The Oscars of the boatbuilding world, the European Yacht of the Year 2022, have been announced. Together they comprise the five best yachts of the year in a variety categories and, for the first time, three special mention awards\u00a0This is the 19th year of the European Yacht of the Year awards, which is without a doubt the most thorough and impartial awards programme \u2013 the winners here are widely considered the best yachts of the year. The awards now include 12 jury members from across Europe, each leading voices on boat testing in their respective countries.
\nIt involves shortlisting the best annual prospects, typically into five separate categories, before all 12 jury members trial each yacht to elect the winners. The trials were held in La Rochelle and Port Ginesta, Barcelona during the autumn.
\nNormally the awards would be presented at the Dusseldorf Boat Show, but for the second year running, this was cancelled because of Covid, hence a virtual presentation instead. The full report about the shortlisted yachts and winners is in our March 2022 issue. Below is a breakdown of the nominees and winners.
\nBest yachts of the year \u2013 Performance cruiser
\nNominees: IC 36 Independence; J\/45; JPK 39FC; Pogo 44; Solaris 40
\nAlways an exciting category, this year\u2019s shortlist had the full range. From the more conventional and definitive style of performance cruiser such as the J\/45 and the Med-special Solaris 40, to the contemporary French interpretation of a lightweight fast cruiser in the Pogo and JPK \u2013 and through to a new brand of sports catamarans for the thrill seekers.
\nWinner: JPK 39FC<\/p>\n
JPK builds boats that win trophies! Along with fellow Brittany yard Pogo, JPK has redefined what a modern performance cruiser should be: stiff, stable and efficient to the max. FC stands for Fast Cruiser, and the JPK certainly lives up to that billing.
\nFor the keen sailor who wants to get the utmost enjoyment out of hands-on cruising, the JPK 39FC is a superb design (and to my eye, an appealing one too), while the yard has done a nice job with the vacuum-infusion build and interior fit-out. The two-cabin version we sailed has plenty of stowage too.\u00a0 Click here for our full report and video<\/p>\n
\u201cA fast cruiser is a balance between a number of factors,\u201d says our Norwegian jury member Axel Nissen-Lie. \u201cJPK has succeeded in creating a boat that sails insanely well, and at the same time it is modern and comfortable.
\n\u201cIf you take the best from RM, X-Yachts and Pogo, you get something close to JPK 39FC. The boat beats almost as well as an X-Yachts, it has a superstructure like an RM, and goes downwind almost like a Pogo.\u201d\u00a0 Price ex VAT \u20ac205,100
\nBest yachts of the year \u2013 Luxury cruiser
\nNominees: Hallberg-Rassy 50; Jeanneau Yachts 60; Lagoon 55; Swan 58; X5.6
\nWhat constitutes luxury for you? The broad selection for this category this year includes two from Groupe Beneteau which show how appealing space can be today, as well as offerings from more typical premium brands such as Swan and Hallberg-Rassy. Pricing is equally as varied: for the same length, one can cost three times the amount of the other.
\nWinner: Hallberg-Rassy 50<\/p>\n
We featured a full test of this Swedish gem in our January issue, but in summary, this 50 is beautifully refined and arguably the best model yet in Rassy\u2019s modern hull-shape generation. Check out our full video tour here.
\nIt uses every inch of German Frers\u2019 cunning design while still delivering highly impressive, push-button controlled performance across the wind ranges, particularly with the optional high-spec carbon rigging package.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Hallberg-Rassy 50 could use more practical outside storage space \u2013 but that\u2019s about the only thing that could be improved on the yacht,\u201d says our Dutch jury member from Zeilen, Marinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong.
\n\u201cThe perfection of the concept, the refined detailing and impeccable finish show the pinnacle of luxury. The use of the optional high tech rigging brings top of the bill performance, without adding complexity in handling. Luxury sailing as it is supposed to be: enjoy high quality sailing in comfort.\u201d
\nPrice ex VAT SEK 13,221,900 (approx \u20ac1.3m)
\nBest yachts of the year \u2013 Family cruiser
\nNominees: Beneteau Oceanis 34.1; Dufour 470; Hanse 460; Jeanneau SO 380; Neel 43
\nA strong category brimming with interesting new designs. All these shortlisted yachts are winners in my eyes and worthy of close scrutiny by anyone in the market for a new mid-range yacht to suit easy cruising as couples, or with friends or family.
\nThe space race continues to thrive but all of these designs prove you can have that volume without unnecessarily impacting performance or enjoyment on the helm.
\nWinner: Hanse 460<\/p>\n
Hanse\u2019s brave decision to change designers has seemingly paid off. The 460 cleverly meets its brief of providing a voluminous hull which still performs. It boasts appealing exterior aesthetics, is enjoyable to sail and gives the feel of a larger yacht\/model (particularly in the cockpit).<\/p>\n
A key indication of the success of a design is in the initial sales numbers \u2013 over 150 sold before any seatrials!\u00a0\u00a0Our Finnish judge Pasi Nuutinen says: \u201cTiger\u2019s leap to fresh looking modern design with all its benefits for easier control, better performance and more voluminous interiors. Still combining the traditional Hanse virtues of decent quality and sensible pricing.\u201d
\nPrice ex VAT \u20ac270,900
\nBest yachts of the year \u2013 Bluewater cruiser
\nNominees: Allures 51.9; Outremer 55; Ovni 370; Windelo 50
\nFor those planning long term cruising, would you choose a robust aluminium build for higher latitudes sailing, shoal draught to tuck into the shallows (a mix of both?), sustainable living or reliable comfort, or the ability to log sustained high speeds to outrun weather systems?
