European Yacht and Powerboat of the Year 2023

At the traditional FLAGSHIP NIGHT, the major industry get-together of Delius Klasing Verlag and boot, the prestigious awards are presented in a festive act - after two years of virtual awards, finally on site again in Düsseldorf.

For the 20th time, the jury members from the twelve sailing magazines from Norway (Seilmagasinet), Sweden (Båtägande), the United Kingdom (Yachting World), the Netherlands, (Zeilen), Switzerland (marina.ch), France (Voiles et Voiliers), Spain (Náutica y Yates), Denmark (Bådmagasinet), Austria (Yachtrevue), Italy (Vela e Motore), Finland (Vene) and Germany (YACHT) selected the best from the 2023 boatbuilding vintage from among 50 to 70 new or significantly reworked models.
The sea trials lasting several days and setting the competition apart from all others, first took the jury to La Rochelle in autumn
2022, before the second, even more extensive test off Port Ginesta, near Barcelona, followed shortly afterwards.

Experts from the powerboat media outlets had a difficult job selecting 28 nominees across six categories from over 250 new boat models for the European Powerboat Award 2023. This year, organisers have introduced a separate category in response to an increasing number of catamarans and electric boats. Besides the usual quality features of a powerboat, such as workmanship and handling properties, the jury particularly focused on the candidates’ layouts, safety and value for money. Ultimately, the implementation of innovative ideas and concepts can also be a decisive factor.

This year, the SEAMASTER Award was once again presented. With this honour, the two partners pay tribute to a personality who has made a special contribution to watersports. It was last awarded in 2020, with the exceptional German sailor and Vendée Globe finalist Boris Herrmann named as the recipient.

In 2023, the award for outstanding and sustainable commitment goes to Ukrainian Opti coach Pavlo Dontsov for mentoring his young people in times of war. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Pavlo was in Valencia training a group of young Ukrainian Opti sailors. After he learned that war had broken out, he kept the group of children and young people together and set about caring for them simply as a matter of course – an act that reflected an international commitment to help. The jury saw this as “an example of cohesion in sport and a sign of hope in bleak times”.