As certainly one of 12 jury members from throughout Europe who all examined the 12 shortlisted yachts, and the one British choose, Toby Hodges reveals one of the best yachts of 2025. Right here’s his verdict on the winners and nominees.
The European Yacht of the 12 months 2025 winners have been introduced this night, Saturday 18 January 2025 on the primary evening of the Dusseldorf Boat Present. Dubbed the ‘oscars of yachting’ the awards this 12 months comprised 12 nominees, from which we elected 5 class winners.
The 12-strong jury is fashioned of main boat take a look at critics from their particular person international locations panning Europe.
Every nominee is examined by all jury members over two weeks of trials in two areas throughout the Autumn. It’s an neutral, intense and complete programme which ends not merely in awarding winners, however by exposing and revealing the boats’ strengths and weaknesses it helps encourage higher constructed and higher worth new yachts.
The winners shall be displayed on the present. However for individuals who can’t make it, fear not – I’ve sailed all of the boats and achieved the legwork for you! We’ve additionally acquired full studies in Yachting World and full video walkthroughs on every.
The Dufour 44 was one of many Nominees in 2025. Photograph: Andreas Lindlahr / EYOTY
Finest Household Cruiser 2025
Nominees: Dufour 44; Hanse 360; Jeanneau Solar Odyssey 350
A trio of the newest key-sized household cruisers from the mainstream manufacturing yards was all the time going to current attention-grabbing competitors.
The Dufour 44 is similar to its smaller 41ft sister which launched the 12 months earlier than, with a bit extra space felt all through Umberto Felci’s voluminous hull form. See our report and video right here.
The Jeanneau Solar Odyssey 350 meanhwile is the final within the line to learn from Jeanneau’s eigth-generation upgrades, with some key tweaks over the enormously standard SO349 (1,200 bought). A enjoyable, manageable, versatile entry degree cruiser.
Winner: Hanse 360
The collaboration between the German shipyard and the French design studio Berret-Racoupeau has filtered down the brand new vary to this Hanse 360, which appears to tackle one of the best of its bigger sisters. In all probability the biggest 36-footer available on the market, it’s extra relatable to think about the Hanse as a brief 40-footer – it maximises quantity for its size.
An incredible all-rounder, the proportions of the Hanse’s 360’s format are spot on, as its steadiness below method the place it affords simple fulfilling crusing. But there’s additionally a lot quantity, together with the choice for a 3+2 format. That doesn’t come low-cost however this does set a brand new benchmark for 35ft manufacturing cruisers. The Hanse represents what a contemporary household cruiser ought to supply: enjoyable, simple, responsive and manageable crusing in area and luxury.
Customary value ex VAT: €185,000
Jury quotes
“Intuitive crusing with precision steering and a really reassuring stiffness, stability, and sturdiness. It’s important to get used to the beamy aft, however down under it pays by way of quantity, particularly within the visitor cabins that are correctly sized.” Jochen Rieker, GER
“Nicely balanced household cruiser: compact with out being cramped, voluminous with out feeling outsized,” Marinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong, NED
The Membership Swan 43 was one of many Nominees in 2025. Photograph: Andreas Lindlahr / EYOTY
Finest Efficiency Cruiser 2025
Nominees: ClubSwan 43; J/40
Two dramatically completely different 40-ish footers. The ClubSwan 43 and J/40 could also be related weights (slightly below 8 tonnes) however that’s the place the comparisons finish. These are splendidly different-shaped cruiser racers. It was definitely eye-opening to see them parked stern-to subsequent to one another.
With these flared muscular traces, I discover the ClubSwan 43 one of many coolest designs of the 12 months.
Ultimately the Jury felt the extra delicate perfectionist evolutions of the J tipped the steadiness in its favour – to not point out the CS43 is greater than double the worth.
Winner: J/40
One of the crucial rewarding yachts I’ve sailed in mild winds, the J/40 received the jury’s plaudits for its seems and dealing with. Providing one thing extra timeless than the present voluminous development, it is a pure J/Boats model quick cruiser, a refined evolution.
A chic, slippery new yacht which by no means stopped shifting even over glassy seas, the J/40 excelled on the helm. Regardless of its comparatively slim, low hull, it gives a roomy sufficient cruising inside – though the one heads is a bit cramped on the three-cabin model.
A real cruiser-racer mix, and one thing completely different to the fashionable bulbous planing shapes, it affords a lot of the J/45 and contains lots of J/Boat’s long-proven ideas.
Customary value ex VAT: €350,000;
Jury Quotes
A dream boat that’s crusing quick, regardless of the situations… And in a tough financial context, the yard managed to supply such a package deal at an affordable value which is much more excellent,” Sebastien Mainguet, FRA
“Very sturdy crusing efficiency and correspondingly high-quality gear on deck,” Roland Regnemer, AUT
“One of many few shipyards that is still 100% true to its DNA,” Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, DEN
The Lagoon 43 was one of many Nominees in 2025. Photograph: Andreas Lindlahr / EYOTY
Finest Multihull 2025
Nominees: Lagoon 43; Nautitech 48 Open
A decreased displaying of recent multihulls this 12 months, which is probably consultant of a market that’s been booming for a few years, but additionally one which is slowing its new mannequin releases because it struggles to fill order books.
