Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the best luxury yacht category in the European Yacht of the Year Awards 2026
The definition of the best luxury yacht will differ according to personal opinion and from boat to boat. This year’s nominees in the luxury yacht category of the European Yacht of the Year Awards proved that perfectly.
The European Yacht of the Year awards are selected by a broad panel of expert judges from across the globe. These are people who spend their professional lives sailing and comparing yachts, so you can be certain that the yachts which stand out in this field are truly the best of the best on the market.
Best luxury yacht 2026
The 2026 nominations for the best luxury yacht saw a wide array of entrants, featuring: examples of pure refinement of proven designs; bold new takes on push-button ease and fast cruising luxury from leading daysailer specialists; a smorgasbord of design ideas for a pilothouse centre cockpit yacht; and a catamaran made from recycled street signs.
So how to pick a winner? Readers should know the CNB, Saffier and Vaan well, as we have featured reviews of them in Yachting World, but not even the jury knew what to expect of the Wauquiez on the water, only that it was a very different new design.
Best luxury yacht 2026 winner – Wauquiez 55
A novel, even daring design, this is one of the most talked about new yachts since we filmed a walkthrough from its Düsseldorf premiere last year. The Lombard design melds some old ideas with so many new ones, incorporating reverse sheer, tumblehome, a dry reverse stem, near full-length portholes, and a glazed pilothouse fully protecting the centre cockpit. The result is a unique blend of North Sea centre cockpit protection with a Med-style deck and interior.
Despite many dubious predictions, I can now confirm it’s also definitely a sailing yacht, without the disconnect typically felt when sailing a covered centre cockpit design. This is a powerful performer with the highest sailing area: displacement ratio in class.
The significant 5.25m beam, which helps buy this power, also creates formidable accommodation, including a sensational aft owner suite with private access to the aft deck – something only previously seen on much larger craft.
Cable steering helps provide helm sensitivity, which you want for a powerfully rigged yacht. It’s easy to make 7 knots upwind and comes alive reaching, where we averaged 10 knots under Code 0 in 20 knots (the optional carbon mast, sails, and deep swing keel also aid this performance).
Open the sliding window to the side of the helm and you can stick your head out for some extra fresh air and to see the telltales. Meanwhile, this covered cockpit means you can chat at normal volume to crew mates – with 25 knots+ blowing over the deck, you quickly realise how much you’d otherwise have to shout!
The test boat had push-button control of all winches from the helm, allowing one person to single-hand it from the dock to sailing.
Downsides largely boil down to just how dependent it is on a myriad of systems, and therefore the amount to go wrong. We were also concerned by the placement of the two large powered winches with the heaviest loads in the crew cockpit area, and where best to store a tender.
Twin engines are heavier and more expensive, but create redundancy and make sense with the swing keel option we had. The deck lounging and stowage space is phenomenal and more comparable to a catamaran, including the wide aft deck for sitting out of the wind. The accommodation is well finished, including two massive en suite cabins and an ideal Pullman cabin for when on passage and not wanting to spill out of the luxury doubles.
My verdict
A melting pot of both new and proven ideas, with a liberal sprinkling of Lombard genius, the Wauquiez is a thing of wonder to marvel at, as is the space and layout on deck and below it offers. Yet most people, including us, scratch their heads and wonder how it can possibly perform at sea.
But perform it does. And all with the ability of doing so short-handed and from complete protection.
Saffier SL 46 Med
I was the first to do a full test on the Saffier SL 46 Med in the spring of 2025, which we ran on the cover in June. And despite seeing how just how well this Dutch yard put its yachts together in IJmuiden and enjoying a long day at sea proving how easy a 46ft performance yacht can be to sail solo thanks to push-button trim, something was missing – that performance X-factor. Saffier knew it. That first owner had wanted a 2.2m shoal keel. Although that same hull was brought to the EYOTY trials in Spain, it was armed with a new keel, a full 980kg lighter.
Wow, it felt like a different yacht! It now offers an absolutely sublime sailing experience, more reactive, easier to plane, with a spot-on feel. So even if it is very rare for a Saffier not to win an EYOTY award, this upgrade still helps make the SL 46 a winner in my books.
The jury struggled to fully understand the concept and therefore how to categorise it – a luxuriously finished and priced performance yacht from a daysailing specialist. It’s niche, but what a finely tuned machine this is, a scaled-down superyacht offering so much interactive pleasure.