\nThis selection gives you all those choices and more\u2026
\nWinner: Outremer 55<\/p>\n
With this model Outremer shows why it dominates the performance bluewater multihull sector. The well built and finished 55 is a mighty spaceship with a modern apartment inside, and although a lot to absorb and handle, it offers sustained double digit speeds in real comfort.
\nOutremer has done a fine job with packing in the creature comforts, stowage space and payload capacity while keeping it light enough to eat miles. And with over 50 orders for a yacht of this price range, this is arguably the most successful new production yacht on the market.<\/p>\n
German de Soler from Spanish magazine Nautica y Yates thinks this \u201can outstanding catamaran forged by a formidable trio of designers \u2013 VPLP, Darnet Design and Patrick Le Qu\u00e9ment \u2013 supported by the experience of a shipyard with more than 30 years creating bluewater cruising catamarans.
\n\u201cThe result of this conjunction is what should be expected in a boat aimed to fulfill the ocean dream of any sailor: quality of life on board and the ability to go far while enjoying sailing along the way.\u201d \u00a0 Price ex VAT \u20ac1.35m
\nBest yachts of the year \u2013 Special yacht
\nNominees: De Cesari 33; Revolution 24; Saffier SE33 Life; Sunbeam 32.1; Tricat 6.90
\nOnce again, we see a wonderfully eclectic mix comprising this category! From a scow-bowed aluminium tardis to a timeless Italian wood epoxy daysailer, all these nominees bring some fascinating ideas and were a pleasure to sail and get to know.
\nWinner: Saffier SE33 Life<\/p>\n
Saffier is another yard which will not rest on its laurels and keeps improving and improving. Just when you think it\u2019s found the perfect daysailer formula, it adds more and more refinement, from the design to the first class finish throughout.
\nThe SE33 is an absolute joy to sail (and can provide a thrilling ride too), while the Dutch yard\u2019s incredible sales figures bear witness to its looks and functionality.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s really saying something when a yard can win the same prize in back to back years for a similar product. Chairman of the jury, Jochen Rieker from Yacht explains: \u201cFollowing-up from the previous year winner, SE 27, the 33 not only follows a proven concept. She actually beats the high standards the yard has established.
\n\u201cIn other words: She is not just bigger but that extra little better in any respect that there simply was no other choice than awarding the Dutch design again. And rightly so: stunning performance, great feel, loads of stability, beautiful lines and an interior that wants you stay longer than just for a day or so. Simply, absolutely, crazy wow!\u201d
\nSpecial Mentions<\/p>\n
Sustainability:\u00a0Windelo 50
\nIn an era where the big yards should be leading by example rather than greenwashing, few go to the extent that newcomers Windelo has. Two years were spent researching environmentally-friendly composite materials, developing what it describes as an eco-composite of basalt fibre and recycled PET foam so it could build boats that halve the environmental impact of standard glassfibre yachts.
\nThe result is an intriguing package \u2013 from the styling, modular interior and novel layout to the solar field on the roof and the standard electric propulsion, the Windelo 50 is completely fresh.<\/p>\n
Sustainability:\u00a0Elvstrom eXPR
\nWe hope Elvstrom could be leading the way to a cleaner method of sailmaking here. eXPR is a laminate sail, where the main constituents are all made from recycled polyester (including the UV film, taffeta and fibres), yet in looks and practice there is no telling difference to high-end laminates made from non-recyled materials.<\/p>\n
Versatility: Tricat 6.90
\nReally easy, light, fast performance sailing in a simple, no-frills package. The 6.90 is versatile, in that it has a practical folding mechanism, can be trailered, and used by a small family for camping, beached. Plus it hits a price point in which most other yacht manufacturers have given up competing (from \u20ac52,000).\u00a0 Here\u2019s our video tour
\nEYOTY Jury
\nToby Hodges, Yachting World, GBR
\nJochen Rieker, YACHT, GER
\nLoic Madeline, Voiles & Voiliers, FRA
\nPasi Nuutinen, Vene, FIN
\nRoland Duller, YachtRevue, AUT
\nAlberto Mariotti, Vela e Motore, ITA
\nMorten Brandt-Rasmussen, B\u00e5dmagasinet, DEN
\nMarinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong, Zeilen, NED
\nJoakim Hermansson, Praktiskt B\u00e5t\u00e4gande, SWE
\nAxel Nissen-Lie, Seilmagasinet, NOR
\nGerm\u00e1n de Soler, Nautica Y Yates, ESP
\nLori Sch\u00fcpbach, Marina.ch, SWI<\/p>\n
If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/p>\n
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The post The 5 best yachts of the year: European yacht of the year winners appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Oscars of the boatbuilding world, the European Yacht of the Year 2022, have been announced. Together they comprise the five best yachts of the year in a variety categories and, for the first time, three special mention awards\u00a0This is … <\/p>\n