The 2026 European Yacht of the Year for sailing yachts and European Powerboat of the Year 2026 was recently awarded at boot Düsseldorf. The winners were selected by a jury comprising test managers and editors from Europe’s 12 leading sailing magazines and six motorboat magazines. Candidates must face the jury’s judgment — and the competition — in sea tests over several days. The jury is chaired by YACHT Publisher Jochen Rieker and BOOTE Editor-in-chief Torsten Moench.The European Yacht of the Year awards saw 21 candidates between 26 and 62 feet entered, almost twice as many as the previous year. WinnersFamily cruiser category: 12.38-meter Excess 13 weighs 20% less than comparable boats, while offering 15% more upwind sail area. Performance CruisersMonohull: 9.35-meter Beneteau First 30, which the jury said was “most affordable in its class and unrivalled in every other respect: light, smart, fast, and stylish.”Multihull: 11.55-meter trimaran Dragonfly 36 from Denmark “steers close to the wind like a monohull; downwind, it left the entire competition far behind.” Bluewater cruiser: 12.9-meter Pure 42, “in terms of quality and orientation, there is nothing comparable. A blue water yacht that not only takes its crew safely everywhere, but also provides more enjoyment than all of its well-known competitors.” Luxury yachts: the 17.58-meter Wauquiez 55 “skillfully redefines the luxury yacht segment and also revitalizes it with highly appealing performance under sail, including well-balanced rudder pressure. The boat also handled rough seas with ease in the test.” The jury also awarded a special Newcomer of the Year award to 8-meter Woy 26, which “sails just as it looks: agile, precise, fast. Thanks to its lifting keel and carbon rig, the sporty and elegant daysailer is easy to slip and rig.” The jury also noted a special feature: the vessel is crafted from local larch wood. There were 25 nominees across five categories, out of more than 100 models, for the European Powerboat Award 2026. Beyond core criteria such as build quality and handling, the jury emphasized layout, onboard safety, and overall value for money. The successful integration of innovative ideas and concepts can also play a key role in the final evaluation. This year, the electric boats category was not awarded due to a lack of suitable candidates. WinnersSports boats up to 10 meters: the 8.28-meter Sea Ray SDX 270 Surf has a special stern, ballast tank, and electric surf taps for everything needed for a wakesurfing experience. Motorboats up to 14 meters: the 13.05-meter Windy SR 40 is a family sports cruiser with a spacious outdoor area. Motor yacht class up to 18 meters: the 15.20-meter Sasga Menorquín 48 FB has classic lines and is classified in CE category A for ocean-going vessels. Motor yacht category up to 24 meters: the 18.5-meter De Antonio Yachts D60 is the new flagship with an avant-garde, elegant, and timeless design. Power catamaran category: the 14.15-meter Bluegame BGF45, a foil-assisted power catamaran that combines efficiency, speed, and modern design. Britain’s Craig Wood was also presented with the SEAMASTER Award at the event. Wood lost both legs and one hand while serving in Afghanistan. Aboard his 41-foot catamaran Sirius II, he completed a solo voyage of more than 7,500 nautical miles from Mexico to Japan — overcoming torn sails, engine failures, and extreme weather along the way. He is the first triple amputee to complete a solo crossing of the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Messe Düsseldorf / De Antonio Yachts Want more? Check out Triton's recent issue