CNB 62
More superyacht vibes are to be found on the CNB 62. This is a yacht I felt I knew well already, having tested its highly successful predecessor, the Bordeaux 60 back in 2008, as well as the larger siblings from this new Solaris-owned range, which share the same Briand/Piaton designers. It all helped make this model a shoo-in for me to nominate, and lent this luxury sector some gravitas.
CNB has placed additional focus on ease and safety over the Bordeaux 60, notably with the cockpit layout, forward wheels, and mainsheet arch. This carbon arch keeps the mainsheet out of harm’s way, while providing a secure attachment point to link bimini to the sprayhood and cover the guest cockpit.
During the ideal 15-20 knot conditions of my second leg aboard, the 62 responded with a superb feeling on the wheel. Like its larger sisters, it again demonstrates how a larger volume and displacement (30t) centre cockpit-style yacht can still offer very rewarding sailing. Once up to speed, the 62 goes like a train. Good sails and trim help, but that Briand balance adds the magic. Combined with a comfortable helm seat and ideal views to windward, it encourages you to spend long periods hands-on helming.
The position of the mainsail and primary winches behind the helm stations is a little unnatural, but you can reach the forward one if short-handing.
The real luxury comes from the deck and cockpit lounging space, the easily-launched jet tender, a comfortable, raised saloon to enjoy the views,, and the best-in-class forward owner suite.
Vaan R5
The Vaan R5 is another yacht that channels superyacht influences and quality. I first heard about the brand’s concept while in the germination phase after meeting founder Igor Kluin nearly a decade ago, and I support the methodology behind it. Having featured its various models since the R4 launched in 2019, I promoted the R5 for inclusion this year after it couldn’t make the 2024 trials due to engine teething troubles.
Vaan specialises in crafting luxury catamarans with a genuine focus on greener building, using recycled and fully recyclable aluminium for its electric-powered yachts.
The aft helm setup makes for direct steering, albeit with blind spots. The R5 proved respectable on the wind, if a little underpowered when off it. It’s a beamy design with open space and a highly customisable layout. The stiff structure allows for huge glass windows, which give astonishing light and views.
Vaan has, commendably, explored options to offer electric propulsion pods that would enable 360º steering from retractable motors.
However, the swell and wind off Catalonia in October highlighted the lack of power from these pods, so conventional electric sail drive motors are fitted to the R5 as standard. Kluin says they will fit diesels if really desired, even if it doesn’t align with Vaan’s ethos, which centres on materials.
The R5 is comprised of at least 60% recycled alloy, while cork decking and the use of recycled fabrics help make as much of the boat as possible circular (to reform into another yacht). Just before the trials, a docking line parted during high wind, and the stern of the R5 spent the night banging into the concrete dock.
The latter came off much worse, with only a small dent in the transom of the Vaan. There’s a lot to be said for using metal!
Best Luxury Yacht 2025
Best luxury yacht 2025 winner – Contest 63CS
This is a class act, a premium, modern-day cruising yacht which concentrates this family-run Dutch yard’s decades of experience into a contemporary, beautifully finished design.
Our test boat also provided memorable, enriching sailing performance. The test boat had many expensive optional extras, including a full selection of performance sails, a taller rig and a deeper keel, because its experienced Italian owner wants to do some offshore races. When the mainsail seemed to endlessly exit the in-boom furler, a push-button operation from the skipper, it made me appreciate how big a yacht this is to handle.
It’s right on the limit of owner operation – it’s possible, but more feasible with a standard rig and sail area. The experienced crew we had aboard gave us the reassurance to help get the most out of it. Just 8-10 knots breeze was enough to induce heel and really power her up, revealing an impressively potent machine. I was also impressed with how quickly you can get from marina to active sailing.
The test talks about performance and ease of trimming using intelligent push-button controls.
The hydraulic Code furler douses 225m2/2,422ft2 of sail in only seven seconds, for example. There is good visibility from the raised helms, however the payoff is that these are exposed if spending long periods on the wheel when cruising.
The interior is stunning and we particularly liked the optional ribbed timber finish on the bulkheads. Top features include the tall hanging locker on one side of the companionway and fuel filters easily accessed on the other, the large, long deep galley, useful sail locker-cum-crew cabin and, of course, the views from the owner’s suite aft.
As close to a superyacht as it gets at this size, the 63CS exudes serious quality. Despite its size and displacement, the Contest’s rewarding sailing stands out (particularly on the performance-enhanced test boat). It’s the definitive luxury cruiser for 2025.
