Maritime champions

Much to the delight of all involved, the international ‘European Yacht of the Year’ and ‘European Powerboat of the Year’ awards have been presented for the 20th and 17th time respectively, once again in front of a large audience at boot Düsseldorf this January. As always, the winners of these prestigious awards were chosen by an expert jury consisting of the testing coordinators and editors-in-chief of Europe’s leading twelve sailing and eight powerboating magazines.

The jury is chaired by the YACHT publisher Jochen Rieker and the BOOTE editor-in-chief Torsten Moench. From the numerous new boats that enrich the market every year, jury members first select the nominees for the four (EYOTY) or six (EPOTY) categories, and then, after extensive testing, name the best models from the current vintage as champions.

Talking of champions: This year, the SEAMASTER Award was once again presented on the opening weekend of the world’s largest watersports trade fair, alongside the ‘Watersports Oscars’ at FLAGSHIP NIGHT, the maritime industry event organised by publishing house Delius Klasing Verlag (Europe’s leading publishing house for maritime media) and boot Düsseldorf. With this honour, the two partners pay tribute to a personality who has made a special contribution to watersports. It was last awarded in 2020, with the exceptional German sailor and Vendée Globe finalist Boris Herrmann named as the recipient.

In 2023, the award for outstanding and sustainable commitment goes to Ukrainian Opti coach Pavlo Dontsov for mentoring his young people in times of war. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Pavlo was in Valencia training a group of young Ukrainian Opti sailors. After he learned that war had broken out, he kept the group of children and young people together and set about caring for them simply as a matter of course – an act that reflected an international commitment to help. The jury saw this as “an example of cohesion in sport and a sign of hope in bleak times”.

The European Yachts of the Year awards celebrated their anniversary: For the 20th time, the jury members from the twelve sailing magazines from Norway (Seilmagasinet), Sweden (Båtägande), the United Kingdom (Yachting World), the Netherlands, (Zeilen), Switzerland (marina.ch), France (Voiles et Voiliers), Spain (Náutica y Yates), Denmark (Bådmagasinet), Austria (Yachtrevue), Italy (Vela e Motore), Finland (Vene) and Germany (YACHT) selected the best from the 2023 boatbuilding vintage from among 50 to 70 new or significantly reworked models. The sea trials lasting several days and setting the competition apart from all others, first took the jury to La Rochelle in autumn 2022, before the second, even more extensive test off Port Ginesta, near Barcelona, followed shortly afterwards.

This year’s winner in the Family Cruiser category was the Linjett 39. The modern cruising yacht is built by a small, highly accomplished Swedish family shipyard. The jury verdict reads: “The new Linjett 39 is a cruising boat par excellence. Her superior sailing characteristics are inspiring. In addition, she offers a build quality that is unparalleled in this size segment.”

The First 36 won the ‘European Yacht of the Year’ award for 2023 in the Performance Cruiser category. With its wide stern and two rudder blades, the First 36 from Beneteau reflects modern, radical yacht design. Despite stiff competition, the spacious 11-metre yacht from the French shipyard is particularly captivating thanks to its contemporary design and impressive performance potential.

In the Luxury Cruiser category, the Oyster 495 triumphed. The latest and smallest model from the upscale British shipyard is a superyacht in compact form, which also knows how to impress stylistically with a flush deck and flat cabin superstructure. Not only are the dimensions of the Oyster 495 impressive, but at around 1.7 million euros, its price is too.

The Nautitech 44 Open offers “excellent sailing characteristics combined with a great deal of comfort and well thought-out details.” The French boat combines sportiness, performance and comfort, emerging as the winner among the cruising catamarans in the Multihull category.

This year, the EYOTY jury gave a “Special Mention” in terms of sustainability to the Ecoracer 25: The award-winning and successful regatta sports boat from Italy sets new standards and is proof that a recycled yacht made of flax fibre does not compromise on performance.

The presentation of the ‘European Powerboat of the Year 2023’ for motorboats is always an exciting affair – and this year was no different. The expert jury comprised editors-inchief and testers from eight leading European powerboat publications from Norway (Båtliv), Italy (Boatmag.it), France (Neptune), the Netherlands (Motorboot), Spain (Nautica y Yates), Switzerland (marina.ch), Austria (Yachtrevue) and Germany (BOOTE).

Experts from these powerboat media outlets had a difficult job selecting 28 nominees across six categories from over 250 new boat models for the European Powerboat Award 2023. This year, organisers have introduced a separate category in response to an increasing number of catamarans and electric boats. Besides the usual quality features of a powerboat, such as workmanship and handling properties, the jury particularly focused on the candidates’ layouts, safety and value for money. Ultimately, the implementation of innovative ideas and concepts can also be a decisive factor.

In the compact class of Sports boats up to 8 metres, the Askeladden C 78 Cruiser and Parker 780 Escape have both secured a place on the winner’s podium. The two identical boats are the perfect combination of a fun, cruising and family boat. “Both the handling characteristics and workmanship are very good and offering up to 350 hp, not only is the boat safe, but it is also fast on the water,” says the jury. Combined with the camper deck and lower deck cabin, it also offers sufficient living and sleeping space.

The ‘European Powerboat of the Year Award 2023’ in the category for Powerboats up to 10 metres goes to the French Jeanneau Cap Camarat 10.5 CC. As the largest boat in the Cap Camarat series, the 10.5 CC offers plenty of space on and below deck in its 9.3 metre hull length, where the cabin and four berths are impressive. The highlight: a door in the ship’s side facilitates access to the water. With a maximum of two times 425 hp and joystick control, the boat is also fast and easy to manoeuvre.

Straight lines and minimalist design language are the hallmarks of the winner in the category for Motorboats up to 14 metres: the De Antonio D 36 from Barcelona. The triple-stepped hull creates an efficient hull shape, meaning the boat can reach speeds of up to 45 knots. The outboard motors are concealed under the stern sunbed and do not detract from its appearance. Two cabins and a separate bathroom ensure a comfortable living space.

Prestige yachts are considered masterpieces of French naval architecture. In fact, the latest model from the luxury yacht builder and winner in the category for Motoryachts up to 20 metres is another prime example of why this reputation is so well deserved. As the first boat in a new range, the Prestige M 48 is a catamaran offering the familiar advantages of efficiency, spaciousness and seaworthiness. It offers the same living space as a 60-foot monohull, yet with a boat length of 48 feet. Workmanship and handling characteristics reflect the familiar prestige level.

With its SLX 54, the Dutch Super Lauwersmeer shipyard is breaking new ground in steel boat building by winning in the length-independent Displacement class. An underwater wing lifts the stern at high speed, making the boat both fast and economical. The SLX 54 also stands out thanks to many innovations, a generous space concept and a design language previously unseen in steel boat building.

This year, the Candela C 8 came out on top in the new category for Electric motorboats. The Swedish powerboat featuring a hydrofoil system combines the advantages of hydrofoils with fully electric motors. Sophisticated electronics ensure long ranges, even at high speeds. As such, at gliding speeds of 24 knots, the C 8 still achieves ranges of around 50 nautical miles – a revolution for electric boats.

Detailed reports on all the award winners are set to follow in YACHT 4/2023 (available from retailers from 1 February) and BOOTE 3/2023 (available from retailers from 15 February), as well as on the online portals at www.yacht.de and www.boote-magazin.de.