As one of 12 jury members from across Europe who all tested the 12 shortlisted yachts, and the only British judge, Toby Hodges reveals the best yachts of 2025. Here\u2019s his verdict on the winners and nominees. The European Yacht of the Year 2025 winners were announced this evening, Saturday 18 January 2025 on the first night of the Dusseldorf Boat Show. Dubbed the \u2018oscars of yachting\u2019 the awards this year comprised 12 nominees, from which we elected five category winners.
\nThe 12-strong jury is formed of leading boat test critics from their individual countries panning Europe.
\nEach nominee is tested by all jury members over two weeks of trials in two locations during the Autumn. It\u2019s an impartial, intense and comprehensive programme which results not simply in awarding winners, but by exposing and revealing the boats\u2019 strengths and weaknesses it helps encourage better built and better value new yachts.
\nThe winners will be displayed at the show. But for those who can\u2019t make it, worry not \u2013 I\u2019ve sailed all the boats and done the legwork for you! We\u2019ve also got full reports in Yachting World and full video walkthroughs on each.
\nThe Dufour 44 was one of the Nominees in 2025. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr \/ EYOTY
\nBest Family Cruiser 2025
\nNominees: Dufour 44; Hanse 360; Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350
\nA trio of the latest key-sized family cruisers from the mainstream production yards was always going to present interesting competition.
\nThe Dufour 44 is very similar to its smaller 41ft sister which launched the year before, with a little more space felt throughout Umberto Felci\u2019s voluminous hull shape. See our report and video here.
\nThe Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 meanhwile is the last in the line to benefit from Jeanneau\u2019s eigth-generation upgrades, with some key tweaks over the enormously popular SO349 (1,200 sold). A fun, manageable, versatile entry level cruiser.<\/p>\n
Winner: Hanse 360
\nThe collaboration between the German shipyard and the French design studio Berret-Racoupeau has filtered down the new range to this Hanse 360, which seems to take on the best of its larger sisters. Probably the largest 36-footer on the market, it\u2019s more relatable to think of the Hanse as a short 40-footer\u00a0\u2013 it maximises volume for its length.
\nA great all-rounder, the proportions of the Hanse\u2019s 360\u2019s layout are spot on, as its balance under way where it offers easy enjoyable sailing. Yet there is also so much volume, including the option for a 3+2 layout. That doesn\u2019t come cheap but this does set a new benchmark for 35ft production cruisers. The Hanse represents what a modern family cruiser should offer: fun, easy, responsive and manageable sailing in space and comfort.
\nStandard price ex VAT: \u20ac185,000
\nJury quotes
\n\u201cIntuitive sailing with precision steering and a very reassuring stiffness, stability, and sturdiness. You have to get used to the beamy aft, but down below it pays in terms of volume, especially in the guest cabins which are properly sized.\u201d Jochen Rieker, GER
\n\u201cWell balanced family cruiser: compact without being cramped, voluminous without feeling oversized,\u201d Marinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong, NED<\/p>\n
The Club Swan 43 was one of the Nominees in 2025. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr \/ EYOTY
\nBest Performance Cruiser 2025
\nNominees: ClubSwan 43; J\/40
\nTwo dramatically different 40-ish footers. The ClubSwan 43 and J\/40 may be similar weights (slightly under 8 tonnes) but that\u2019s where the comparisons end. These are wonderfully different-shaped cruiser racers. It was certainly eye-opening to see them parked stern-to next to each other.
\nWith those flared muscular lines, I find the ClubSwan 43 one of the coolest designs of the year.
\nIn the end the Jury felt the more subtle perfectionist evolutions of the J tipped the balance in its favour \u2013 not to mention the CS43 is more than double the price.<\/p>\n
Winner: J\/40
\nOne of the most rewarding yachts I\u2019ve sailed in light winds, the J\/40 won the jury\u2019s plaudits for its looks and handling. Offering something more timeless than the current voluminous trend, this is a pure J\/Boats style fast cruiser, a refined evolution.
\nAn elegant, slippery new yacht which never stopped moving even over glassy seas, the J\/40\u00a0 excelled on the helm. Despite its comparatively narrow, low hull, it provides a roomy enough cruising interior \u2013 although the single heads is a little cramped on the three-cabin version.
\nA true cruiser-racer blend, and something different to the modern bulbous planing shapes, it offers much of the J\/45 and includes many of J\/Boat\u2019s long-proven concepts.
\nStandard price ex VAT: \u20ac350,000;
\nJury Quotes
\nA dream boat that is sailing fast, whatever the conditions\u2026 And in a tricky economic context, the yard managed to offer such a package at a reasonable price which is even more outstanding,\u201d Sebastien Mainguet, FRA
\n\u201cVery strong sailing performance and correspondingly high-quality equipment on deck,\u201d Roland Regnemer, AUT
\n\u201cOne of the few shipyards that remains 100% true to its DNA,\u201d Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, DEN
\nThe Lagoon 43 was one of the Nominees in 2025. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr \/ EYOTY
\nBest Multihull 2025<\/p>\n
Nominees: Lagoon 43; Nautitech 48 Open
\nA reduced showing of new multihulls this year, which is perhaps representative of a market that\u2019s been booming for many years, but also one which is slowing its new model releases as it struggles to fill order books.
