The European Yacht of the Year programme is a highlight of my year as it gives us  jury members the opportunity to assemble our shortlist of the best nominees, seatrial each and every one of them and discuss what works and what doesn’t at sea and in port, in order to choose the best yacht of 2023 in a variety of categories. Our trials were held in La Rochelle and Port Ginesta, Barcelona over the autumn of 2022.

This is the 20th anniversary of the European Yacht of the Year awards, which were presented at a gala event on the opening evening of the Boot Düsseldorf Boat Show on 21 January 2023.

Together we comprise 12 magazines across Europe, each the leading voice on boat testing in their respective countries. The result is indisputably the most thorough, impartial and respected awards programme for new production yachts worldwide.

Best yacht 2023

Best Performance Yacht

Nominees: Elan E6; Beneteau First 36; Grand Soleil 40; Italia Y 12.98; Solaris 50

Three Italian pure performance cruisers and two very different yachts built in Slovenia made for a varied and exciting Performance category. Where once we could assume a cruiser-racer was a fairly standard format design, over the last decade it’s been much more the sexy fast cruisers the Italian yards specialise in. But as French yards like Pogo and JPK have proven, we salute lightweight planing yachts – and the Beneteau First 36 is the first real production yacht in that spirit.

Winner: Beneteau First 36

Here’s a yacht that puts the focus firmly back into sailing. The First 36 has been kept inviting and approachable – unlike many yachts that can plane, the look is modest, not aggressive. It’s uncomplicated, unfussy and the result is a pleasure for all to sail. It’s more about what you can’t see, the design and engineering, which should ensure longterm demand.

The small, fiddly heads compartment and lack of tiller options are perhaps the only real detraction from an otherwise brilliant collaboration by Seascape and Beneteau, from concept to build quality.

It was their goal to keep this area of the market relevant and prove a mainstream brand can do it, rather than only niche specialist yards. To create a mass produced yacht at this weight and to this foam-cored quality and one that can bring so much fun is a feather in the cap of the First brand.

Price: (ex VAT) €238,813

Jury comments:

“The complete universal cruiser-racer.” Pasi Nuutinen, Fin.

“The truly modern fast cruiser that dares to be different and that not enough yards dare to build.” Jochen Rieker, Germany.

“Fast but easy going, precise but not nervous, and lightweight, yet comfortable.” Marinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong, Netherlands.

Best Luxury Yacht

Nominees: Oceanis Yachts 60; Oyster 495; Ice 62 Targa

A spacious production yacht, a premium bluewater cruiser and a highly customised Italian performance cruiser shows the variety on offer in the 50-60ft+ market, while giving the jury some tricky comparisons to make.

Winner: Oyster 495

It is hard to imagine that the decor of a yacht can change its look and feel quite this much, yet the layout of this second 495, Eddie Jordan’s dramatic looking Tuga, is in fact identical to the first boat that I spent several days aboard last summer. At its heart is a wonderfully (Humphreys) designed and engineered luxury bluewater cruiser conceived from the ground up, built in a new dedicated facility to a repeatable quality very few yards are capable of.

The 495 offers consistent passage making speeds in real voluminous comfort – whether enjoyed from the deep cockpit or the best-in-class aft cabin. Deck stowage and mechanical space is also superb. Then factor in the family appeal of Oyster’s after sales and world rally programme and you start to appreciate the premium world this sub 50-footer gives access to.

Price: (ex VAT) £1.35m

Jury comments

“So reassuringly strong, so surprisingly quick in straight line speed, so great to helm, so easy to handle and so, so comfortable if you want to retreat to her living quarters!” Jochen Rieker, Germany

“A true blue water cruiser that makes no compromise in terms of comfort, safety or sailing abilities.” Loic Madeline, France

“The entry level of the Oyster range brings with it the build quality and customisation typical of the yard’s largest models… perfect for a couple’s globetrotting dreams.” Alberto Mariotti, Italy

Best Family Yacht

Nominees: Bente 28; Dufour 37; Linjett 39

Typically this category brims with midsize cruising yachts from mainstream manufacturers. And while the Dufour flies that flag, when you put these three nominees together you have a diverse selection of interesting new cruising yachts from 30-40ft to suit significantly different budgets.

Winner: Linjett 39

If you haven’t heard of Linjett before, prepare to be impressed. The 39 offers easy fast family cruising and occasional racing in luxurious comfort and proves that classic needn’t be old fashioned.

Linjett exudes Scandi heritage: a third generation 50-year old brand, it’s run by three brothers and has built 900 yachts from its 19th Century Rosättra yard in Sweden. Sturdy and stable the 39 instils instant confidence and proved a delight to sail. The Linjett is set up to easily shorthand it too, with two winches and a bank of clutches each side positioned aft in reach of the helm.

