European Yacht Of The Year 2025: These are the nominees for European Yacht of the Year
Jochen Rieker
· 02.09.2024
It is a special year for boatbuilding in many respects. After a pandemic-related phase with bulging order books, the industry is now sailing in a much lighter economic breeze. This can be seen in the number of new products, which has almost halved - and consequently also in the nominations for Europe's Yacht of the Year.
Last autumn, only 12 candidates competed in the world's most important vote for the best, the lowest number ever. Beneteau, the undisputed leader among the title holders, was not even represented because it does not offer any new models. Four boats did not make it to the start line due to delays in construction or logistical bottlenecks. This was also a negative record - it was the largest number of no-shows ever.
The lack of mass can be overcome, of course, because it in no way corresponds to a lack of class, as the presentation of the participants proves. On the contrary, the qualified boats appear highly attractive across the board, both at the top and at the bottom.
High-volume manufacturers such as Dufour, Hanseyachts and Jeanneau are represented with innovative high-volume models, as are established luxury brands and specialised shipyards with yachts tailored to the requirements of smaller target groups. It is interesting to note that alternative drive systems are becoming increasingly widespread. A third of the nominees are already offered with electric motors - either as standard, as with the Sunbeam 29.1, or as an option, as with the Tofinou 7.9, Hanse 360 and Dufour 44.
The selection for Europe's Yacht of the Year was made by an expert jury headed by YACHT and made up of the editors-in-chief and test directors of the twelve leading European sailing magazines. All candidates had to undergo tests lasting several days: in September off Kiel-Schilksee and at the end of October off Palma de Mallorca. The winners will be announced on Saturday evening as part of the Flagship Night at boot Düsseldorf.
Nominated yachts up to 30 feet
BayCruiser 21
The smallest boat among the nominees is also the most versatile: with the ballast centreboard and rudder raised, the British boat with its cuddly retro look is just 25 centimetres deep and can therefore be slipped in shallow shore areas. Thanks to the carbon rig with Dyneema shrouds, setting the mast is also easy. If the 400-litre water ballast tank remains empty, the BayCruiser has a very good power-to-weight ratio for light winds (sail load factor 5.2). However, she can also take more pressure, as she impressively demonstrated off Strande. Hull length: 6.01 m; overall length: 6.01 m; waterline length: 5.67 m; beam: 2.18 m; draught: 0.25-1.50 m; weight without/with water ballast: 0.6/1.0 t; sail area: 19.0 m2; STZ/m. Water ballast: 5.2/4.4; Price: from 41,350 euros.
Tofinou 7.9
Like her direct competitor from Holland, the Saffier Se 24 Lite, the Frenchwoman combines breathtakingly beautiful lines with agile sailing characteristics. She interprets the concept of a modern daysailer even more consistently by offering practically no extension: Below deck there is nothing but uncovered topcoat and a narrow V-berth. Instead, the Tofinou can be ordered with a swivelling keel and twin rudders. An electric pod, an outboard motor or a diesel engine is used for propulsion, all of which are not included in the price. Hull length: 7.16 m; overall length: 7.95 m; waterline length: 6.40 m; width: 2.30 m; draught/old: 1.69/0.80-1.94 m; weight: 1.2 tonnes; sail area: 28.0 m2; STZ: 5.0; price: from 98,060 euros.
Sunbeam 29.1
The shipyard from Mattsee in Upper Austria remains true to its new, avant-garde design philosophy. However, the 29.1 appears more restrained than its overly polarising sister, the 32.1. Unlike the latter, it does not attempt to be an all-in-one boat, meaning it is more of a daysailer than a small cruising yacht - although the airy interior is also sufficient for short trips for two. On the other hand, it is spirited, has a very clean finish and is well equipped: an electric motor and swivelling keel come as standard. Hull length: 8.50 m; overall length: 8.99 m; waterline length: 7.90 m; width: 2.49 m; draught: 0.85-1.85 m; weight: 2.3 t; sail area: 47.0 m2; STZ: 5.2; price: from 148,630 euros.
Nominated yachts up to 45 feet
Sun Odyssey 350
The price increases for raw materials, components and wages have put pressure on what was once the most popular market segment with a hull length of ten metres. Jeanneau was not deterred by this and nevertheless developed a new model with the 350. It has a very minimalist appearance in terms of basic equipment, but can be made more attractive in terms of cruising comfort and performance with optional packages. And there are even three keel variants. Nobody offers more variability from large-scale production. Hull length: 9.99 m; overall length: 10.94 m; waterline length: 9.38 m; width: 3.59 m; draught: 1.99/1.49/1.28-2.54 m; weight: 5.7 t; sail area: 55.0 m2; STZ: 4.1; price: 162,790 euros.
Hanse 360
If you are looking for a space miracle under eleven metres in length, here it is: the new Hanse 360 gets more volume than all its direct competitors from its wide hull shape and sheer width. But the developers have gone even further, allowing owners maximum configuration options: two or three cabins, one or two wet cells, diesel or electric drive, plus various options for the rigging and sail plan. This wealth of variants can easily lead to complete prices close to 300,000 euros, but also to highly customised boats. Hull length: 10.60 m; overall length: 11.32 m; waterline length: 10.29 m; width: 3.99 m; draught/old: 2.05/1.65 m; weight: 7.8 t; sail area: 60.0 m2; STZ: 3.9; price: 221,220 euros.
