As each year, journalists of 11 boating magazines from 11 European countries judged the "European Yacht of the Year" at the opening of the Dusserldorf Boatshow on the 21st January.
25 sailboats were first nominated in 5 categories before being tested during 2016 fall shows (Cannes Yachting Festival and Grand Pavois in La Rochelle). At the end of these tests the 5 winners were unveiled.
Family Cruiser
Winner: RM 970
Very modern design for this new RM sailboat with an inverted sheer and bow. The hull-shapes evolve with more volume in the fore part to give more righting moment. However the RM 970 stays faithful to the RM spirit using plywood-epoxy hull and the GRP deck with wide openings. As for other models of the RM range twin keel version is available, but the RM 970 is also available with single fin keel or with swinging keel.- Django 12.70
- Ikone 7.50
- Jeanneau 51
- Sunbeam 22.1
Performance Cruiser
Pogo Structures Pogo 36 - - 3/6
Picture extracted from the commercial documentation © Pogo Structures
Picture extracted from the commercial documentation © Pogo Structures
Winner: Pogo 36
The Pogo 36 really stands out from the Pogo 10.50 witch she replaces, the rigging is set further back, hull-shapes have evolved: use of a hard chine, more volume in the front part, but the architects have managed to reduce the wetted surface to improve performance in light wind. The accommodations are simple and welcoming; the windows on the roof allow a frontal vision, perfect to stay warm during the watch.Luxury Cruiser
Winner: Beneteau Oceanis Yachts 62
A step towards the world of luxury for Bénéteau, the Oceanis Yachts 62 stands out from the other sailboat of the shipyard by high standard finishes. Not a large number of cabins but space and it shows as soon as you reach the wide companionway. The design is neat with the integration of the hull portholes in a wide dark band around the hull and everywhere a care for details is present.- Bestevaer 45ST Pure
- Garcia 52 Exploration
- Italia 12.98
- X4
Multihulls
Outremer Yachting Outremer 4X - - 5/6
Picture extracted from the commercial documentation © Outremer Yachting
Picture extracted from the commercial documentation © Outremer Yachting
Winner: Outremer 4X
The Outremer 4X is not really a new sailboat but a deeply optimized version of the already very fast Outremer 45. To make her even faster the shipyard uses carbon fibers and for example textile door to reduce the weight, hull aft part has been redesigned to optimize dynamic floatation and sailplan is boosted. Even if she is a really fast boat, she remains comfortable and safe, allowing you to consider the cruise serenely.Special Yacht
Winner: Seascape 24
The newest sailboat of Slovenian Seascape range is above all a leisure boat, fast and easy to sail. She has convinced many regatta especially in Germany and France. However she is not restricted to racing between buoys, the headroom is limited and the accommodations simple but they are pleasant to live and functional, associated with the very shoal draft, the Seascape 24 can be used as a coastal cruise / raid sailboat.- Bihan 650
- Easy-To-Fly
- Scow FR 18
- Spirit 47CR