The interior is offered with two or three cabins and the latter we saw had an excellent layout, including separate shower/wet hanging compartment aft. The joiner work is first class, with traditional mahogany used as standard, or the more contemporary European Oak on the test boat.

This is a premium yacht, but you get what you pay for. It will surprise most and ensure everyone steps ashore smiling.

Price: (ex VAT) SEK 4,208,000 (approx €400,000)

Jury comments

“Practically flawless yacht for offshore, coastal and archipelago cruising, peppered with a big spoonful of performance and a strong flavour of luxury,” Pasi Nuutinen, Finland

“Aesthetically immortal because it is impeccably designed and built with modern construction techniques.” Alberto Mariotti, Italy

“A fast luxury yacht that is also the best family yacht… timeless.” Axel Nissen-Lie, Norway

Best Catamaran

Nominees: Balance 482; Catana OC; C-Cat 48; Excess 14; Fountaine Pajot Aura 51; Lagoon 51; Nautitech 44 Open

What started out as two separate multihull categories – Family and Performance – merged into one once the jury appreciated the boundaries are quite blurred and that some of these catamarans belong in both camps.

All seven of these 40-50-footers merit close scrutiny for anyone after space and cruising comfort. The decision lies with how much you tweak the performance:comfort ratio.

Winner: Nautitech Open 44

We saw a good, interesting battle of the aft helm cruising cats this year in the Excess 14 and the Nautitech. For those who cite a lack of visibility and protection as reasons not to choose this route, try sailing this boat! Direct steering brings so much more helming pleasure – you get the enjoyable feeling and communication more associated with a monohull. I consider this 44 Open to be the ideal size to go distance sailing, with good performance, low draught and space for family and friends.

The interior design is smart and inviting – not as voluminous as some, but certainly enough to be smugly comfortable at anchor. Out of all the multihulls nominated or sailed in the last year, this cat impressed me the most.

Price: €560,800 ex VAT. (€818k ex VAT as tested).

Jury Comments

“This is a catamaran that makes the heart beat out at sea rather than at a boat show.” Axel Nissen-Lie, Norway

“Sailing sensation sets the Nautitech apart. She’s delightfully sensitive in light wind and gets more and more convincing with speed – which she picks up to very decent numbers.” Pasi Nuutinen, Finland

“This shows why the desire for catamaran sailing is spreading: It combines the comfort of two hulls with the good sailing characteristics of a modern yacht.”  Lori Schüpbach, Sui

Best Specialist Yacht

Nominees: Astus 22.5;  Ecoracer 25; Ace 30

Always the most diverse category, once again this did not disappoint with its contenders comprising a plywood IRC scow, a trailable trimaran and a recyclable sportsboat!

Special mention: Sustainability – Ecoracer 25

A reusable, recyclable prototype competitive sportsboat. If a ‘garage project’ such as this can successfully prove that the use of more sustainable materials, such as thermoplastic resins, linen fibre, basalt and recyclable carbon, are a viable solution for boatbuilding already, there is no excuse why the mainstream production yards shouldn’t already be employing them!

While most fibre-reinforced boats are destined for landfill, here the composites can be separated from the resin after immersion in a solvent, to make reusable composite products.

This is an on trend one-off racer, which at 1.1 tonnes and 2.7m beam can be towed when tilted and takes one hour from crane to sailing. It’s so much fun to sail, even in the lightest puffs, and won the ORC sportsboat class on Lake Garda on its debut season.

A shame it’s only a prototype, but the future looks bigger and brighter for this startup brand Northern Light Composites, with a 30ft version going into production. Congratulations on taking the initiative.

Price: Circa €80k

Jury Comments

“Without changes the leisure boat market will be regulated and potentially fade away. The 100% recyclable Ecoracer 25 has shown that it’s possible to turn green for real.” Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, Denmark

“Shows that a technically complex sailboat can be built in a better way – without compromising on performance.” Axel Nissen-Lie, Norway

European Yacht of the Year Jury

Toby Hodges, Yachting World, GBR
Jochen Rieker, YACHT, GER
Loic Madeline, Voiles & Voiliers, FRA
Pasi Nuutinen, Vene, FIN
Roland Duller, YachtRevue, AUT
Alberto Mariotti, Vela e Motore, ITA
Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, Bådmagasinet, DEN
Marinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong, Zeilen, NED
Joakim Hermansson, Praktiskt Båtägande, SWE
Axel Nissen-Lie, Seilmagasinet, NOR
Diego Yriarte, Nautica Y Yates, ESP
Lori Schüpbach, Marina.ch, SWI

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One of the worlds most exciting boat shows comes round every January and often features a host of new yacht launches ready for the year ahead. Boot Düsseldorf this year once again looks set to have a whole host of new yacht launches. Some of these models are making their show debuts, and some are being unveiled for the first time.

