The judges of the Sailing World Magazine's Boat of the Year Award gave the Spirit the Boat of the Year Award in the Daysailer category. In making the award judge Alan Andrews said, "Sabre has put together a polished product that sails well and is easy to handle, both short handed and fully crewed."

The Cruising World magazine's judging panel gave the Spirit the Boat of the Year Award in the Judge's Choice category. Speaking for the panel, Steve Callahan said, "I saw no other boat in the show that was as consistent in quality from the concept of the design to the execution of that design, the construction, the detailing and the fun of sailing."

Sabre Yachts has been crafting high quality sailing yachts in South Casco since 1970. The Sabre Spirit Boat of the Year Award is the 5th such award given to the yard in the past 15 years, following the Sabre 362, Sabre 402, Sabre 452 and Sabre 386.