Heyman 42PPH
If the Moody 48DS could have made it to the trials we’d have had an interesting duel of modern pilot saloon cruisers.
As it was, the Heyman 42PPH (‘pocket pilothouse’) shone, a design I have followed for years. Gabriel Heyman poured his vast experience and passion into it, creating a couple’s cruiser (with the largest cockpit you’ll find at this size), teeming with original ideas. Most of these concepts impressed our jury, some still need tweaking.
This two-cabin yacht is designed for two to live aboard in supreme comfort by fluently combining monohull and multihull features. In my full report in YW December 2024, I noted how it brings a lot of fresh thinking, including beach-house style inside-outside living, in what Heyman promotes as “a level of comfort offered by few, if any, boats under 55ft”.
It performs as both a shoal draught coastal yacht and a bluewater cruiser which feels dependable under sail and provides excellent protection in its vast and deep cockpit.
In the end, though, we felt a few areas of this niche design could still be improved, such as engine and mechanical access. So it was only eclipsed for the award by another North European design, which is the very definition of this category.
Best luxury yacht winner 2024 – Arcona 50
When you enter the fiercely competitive 50ft luxury performance yacht market you better get it right. And the jury felt Arcona managed that. This watershed design for the traditional Swedish brand, by X-Yachts co-founder and former designer Niels Jeppesen, is a big, contemporary new Arcona, one that sees it move away from its cruiser-racer heritage and classic interiors.
The on trend styling inside and out is backed up by a premium level of build and finish quality and sailing performance – particularly if you have the performance sails, traveller and deep (2.95m) keel options the test boat carried, although the latter does limit your berthing and anchoring options.
While I doubt it’ll be raced or will suit typical bluewater use, it offers a purity of performance push-button sailing: a handsome prospect upwind in a light breeze, it transforms into a powerful reaching machine with stacks of control.
As chairman of our jury, Jochen Rieker, puts it: “The boat certainly did not win for her somewhat borrowed looks. She wins by checking all the boxes in all other respects. Slipping along gracefully in the lightest of airs, holding her stride and her balance in more demanding conditions, offering warmth, light and this reassuring feeling of utter quality down below – there simply isn’t anything to fault.”
Contest 50CS
The Contest 50CS, for example, is an archetype luxury cruising yacht, one built to the highest standards and that could take you to most waters in impeccable comfort. This model is, uniquely, available in two versions: this more conventional 50CS with aft master cabin, or the forward owner’s suite version on the aft cockpit Contest 49CS. We ran a full test on the latter after spending two days aboard in the North Sea, where that noticeably high freeboard, which may not aid boarding nor windage, helped keep us dry on deck in a steady Force 6 gusting 7.
As the 50CS proved, this Judel/Vrolijk design keeps slipping along in the light stuff too, providing enjoyable sailing in 6 knots breeze under a code sail. The centre cockpit offers a deep protected guest area, but also links well to the spacious aft deck.
And the Wetzels-Brown-designed interiors of Contests today are stunning and hard to match. The engineering, access to usable stowage, details and finish on the 50CS is first class and to get this level of quality at this size is special.
XC 47
Both Contest and X-Yachts are early adopters of hybrid power, offering their bluewater cruisers with optional electric drives. For the XC 47 this was designed-in from the start to offer Oceanvolt’s award-winning new 25kW regenerative drive.
The XC 47 is another wonderfully engineered and thought out yacht for distance cruising, in particular for those who also enjoy hands-on helming pleasure. That should come as no surprise to any X aficionados, but what really struck me most about this yacht was the stowage, and the forethought needed to create that, together with how practical it has been made.
That may sound slightly anticlimactic but ask any long-term cruiser and stowage is always a priority. On deck, this constitutes a huge lazarette and sail locker, plus clever systems for launching a dinghy via davits and a liferaft canister, while below decks every square inch of space has been used effectively, with lockers hinged with gas struts.
It’s clear the Danish yard went to considerable time and effort, even building a full mock up of the interior that could be canted 20° each way.
If the deck saloon style looks didn’t sell this model to all – this is the first full non-Jeppesen designed X – the jury were converted once they’d taken the helm. ‘Quirky’ became ‘muscular and bold’. The ease with which it can be sailed from the cockpit was also appreciated.
