European Yacht Of The Year: The Woy 26 is the newcomer of the year 2026
Christian Irrgang
· 23.01.2026
It takes a lot of determination for a young company to try its hand in the market for small, sophisticated boats - a sector in which shipyards such as Saffier, Esse, Tofinou and A-Yachts have long been established. Jan Brügge, who studied shipbuilding and trained as a boat builder, had the guts. In Grödersby on the Schlei, he carpenters a jewel of yachting that quite a few on the jury compare to a Stradivarius of the sea.
There is no denying that the Woy 26, which is produced in small series, is also as expensive as an instrument from the Italian violin maker. However, if you put the price in relation to the exclusivity and finesse of the beguilingly beautiful eight-metre yacht, even the 290,000 euros seem somehow forgivable. For this, owners get what is only offered as an option elsewhere: Carbon rig, lifting keel, electric drive, wooden deck and hull paintwork. And once you experience her on the water, whether in a balmy evening breeze or in choppy seas and 4 to 5 Beaufort, you will fall in love with her anyway. Designer Martin Menzner, who also designed the Pure 42, gave her plenty of reserves combined with fascinating basic speed. No other daysailer of this size offers more speed and fun. And no other boat offers more aesthetics and elegance.
What the jury says
"The Woy 26 combines wooden boat construction with modern production methods such as vacuum infusion," says Joakim Hermansson from Praktisk Båtägande in Sweden. "Its design is breathtaking, as is the feel at the tiller. And with her electric drive, she emphasises the shipyard's commitment to sustainability."
Strengths
Absolute exception
Innovative design
High, easily retrievable potential in both light and strong winds
Very good technical equipment
Weaknesses
Very high price
Bowsprit only just above the water
Technical data of the Woy 26
- Torso length: 8,00 m
- Width: 2,42 m
- Draught min./max: 1,10/1,90 m
- Weight: 1,12 t
- sail area: 35 m²
- Sail carrying capacity: 5,7
- Base price ex shipyard: 285.600 €
Also nominated in the "Special Yachts" category
Tortue 147
A cat like no other! The new development from Cataruga breaks with all conventions. Behind the concept is Jean Sommeraux, an engineer who lived on an old schooner for four years after a career in the outdoor furniture industry. With the aluminium-built Tortue 147, he wants to get people out on the water in a relaxed way and impress them with its sustainability. Very different, very exciting! It sails slowly, but invites you to learn to love slowness. Length 14.70 m; width 7.85 m; draught 1.45 m; weight 17 t; sail area 96 m²; price 1,130,000 euros for the basic version.
