After a stellar weekend on the docks, participating vessels in the 46th annual Classic Boat Festival sailed away from Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Some worthy vessels departed with a little extra Festival memory: a prize awarded at the annual Awards Banquet.
Vessel judging is an important feature at the Victoria Classic Boat Festival–fourteen experts in all aspects of classic boats tour vessels over the course of the weekend and award a series of coveted prizes at the final Boater Event of the weekend. Not only do these judges assess vessels, but they also discuss and provide advice as they tour them.
We are delighted to announce this year’s winners below.
Best Tender Dorothy One out for a paddle during the 2025 Classic Boat Festival.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Witteveen.
2025 Classic Boat Award Winners
Maritime Museum of BC Recognition Award
Abernethy & Gaudin Young Boaters Scholarship – Trevor Webster – Bunga Raya
Maritime Museum of BC Recognition Award
1910 Courting Canoe – Tea
Maritime Museum of BC Recognition Award
Best Windlass – Faranda
Hospitality Award
Zachary Mudge – Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
Furthest Away Boat
Gipsy
Best Engine Room – Large Vessel
Nimpkish II
Best Engine Room – Small Vessel
Sandavore
Most Eco-Friendly Vessel
Glorybe
Best Tender
Dorothy One
Best Pulling Boat
Buʔqʷ
Irv Cormack Memorial – Best Liveaboard
Jura
Best Conversion
Sandavore
Most Improved Boat
Bunga Raya
Peter London Memorial – Best Workboat
Providence
Blayney Scott Memorial – Best Restored Powerboat
Nonchalant
Best Restored Sailboat
Mischief
Best Runabout
Carmelita
Best Open Power Boat
Max
Best Open Sailing Boat
Davidson17
Best Tabloid Cruiser
Luna
People’s Choice
Nootka
Master of Disaster
ArcticLight
Best Overall Sailboat
Tioga
Best Overall Powerboat
Carmelita
Schooner Cup Race – Winner
Sir Isaac
Class I Sail Race – Winner
Nereia II
Class II Sail Race – Winner
Jura
Abernethy & Gaudin Young Boaters Scholarship winner Bunga Raya during the Sail Race.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Witteveen.
Best Engineroom–Large Vessel winner Nimpkish II during the Sail Past. Photo courtesy of James Holkko.
Irv Cormack Memorial – Best Liveaboard and Class II Sail Race winner Jura on Ship Point. Photo courtesy of Vincent Witteveen.
Sir Isaac photographed before bringing home the Schooner Cup. Photo courtesy of the James Holkko.
What did Captain Bill Noon say? Fun for all at the CBF Awards Banquet with Anya Zanko and Geoff Denman. Photo courtesy of James Holkko.
People’s Choice Award winner Nootka on the docks. Photo courtesy of Patrick Lawson.
