On Saturday, at the Boot boat show in Düsseldorf, the winners of the Boat of the Year 2019 were announced.
Every year, around 60 new boats enter the European nautical market. Five of them earn the title of European Boat of the Year in their respective categories. The boat that deserves this prestigious title is determined by a jury of 12 nautical journalists from the most renowned European nautical magazines. The boats are tested in two phases. The first phase took place last August in Sweden, and the second in October at the Ginesta port south of Barcelona, Spain. All nominated boats are tested and evaluated. Journalists sailed over 2000 nautical miles with the nominated boats. This year, 19 boats were tested in five categories.
Let’s take a look at the winners by category
Family cruising yachts
In the Family Cruising Yachts category, the title of European Boat of the Year was awarded to the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1. It earned the title due to its exceptional sailing characteristics. It has a larger sail area and a well-balanced rig. The interior is extremely well utilized, offering up to five cabins for ten crew members. It provides numerous customization options to meet customer needs, is modern, and features highly attractive design elements.
Performance cruising yachts
In the Performance Cruising Yachts category, this year’s title went to the Arcona 435. This yacht is a typical example of Scandinavian design for a fast cruising yacht. The construction is exceptionally sturdy, the craftsmanship precise, and the interior extremely well equipped. Due to this, the yacht is relatively heavy. On the other hand, it is modern with a very well-thought-out sail layout, where the large mainsail is immediately noticeable. The yacht is extremely precise and responsive during sailing. Its excellence can be felt the moment you take the helm.
Special yachts
In the Special Yachts category, the winner was the Lite XP. The hull is built using sandwich construction technology, making it weigh only 150 kg. It is a very unique yacht, featuring a hybrid propulsion system. However, not in the usual electric-diesel combination, but rather a fuel-free hybrid drive. It can be sailed with sails or rowed. It is intended for active sailors seeking coastal adventure experiences. During the 2018 race to Alaska, it showcased its capabilities.
Luxury cruising yachts
In the Luxury Cruising Yachts category, the prestigious title went to the Sunbeam 46.1. This new model from the shipyard marks their return to the luxury yacht segment. The yacht can be used for long journeys or for comfortable enjoyment in a bay. Its construction is extremely sophisticated and features all modern amenities. It has twin steering wheels, a large foldable swim platform, a spacious and comfortable cockpit area, and much more.
Multihull yachts
In the Multihull Yachts category, this year’s winning catamaran is the Astrea 42 from the French shipyard Fountaine Pajot. The Astrea 42 is their latest model, launched last year. With this model, they are entering the segment of high-quality yachts with exceptional comfort. It boasts an impressive 57 m² of living space while offering excellent sailing performance.
Source: enavtika.si
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