The brand new Lagoon 43 is identical size and width because the enormously standard Lagoon 42 (1,100 bought), however in any other case fairly completely different. A chief objective was to supply 4 equal measurement cabins so all constitution visitors are pleased, and to maneuver the berth within the proprietor’s cabin model ahead away from the dock.
Winner: Nautitech 48 Open
House, velocity and magnificence. My first ideas have been definitely optimistic: is that this the best-looking manufacturing cat at the moment? We featured a full take a look at on this 48 Open within the February subject and filmed this crusing tour, but I nonetheless battle to condense my impressions to highlights right here.
The Nautitech 48 Open will get me dreaming of going locations for lengthy durations of time whereas loving the crusing! It is likely one of the uncommon manufacturing cats that makes you actively wish to stay on the helm and one which retains shifting within the lightest of airs.
No complicated daggerboards hinder the lodging, which helps permit some clever format options to be provided. For distance voyaging at a great common velocity, this has the waterline size to ship, mixed with loads of consolation all through and area for all of your toys.
Value ex VAT: €980,000;
Jury quotes
“Would you like plenty of area, or do you wish to sail quick? The Nautitech 48 Open balances each in a wonderful method,” Axel Nissen-Lie, NOR“Extraordinary crusing efficiency, thorough inside, and an progressive hull design making this catamaran remarkably simple to tack – these are a number of the standout options of this true winner,” Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, DEN.
The Heyman 42PH was one of many Nominees in 2025. Photograph: Andreas Lindlahr / EYOTY
Finest Luxurious Cruiser 2025
Nominees: Heyman 42PPH; Contest 63CS
If the Moody 48DS may have made the trials we’d have had an attention-grabbing twin of recent pilot saloon cruisers. Because it was, the Heyman 42PPH (‘Pocket Pilothouse’) shone. Gabriel Heyman poured his huge expertise and fervour into this, creating a pair’s cruiser teeming with unique concepts – most of those ideas impressed our jury, some nonetheless wanted tweaking.
Winner: Contest 63CS
The Contest 63CS is a category act, a premium modern-day cruising yacht which concentrates this family-run Dutch yard’s a long time of expertise into a recent, superbly completed design.
Our take a look at boat additionally offered memorable, enriching crusing efficiency and was enhanced with many costly non-compulsory extras, together with a full choice of efficiency sails, a taller rig and a deeper keel.
It’s proper on the restrict of proprietor operation and as near a superyacht because it will get at this measurement. Regardless of this measurement, the Contest’s rewarding crusing stands out, whereas the inside reveals a superyacht degree of end, engineering and a spotlight to element.
The definitive luxurious cruiser for 2025.
Costs ex VAT from €2,989,000;
Jury Quotes
“Presents greater than some superyachts. And she or he sails with a lightness that will in no way recommend her weight,” Lori Schüpbach, SUI
“Regardless of her 30 tons of weight the efficiency on the water is as magnificent because the unique inside,” Joakim Hermansson, SWE
The Sunbeam 29.1 was one of many Nominees in 2025. Photograph: Andreas Lindlahr / EYOTY
Finest Particular Yacht 2025
Nominees: Swallow Yachts Bay Cruiser 21; Sunbeam 29.1; Tofinou 7.9
A trio of dayboats, which once more are very distinctive and completely different from one another, offered an appetising combine. Each the Tofinou 7.9 and the Sunbeam 29.1 can match into a contemporary daysailer bracket at the least, whereas the Bay Cruiser is extra a small cruising yacht which can also be easy and light-weight to tow.
Winner: Swallow Yachts Bay Cruiser 21
There may be an more and more small alternative of recent entry-level yachts, however Swallow has produced a multifaceted magnificence right here. Enticing and seaworthy, with area to host buddies or for a pair to weekend aboard, the Bay Cruiser 21 additionally affords participating efficiency, shoal draught and straightforward towing skill.
On the water it proved a unanimous hit among the many jury. It is a correct little cruiser which affords a lot for the comparative value. Gentle weight, simple crusing efficiency, in a traditional form with a beneficiant, protected cockpit and a weekendable inside. And you may tow it anyplace and rig it in minutes.
For many who fear about the way forward for crusing, take a look at this Welsh yard. A standout yacht of the 12 months.
Value ex VAT £29,125
Jury Quotes
“A sensible, well-designed boat that may be a welcome addition to an trade in any other case obsessed by measurement.” Alberto Mariotti, ITA
“Completely filled with sensible improvements and intelligent options to make dealing with each on and off the water a bit of cake.” Joakim Hermansson, SWE
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