While I understand many offshore cruisers like a protected centre cockpit and more sun protection, the attention to detail, stowage and practicalities, combined with the direct steering, motion and enjoyable sailing this X offers make it a standout new offering.
Jeanneau Yachts 55
Meanwhile the Jeanneau Yachts 55 stands out for different, unique reasons in this category, offering a completely new concept in comfort on deck while at anchor and a novel accommodation layout. Its focus is on outdoor living space.
What helps place this in a luxury bracket is not simply the price or the creative input of superyacht specialist design duo Philppe Briand and Andrew Winch, rather that its layout creates a palatial amount of private space for the owner’s suite. Guest cabins have their own direct access from the extensive cockpit via gullwing doors.
It certainly makes sense for solo owners or couples using it as a warm water apartment. How many people this will suit is another question, as it segregates any guests, crew or children from the galley and saloon.
I used the term monocat when I first viewed it, as the 55 really does attempt to mix the two worlds, particularly in terms of providing owner privacy and lounging space. Choose the rigid hard top and windshield and there’s a vast amount of covered area including a dinette and chart table – plus a bimini can shade all that extensive aft deck too.
The penalty comes in additional weight and wetted surface, and is felt in the handling and performance, the latter particularly in lighter breeze with the optional in-mast furling, self tacking headsail and shallow draught package we had. However, it’s set up to be easily managed from the mid cockpit with good visibility from the twin helms and easy circulation thanks to the ramped side decks. Full report in YW February 2024.
Best luxury yacht 2023
Best luxury yacht winner – Oyster 495
It is hard to imagine that the decor of a yacht can change its look and feel quite this much, yet the layout of this second 495, Eddie Jordan’s dramatic looking Tuga, is in fact identical to the first boat that I spent several days aboard last summer.
At its heart is a wonderfully (Humphreys) designed and engineered luxury bluewater cruiser conceived from the ground up, built in a new dedicated facility to a repeatable quality very few yards are capable of.
The 495 offers consistent passage making speeds in real voluminous comfort – whether enjoyed from the deep cockpit or the best-in-class aft cabin. Deck stowage and mechanical space is also superb.
Then factor in the family appeal of Oyster’s after sales and world rally programme and you start to appreciate the premium world this sub 50-footer gives access to.
The first yacht fully conceived under CEO Richard Hadida’s reign, this is also the smallest completely new Oyster 495 since 2005 – and it’s a triumph. It was our September 2022 cover star in which we featured the full review from our Oyster 495 three day test.
Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 60
The Oceanis Yacht 60 is a very different beast indeed to the 62 it replaces as flagship for the Beneteau range. The yard has learned plenty from the success of the First 53/OY 54 and wanted to create a 60 in this style and with the same deck layout (albeit larger and wider) and ease of circulation.
The construction experience of the smaller model clearly helped too, as this is a whopping five tonnes lighter than the bulky OY62 and with a deeper (2.6m) keel. The telling result is on the water. It feels sporty to helm and we averaged a knot slower than the single figure 6-8 knot windspeeds upwind and matched them reaching with Code 0 and a slight swell.
The vast cockpit works well, sheltered below the semi rigid bimini, it has plentiful lounging space with sailing systems led aft to the twin helms. The interior sees a 3+3 layout, where Beneteau wanted to get rid of the corridor effect of the OY62. The galley is forward to help open out space, while the forward suite with offset berth and headboard aft works well to give space with privacy.
This is an attractive, voluminous yacht that leaves a good overall impression whether under sail, on or below decks.
Ice 62 Targa
It all looks pretty funky below decks on the Ice 62 Targa too, especially if you’re watching the masthead fore and aft cameras (plus bow and prop cam) on central displays mounted in the saloon while you slip out of the dock! The Ice is a seriously impressive, contemporary yacht, one that in looks, performance and execution, won over many of the judges.
The first to launch is a highly customised project for a passionate sailing owner who covers long distances solo – he’d already sailed it 3,000 miles around the Med that autumn. It’s impressively stiff, sails handsomely and, thanks to a telescopic keel, points well. We matched single figure windspeeds, and clocked up to the high 9s in 12 knots wind.
Umberto Felci’s team spent 4,000 hours on the design, providing lots of space and light to the interior and a chillout zone in the semi raised saloon. This was easily the coolest looking yacht, with its aggressive reverse bow, chamfered gunwales and carbon T-top bimini, and all engineered and built to a high standard.
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