Every year, around 60 new yachts are launched on the European market. But only five shipyards can claim the title of "European Yacht of the Year 2020". 16 nominees were carefully evaluated and selected for their various nautical qualities and response to the program for which they are intended. To test their skills, 2,500 miles were sailed on board these different units.
The nominees generally represent the market trend, and the first observation that can be made is the increasing size of the yachts. The trend is also towards customizable interior design with many options. Finally, sport yachts are experiencing a remarkable increase.
Since 2004, French builders have won the "European Yacht of The Year" award 31 times, while Germany and Italy, which take second and third place in the awards, have each won the prestigious award only 16 times.
Oceanis 30.1
This year, the winner of the Family Cruiser category is the Oceanis 30.1 . This cruising yacht built by Bénéteau's subsidiary Delphia Yachts in Poland offers high quality workmanship that has also been highly appreciated. The Oceanis 30.1 is a practical and affordable cruising yacht for four crew members.
Discover the 5 nominees in the cruising yacht category
X4?
In the Performance Cruiser category, the winner is the X4°. The Danish boat combines all the features that have made the famous boat builder X-Yachts famous. It offers a lot of power while being very comfortable and elegantly appointed.
See the 4 boats in the Performance category
Amel 60
In the Luxury Cruiser category, the Amel 60 is a winner. Its spacious cockpit, almost entirely covered by a deckhouse, offers maximum protection from the elements while providing a beautiful relaxation area. Inside, the interior is elegant and of very high quality, offering three spacious double cabins and a bright salon.
See the 3 yachts nominated in the Luxury category
Dehler 30 OD
It is obvious that the range of sporty and easy-to-handle yachts is growing. For this reason, a dedicated category (Regatta Yachts) has been assigned to them. And this is the Dehler 30 OD which won the title. The shipyard has a long experience of racers and has built its success on boats designed for short-handed sailing. Lightness and design are the points that made it stand out from the crowd.
Discover the 5 racing-cruising yachts nominated in the sports yachts category
ClubSwan 36
The innovation prize was awarded to ClubSwan 36 the latest model from the luxury brand Nautor. This modern and radical racing boat from the Finnish shipyard is currently one of the most exciting boats produced in series. It has all the characteristics of a high-tech boat, from its hull shape to its unique carbon foil whose curvature allows to play with its angle to the water surface.
Multihulls
No multihull was awarded in 2020 despite the explosion of this type of boat. It was not possible to carry out a sea trial on board the Lagoon and it turned out that the Excess 15 and the Neel 47 had certain defects.
