Boats premieres 2024

The Swedish shipyard has so far been successful with conservatively styled, luxurious and very good sailing performance cruisers. With the new flagship, they have left this traditional niche and entrusted the construction to one of the greats of the scene, namely Niels Jeppesen. This is a sensation, as Jeppesen worked exclusively for X-Yachts for more than 40 years and had a decisive influence on the brand. The design star also left his unmistakable mark on the Arcona 50, an elegant yacht with a very wide stern. It has two rudder blades, a spacious stern garage into which the dinghy can be packed crosswise and a three-saloon rig. If you prefer a particularly sporty style, you can opt for carbon fiber for the mast and boom or choose an overlapping genoa instead of the self-tacking jib. Below deck, the three spacious double cabins and two heads are conventionally comfortable. The U-shaped galley matches this, but it can also be ordered as an open version with a modern cooking island.

With the Bavaria C46, the southern German shipyard presents the third model in the line designed by Maurizio Cossutti, which impresses with very good sailing characteristics across the board. This also applies to the C46: thanks to the chines and V-bow, which is wide above the waterline, it has high dimensional stability and the single rudder allows precise steering. The yacht also boasts plenty of space below deck, where up to five cabins can be accommodated. Various options and solutions are available with regard to the layout (double or single berths) as well as the arrangement of wet rooms and separate showers - every pot should find its lid.

The same applies to the deck layout, which can be optimized for a small crew, sporty sailing or leisurely cruising with the family by varying the positioning and number of winches. The standard equipment includes a self-tacking jib and fixed bowsprit for a gennaker or code zero, while the additional sails can be stored in a sail locker between the anchor locker and the forward cabin - super practical!

With this Marc Lombard design, Bénéteau completes the renewal of the Oceanis range that began in 2017. The striking chines running across the entire hull give the yacht a sporty look, improve stability when in position and create more space below deck. This is used for a long galley arranged to the side of the saloon - great because it offers plenty of work surface and storage space and is absolutely unusual in this league - as well as a maximum of three double cabins with comfortably sized berths.

The performance cruiser designed by Sam Manuard and built by Seascape in Slovenia was voted European Yacht of the Year in this hotly contested category in 2023. And with good reason: with the First 36, a high-volume shipyard has succeeded in bringing an extremely lightweight yacht onto the market that does not require expensive high-tech materials. This was primarily made possible by the laminate specialists at Pure-Design, who drew up a strict diet plan for the hull and deck, but designer Lorenzo Argento was also involved and paid attention to every gram in the interior fittings and styling. The result is a fantastic sailing, agile boat that promises real fun in all conditions.

The Dutch shipyard has built a version with an aft cockpit (Contest 49CS) and one with a center cockpit on the Judel/Vrolijk & Co. hull, the latter of which was nominated for the European Yacht of the Year award in the luxury yacht category.

The cabin superstructure ending in front of the mast and the flat foredeck are reminiscent of a mega yacht, while the interior is top class in terms of workmanship, noise insulation and visibility to the outside. The central owner's cabin aft has a decidedly dignified appearance, as does the VIP cabin forward.

This model is the latest addition to the current line, consisting of the Dufour 37 and 41, and was designed by Umberto Felci, a long-term partner of the shipyard. He created a tidy deck with two to six winches in the cockpit, with a choice of overlapping genoa or self-tacking jib for the sails. If the yacht is used on the charter market, it can be equipped with four double cabins, each with its own wet room - something that has never been seen before in this length segment.

The owner's version has three comfortable cabins, and several variants and combinations are available for the layout of the heads. There is also freedom of choice when it comes to the galley: long row with plenty of storage space to the side or compact in landscape format along the main bulkhead, just as the buyer likes it. The hexagonal saloon table, which can seat up to ten people, is definitely appealing and a real innovation.

Two double cabins in the foredeck - an absolute novelty in this length class. It was made possible because designer Umberto Felci designed a hull with a maximum width of 4.30 meters and a super round bow nose. The yacht is hardly any narrower towards the stern either, which not only creates volume on and below deck, but also provides high stability and good gliding properties when sailing. A win-win situation.

The cockpit is huge, the saloon rather small, and the buyer has a choice of oak or teak furniture, both with a real wood veneer. The super-friendly ambience is thanks to the numerous hatches and windows that let in plenty of natural light.