If motorboats are more your thing, check out this preview from our sister title Motorboat and Yachting on the best new motor yachts at Boot Dusseldorf 2023.

Best new boats of Boot Düsseldorf 2023

Jeanneau Yachts 55

Here’s a novel design we’re eager to view. Following the recently launched Jeanneau Yachts 60 and 65, and yet offering something totally different, the Jeanneau Yachts 55 features a highly innovative layout, which focuses on the privacy of the owner.

We all like our own space sometimes, another reason behind the popularity of multihulls. Never afraid to try new things, Jeanneau has created a full apartment for the owner – by providing separate companionways giving direct access to the aft guest cabins, everything from the main companionway forward can be used for the owner’s space.

The split cockpit is also unusual. The forward end is for sail handling, under the protection of a fixed arch and sprayhood or fixed windscreen, while the entire aft section is dedicated to sun lounging space.

Builder: jeanneau.com

Photo: Sander van der Borch

Contest 49CS & 50CS

A joint world premiere of two brand new yachts, the sisterships of the same hull in different formats, will be quite the statement from the Dutch yard Contest Yachts. Where the 49CS is a natural step up from the 42CS (see full report page 58), the 50CS takes its centre cockpit cues from the 55CS, with a more conventional centre cockpit layout with aft master suite.

It’s highly unusual to have such different options on the same hull, particularly on yachts designed for bluewater cruising. Both versions still offer three cabins, two heads, plus the option of electric propulsion.

Builder: contestyachts.com

Photo: Palle Peter Skov

Nordship 420DS

When you have a niche in which you’re top of the game, there’s little need to shake things up too often. Yet after years of relying on its staple models, Danish deck saloon specialists Nordship had a busy 2022, launching two new designs, a 500DS Custom and this 420DS. We were due to sail the 500DS Custom for European Yacht of the Year trials, but a problem with the mainsail furler unfortunately meant it missed that window. But we’re itching to see the 420DS, which will make its debut at Düsseldorf, and is a size that sits at the heart of what this yard does best.

Lars Buchwald has given the coachroof windows more of a modern wraparound look, but otherwise expect signature features including panoramic views from the deck saloon, a sumptuous aft cabin and top quality mahogany joinerwork.

Builder: nordship.dk

Saffier SE 24 Lite

They just keep getting better! First comes fun, planing performance whether solo or crewed, but then comes so much more from these Dutch daysailer specialists. Saffier’s brand new SE 24 Lite is a lightweight (1,200kg), stable (450kg in the keel), sporty design, which should prove simple to sail alone or with family or friends thanks to the large, uncluttered and well organised cockpit.

It’s trailable, can be hoisted by a single point and is simple and quick to rig. And it’s current: there is enough integrated solar panel capacity designed in to charge the 3.5kW Torqeedo battery for the electric drive (estimated to be 70% lighter than diesel propulsion). The instrument displays can be removed to recharge at home or in the car, and if you fancy staying aboard overnight, there are two berths below decks.

Builder: saffieryachts.com

Elan Impression 43

Elan’s impression range has long been popular for Med cruising and charters, as they are voluminous yet fun and easy to sail. And while the Slovenian yard has brought out some cracking new designs recently, such as the GT6 in 2020 and the E6 last year, its Impression range of cruisers has needed something fresh. Long standing Elan designer Rob Humphreys has drawn a good looking hull shape for this new deck saloon, which sports twin rudders and a 1.95m L-shape keel as standard. And after its success with the E6, Pininfarina was commissioned for the styling. The spacious rustic oak interior is offered with three or four cabins with two heads.

Elan was an early leader in the use of vacuum-infusion and has employed its Vacuum Assisted Infusion Lamination (VAIL) technology on the hull, deck and stringers for a stiff hull and consistent finish. An optional bowsprit extends LOA from 43ft 8in to 44ft 7in.

Builder: elan-yachts.com

Dufour 37

As it was designed to replace Dufour’s exceedingly popular 360, this new model was given the 37 badge, but is in fact 4ft shorter on deck. Not that you know that once on board – thanks to modern hull design, the voluminous bow and wide stern provides ample space on and below deck.

It’s also really fun to sail. Available with three different winch and deck setups, badged Easy, Ocean and Performance, this is a European Yacht of the Year 2023 nominee in the Family Cruiser category – see our issue next month for the winners and more on the nominees.

Builder: dufour-yachts.com

Neo 570c

A spicy all-carbon cruiser racer from the board of in-demand Shaun Carkeek, this will make for a real draw at the show. For full details see our issue last month, January 2022.

