Cruising World magazine named the Passport 545 the Overall Winner of the 2016 Boat of the Year competition.
The yacht also took home the prize for Best Full-Size Cruiser Over 50 Feet.
This year’s fleet of 20 nominees represented 11 countries — China, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
An auto dealer and landscaper formed Front Runner Boatworks with the idea they could do better than other manufacturers.
The effort has delivered almost $14 million back to states.
Winners will be announced in 26 categories on February 14.
The agency reportedly rejected federal suggestions to help prevent boating tragedies.
The supply agreement runs until the end of 2022.
The industry association is offering free audio versions of its IBEX summit on growboating.org.
The former Dometic executive will take over from Terry Gilliland, who is nearing retirement.
The awards were presented at a dinner in New York City on Oct. 31.
