To kick off the world's largest water sports trade fair, the industry gathered for FLAGSHIP NIGHT, the joint maritime get-together organised by Delius Klasing Verlag and boot Düsseldorf. During the gala, the winners of the two prestigious awards "European Yacht of the Year 2026" (EYOTY) for sailing yachts and "European Powerboat of the Year 2026" (EPOTY) for motorboats were announced. Britain's Craig Wood was also presented with the "SEAMASTER Award" during the event. He is the first triple amputee to successfully complete a solo crossing of the Pacific Ocean
Bielefeld/Düsseldorf, 17 January 2026. The international "European Yacht of the Year" awards were presented for the 23rd time and the "European Powerboat of the Year" awards for the 20th time. The winners of these prestigious awards have always been selected by a jury of experts consisting of test managers and editors-in-chief from Europe's twelve leading sailing magazines and six leading motorboat magazines. The jury is chaired by YACHT publisher Jochen Rieker and BOOTE editor-in-chief Torsten Moench.
After a tough slump, the boating industry is picking up again. This is also evident in the European Yacht of the Year awards, in which no fewer than 21 candidates between 26 and 62 feet competed – including two German yachts, the Pure 42 and the Woy 26. While last autumn there were only a dozen nominees who underwent several days of testing for Europe's Yacht of the Year, this time there are almost twice as many on the shortlist for the most coveted award in international boatbuilding. Not only the winners, but also many of the nominees shine in Europe's best selection this time around thanks to what is probably the most important primary virtue: sailing pleasure.
The winners of Europe's Yacht of the Year are determined in a complex process. Candidates must face the judgement of the jury – and the competition – in tests at sea lasting several days. There was no shortage of wind during the tests in Port Ginesta, Spain, and IJmuiden, Netherlands, last autumn. These were ideal conditions for getting to know and assessing the newcomers of the year, even at their limits.
This year's winner in the family cruiser category is the Excess 13 (length 12.38 metres, base price from the shipyard €553,350). The young catamaran brand Excess has prevailed against strong monohull competitors with its fifth model. The Excess 13 weighs a good 20 per cent less than comparable boats, while offering a good 15 per cent more upwind sail area. Because its structure is also considerably stiffer, resulting in less twisting in rough seas, it offers unrivalled agility, precision and plenty of sailing fun.
There were two winners among the nominated performance cruisers this year. In the monohull category, the First 30 (hull length 9.35 metres, base price from the shipyard €124,950) unanimously won the 2026 European Yacht of the Year award. With this model, Beneteau has reversed the price spiral. It is the most affordable in its class and unrivalled in every other respect: light, smart, fast and stylish. No other boat won more hearts among the jury.
The Dragonfly 36 (hull length 11.55 metres, base price from the shipyard €659,260) was also victorious in the Performance Cruiser (Multihull) category. The trimaran from Denmark steers close to the wind like a monohull; downwind, it left the entire competition far behind. And this potential is possible without compromise: with fine finishing, high-quality fittings, good ventilation, very decent berth dimensions and optional extras such as a sprayhood, cockpit table or even heated helmsman's seats.
In the bluewater cruiser category, the winner is the Pure 42 (hull length 12.90 metres, base price from the shipyard €1,129,310). The explorer yacht from Kiel has achieved a premiere success: as the first model of the new brand, it has won the title straight away. In terms of quality and orientation, there is nothing comparable. A blue water yacht that not only takes its crew safely everywhere, but also provides more enjoyment than all of its well-known competitors. The experienced jury has yet to encounter an aluminium yacht in this segment that sails more agilely.
Among the nominated luxury yachts, the Wauquiez 55 (hull length 17.58 m, base price from the shipyard €2,142,000) achieved the most surprising but also a very convincing victory. It skilfully redefines the luxury yacht segment and also revitalises it with highly appealing performance under sail, including well-balanced rudder pressure. The boat also handled rough seas with ease in the test. The French design is almost provocatively innovative in its lines, but also in its overall concept: a completely new approach to design, exterior, interior and operation.