Builder: neoyachts.com

RM 1380

Great to see the La Rochelle plywood epoxy specialists back with a new model, a Lombard-designed flagship at that. Again, see last month’s issue for full details.

Builder: rm-yachts.com

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Lagoon has sold 900 of its 450 catamaran model in eight years, maxing out the 130-a-year mould capacity in latter years. Updating such a popular model then is a significant step.

Yann Masselot, CEO of the CNB yard where many Lagoons are built, showed us over the new Lagoon 46 at the 2019 Düsseldorf boat show. He explained that the focus was placed on circulation aboard and living spaces, while increasing the level of comfort.

Despite the increased volume, Lagoon wanted to keep the same if not better performance than the 450. A glance at the hull shapes tells you how VPLP has achieved this.

Keeping the waterlines narrow, but flaring them out significantly inboard, helps increase volume inside, particularly in the forward cabins. It’s the first time on this size of cat that you can have the same size of bed fore and aft, Masselot declared.

Other modifications over the 450 include a new cradle-style davit system or optional hydraulic platform, and a lighter weight bimini roof. There is a larger sunbathing area on the flybridge, which has access from both side decks, more exterior galley options and increased cold stowage space.

With the mast further aft, a self-tacking jib is now standard. The Nauta interior thankfully demonstrates more rounded edges coming back in, with light oak or walnut Alpi finishes offered.

Specification

LOA: 13.99m (45ft 11in)
Beam: 7.96m (25ft 10in)
Draught: 1.3m (4ft 3in)
Displacement: 16,600kg (33,603lb)
Price: €433,000 (ex. VAT)

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The Saffier SE27 Leisure builds on a long legacy that includes 160 SE26s delivered over the past decade. And it combines it with the modern styling of the Saffier SE37 Lounge, a distinctive high-end daysailer, which was one of the stand-out launches at the Dusseldorf boat show when it premiered two years ago.

That said, Saffier was amazed by the reception for the new design, saying it had never sold so many boats pre-launch. “We wanted to add speed to single handed sailing,” says Saffier’s managing director Dennis Hennevanger, adding how pleased they were with the light displacement of 1,750kg. The standard fit electric pod propulsion system and battery saves 100kg over a diesel equivalent for instance.

The SE27 Leisure is another design with a large multi-purpose cockpit that offers a huge amount of lounging space. But don’t be deceived by this – the layout is primarily configured to be efficient to sail, whether single-handed or crewed. And the lines are hidden but above deck to keep the interior dry, with commendable tail stowage.

Originally Saffier planned to offer a choice of wheel or tiller steering, but the configuration of the boat with the large, custom made carbon wheels looks as though it will work so well this will be the standard arrangement. Below decks there’s minimal headroom, but the SE27 is neatly fitted out with seating, bunks, a small galley and open-plan toilet facilities.

Specification

LOA: 8.2m (26ft 9in)
Beam: 2.6m (8ft 6in)
Draught: 1.4 or 1.6m (4ft 6in or 5ft 3in)
Displacement: 1,900kg (4.190lb)
Price from: €74,500 (ex. VAT)

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The 41DS is the smallest boat in Hanse Group’s Moody range, which also includes 45ft and 54ft deck saloon designs with living areas arranged around a single level ‘monomaran’ style concept.

The Moody 41DS also introduces fresh styling and engineering, with the all-round panoramic glazing of the deck saloon made of seamless laminated safety glass.

The combined deckhouse roof and cockpit hard top are supported by only four aluminium mullions, creating a genuine all-round vista from the shelter of the saloon.

In addition, an ultra-deep bulwark topped by solid stainless steel railings creates a safer and more secure experience when moving forward on deck to that of conventional sailing yachts.

The large sheltered cockpit is an almost integral part of the living space, while a double sunbed, plus two-seater settee ahead of the mast provide a separate socialising area when necessary.

A double owner’s cabin, plus convertible double/twin cabin and either one or two heads completes the accommodation on a lower level.

Specification

LOA 12.52m 41ft 1in
LWL: 11.42m 37ft 6in
Beam: 4.20m 13ft 9in
Draught: 1.85m 6ft 1in
Displacement: 15,700kg 34,612lb
Starting price: €399,000 (ex. VAT)

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The latest Hallberg-Rassys combine markedly more space with a newer-generation hull shape and twin rudders, yet still retain the brand’s hallmark style and attributes.

This centre-cockpit model has a genuine 40ft hull length and almost the same beam as the HR44 that launched three years ago. Impressively, the HR40C offers equal space in the saloon, galley and aft cabin areas as the larger yacht too.

The key differences are therefore in the forepeak, where there’s a smaller, though still respectable, guest double cabin, but no option for an additional twin berth Pullman-style cabin.

