Europe's Yachts of the Year: The candidates in the Cruising Yachts category

Lars Bolle

· 16.01.2023

Europe's Yachts of the Year: the candidates in the Cruising Yachts category

Photo: YACHT

The vote for Europe's Yachts of the Year is being held for the 20th time. Here are the candidates for the anniversary Oscars. The winners will be announced during boot Düsseldorf

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All new or significantly revised boats from the current model year are eligible for the Yacht of the Year nomination. The number of newcomers varies between 50 and 70 and are recorded in a separate database. Every year in June, the judges jointly filter the most interesting representatives in the respective categories from the possible candidates. This is followed by two test events at which the candidates are compared and assessed. The first round takes the jury to La Rochelle at the end of September. The second, even more extensive test followed in October off Port Ginesta, near Barcelona. It lasted a whole week. As always, the winners are chosen at boot Düsseldorf in January.

Here we present the candidates in the 5 categories:

Cruising yachts

Linjett 39

Elegant, agile, easy to sail and with outstanding build quality. With the Linjett 39, Rosättra Båtvarv presents a modern cruising yacht as it should be today

Soothing. The lines are very balanced and do not have any fashionable kinks

The Linjett cuts a fine figure in the wind, even from the outside

You have a good view forwards from the two steering wheels. Trimming works to windward and leeward

The deck is sheer, such wide running decks have become rare

The halyards are concealed and run aft with little friction; they are individually guided in plastic tubes

23 Images

Photo: YACHT/K.Andrews

You can read the complete test report of the Linjett 39 here

Bente 28

Different owners, new model, proven brand values. Bente Yachts launches its second market offensive with the new Bente 28

The design of the Bente 28 is unmistakable

The Bente is neither a real sports boat nor a proven racer. But it sails well and has potential

From the air, the width, which extends all the way aft, is particularly striking

Clear lines. Sharp edges and the striking deck indentation characterise the look

28 Images

Photo: YACHT/L. Fruchaud

Read the complete test of the Bente 28 here

Dufour 37

Despite its name, the latest Dufour is not 37 but just under 33 feet long. Nevertheless, it offers more space than any other boat of this size

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Spacemast in rough seas: The Dufour 37 has good sailing characteristics and quickly reaches her hull speed with the asymmetrical spinnaker

Not only the bright yellow gennaker is a real eye-catcher

On the test, the Dufour 37 reached a top speed of nine knots in 16 knots of wind

The Dufour 37 also cuts a fine figure downwind. She sails nimbly, communicatively and yet remains stiff in gusts

The 9.99 metre long boat is equipped with two steering wheels, but only has one rudder blade

19 Images

Photo: EYOTY/L. Fruchaud

Read the complete test of the Dufour 37 here

All candidates also in the video:

here you can see all candidates

Lars Bolle

Chief Editor Digital

Lars Bolle is Editor-in-Chief Digital and one of the co-founders of YACHT's online presence. He worked for many years as an editor in the Sports and Seamanship section and has covered many sailing events. His personal sailing vita ranges from competitive dinghy sailing (German champion 1992 in the Finn Dinghy) to historic and modern dinghy cruisers and charter trips.

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