During a gala evening at the Port Canto capitainerie on the second day of the Cannes Yachting Festival, the results of the first stage of the prestigious Best of Boats Award 2026 were announced. Thirty boats were nominated across seven categories: Best for Beginners, Best for Family, Best Electric, Best for Fun, Best for Adventure, Best RIBs, and Best Big Boats.
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
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AMT 150 R
Just 4.5 metres yet packed with big-boat features, the AMT 150 R impresses with first-class build quality, a stable, ergonomic helm, 30 knots on 50 hp, sub-0.5 l/nm economy and class-leading handling.
From the jury’s statement:
For a beginners’ boat, the jury looks for ease of use, safety, a service-minded builder and low costs to buy, run and maintain, the AMT 150 R meets all four. Its centrally positioned helm behind a large console and windscreen gives stable, easy-to-read ergonomics even for a first-time driver, while first-class build quality reflects AMT’s established boatbuilding. A 50 hp engine keeps purchase and running costs modest, delivering 30 knots on under 0.5 litres per nautical mile — and handling that leads its class, so learning the ropes stays confidence-inspiring rather than daunting.
Bayliner V22
Small boat, big attitude: at under 7 metres the Bayliner V22 seats 12, packs the space and versatility of a much larger boat, and delivers new styling, high-quality finish and a competitive price.
From the jury’s statement:
A beginners’ boat needs to be easy and safe to use, built by a service-oriented yard, and affordable to buy, fuel and maintain, criteria the Bayliner V22 checks off. At under 7 metres in a compact, easy-to-handle package, it welcomes first-time owners without overwhelming them, while a choice of inboard (V22i) or outboard (V22) power and a cockpit configurable with or without a galley lets buyers match the boat to their budget. New styling and a high-quality finish come at a competitive price, meaning approachable boating without the running costs of a larger yacht.
Cross 55 BR
Combining a strong aluminium hull with a stylish glass fibre deck, the Yamarin Cross 55 BR is a stable, comfortable, multifunctional dayboating-and-fishing package that offers a lot of boat for the money.
From the jury’s statement:
Ease of use, safety and value for money define a good beginners’ boat, and the Yamarin Cross 55 BR was built around exactly that. Its generous beam and hull design make it stable and comfortable even for a nervous first-timer, even in harsher Nordic conditions, while clever, practical details like split-width consoles and huge lockers keep everyday handling simple. The strong aluminium hull and glass fibre deck reflect a builder focused on dependable, low-maintenance construction, and it offers a lot of boat for the money — keeping costs approachable for someone just starting out.
Terhi 450 TC
The Terhi 450 TC stands out through safety, practicality and exceptionally robust construction — a virtually unsinkable, remarkably quiet twin-console hull offering an unusually versatile package.
From the jury’s statement:
Safety and low running costs matter most for a beginners’ boat, and the Terhi 450 TC delivers both. Its ABS sandwich construction with polyurethane foam between the hulls makes it exceptionally rigid and virtually unsinkable, while the twin-console layout shields the crew from wind and spray far better than a typical open boat this size. Stable handling and high freeboards add reassurance for less experienced drivers. With a maximum 40 hp outboard, fuel consumption and maintenance stay modest, pointing to a yard built around dependable, service-minded boats.
BEST FOR FAMILY
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Grandezza 34 Outboard
A well-proportioned, handsome Finnmaster build with high-quality interior, the Grandezza 34 Outboard balances social main-deck living with two quiet cabins below and flawless helm ergonomics.
From the jury’s statement:
A family boat needs room for all generations, safety and comfort for longer stays and the Grandezza 34 Outboard is laid out around exactly that. The social main deck, with its huge sofa and well-equipped galley, keeps everyone together for day trips, while its hardtop design balances outdoor life with sheltered comfort. Below deck, two comfortable cabins let a family of four escape for quiet rest or stay overnight, extending the boat well beyond day-tripping. A well-designed, ergonomic helm and a modern-outboard-optimised hull add confident, smooth handling for whoever is driving.
Greenline 42
The Greenline 42 combines every need on board into one coherent, practical solution, a spacious, bright interior, easy handling and efficient cruising make it a thoughtfully designed family space.
From the jury’s statement:
For a family boat, the jury looks for space across generations, child-safe features and comfort for longer stays and the Greenline 42 combines exactly these needs into one coherent, practical solution. Its spacious, bright and airy interior and strong connection between living areas and the outdoors give every generation room of their own, while efficiently designed spaces keep the whole family comfortable even during extended time aboard. Safety and easy handling round out the package, alongside efficient cruising that makes longer family passages practical rather than tiring.
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095 Fly Series 2
A beloved series gains a comfortable flybridge and a second helm station: the Merry Fisher 1095 Fly is a functional, ergonomic, typically comfortable mid-sized family cruiser for longer cruises.
From the jury’s statement:
Family suitability means room across generations, child safety and comfort for extended stays — and the tested Merry Fisher 1095 Fly Série 2 was configured with exactly that in mind: three sleeping cabins and a full toilet cabin, with other layouts available. The new flybridge and second helm station let a second adult enjoy the ride alongside the helmsman, keeping everyone included rather than confined below. The functional, ergonomic deck layout makes it a typical, comfortable mid-sized family cruiser for longer trips.
Marex 390
With the Marex 390 the Norwegian yard has outdone itself: thoughtfully designed, high-class throughout, with careful craftsmanship and a rarely-seen quick open-roof function for easy living aboard.
