Each year Europe’s best in the boating industry are rewarded with the “Oscars of watersports“: The international “European Powerboat of the year 2014”. The expert panel consists of editors-in-chief of Europe’s top seven motorboat magazines from Norway, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Every year, a rough 200 new boats emerge on the market. The jury nominated 23 new boats in five length classes for powerboats: up to 25 feet, up to 35 feet, up to 45 feet, over 45 feet and the Trawler class, where length is of no importance.
Award ceremony at boot Düsseldorf 2014
Being nominated alone means that yacht is one of the most promising new innovations for the upcoming water sports season 2014. All of the 23 boats that were nominated have undergone extensive tests that take into account criterias as design, handling, safety on board, value for money and many more. The hotly contested prizes are traditionally awarded at the FLAGSHIP NIGHT, the traditional meeting of the industry hosted by Delius Klasing Verlag and boot Düsseldorf on the first weekend of the show.
These boats are the best:
In the small class under 25 feet, five completely different concepts vied for supremacy. In the end, victory went to the Nordkapp 605 Enduro. With typical Scandinavian flair, the Nordkapp features impressively good and safe sailing properties. In addition, it also offers an excellent price/performance ratio.
The nominees in the category up to 25 feet were:
Chris-Craft Capri 21
Boesch 625
Boston Whaler Vantage 230
Karnic Storm 2255
Boats in the up to 35 feet class must be able to demonstrate practical solutions, good workmanship and safe handling on all waters. The prize in this category went to the Elan Power 30. The Slovenian Elan shipyard, originally known for sailboat construction, has been building high-quality powerboats for a number of years. The “Power” series is primarily characterised by minimalist design and high-level usability. This is also reflected
in the practical cabin layout.
The nominees in the category up to 35 feet were:
Delta 34
Windy 29 Coho
Flipper 880 ST
Smartboat 30
The winner in the up to 45 feet class was the Jeanneau Velasco 43. The Velasco sees Jeanneau venture into new territory. The boat, which is the work of well-known designer Tony Castro, marks a completely new direction in the Flybridge segment and represents a new type of touring boat.
The nominees in the category up to 45 feet were:
Prestige 450 Fly
Reha Trawler 36
Austin Parker 42 Sedan
North-Line 37 Pilotstyle
In the over 45 feet class the jury chose the Beneteau MC 5. The Monte Carlo 5 is the result of unusually complex development efforts. It is full of innovative ideas that show that experienced boat builders have been at work here.
The nominees in the category over 45 feet were:
Princess V48 Open
Contest 52 MC
Cranchi Eco Trawler 53 LD
Astondoa 63 Top Deck
In the Trawler class, traditionally dominated by Dutch boats, the Jetten 35 AC offers impressive evidence of what can happen when the advantages of Dutch steel hull construction technology are combined with modern forms. In terms of looks and design, the Jetten 35 AC is on a par with modern synthetic craft, while still offering all the benefits of classic steel models.
The nominees in the Trawler category were:
Delphia Escape 1080
Linssen TNCS 36 AC
Sources: boat-Duesseldorf