\nThe new Lagoon 43 is the same length and width as the enormously popular Lagoon 42 (1,100 sold), but otherwise quite different. A chief goal was to offer four equal size cabins so all charter guests are happy, and to move the berth in the owner\u2019s cabin version forward away from the dock.<\/p>\n
Winner: Nautitech 48 Open
\nSpace, speed and style. My first thoughts were certainly positive: is this the best-looking production cat currently? We featured a full test on this 48 Open in the February issue and filmed this sailing tour, yet I still struggle to condense my impressions to highlights here.
\nThe Nautitech 48 Open gets me dreaming of going places for long periods of time while loving the sailing! It is one of the rare production cats that makes you actively want to remain on the helm and one which keeps moving in the lightest of airs.
\nNo complex daggerboards hinder the accommodation, which helps allow some intelligent layout solutions to be offered. For distance voyaging at a good average speed, this has the waterline length to deliver, combined with plenty of comfort throughout and space for all your toys.
\nPrice ex VAT: \u20ac980,000;
\nJury quotes
\n\u201cDo you want a lot of space, or do you want to sail fast? The Nautitech 48 Open balances both in an excellent way,\u201d\u00a0 Axel Nissen-Lie, NOR
\n\u201cExtraordinary sailing performance, thorough interior, and an innovative hull design making this catamaran remarkably easy to tack \u2013 those are some of the standout features of this true winner,\u201d Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, DEN.<\/p>\n
The Heyman 42PH was one of the Nominees in 2025. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr \/ EYOTY
\nBest Luxury Cruiser 2025
\nNominees: Heyman 42PPH; Contest 63CS
\nIf the Moody 48DS could have made the trials we would have had an interesting dual of modern pilot saloon cruisers. As it was, the Heyman 42PPH (\u2018Pocket Pilothouse\u2019) shone. Gabriel Heyman poured his vast experience and passion into this, creating a couple\u2019s cruiser teeming with original ideas \u2013 most of these concepts impressed our jury, some still needed tweaking.<\/p>\n
Winner: Contest 63CS
\nThe Contest 63CS is a class act, a premium modern day cruising yacht which concentrates this family-run Dutch yard\u2019s decades of experience into a contemporary, beautifully finished design.
\nOur test boat also provided memorable, enriching sailing performance and was enhanced with many expensive optional extras, including a full selection of performance sails, a taller rig and a deeper keel.
\nIt\u2019s right on the limit of owner operation and as close to a superyacht as it gets at this size. Despite this size, the Contest\u2019s rewarding sailing stands out, while the interior shows a superyacht level of finish, engineering and attention to detail.
\nThe definitive luxury cruiser for 2025.
\nPrices ex VAT from \u20ac2,989,000;
\nJury Quotes
\n\u201cOffers more than some superyachts. And she sails with a lightness that would by no means suggest her weight,\u201d Lori Sch\u00fcpbach, SUI\u00a0
\n\u201cDespite her 30 tons of weight the performance on the water is as magnificent as the exclusive interior,\u201d Joakim Hermansson, SWE
\nThe Sunbeam 29.1 was one of the Nominees in 2025. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr \/ EYOTY
\nBest Special Yacht 2025
\nNominees: Swallow Yachts Bay Cruiser 21; Sunbeam 29.1; Tofinou 7.9
\nA trio of dayboats, which again are very unique and different from each other, provided an appetising mix. Both the Tofinou 7.9 and the Sunbeam 29.1 can fit into a modern daysailer bracket at least, while the Bay Cruiser is more a small cruising yacht which is also simple and light to tow.<\/p>\n
Winner: Swallow Yachts Bay Cruiser 21
\nThere is an increasingly small choice of new entry-level yachts, but Swallow has produced a multifaceted beauty here. Attractive and seaworthy, with space to host friends or for a couple to weekend aboard, the Bay Cruiser 21 also offers engaging performance, shoal draught and easy towing ability.
\nOn the water it proved a unanimous hit among the jury. This is a proper little cruiser which offers so much for the comparative price. Light weight, easy sailing performance, in a classic shape with a generous, protected cockpit and a weekendable interior. And you can tow it anywhere and rig it in minutes.
\nFor those who worry about the future of sailing, check out this Welsh yard. A standout yacht of the year.
\nPrice ex VAT \u00a329,125
\nJury Quotes
\n\u201cA practical, well-designed boat that is a great addition to an industry otherwise obsessed by size.\u201d Alberto Mariotti,\u00a0 ITA\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cAbsolutely packed with smart innovations and clever solutions to make handling both on and off the water a piece of cake.\u201d Joakim Hermansson, SWE<\/p>\n
If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/p>\n
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The post Best Yachts of 2025: European Yacht of the Year 2025 Winners appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As one of 12 jury members from across Europe who all tested the 12 shortlisted yachts, and the only British judge, Toby Hodges reveals the best yachts of 2025. Here\u2019s his verdict on the winners and nominees. The European Yacht … <\/p>\n