
The European Yacht of the Year continues to be the focal point of our testing programme and brings much to many. For readers, sailors and yacht buyers, it helps show what to look for and why, current trends, what works and what doesn’t. To the 12-strong jury, all leading critics in our individual countries, it’s the ideal opportunity to comparatively test multiple yachts and weigh up our varying appraisals – whether those views are stemming from Med-, Atlantic- or Baltic-based backgrounds.
And I believe it has helped and continues to benefit the yards too, encouraging the production of more refined, better built and value yachts, with fewer flaws, for which they should be recognised. In the last 21 years we have sailed 450 yachts over 35,000 miles!
All jury members sea trial each yacht – over two weeks in La Rochelle, France, and Barcelona’s Port Ginesta – before we vote to decide the best yachts of the year. The result is the most impartial and coveted awards for new production yachts available.
Yes, this celebrates the winners and shows why they won, but – as I always say to the yards which didn’t clinch the overall prize – all 21 nominated yachts are shortlisted for good reason and it should be remembered that some will miss out on an overall award by a fraction. That doesn’t make them any less interesting.
So on the following pages, as well as detailing the winners, we showcase all the nominees and highlight their practical features, some of which may be applicable to your search for a yacht for sailing right now, or in time to come.
FAMILY CRUISERS
NOMINEES: Bavaria C46 // Beneteau Oceanis 37.1 // Dufour 41 // Elan Impression 43 // Hanse 410 // Maxus 35 // RM 1380
Bu hikaye Yachting World dergisinin March 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Yachting World dergisinin March 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap

WILD AT HEART
THE OWNER OF THE ELEGANT 210FT SCHOONER ATHOS OPTED FOR A TRUE AWAY-FROM-IT-ALL ADVENTURE, EXPLORING REMOTE BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ITS INCREDIBLE WILDLIFE

MATTHEW SHEAHAN
WHAT DO THE CHANGES ON SHOW AT BOOT DÜSSELDORF MEAN FOR THE NEXT YEAR OF YACHTING?

MOODY DS48
A TWO-DAY CROSS CHANNEL TEST EXAMINES WHETHER A HEAVY DECK SALOON DESIGNED FOR SINGLE LEVEL LIVING CAN ALSO OFFER ENGAGING SAILING

NIKKI HENDERSON
IF YOU COULD TAKE NIGHT WATCHES OUT OF THE OFFSHORE SAILING EQUATION, WOULD YOU ACTUALLY DO IT?

DOWN NOT OUT
WHEN PIP HARE DISMASTED IN THE 2024 VENDÉE GLOBE HER RACE ENDED – BUT HER STORY DIDN’T. PIP TELLS THE TALE OF HER REMARKABLE 800-MILE SELF RESCUE

WHALE STRIKES
HOW LIKELY – REALLY – ARE YOU TO COLLIDE WITH A WHALE? WE REPORT ON A NEW APPROACH TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF WHALE STRIKES, PLUS WHAT SAILORS CAN DO

WALLY WONDER
WALLY WIND 110 IS THE 'BEST EVER ACCORDING TO THE BRAND'S FOUNDER AND FROM ON BOARD YOU REALISE WHY HE WOULD SAY SUCH A THING. TOBY HODGES SAILS GALMA OFF BARCELONA

Triple amputee's solo Pacific bid
Franck Cammas has announced his ambition to return to solo offshore racing with plans to compete in the 2028 Vendée Globe and 2027 Ocean Race in a latest version IMOCA. His newly formed team, Sailing Generation, also includes three Olympic sailors and aims to compete in the blue riband offshore events together with the LA 2028 Games.

TALLY HO REBORN
TALLY HO'S REMARKABLE REBUILD WAS A SEVEN-YEAR LABOUR OF LOVE THAT CAPTURED A HUGE, LOYAL FOLLOWING. LEO GOOLDEN TELLS HOW HE BROUGHT A 1910 GAFF CUTTER BACK TO LIFE

MISSION CONTROL
A SCIENTIFIC MISSION TO GREENLAND ON A 90FT SCHOONER WAS A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY FOR JULIEN GIRARDOT