European Yacht of the Year 2009

The Award
Journalists from eleven European magazines are going to elect their favourite yachts, after exhaustive evaluating, measuring, testing and discussing 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'.

Category "Cruiser"

Category "Cruiser" - Bavaria 43cruiser
Category "Cruiser" - Bénéteau Océanis 31
Category "Cruiser" - Delphia 26
Category "Cruiser" - Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i
Category "Cruiser" - Southerly 32

Category "Performance Cruiser"

Category "Performance Cruiser" - Arcona 430
Category "Performance Cruiser" - Bénéteau First 45
Category "Performance Cruiser" - Dufour 45
Category "Performance Cruiser" - Finngulf 43
Category "Performance Cruiser" - Salona 34

Category "Luxury Cruiser"

Category "Luxury Cruiser" - Bordeaux 60
Category "Luxury Cruiser" - Contest 60CS
Category "Luxury Cruiser" - Moody 45 DS
Category "Luxury Cruiser" - Najad 505
Category "Luxury Cruiser" - Xc 45

Category "Special Yachts"

Category "Special Yachts" - Biehl 8.8
Category "Special Yachts" - Esse 990
Category "Special Yachts" - Kaidoz 31
Category "Special Yachts" - Saffier 26
Category "Special Yachts" - Truc 18 Cabrio

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

- The Winners 2008