The hull of this model, with which Elan is beginning to completely reorganize its cruising line, was designed by Humphreys Yacht Design, the shipyard's in-house designer. For the styling, the renowned Italian studio Pininfarina was brought on board for the second time. Its signature is evident in the wood veneer with natural knotholes, which was used for the furniture and creates a very special look. Beyond that, there are no experiments. The cruising yacht is aimed at the high-volume owner/charter market and relies on proven lines.

A daysailer from Hungary, from Lake Balaton to be precise, which is intended as a multifunctional device. With a weight of just 750 kg and a width of 2.53 m, it is easy to trailer and can also be slipped thanks to its retractable swing keel. The all-carbon construction, carbon rig and powerful, fully battened square-top mainsail make it an athlete suitable for regattas, and those who want to go on tour on the water will find four berths below deck and can get additional comfort on board with a cool box and chemical toilet. Sounds like a companion for all situations.

The traditional Swedish shipyard, which is still 100% family-owned, has stood for ocean-going blue water yachts for 80 years. With a length of 21 meters, the new flagship is the largest model ever built in Ellös and is aimed at the absolute luxury segment. What catches the eye at first glance is the unobstructed flush deck in front of the mast and the exceptionally large but very well protected center cockpit, which accommodates two helm stations, two L-shaped sofas and an expansive table; a refrigerator can also be installed here as an option. The fixed windshield typical of Hallberg-Rassy is a must, and a hardtop is also available as an alternative.

Despite its size, the yacht can also be easily and safely maneuvered across the water by a small crew or solo, as the sails are set and trimmed electrically or electro-hydraulically at the touch of a button using controls on the steering columns. Inside the 46-ton yacht, everything takes place on one level, with eight hull windows and various hatches guaranteeing plenty of natural light and a good view. There is a choice of two layout variants with different cabin and wet room arrangements, and the interior is finished in Khaya mahogany as standard. The look is maritime, the workmanship top notch - typically Rassy.

DS stands for Deck Saloon and that means plenty of sheltered space and a high level of living comfort. Hanse Yachts has made the most of this approach with its latest design: the walkaround deck with high bulwark and fixed railing guarantees safety even in rough seas, the cockpit is covered and is on one level with the saloon, which offers an unobstructed all-round view to the outside. The artificial term "monomaran", which is often used to describe the Moody models, hits the nail on the head here, as the 48-foot yacht combines the advantages of a catamaran with those of a monohull.

The German shipyard has been working with the Berrett-Racoupeau design office since 2021; the 410 is the third model to come from their pen and is clearly based on the Hanse 510 and 460 (which can also be seen at boot). The hull width is enormous, the soft chines run along the entire length and the underwater has a slightly wetted surface, especially aft.  All lines are led to the steering wheels, and in the cockpit you can have two separate tables instead of a single central table if you wish. The interior layout is variable with two or three cabins.

The smart weekender comes from the Dutch Heeg shipyard and is designed for inland waters with little wind rather than stormy seas. The already slim hull tapers strongly aft and towards the foredeck, which means less wetted surface area and helps the yacht to gain speed and good height even in a light breeze. Below deck, space is naturally limited and the forward berth is narrow. The two dog berths aft, on the other hand, are relatively comfortable, and there are two swivel chairs and a sofa in the saloon.

Exciting, polarizing, innovative - connoisseurs can think of many adjectives to describe the yacht designed by Philippe Briand and Studio Winch Design. They all underline the courage that the French shipyard, part of the mighty Bénéeau Group, has shown in developing this exclusive cruising yacht. The 55 has little in common with its existing 60 and 65-foot sisters and surprises with a fundamentally different concept and details not yet seen on its competitors. The huge, flat cockpit is divided into three areas: Aft, there is access to the bathing platform and a huge lounge area that can be used as a sunbathing area or converted into L-shaped and U-shaped benches with tables. In front are steering wheels plus winches, and further forward a bench seat and an open-air (!) navigation station with GPS plotter and autopilot control system.

The standard targa bracket, which is also used to sheet the mainsheet, forms the basis for a shading system that can be ordered in textile material or as a combination with a fixed pane and hardtop. The interior fittings have also been completely rethought. The central companionway provides exclusive access to the saloon with an L-shaped kitchenette and dining area as well as the main cabin with a very spacious bathroom area. The two aft cabins with double beds and en-suite bathrooms are each accessed via their own entrance, which is located directly in front of the steering wheels. This consistent spatial separation was designed to create maximum privacy and acoustic protection for both the owner and the guests sailing with them. No alternative layouts are offered - there is no clearer way to communicate how convinced the shipyard is of this unusual layout.

