After a stellar weekend on the docks, participating vessels in the 47th annual Classic Boat Festival sailed away from Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Some worthy vessels departed with a little extra Festival memory: a prize awarded during the annual Classic Boat Festival Awards banquet.
Vessel judging is an important feature at the Victoria Classic Boat Festival–thirteen 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. Read more about each vessel in our Participants Archive.
Class II Sail Race winner Dorothy salutes Honorary Commodore Don Prittie and Janice Prittie during the traditional Sail Past. Photo courtesy of James Holkko.
2026 Classic Boat Award Winners
Maritime Museum of BC Recognition Award
100 Years Old – Winifred
Maritime Museum of BC Recognition Award
Robert Lawson
Hospitality Award
BU?Qw
Furthest Away Boat
Starfire
Best Engine Room – Large Vessel
Carmelita
Best Engine Room – Small Vessel
Puffin
Most Eco-Friendly Vessel
Alice May
Best Tender
Wood Duck – Duckling
Best Pulling Boat
Rainbow skiff-gig
Irv Cormack Memorial – Best Liveaboard
Starfire
Best Conversion
Ladner Lass
Most Improved Boat
Argonaut II
Peter London Memorial – Best Workboat
Delta Lifeboat
Blayney Scott Memorial – Best Restored Powerboat
Merva
Best Restored Sailboat
Isobar
Best Runabout
Munin
Best Open Power Boat
Sardine
Best Open Sailing Boat
Zachary Mudge
Best Tabloid Cruiser
Puffin
People’s Choice
Nootka
Master of Disaster
Nereus
Best Overall Sailboat
Kestrel
Best Overall Powerboat
Sandavore
Schooner Cup Race – Winner
Grace O’Malley
Class I Sail Race – Winner
Jura
Class II Sail Race – Winner
Dorothy
BU?Qw, winner of Hospitality Award.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Witteveen.
Best Conversion Ladner Lass.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Lawson.
Most Eco-Friendly Vessel Alice May’s steam engine. Photo courtesy of Patrick Lawson.
Best Overall Powerboat Sandavore.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Witteveen.
People’s Choice Award winner Nootka. Photo courtesy of James Holkko.
