They are European champions on the water: the “European Yacht of the Year” and “European Powerboat of the Year” awards were presented yesterday evening at the “boot” trade fair in Düsseldorf (–29 January). In addition to features such as workmanship or driving characteristics, the jury paid particular attention to the room layout, safety and value for money. The implementation of special ideas and concepts is also recognized.
For motor boats, 28 were shortlisted from over 250 new models. The increasing electrification on the water was also taken into account with a new EPOTY category.
In the compact class for sports boats up to 8 meters, the Askeladden C 78 Cruiser and the identical Parker 780 Escape secured victory. According to the jury, they offer an excellent combination of fun, travel and family boats. In connection with the camper hood and the lower deck cabin, they also offer sufficient living and sleeping space with up to 350 hp.
In the class up to ten meters, the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 CC won the title. A side door in the hull facilitates access to the water. With a maximum of two 425 HP and joystick control, the French boat with four berths is also quick and easy to manoeuvre.
Straight lines and minimalist design language are the trademarks of the winner in the motor boats category up to 14 meters, the De Antonio D 36 from Barcelona. The triple stepped hull stands for efficiency and makes the boat fast up to 45 knots. The outboard motors are concealed under the rear sun lounger and do not impair the optics. Two cabins and a separate bathroom ensure comfort.
In the prestige class of motor yachts up to 20 meters in length, a French make also came out on top. As the first boat in a new range, the Prestige M 48 is a catamaran. With a boat length of 48 feet, it has the same living space as a 60-foot monohull. According to the jury, the workmanship and driving characteristics are at the well-known high level of the manufacturer.
With the SLX 54, the Dutch Super-Lauwersmeer shipyard is breaking new ground in steel boat construction and winning in the length-independent displacement class. An underwater wing raises the stern at high speed, making the boat fast and economical. The SLX 54 also convinced the experts with many new ideas, a generous space concept and a design language previously unknown in steel boat construction.
The Candela C 8 came out on top in the new Motorboat Electric category. The power boat from Sweden with hydrofoil system combines the advantages of hydrofoil boats with fully electric drives. Sophisticated electronics ensure long ranges at high speeds at the same time. The C 8 still achieves a range of around 50 nautical miles at 24 knots gliding speed – a revolution for electric boats.
In the sailing yachts category, the EYOTY award went to the Linjett 39 in the Family Cruiser category. The modern cruising yacht comes from a small, highly experienced Swedish family shipyard. The jury was impressed by her superior sailing characteristics and the exceptional processing quality in this class.
Beneteau First 36 won the Performance Cruisers category. With the wide stern and two rudder blades, it represents a modern, radical design. The eleven meter yacht from France impressed both with its contemporary design and its performance potential.
The Oyster 495 prevailed in the Luxury Cruiser category. The latest and smallest model from the British luxury shipyard is a superyacht in a compact format, which also impressed the experts stylistically with a flush deck and a flat cabin structure. It is not only the dimensions of the Oyster 495 that are stately, but also its price, which is around 1.7 million euros.
According to the jury, the Nautitech 44 Open offers “excellent sailing characteristics paired with a lot of comfort and well thought-out details”. The French, which is as sporty as it is comfortable, is the winner among the cruising catamarans in the new multihull category.
This year, the EYOTY jury gave the Ecoracer 25 a “Special Mention” in terms of sustainability: The award-winning sports boat from Italy, which is successful in regattas, sets new standards and proves that a recycled yacht made of flax fibers does not exclude good performance.
Also this year, on the opening weekend of the world’s largest water sports trade fair, the “Seamaster” award was presented in addition to the “Water Sports Oscars” at the “Flagship Night”, the maritime industry get-together of the Delius Klasing publishing house and the trade fair organiser. The award for outstanding and sustainable commitment as well as special accents in water sports went to the Ukrainian Opti trainer Pavlo Dontsov for looking following his young people in times of war. When Russia invaded Ukraine, he was training in Valencia with a group of young Ukrainian Optimists. After learning regarding the outbreak of war, Dontsov kept the group of children and young people together and looked following them for months as a matter of course. His commitment encountered international willingness to help. The jury sees it as “an example of solidarity in sport and a sign of hope in dreary times”. The “Seamaster” award was last given to the exceptional German sailor and Vendée Globe finalist Boris Herrmann.
After extensive tests, a specialist jury made up of the test managers and editors-in-chief of the twelve leading sailing and eight motorboat magazines in Europe decided on the prize-winners among the yachts and motorboats. “Yacht” publisher Jochen Rieker and “Boote” editor-in-chief Torsten Moench chaired the meeting. (awm)