The Polish shipyard Northman has built up a good image with solid cruising yachts and is now entering the highly competitive entry-level league with this model measuring around 10 meters in length. The hull with hard chines in the stern area, a negative deck step and the cabin superstructure with striking side windows generate an independent exterior, while the classic deck layout with six winches should work without complaint. The Maxus 35 is available with a choice of swivel ballast centerboard, lifting keel or fixed keel and can fall dry. The interior layout provides two cabins and a large wet room with separate shower as standard. Three cabins are also available as an option, in which case the wet room is reduced in size.

In 2020, the shipyard was taken over by the Grand Large Yachting consortium, and the 1380 designed by Marc Lombard is the first model of this new era. Inside, wood barely features, with snow-white surfaces dominating. As with all RM boats, the deck of the RM 1380 is made of GRP and it has a chine keel as standard for easy dry-docking. It can be optimized as a performance, cruising or blue water model. For long journeys, she can be equipped with davits, solar panels or a dodger, for example, and a workshop or walk-in locker can be installed aft instead of a double cabin.

The big sisters Saffier 27 and 33 have already won an EYOTY award, and the smart daysailer, which sails almost like a dinghy, definitely has what it takes. The negative bow stem gives the Se24 a super-modern look, while the high sail carrying capacity provides excellent light wind characteristics. The deck layout is well thought-out and functional, and the workmanship inside is very clean. There is no headroom below deck, but there is sleeping space for four people.

The shipyard based in Mattsee, Austria, is presenting a brand new model that - like the polarizing Sunbeam 32.1, which was launched three years ago and caused a stir in the industry - was developed in collaboration with industrial designer Gerald Kiska. It is much more conventional than its Revoluzzer sister, offers no eye-catching features at first glance and is therefore likely to appeal to a broader target group. The swivel keel can be raised hydraulically and reduces the draught to 0.85 m, while the twin rudder system is operated using a tiller. Maximum openness prevails below deck, with a galley or wet room available as extra modules. These can be ordered and installed as an option from the outset, but the boat can also be retrofitted, for example if the family situation changes or in the course of a sale.

Ten years ago, Jeanneau landed a direct hit with the Sun Odyssey 349. A thousand units have been sold to date; there is no need to say more. Now the successful model is being retired and a successor is being presented in the form of the Sun Odyssey 350, which should once again dominate the highly interesting 10-meter class. The stepless walkaround cockpit, which has already caused a sensation on the larger sisters, provides a strong argument for this. The fact that it has been implemented on a yacht of this length is a real surprise and speaks volumes for the innovative spirit of the yacht designers from the Marc Lombard studio, who are responsible for it. Less surprising, however, is the fact that the hull of the 350 has been designed significantly wider - this is how modern yachts are designed these days, and nothing else. The rig has no backstay, so a squarehead version of the mainsail is available as an option. Below deck, you can choose between two and three cabins; in the former case, there is a large aft locker that can be accessed from inside and outside (practical!) and a separate shower in the wet room (comfortable!).

On show for the first time in Germany is the blue water yacht Swan 58, a visual treat with a flat freeboard, unobstructed flush deck and open stern with a dinghy garage underneath. The German-Frers design aims to meet the need for maximum safety as well as ensuring fun, performance-oriented sailing and easy handling, even with a small crew.

"We want to usher in a new era in blue water yachts!" - With these words, X-Yachts CEO Brinck Nielsen has set the bar very high for the newcomer. She is the first model in the new XC series and the first yacht with a semi-deck saloon ever to be built by the Danish shipyard. Simplicity, safety and easy handling, even for a small crew, were at the top of the specifications for the in-house design team. As a result, all lines - including the sheets of the slightly overlapping genoa - were led up to the steering columns so that the person at the helm can easily operate them single-handedly. The stern area has been redesigned, while the hull lines are typical of X-Yachts (deep V, long aft overhang) and are responsible for the fine sailing characteristics. The integration of the steel frame into the floor assembly has also been retained in order to reinforce the hull structure. Speaking of reinforcing the hull structure: carbon has been used in areas subject to heavy loads, such as the keel, rudder and tiller points; a reassuring feeling.

One interesting detail should also be noted. As part of the yacht development process, the shipyard not only built a conventional mock-up, i.e. a full-size model, but also tilted it. In this way, it was possible to simulate sailing under heeling conditions and subject all systems on and below deck to an everyday test under realistic conditions. A unique process in yacht building to date, which demonstrates the seriousness, meticulousness and innovative strength with which those responsible at X-Yachts approached this project.