the award two years in a row," he said. "The significance of this award for our company is obvious when you recognise the calibre and reputation of the designs that were at the show and eligible to win."

Palm Beach Motor Yachts, which has its manufacturing facility at Berkley Vale on the NSW Central Coast, produces four sizes of its vessels: 45, 50, 55 and the range-topping 65. Prices start at under $1 million and can top $2 million depending on the owner's preferences for interior layout, and if they want a flybridge added.

Richards says that as well as impressing the judges, the Palm Beach 55 proved to be a "show-stopper" with the paying public who visited the boat show on the historic waterfront at Newport, Rhode Island. He says they were most impressed by the boat's styling, sensible accommodation plan, the standard of finish and the performance.

One visiting New York businessman ordered a Palm Beach 50 on the spot and a Florida couple ordered a Palm Beach 55. Richards says he is expecting more orders to be confirmed before Christmas.