Yachts of the year

The marine industry came together for Flagship Night at boot Düsseldorf, to kick off the world’s largest water sports fair and award European Yacht of the Year 2025.

24 January 2025

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During the course of the gala at this year’s boot Düsseldorf, the winners of the two renowned awards ‘European Yacht of the Year 2025’ (EYOTY) for sailing yachts and ‘European Powerboat of the Year 2025’ (EPOTY) for motorboats were chosen. In addition, the US-American Cole Brauer was honoured with the ‘Seamaster Award’ for her solo and non-stop circumnavigation of the world

A jury of experts made up of the test directors and editors-in-chief of the 12 leading sailing and six powerboat magazines in Europe has always decided which boats are worthy of these prestigious awards. Yacht magazine publisher Jochen Rieker and Boote editor-in-chief Torsten Moench chair the jury.

As in many other industries, the pandemic-related boom of previous years is currently being followed by a significant decline in sales figures, with many shipyards cancelling or stretching their development projects.

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As a result, the number of nominated innovations for 2025 has almost halved compared to the previous year. From almost 40 newcomers that have enriched the sailing yacht market this year, the jury members initially selected 16 nominees. However, only 12 of these actually took part in the extensive tests, which are a requirement for being considered for the title.

Even though the jury has never had to assess as few new releases as this year, the nominated boats all delivered strong performances.

The winners of Europe’s Yacht of the Year are determined in a complex process. During the tests, which last several days at sea, the candidates have to face the jury’s judgement – and the competition. The Kiel Fjord was the venue for the rigorous practical tests for the second time. For the second phase of the test, the jury of experts visited the island of Majorca for the first time.

This year’s winner in the Family Cruiser category is the Hanse 360 (hull length 10.6-metres, basic price ex-works 221,220 euros). The yacht from Greifswald had to hold its own against strong competition from France. In the end, its solid structure, precise steering and maximum versatility helped it to victory. According to the jury, the Hanse 360 fulfils almost all the requirements of a modern family cruiser.

Among the nominated performance cruisers, the J/40 (hull length 12.47-metres, basic price ex-works 374,820 euros) wins the ‘European Yacht of the Year’ Award 2025. Its timeless aesthetics already set it apart from the crowd. She impresses with performance and an almost exhilarating light-footedness.

For the jury, the J/40 is a dream boat that sails fast in all conditions. With a responsive and two-finger-operable central rudder, a proven, highly efficient cockpit layout and a finely balanced sail plan, she was able to impress in all conditions in the test.

The Contest 63 CS (hull length 19.29-metre, basic price ex-yard 3,448,620 euros) wins the ‘European Yacht of the Year’ Award 2025 in the nominated Luxury Cruisers category.

Designed by Judel/Vrolijk in Bremerhaven and built in Medemblik in the Netherlands, the Contest 63 CS impressed the jury in every respect.

She sails with an ease that does not even remotely suggest that she displaces around 30 tonnes. Another advantage: at more than 19 metres in length, there is not a centimetre on the Contest 63 CS that is not put to good use.

In the multihull category, the Nautitech 48 Open (hull length 14.67-metres, basic price ex-works 1,189,760 euros) came out on top. The top model from the catamaran shipyard belonging to the Bavaria holding company was convincing across the board – not least under sail. This all-rounder combines the best of the worlds of cruising catamarans and performance cats. A coherent overall package.

This year, the smallest of the finalists, the Bay Cruiser 21 (hull length 6.02-metres, basic price ex-works 41,350 euros), won the award in the Special Yacht category.

She is a real surprise package and won the hearts and minds of the jury with her super-likeable practicality and ingenious simplicity. Swallow Boats from Great Britain has packed her Bay Cruiser full of clever solutions that make handling on and off the water a breeze.

And someone else had every reason to celebrate at this year’s Flagship Night: in addition to the ‘Watersports Oscars’, the ‘Seamaster award’ was also presented that evening. With this honour, the two partners Delius Klasing and boot Düsseldorf pay tribute to a personality who has made a special impact in water sports.

The sailor Cole Brauer was honoured with the Seamaster Award 2025 at the gala.

Cole is the first American woman to have completed a solo, non-stop round-the-world regatta. Although the ‘Global Solo Challenge’ and Brauer were still unknown at the start of the race, the 30-year-old quickly managed to build up a fan base of around 500,000 followers on Instagram and get them excited about the race.

The celebratory speech in honour of Cole Brauer, who was unable to attend the event in person, was delivered by Pip Hare, IMOCA skipper and Vendée Globe participant.

 

boot.com

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