The Boot in Düsseldorf - one of the largest boat shows in the world - opened this Saturday, January 21, 2017 in Germany. This first day of the opening concludes, as it does every year, with the Flagship Night, which brings together the marine industry to dedicate the "European Yacht of the Year 2017." This ceremony to elect the five best sailboats took place for the 14th time in Paris e times. The jury consists of editors from eleven European journals (Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Germany). The results are taken by majority vote and the jurors cannot vote for a site of their own nationality.
Every year, about 70 new models of sailboats are launched on the market to be discovered on Plaisance.com. But only 5 shipyards can hope to win the prestigious title of "European Yacht of the Year . Following the Cannes and La Rochelle autumn boat shows, sea trials were carried out on the French Riviera and on the Atlantic coast to test the 25 pre-selected yachts.
Family Cruiser
This is the RM 970 ( See the 360° pictures ) from the Fora Marine shipyard, which won the award for best family cruiser in 2017. The jury members were seduced by its open layout, which provides great visual volume when entering the boat. They also liked the ability to choose between a tiller or a wheel or between several keel configurations (single or twin keel). Finally, the plywood hull did not slow down the international jury, which is not used to it.
Performance Cruiser
This is the Pogo 36 from the Structures shipyard, which won the title of fast cruiser. It was awaited by the fans of offshore sailing who wanted the Breton shipyard to launch a new medium class sailing boat. This 10.86 m sailboat is a cruising sailboat ideal for the voyage and very powerful and fast with a more modern hull.
Luxury Cruiser
L' Oceanis Yacht 62 from the Bénéteau shipyard wins the title of luxury cruiser. With a length of 19.07, this modern and elegant yacht has a chine hull with a double-safran. Its perfectly balanced sail plan gives it power and safety for fast, easy and reassuring sailing. The jury was charmed by the many details of this elegant sailboat, starting with its very individual and eye-catching linear design, or its spacious layout: tender garage whose door can be transformed into a terrace, cockpit for 12 people, spacious saloon as well as many private spaces (3 cabins and two bathrooms).
Special Yacht
This is the Seascape 24 which wins the title of special yacht thanks to its lines which are at the crossroads between a sports boat and a fast cruiser. This real "all-terrain" is easy to transport on its trailer, with only 7 m length. The Seascape 24 (7.30 m) is a one-design boat that is equally at home in regattas and in fast coastal cruising with the family. It really plays the versatility card.
Multihull
This is the Outremer 4X which won the prize for the best sailing boat in the multihull category. These catamarans are known for their sporty and racy characteristics. With the 4X, the French shipyard has designed an even more powerful catamaran than the Outremer 45. It is a racing version of the 45-foot model, lighter from the bottom of the hull to the masthead, to be more powerful. The hulls are laminated with a high proportion of carbon fiber and a platform made of carbon.