Specification

Hull length: 12.30m 40ft 4in
Beam: 4.18m 13ft 9in
Draught: 1.92m 6ft 4in
Displacement: 11,000kg 24,250lb
Price: SEK4,080,400 (approx £327,000) ex. VAT

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Bavaria’s C-series, first launched two years ago, marked a step change in design thinking and styling for the company, some of whose models had arguably started to look staid.

Cossutti Yacht Design is responsible for the C42’s hull, which has obvious chines, with plenty of topsides flare right aft to reduce wetted surface area in light airs and allow for a single rudder.

Nevertheless, maximum beam at deck level is carried almost right aft. The extra topsides flare in the bow and stern sections aid stability as well as increasing interior space, with all cabins benefitting from large berths.

A proportionately larger sail plan than those of earlier Bavaria models should deliver better performance in light airs and reduce the amount of time spent under power, especially if the 85m² Code 0 and 140m² asymmetric are specified.

The two-spreader rig is fitted with a backstay tensioner, while the standard self-tacking jib can be replaced by a larger conventionally sheeted headsail.

Specification

LWL: 39ft 4in (11.98m)
Beam: 4.29m 14ft 1in
Draught: 1.70m- 2.10m (5ft 7in-6ft 11in)
Displacement: 9,678kg (21,336lb)
Price: €151,584 (ex. VAT)

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What is the yacht of the year, or the best yachts to look out for in 2018? Which are the most interesting, entertaining, innovative, well built and best value for money yachts on the market?

The reason we can answer such questions with confidence is that, as well as conducting our own independent tests, Yachting World also sits on the panel of judges for the European Yacht of the Year awards. This involves shortlisting the best annual prospects into five categories before testing them all to elect the winners.

Take a look at last year’s winners here and the European Yacht of the Year 2016 here

Now in its 15th year, the European Yacht of the Year is the most thorough and unbiased awards programme for new production yachts. All 12 judges, comprising the boat testers and editors from sailing magazines across Europe, tested all the nominated yachts in La Rochelle and Barcelona last autumn.

The five 2018 European Yacht of the Year winners were announced on the first evening of the Dusseldorf Boatshow, on 20 January. Look out for our March 2018 issue, which has a feature combining our reviews on all the winners in more detail.

FAMILY CRUISER

Nominees: Beneteau Oceanis 51, Hanse 548, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

Winner: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 European Yacht of the Year 2018

Credit to the large-scale production yards for the innovation going into their latest models. Nevertheless, the new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey range is hands-down the most impressive for its forward thinking in terms of hull shape, cockpit design and interior layout.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 European Yacht of the Year 2018

The realisation of the volume gained from a full bow is shrewd, while the sloping side decks that make for a walkaround cockpit is one of those game-changing ideas that you can expect to see copied by others in the future.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 European Yacht of the Year 2018

Price ex VAT: €184,400

See our full test of the very similar larger sister, the SO490 in the October 2017 issue.

LUXURY CRUISER

Nominees: Amel 50, Hallberg-Rassy 44, Ice 60

Winner: Amel 50

Amel 50 European Yacht of the Year 2018

That this is such a popular new model is unsurprising. It is both a manageable size of yacht for a couple to handle and a lot of exceedingly comfortable and quality built boat for the price. It is a modern-looking design that sails surprisingly well from a yard with decades of experience with building bluewater cruisers

Amel 50 European Yacht of the Year 2018

This is a yacht that could appeal to those seeking luxury weekend cruising as well as those wanting to live aboard and sail long-distance. It’s a yacht to dream about sailing away on and one that may well hasten your sabbatical or retirement from work.

Look out for our full test on the Amel 50, following a two day seatrial, in our April 2018 issue.

Price ex VAT: €750,000

PERFORMANCE CRUISER

 Nominees: ClubSwan 50, Grand Soleil Performance 34, JPK 45

 Winner: ClubSwan 50

European Yacht of the Year 2018 Seatrials in Port Ginesta Castellfels

The ClubSwan 50 is the most extreme-looking production yacht to date and one with versatile appeal as its design strikes that balance between performance cruiser and grand-prix racing yacht.

See our full test report here

Its race yacht side is paired with an international circuit for owners to enjoy strictly controlled one-design competition. It’s a deliciously appealing plaything for short cruises and day sailing as well. Above all, it is outrageously, award-winningly cool.

ClubSwan 50 European Yacht of the Year 2018

This is perhaps just the start… with news that two new Juan K-designed 100ft+ ClubSwan models are on the drawing board, Nautor’s Swan is entering a new era of luxurious race craft.

