The winners of the European Yacht and Powerboat of the Year Awards were announced over the weekend in a ceremony held on the opening day of the Dusseldorf Boat Show. US builder, Four Winns triumphed in the under-25ft powerboat category, fending off competition from fellow American powerhouse, Bayliner, as well as a pair of good-looking Finnish boats (see all 2016 powerboat of the year nominees). And in the family cruising yacht category, the "pocket cruiser" Hanse 315 was selected above the much larger Dufour 460 and Jeanneau 54.

 


 

In the under-35ft powerboat category, the Axopar 28 was recognised above the competition – a sentiment shared by boats.com reviewer, Alex Smith, as he reported on the brand new TT model from the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2015 (Axopar 28 TT review). And for fans of multihull sailing yachts, check out the winner of the multihull category in this boats.com Dragonfly 25 First Look Video recorded at last year's Dusseldorf Boat Show.

In all, five powerboats and five sailboats received boat of the year honors. The contests, organized annually by German publisher Delius-Klasing, include judges from the staffs of magazines in most European countries. Other winners hailed from countries ranging from Scandinavia and Poland to Holland, France and Italy.

European Powerboat of the Year – Four Winns V255

The Four Winns V255 was awarded European Powerboat of the Year 2016 in the under-25ft category.



 

2016 European Powerboat of the Year Award winners:


Four Winns V255 – Under 25ft

Axopar 28 – Under 35ft

Steeler NG 43 – Under 45ft

Galeon 500 Fly – Over 45ft

Boarncruiser 1200 Elegance – Displacement

 

2016 European Yacht of the Year Award winners:


Hanse 315 - Family Cruiser

Dragonfly 25 – Multihull

Solaris 50 - Performance Cruiser

Grand Soleil 46 LC – Luxury Cruiser

Quant 23 - Special Yacht

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