In addition, the expert jury awarded the Woy 26 (hull length 8.00 metres, base price from the shipyard €285,600) from the "Special Yachts" category with the special Newcomer of the Year award. It is a feast for the eyes, but at the same time so much more than that. The Woy 26, built in small series, sails just as it looks: agile, precise, fast. Thanks to its lifting keel and carbon rig, the sporty and elegant daysailer is easy to slip and rig. However, its real special feature remains hidden under the deck varnish: the boat is made of local larch wood. To achieve this, the shipyard compresses four layers of thin wooden strips under vacuum using a positive mould and glues them together with epoxy. Sustainability has never been so simple and chic.
The presentation of the European Powerboat of the Year 2026 awards for motorboats was also extremely exciting this year. The expert jury is made up of the editors-in-chief and test managers of the leading European motorboat media from Norway (Båtmagasinet), France (Neptune/MoteurBoat), Spain (Nautica y Yates), Switzerland (Marina.ch), Austria (Yachtrevue) and Germany (BOOTE). In total, the participating motorboat media outlets represent more than one million monthly readers in Europe – a unique achievement.
It was no easy task for the experts from the international motorboat trade press to select 25 nominees in five categories for the European Powerboat Award 2026 from more than 100 new boat models. Five boats are nominated in each of five categories in order to reflect the boat market as realistically as possible. In addition to the usual quality features of a boat, such as workmanship and handling characteristics, the jury pays particular attention to the layout, safety and price-performance ratio of the candidates. The implementation of innovative ideas and concepts can also be a decisive factor in the final analysis. Due to a lack of suitable candidates, the "electric boats" category was omitted this year.
In the compact class for sports boats up to 10 metres, the Sea Ray SDX 270 Surf (length 8.28 metres) secured a place on the winners' podium. Its name says it all. With its special stern, ballast tank and electric surf taps, it offers everything you need for a wakesurfing experience. To make it easy to get in and out of the water, Sea Ray offers a bathing platform equipped with automatically retractable steps. The cockpit and stern are also ideal for sunbathing.
In the category of motorboats up to 14 metres, the jury selected the Windy SR 40 (length 13.05 metres). It is a powerful family sports cruiser with a spacious outdoor area, thanks to folding side walls on both sides of the stern.
The striking hull ensures seaworthiness and good handling even at high speeds. The deck layout is characterised by its open design, while the interior combines Scandinavian design with functional details.
The Saga Menorquín 48 FB (hull length 15.20 metres) impresses in the motor yacht class up to 18 metres. The Menorquín has classic lines and is classified in CE category A for ocean-going vessels, perfect for owners who value long-distance capability. The flybridge yacht comes with three cabins and two bathrooms as standard.
The De Antonio Yachts D60 (hull length 18.50 metres) comes out on top in the motor yacht category up to 24 metres. Last autumn, the Spanish manufacturer presented its new flagship, the D60, with an avant-garde, elegant and timeless design. The interior also features a clear design language. Large windows create an airy, bright feeling of space. The lounge area at the front conceals a jacuzzi.
In the power catamaran category, the Bluegame BGF45 (hull length 14.15 metres) secured first place. With the BGF45, Bluegame is launching a foil-assisted power catamaran that combines efficiency, speed and modern design. The foil-assisted hull concept reduces drag and thus fuel consumption, improving range and environmental performance.
And there was another reason to celebrate at this year's FLAGSHIP NIGHT: in addition to the "water sports Oscars", the SEAMASTER Award was also presented that evening. With this honour, the two partners Delius Klasing and boot Düsseldorf recognise a personality who has made a special contribution to water sports. British sailor Craig Wood was honoured at the gala on Saturday evening. Wood lost both legs and one hand in Afghanistan. The young veteran found new courage and confidence in sailing. On his 41-foot catamaran Sirius II, he sailed more than 7,500 nautical miles (approx. 14,000 km) alone from Mexico to Japan – a remarkable achievement despite numerous adversities such as torn sails, engine damage and extreme weather conditions. With his courage, perseverance and innovative spirit, Wood showed that physical limitations do not have to set limits.
Detailed reports on all the winners will follow in YACHT 4/2026 (available in stores from 28 January) and BOOTE 3/2026 (available in stores from 10 February) as well as on the online portals
www.yacht.de and
www.boote-magazin.de.