Price ex VAT: €1.1m

SPECIAL YACHT

Nominees: Beneteau Figaro 3, Flaar M37, TF10 Trimaran

Winner: Beneteau Figaro 3

Beneteau Figaro 3 European Yacht of the Year 20182017/2018

This startling VPLP design looks half modern offshore race boat, half crazed contraption from a Star Wars film. Learn more about the design here – plus expert sailors’ reactions to it

Beneteau Figaro 3 European Yacht of the Year 20182017/2018

 Reliability will be key to the Figaro 3’s success – Beneteau’s first two Figaro models have proved almost invincible and have done more miles than any Vendée Globe yachts.

But all credit to Beneteau for not playing too safe this time. The modern hull shape, stiff build technique, deck layout and, of course, eye-catching foils are the result of contemporary thinking.

Beneteau Figaro 3 European Yacht of the Year 2018

This is an offshore one-design sportsboat with global appeal. Time will tell whether the foils are more gimmick than game-changer, but I was impressed with how well the boat is set-up for solo and short-handed racing.

Price ex VAT: €149,404

MULTIHULLS

Nominees: Fountaine Pajot Saona 47, Leopard 45, Neel 51

Winner: Neel 51

Neel 51 European Yacht of the Year 2018

First reactions to the Neel 51 are fairly consistent: your jaw drops at the sheer size of the boat (in terms of height, beam and particularly volume) – then you sail it and are even more surprised at how slippery it is.

Here is a yacht that genuinely has the potential to shock. The Neel 51 offers the space of a cruising cat of similar length (and for the same price), yet will easily outperform it under sail and, crucially, provide a rewarding helming experience.

The vast cockpit and adjoining saloon on the Neel 51, European Yacht of the Year 2018

With this model Neel may well show that trimarans are not only for tearing up ocean speed records but could be the way to go for multihull cruisers too.

Price ex VAT: €669,800

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The Düsseldorf Boat Show in January presented the opportunity to have a good look over the latest and largest new models from Hanse – a yard renowned for producing trendsetting large production yachts with contemporary deck and interior layouts.

The new Judel/Vrolijk designed 588 and the flagship 675 – the first of which launched a year ago in Turkey – are similar to each other in style and format.

Introducing Hanse 588

For the 588, Hanse used the same hull mould of its enormously popular 575 (which it has kept in production), with a modernised interior and deck plan.

Both new models offer dinghy garages for different sized Williams jet tenders, flat decks with plenty of sun lounging space, and options for wet bars and grills in the cockpits.

Both cockpits are designed for socialising and entertaining, offering plenty of space, plus hard-top style biminis that promote outdoor living during the day or evening.

“As builders we spend years on design and build, only for local yards to then retrofit a sprayhood and bimini – which can look ugly,” says Dr Jens Gerhardt, CEO of Hanse Yachts.

Hanse’s answer is the hard top on the 675, which includes a soft central bimini section that slides open. The structure is designed to support the mainsheet traveller, and can incorporate lights and speakers.

Owners can also choose to mount as many as three 21in multifunction screens in the cockpit for use as plotters or TVs, complete with surround sound speakers.

Introducing Hanse 675

Below deck, a large proportion of the huge (30sq metre) saloon on the 675 is reserved for the L-shape sofa – part of the dining area to port.

“It’s a modern way of looking at it as a chill-out saloon,” says Dr Gerhardt, however, this does create a large open space at the base of the companionway, which could be tricky to negotiate when the yacht is heeling. A large electric skylight offers additional ventilation.

The layout of the 675 caters for a crew of three with a complete separate living area aft, minimising disturbance for the guest areas.

The interior of the 588 is a step up, compared to the 575. This includes a ‘silent master cabin’, which is located away from all noise-making appliances and surrounded with acoustic insulation, plus a novel, round stone shower in the master en-suite.

Starting at €600k less than the 675, the 588 is bound to be popular choice.

Prices ex VAT: €399,000 and €999,000. www.hanseyachts.com

Dimensions: Hanse 588

LOA    17.20m (56ft 5in)
LWL    15.15m (49ft 8in)
Beam    5.20m (17ft 0in)
Displacement    19,800kg (43,651lb)

Dimensions: Hanse 675

LOA    21.10m (69ft 2in)
LWL    19.20m (63ft 0in)
Beam    5.90m (19ft 4in)
Displacement    34,500kg (76,059lb)

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Bavaria C57

Bavaria has been promising something big and, sure enough, the C57 is Bavaria’s largest yacht yet. As you can see from our first look videos, the length, 57ft, is comparatively modest by production yard standards today, but this is a particularly large yacht for its size – 88sq m of living space is the largest in class says Bavaria. And it is expected to be the start of bigger yachts to come.

Bavaria has a relatively new management team in place and has changed its preferred yacht designers, introducing a modular build technique and vacuum infusion to save weight (and the environment). ORC racer cruiser specialist Cossutti Yacht Design was commissioned to do the lines of the C57 with the interior design and engineering by Pulse Yacht Design.

