Europe's Yachts of the Year 2022: What the jury says about the winners - Part 4: Saffier SE 33
YACHT Online
· 27.01.2022
Three daysailers competed in the Special Boats category of Europe's Yacht of the Year, as well as a beginner-friendly trimaran and a flat-bottomed aluminium mini. It doesn't get much more diverse than that. Here is an overview of the nominees to get you started:
- De Cesari 33 - the hand flatterer made of wood
- Revolution 24 - the most robust, largest and most unique of the small ones
- Saffier 33 SE Life - the title holder
- Sunbeam 32.1 - the most daring and cosy
- Tricat 6.90 - the most versatile
So in a way, the least radical boat has won. Because the Saffier does not polarise, like the Revolution with its clumsy-looking scow bow or the Sunbeam with its daring flight deck; and it also remains conceptually on the safe side with its GRP hull, pinhead mainsail and backstay.
Anyone thinking "Wadde ma!" is certainly not entirely wrong. In fact, it sounds almost contradictory that the yacht from IJmuiden, of all places, won the Special Boat category. But there are good reasons for this, as the judges found.
Toby Hodges from"Yachting World" says:
"Just when you think they've found the perfect daysailer formula, the Saffier guys add more and more sophistication, from the design to the first-class finish. The SE 33 is an absolute pleasure to sail, and the Dutch yard's incredible sales figures are testament to her looks and functionality."
"Seilmagasinet"-head Axel Nissen-Lie from Norway finds:
"The Saffier 33 Life is a sensationally cool boat. The 33-footer is neither cheap nor practical, but has a well-functioning cockpit and sails like a dream. It's a boat that appeals more to the emotions than to the mind. A boat that can make you feel good about life."
Roland Duller from the"Yachtrevue" in Austria draws the following conclusion:
"By combining elegant styling, outstanding workmanship and fantastic sailing characteristics, Dennis and Dean Hennevanger seem to have found the philosopher's stone for the daysailer concept."
Loïc Madeline from"Voiles & Voiliers" sums it up in just six words:
"How could you not love her?"
And what does Jochen Rieker, YACHT editor-in-chief and jury chairman, say?
"Saffier has a motto, a claim that says it all: Worldclass Daysailers. That is essentially what the SE 33 Life offers. As the sister of last year's winner, the SE 27, the 33 not only follows a proven concept. It even exceeds the high standards set by the shipyard itself. In other words, it is not only bigger, but a little better in every respect, so there was no choice but to honour the Dutch design once again. And rightly so: stunning performance, great feel at the helm, plenty of stability, beautiful lines and an interior you'll want to stay in for more than just one day. Simply, absolutely, insanely wow!"
It wasn't quite so clear-cut in the readers' poll on YACHT online. Although the Saffier was initially clearly in the lead, it was ultimately beaten into second place by the Sunbeam. Here are the results of our survey:
If you want to know more about Europe's Yachts of the Year, you can find the previous winners here (just click on the respective line!):
Tomorrow we will be presenting the Outremer 55, which won the race in the blue water yacht class. And you can read the comprehensive report on all the nominees and winners in YACHT 4 - available to subscribers from the weekend, in well-stocked newsagents from Wednesday next week or order directly from the Delius Klasing shop ( please click! )
