European Yacht of the Year 2008

• Category I: Up to 10 metres:
  Sun Fast 3200
  
• Category II: Up to 12 metres:
  Sunbeam 34
  
• Category III: Up to 14 metres:
  Sly 42
  
• Category IV: Above 14 metres:
  Comet 52 RS
  
• Category V: Multihulls:
  Dragonfly 35

Winner in the first category - yachts up to 10 metres
The Sun Fast 3200 named "European Yacht of the Year 2008" in the category of sailboats over 10 metres. Conceived by Daniel Andrieu and the Jeanneau Design team, the boat is the product of an innovative design. Infusion technology yields a strong, lightweight boat that is particularly advantageous in the category of offshore racers, and the Sun Fast 3200 provides comfortable interior design features that are not available on other race boats of this size.

Winner in the second category - yachts up to 12 metres
The Sunbeam 34 named "European Yacht of the Year 2008" in the second category. The boat can be sailed easily by two people alone. All lines and controls are well-manageable single-handed from the cockpit. Spacious area for sunbathing and wide passageways provide plenty of room to move on deck.

Winner in the third category - yachts up to 14 metres
The Sly 42 named "European Yacht of the Year 2008" in the third category. The yacht has a large open cockpit with advanced mainsheet track and two long bench seats converging towards the hatch. The complete interiors are elegant and light-filled, equipped with every comfort and maximum usability at sea and in dock, cruising or racing.

Winner in the fourth category - yachts over 14 metres
The Comet 52 RS named "European Yacht of the Year 2008" in the fourth category. It is a sail yacht for long distance cruises and dedicated to those who spend a lot of time at sea. The Comet 52 adopts the open transom hull, the wide lateral cockpit seats, the double helm, and back set winches to leave as much habitability and visual as possible during navigation

Winner in the fifth category - multihulls
The Dragonfly 35 named "European Yacht of the Year 2008" in the category multihull. The boat offers an amazing space and performance ratio. The back of the cockpit is openable with integrated steps and a bathing ladder.

SunFast 3200	Sunbeam 34	Sly 42	Comet 52 RS	Dragonfly 35

The Award
Journalists from eleven European magazines have elected their favourite yachts, after they had evaluated, measured, tested and discussed all the criteria of the nominated ships. The accolade "European Yacht of the Year" has an exemplary function as inspiration for the shipyards, never to pause in their ambition to build fascinating sailboats. There are awards galore. But only one accolade is so significant, so international and so coveted as the title 'European Yacht of the Year'. The reasons:

The jury
No jury is as competent and no selection process takes so much time or has a similar methodic approach as this one. This makes the choice of Europe's Yacht of the Year to a seal of approval, which can totally be relied on in all of its five different categories - all the more because the process remains free of any economic interest or national preferences. Members of the magazines Badnyt in Denmark, Voile Magazine in France, Batnytt in Sweden, Fare Vela in Italy, Seilas in Norway, Swissboat Yachting in Switzerland, Waterkampioen in The Netherlands, Yacht in Germany, Yachting World in England, Yacht Revue in Austria and Yate in Spain voted for yachts in altogether five categories.

Criterion for quality
While other titles are awarded merely for appearance, for the election of Europe's Yacht of the Year, all the essential criteria of a ship are being evaluated, measured, tested and discussed by the jury. The two trials in Southampton and Barcelona are the most important practical tests of the construction. The sentence is passed not until after several days at sea.

Reward for the best
The winners are the best of the trade. The accolade therefore has an exemplary function as inspiration for the shipyards, never to pause in their ambition to build fascinating sailboats.

Source: www.yachtoftheyear.org

- Nominated Yachts