Cossutti predicts this twin-rudder design flying 136m2 of upwind sail area and sporting a generous 232sq m gennaker will have better performance than the 55 in all conditions and points of sail, especially light winds. Pulse’s chief engineer Leo Curin reports that the use of vacuum infusion for the hull and deck, together with longitudinal stringers and bulkhead receivers, means that a lot more structural stiffness has been built in. This has also allowed Bavaria to build blocks of furniture, entire cabins even, outside of the hulls.

Price €374,900 ex VAT www.bavaria-yachtbau.com

Dufour 63 Exclusive

Umberto Felci has drawn a very contemporary looking yacht for the first of Dufour’s new Exclusive range. The 63E has considerable beam, stark black-and-white styling, prominent slab sides and very flat, clean decks. A sculpted groove runs longitudinally along the hull portlight line – a visually clever way to break up the high topsides.

The large, wide cockpit – there is quite a distance between the two helms – is straddled by a carbon arch, which helps keep the boom clear. It’s a nice shallow step up to the wide flat side decks with deep rope tail stowage below for the halyards and sheets, which are led to two winches aft each side.

Over the past couple of years Dufour has introduced an optional exterior ‘galley’ – a grill, fridge and sink that opens out on to the bathing platform – which is already a popular feature on many motoryachts. On the 63E these appliances are of a good size and positioned at the right height to work at. They stow beneath the central aft sunbathing seat. Beneath the aft deck is a garage large enough to house a 2.95m jet rib, each side of which is a set of steps down to the swim platform.

As seen on the first look video above, the interior of the boat displayed at the Düsseldorf show was particularly inviting with its shallow, welcoming companionway leading into a carpeted saloon finished in oak veneer and nubuck.

The cabins forward and abaft the raised saloon and galley are another few steps lower down. Hull number one has both an owner’s cabin and a Pullman aft, plus two double cabins forward. A forward owner’s cabin is also an option.

Price from €1m ex VAT www.dufour-yachts.com

Elan GT5

It’s been a quiet few years for Elan, but the Slovenian builders were back with a bang with the launch of this GT5 at the Paris Boatshow in December. The model branding is deliberately taken from cars – it’s a ‘Gran Turismo’ and ‘Grand Touring’ yacht, says Elan.

It may use the same Humphreys designed chined hull as the old E5, but the GT5 is a very different looking yacht. The modern deck design and raised coachroof with wraparound windows bring more cruising comforts to the sporty hull shape. She is slightly longer and higher and that extra volume and coachroof make her 1,700kg heavier than the original E5.

The result is that she feels like a capacious 43-footer – indeed marketing project manager Matic Klemenc told me she has the same size cockpit as the Impression 50.

Price ex VAT: €189,000 www.elan-yachts.com

Hanse 588

The 575 is the most successful model Hanse has ever produced in terms of sales – see the video of our test here – an astonishing 175 have sold since its launch four years ago. So, it is no surprise to learn that the German manufacturer is borrowing the same Judel Vrolijk-designed hull mould for this updated version.
What’s interesting is that Hanse will continue to sell the 575 too. “The dealers didn’t want us to take the 575 out, so the customer now has one hull with two different layout options,” Hanse’s marketing manager, Florian Nierich, told me.

The hull shape and sailplan of the 588 should ensure a lively, enjoyable yacht to sail. Hanse is focusing on performance and versatile sailing by giving the 588 a taller rig than the already powerful 575. She keeps the tried and tested self-tacking jib, but now has the option of a furling code sail on a second forestay to improve her reaching or light upwind performance. All sails are controllable from the helm.

Price ex VAT €399,000 (£342,900) www.hanseyachts.com

Solaris 55

When the wonderfully alluring and contemporary Solaris 50 was launched in 2015, it proved popular enough for the Aquileia yard to commission its trusted designer Javier Soto Acebal to produce slightly bigger and smaller versions models. The 47 launched last year and is now followed by this 55.

The 55 is Solaris’s first model with twin rudders. She closely follows the winning recipe of the 50, but is a little larger in all dimensions, creating extra space down below for accommodation.

Solaris maintains its exhausting run of new model launches in 2017. Following this 55 debut at Düsseldorf, the first of two new 68s is due to splash in June.

Price (Solaris 55) ex VAT: €690,000 www.solarisyachts.com

Hanse 675

Hanse says that with the splashing of its first 675, the company has launched the largest ever serial production yacht in Germany. That production yachts are reaching this scale is certainly a telling sign of the times.

With multiple large hull ports and deck hatches including an electric sliding skylight, the 675 is particularly light below. There is an extensive selection of glitzy options, including coffee bar, wine cooler, optional hard bimini aft with integrated speakers and spotlights, and a cockpit with three 21in displays that can be used either for navigation or entertainment.

