European Power Boat of the Year Awards 2014 - 5 Winners
Five new powerboats were named best of the year by editors of eight European magazines.
When the envelopes were opened on the first evening of the Düsseldorf boat show (BOOT Düsseldorf), the boatbuilders Nordkapp, Elan, Jeanneau, Beneteau, and Jetten heard their names read to the sound of applause as the European Power Boat of the Year Award winners. Some 400 industry executives attended the “Flagship Night” event hosted by German publisher Delius Klasing to learn who the winners would be. (On the same evening, the Yacht of the Year Awards were also distributed; see “European Yacht of the Year Awards 2014”.) The event also included presentation of an award chosen by the readers of the Delius Klasing superyacht magazine, boote Exclusiv, for the top super yachts of the past 25 years.
The winning boatbuilders and judges from 8 magazines gather for an on-stage photo op after the European Yacht of the Year Award ceremonies.
The Power Boat Awards consisted of four categories that were distinguished by length and one that was open to all displacement boats. The judging was done by editors from eight European powerboat magazines.
The winner in the class of 25 feet or less was the Nordkapp 605 Enduro. According to the judges, the Enduro delivers in typical Scandinavian fashion, offering performance, seakindly behavior, and very good value. The other nominees were Boesch Sunski 625, Boston Whaler Vantage 230, Chris Craft Capri 21, Karnic Storm 2255.
The Nordkapp 605 Enduro was the winner of the under 25-foot category.
Usability, practicality and a no-nonsense approach lifted the Elan 30 Power to the top of the category that covered boats of up to 35 feet. It was a strong showing for the Slovenian builder, which thus far has been best known for its sailing yachts. Other nominees were the Delta 34, Flipper 880 ST, Smartboat 30, and Windy 29 Coho.
The Elan Power 30 won the Under 35-foot category.
Jeanneau fielded two entrants in the category of boats up to 45 feet. It may have given the company a statistical advantage, but its Tony Castro designed Velasco 43 won on its own merits, particularly due to its innovative flybridge concept which may usher in a new era in mid-sized cruising boats. The other nominees were Austin Parker 42, Sedan, Prestige 450 Fly, Reha Trawler 36, and North Line 37 Pilot.
Leading the mid-size Under-45-Foot category was the Jeanneau Velasco 43.
The top spot in the largest class above 45 feet went to another French-built design, the innovative Beneteau MC 5, which showcases the results of astute development work by the world’s largest builder of recreational boats. The other nominees were the Astondoa 63 Top, Deck, Contest 52 MC, Cranchi Eco Trawler 53, and Princess V 48 Open.
In the above-45-foot category, the Beneteau MC5 was named the European Yacht of the Year.
There were no restrictions in size in this year’s displacement class, and the winner was the Dutch-built Jetten 35 AC. The judges felt that combined the looks and advantages of traditional steel yachts with the lighter weight of fiberglass. The other nominees: Delphia Escape 1080, Linssen TNCS 36 AC.
In the luxury class, the Jetten 35 AC was the winner of the European Yacht of the Year Awards.
The recipient of the judges Innovation Award was the Yacht Controller JCS Plus, which can be retrofitted on existing twin-engine boats.
Readership Award
In celebration of the 25 year anniversary, the magazine Boote Exclusiv conducted a reader poll to honor the top superyacht of the past quarter century. From among 25 nominees, 1800 readers voted, and in a close contest the winner was the 95-meter Palladium built by Blohm+Voss in Germany. Also honored for receiving the second and third most votes were the 189-foot Maltese Falcon sailing yacht and Alfa Nero, respectively.
