These are Europe's best sailing yachts, which are awarded with the "Oscars of Water Sports" in a total of five categories. For the sixteenth time, the international award "European Yacht of the Year" was presented on Saturday, January 19th at the Flagship Night of boot Düsseldorf and Delius Klasing.
Every year around 60 new sailing boats are launched on the European market. But only five shipyards can celebrate the title "European Yacht of the Year 2019". The first tests took the jury members of the twelve sailing magazines from all over Europe to Ellös on Orust in Sweden at the end of August, followed in October by the second test phase off Port Ginesta south of Barcelona. All 19 candidates were intensively tested and evaluated. In total, the specialist journalists covered almost 2,000 nautical miles with the nominated yachts.
Winners Family-Cruiser & Performance-Cruiser
Oceanis 46.1
The Oceanis 46.1 won the Family Cruiser category this year. The cruising yacht of world market leader Beneteau shows the same lines as the Oceanis 51.1, which was nominated last year - with one important difference: The 46.1 has more sail area, thus has even better sailing characteristics thanks to a finely balanced rig geometry and successful lift distribution. Below deck she offers up to ten berths in five cabins. The boat is highly customizable, modern and has an appealing design.
Arcona 435
Arcona 435 - Foto: © Arcona Yachts
the Arcona 435 won. She follows the typical Scandinavian model of a sporty performance cruiser: stiff, solid, with a comfortable and fully-fledged interior, which makes her relatively heavy. On the other hand it has modern lines with a wide stern, a contemporary sail plan with little overlapping genoa and a mighty main. She impresses with a precise and responsive feeling at the rudder and very good performance.
Winner Special Yachts
Lite XP
In the Special Yachts segment, the Lite XP was able to set itself apart from the competition. The 150 kilogram sandwich construction from France comes with a fuel-free hybrid drive. The skiff hull with slip cabin can be rowed or sailed - in lighter winds even with a gennaker. Perfect for active owners on inland waterways or for adventurers in coastal areas. In the Race to Alaska 2018 she did quite well and proved her qualities.
Winners Luyury-Cruiser & Multihulls
Sunbeam 46.1
In the Luxury Cruiser category, the Sunbeam 46.1 was the winner. With the new model, the brand from Mattsee has returned to the upper echelons of yacht building. The 46.1 is the shipyard's new top model and can be used in many different ways: on long journeys or leisurely trips to the bays. The construction is extremely sophisticated and equipped with all the contemporary details such as double steering position, fold-out bathing platform, large cockpit with table, targa bar with fixed window and integrated sprayhood.
Astréa 42
In the Multihulls class, the coveted award went to the Astréa 42. The multihull yacht from the well-known French Catamaran builder Fountaine Pajot is the latest model to set sails. Front cockpit, electric lifting platform for dinghies, reclining on the cabin roof, outdoor pantry - the Astréa 42 pursues the trend towards higher design quality and comfort on 57 square metres of living space and, on top of that, has good sailing characteristics.
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