The 675 is designed with professional crew in mind, so crew quarters are kept separate from guest accommodation. Crew have private access on the port side of the cockpit that leads to the galley and a cabin for up to three.

Price ex VAT €999,000 (£735,770). www.hanseyachts.com

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The European Yacht of the Year is judged by journalists from 11 different magazines from 11 different European nations. Each jury member tested every yacht from the five different categories, over two separate weeks in two different locations.

Take a look at last year’s winners and the winners from the year before.

After the decisions were finalised, the five category winners were announced this evening (January 21) at a prizegiving held during the opening night of the Dusseldorf Boatshow.

The nominees and winners of each category for the European Yacht of the Year awards 2016/2017 are:

Luxury Cruiser

Other nominees: Bestevaer 45ST Pure, Garcia 52 Exploration, Italia 12.98, X4

Winner: Beneteau Oceanis Yachts 62

Here is an innovative new breed of sailing yacht that has succeeded in taking practical influences from the motorboat sector. Key features include the transom design with steps built into each side to easily access the garage and jet tender, flat decks to maximize sunbathing area, a 45º companionway, and proper privacy for the owner’s cabin.

The modern, original styling, including the use of leather, indirect lighting and carpeted cabins, feels luxurious – in a word, ‘executive’. A tender garage with a practical launching system for a 2.85m jet rib is a clever selling point. But it’s the introduction of an industrialised new build technique to make this size of yacht more affordable that demonstrates why Groupe Beneteau remain world leaders in their field.

Price ex VAT: €650,000 Benteau.com

Family Cruiser

Other nominees: Django 12.70, Ikone 7.50, Jeanneau 51, Sunbeam 22.1

Winner: RM 970

Once again the plywood specialists have produced a worthy winner, one that perfectly demonstrates why designer Marc Lombard is so crafty in this mid 30ft sector. The 970 packs it all in – genuinely exciting performance in a fun, voluminous, versatile and refreshing family-friendly cruiser.

I like the deck design, notably the textile solutions and winch layout. She’s enjoyable to drive, providing a sporty yet authoritative feel that has the ideal balance for a fast family cruiser.

Price ex VAT: €120.417 www.rm-yachts.com

Performance Cruiser

Other nominees: Dehler 34, Grand Soleil 58, J/112E, Ofcet 32

Winner: Pogo 36

Pogo Pogo Pogo. The one we always get excited about. The contemporary new shape of the 36 helped cause more of a stir than any of its predecessors. And boy does it not disappoint. Gone are any past notions of these beamy designs being sticky in the light breeze. The Pogo will match any ‘traditional’ narrow hull shape upwind – then smoke it offwind.

A Pogo guarantees fast cruising fun – but the performance in light airs of the 36 was a pleasant surprise. The build quality throughout is also first class. Pogo have made a concerted effort to make their interiors more comfortable for cruising and it shows. For me it’s the most exciting monohull of 2016.

Price ex VAT: €133,000 Pogo.com

Multihulls

Other nominees: Lagoon 42, Lucia 40, Nautitech 46 Open, Tricat 30

Winner: Outremer 4X

The boat that was always sailing. That an 8T, 48ft cruising cat could sail at all in the 3–4 knot zephyrs was impressive. That we subsequently sailed steadily at 11–13 knots in 12–15 knots wind and that she could hit the mid 20s when pushed, indicates the 4X has the legs to perform. But getting that balance between speed, controllability and safety right is key for a distance cruising machine – and the 4X achieves that handsomely. This boat is not about outright speed, more a smooth, fast enjoyable ride – easy, stable flight.

Outremer’s employment of Loïck Peyron in a godfather role is a clever way to ensure the ergonomics of the boat and the line handling is practically set up. The Outremer 4X is well-built to last, enjoyable to helm and the ideal size to go distance cruising at a good pace.

I want one!

Price ex VAT: €689,000 Outremer.com

Special Yacht

Other nominees: Bihan 650, Easy-To-Fly, Scow FR 18, Spirit 47CR

Winner: Seascape 24

Seascape continue to excel in the niche they created – fast monohulls inspired by Open class racing yachts, but mini yachts that are capable of providing the most manageable fun in an approachable size range.

The 24 embodies the best of Seascape’s previous 18ft and 27ft models – a versatile package that can be trailered, provide thrilling offwind blasts, and has berths for four below its protective coachroof. Seascapes are created by real sailors who put so much thought into their products – and it shows.

The 24 is both a spicy weekender and a swing-keel pocket family cruiser that is good value for money.

Price ex VAT: € 43,600 Thinkseascape.com

CLICK HERE FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF LAST YEAR’S WINNERS (including pictures and videos)

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