J/40
Like few other brands, J/Boats has always been able to maintain its independence and distinctiveness. The latest design proves this once again. It is slimmer than the competition, the freeboard is flatter and the hull tapers gracefully towards the stern. This makes the J/40 look timelessly elegant. In YACHT's exclusive test, she proved to be surgically precise, fast and also spirited on the wind. Below deck, she is cosier than her predecessor. Nevertheless, despite the high ballast ratio, she remains reasonably light and the sail carrying capacity is high. Hull length: 12.47 m; overall length: 13.21 m; waterline length: 11.26 m; beam: 3.86 m; draught/old: 2.20/1.92 m; weight: 7.7 tonnes; sail area: 96.0 m2; STZ: 5.0; price: 398,430 euros.
Heyman 42 PPH
Designed in Sweden and built in Estonia, this pilothouse yacht is unrivalled on the world market. Her retro design is harmonious and her cabin layout is perfect for long ocean passages or unforgettable moments at anchor, even when the sun isn't shining. And those who rub their eyes in amazement at the price should bear in mind that the Heyman 42 comes with a B&G navigation system, electric winches and furlers, bow thrusters and many other features that are only available as options elsewhere. Hull length: 12.66 m; overall length: 13.52 m; waterline length: 11.83 m; beam: 4.30 m; draught: 1.48-3.02 m; weight: 11.4 tonnes; sail area: 91.2 m2; STZ: 4.2; price: 812,770 euros.
Heyman 34 Sport: Far from the mainstream
Lagoon 43
The world market leader in cruising cats replaces its successful model, the Lagoon 42, which has been produced more than 1,000 times. With almost unchanged dimensions, the 43 redefines its class. Wider hulls allow for larger, more cosy cabins and an owner's cabin with a double berth forward instead of aft. The saloon is designed so that the seating groups inside and outside can be combined to form a long table. The newcomer should also sail better than its predecessor, which remains in the programme as a four-cabin boat. Hull length: 12.82 metres; overall length: 13.85 metres; waterline length: n/a; width: 7.69 metres.A.; width: 7.69 m; draught: 1.40 m; weight: 13.3 t; sail area: 105.0 m2; STZ: 4.3; price: 593,810 euros.
Dufour 44
The new Dufour is designed to offer as much living space as possible both on and below deck, but not at the expense of sailing pleasure. She has already proven this in the YACHT test. Although the hull was very voluminous even by today's standards, the 44 was agile and dynamic under sail. While the large-series competition is almost always two feet longer, she is not lacking in habitable space, which is also due to the innovative saloon layout with extendable hexagonal table. Hull length: 13.10 m; overall length: 13.90 m; waterline length: 12.23 m; beam: 4.45 m; draught/old: 2.20/1.75 m; weight: 11.0 tonnes; sail area: 4.2 m2; STZ: 4.2; price: 353,430 euros.
ClubSwan 43
Only a few have been able to sail her. But all those who have had the pleasure have been extremely enthusiastic about the latest racer/cruiser from Nautor. It was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, who is responsible for the Finnish company's sports programme and who in himself stands for excellence and speed. In principle, the ClubSwan 43 is a not so much smaller, more accessible version of the CS 50 for one-design and ORC regattas. Modular interior, high carbon fibre content, very high price. Hull length: 13.10 m; overall length: 14.56 m; waterline length: 13.10 m; beam: 4.25 m; draught: 2.40 m; weight: 7.8 t; sail area: 118.2 m2; STZ: 5.5; price: 975,800 euros.
Nominated yachts over 45 feet
Nautitech 48 Open
Just under two years ago, the Nautitech 44 competed against six other cats in a strong field and won the title with aplomb. Can the new flagship of the French shipyard claim another victory? In any case, the concept is the same: the 48 Open combines high performance with plenty of space and comfort. Two steering columns, mounted aft on the very outside of the hulls, allow active helming. The sail plan is generous, as is the draught for a catamaran, and the hull lines allow easy planing. Hull length: 14.67 m; overall length: 15.43 m; waterline length: 14.94 m; width: 7.97 m; draught: 1.55 m; weight: 13.5 tonnes; sail area: 135.5 m2; STZ: 4.9; price: 1,189,760 euros.
Contest 63CS
The new Contest is more super yacht than luxury yacht. The styling and finish raise her far above the ordinary. At the same time, the Judel/Vrolijk design shines with variable rigging and sail plan, very high stability reserves, a successful cockpit layout and a cabin layout with two identical guest cabins amidships, which is unique in this size class. The 63CS does not need a professional crew, but there is a skipper's cabin in the bow on request. Hull length: 19.29 m; overall length: 20.54 m; waterline length: 17.85 m; width: 5.50 m; draught: 2.90 m; weight: 31.9 t; sail area: 212.0 m2; STZ: 4.6; price: 3,448,620 euros.