From the jury’s statement:
A family cruiser needs room for everyone, safety and real comfort for longer stays and the Marex 390 delivers, outperforming most competitors in the family cruiser segment. Thoughtfully designed and filled with clever, elegant furnishing ideas, it is built high-class throughout, with careful craftsmanship, high-quality materials and a well-thought-out storage concept that matters when a family packs for days aboard, not hours. The rarely seen quick open-roof function makes living easy in all conditions, letting the whole family adapt the boat to the weather rather than the other way round.
Viknes S40 Panorama
A remarkably well-considered all-season cruiser: redesigned aft deck, roll-away canopy and full walk-around decks, plus three cabins and quiet twin diesels for genuine long-distance comfort.
From the jury’s statement:
Family suitability means space for generations, child-safe layout and amenities for longer stays and the Viknes S40 Panorama is built around exactly that. Three cabins, six permanent berths and separate shower and heads compartments give a family proper long-distance comfort, not just a weekend’s worth. Full walk-around side decks improve safety when children are moving about underway, while the redesigned aft deck, extended bathing platform and roll-away canopy system keep outdoor family life flexible whatever the weather does.
BEST ELECTRIC
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Frauscher x Porsche 790 Spectre
Porsche DNA meets Frauscher craftsmanship: this full-electric 7.92m powerboat reaches 51 knots with immediate acceleration and outstanding quietness, balancing performance, comfort and innovation.
From the jury’s statement:
An electric boat has to prove itself on performance, usability and system reliability while keeping sustainability in view and the Frauscher x Porsche 790 Spectre answers on every count. Its full-electric propulsion reaches 51 knots, so performance loses nothing to a combustion equivalent, while immediate acceleration and outstanding responsiveness make it genuinely usable and enjoyable to drive. The build quality and elegance characteristic of Frauscher back a sophisticated system, and the quietness that comes with electric propulsion transforms the on-board experience entirely.
Jeanneau Sea Loft 480
Developed around charter guests’ needs, the Jeanneau Sea Loft 480 offers exceptionally generous deck space and quiet, relaxed electric cruising, almost like sailing a yacht.
From the jury’s statement:
For ‘Best Electric’, the jury wants up-to-date performance and usability with sustainability built in and the Jeanneau Sea Loft 480 proves that in a working, guest-facing context. Developed around the needs of charter guests, it offers exceptionally generous deck space, so usability isn’t compromised by the propulsion system. Electric power delivers quiet, relaxed cruising, almost like sailing a yacht, keeping the system’s day-to-day reliability and comfort in view alongside its sustainability credentials, evidence that electric propulsion already works for real charter operation.
Samar 50
Designed around electric propulsion from the start and inspired by the traditional Mallorcan Llaut boat type, the Samar 50 pairs a 139 kWh battery and solar system with exceptional silence and sustainable comfort.
From the jury’s statement:
‘Best Electric’ asks for up-to-date performance, usability and system security with sustainability in mind and the Samar 50 was engineered around exactly that from the start, rather than retrofitted. Its efficient hull, 139 kWh battery and integrated solar system combine low energy consumption with exceptional silence and comfort, so usability matches its environmental credentials. Prioritising quiet, sustainable cruising over outright speed, it keeps its electric technology deliberately almost invisible to those on board, propulsion fully integrated into the experience rather than the headline feature.
BEST FOR FUN
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Jeanneau TH33
At 10.17m, the Jeanneau TH33 rounds out a compact-catamaran lineup with 37 m² of deck space and 36 knots from twin 300 hp Verados, a true day cruiser with seamless flow on deck.
From the jury’s statement:
‘Best for Fun’ calls for a boat versatile enough for different watersports and crews, and genuinely enjoyable to drive and the TH33’s compact powercat format delivers that. Its 37 m² deck, with seamless movement between bow, central cockpit and aft platform, gives a crew room to switch between swimming, sunbathing or watersports through the day, while a separate bathroom and berth below mean the fun doesn’t have to end when the day does. Twin Mercury V8 Verado 300 hp outboards push it to around 36 knots, enough performance to make the drive itself part of the appeal.
Saxdor 400 GTS
High performance meets Scandinavian design: the 12.4m Saxdor 400 GTS’s stepped hull hits 50 knots on twin 425 hp Mercury V10 Verados, with a wide-open deck and folding terraces for an unusually spacious feel.
From the jury’s statement:
A ‘Best for Fun’ boat needs to flex between watersports crews and relaxed cruising while staying genuinely fun to drive and the Saxdor 400 GTS switches between both. Its convertible cockpit and folding side terraces reconfigure the deck for swimming and watersports one moment, sunbathing and socialising the next, adapting to whatever the crew wants from the day. Twin Mercury V10 Verado outboards, up to 400 hp each, push the stepped hull to around 50 knots, so the ride itself delivers the excitement the category asks for, with an enclosed cabin keeping the fun going overnight.
SAY Carbon 32
Built entirely in carbon fibre and weighing just 2.75 tonnes, the 9.98m SAY 32 reaches 50 knots, the jury particularly praised its balance of performance, handling, design and comfort.
From the jury’s statement:
‘Best for Fun’ asks for versatility across crews and watersports plus genuine driving enjoyment and the SAY 32 translates SAY Carbon Yachts’ racing pedigree into a size that works for more than one type of day out. Built entirely in carbon fibre and weighing just 2.75 tonnes, its 50-knot top speed means the drive itself supplies the fun, while the jury’s focus on balancing performance, handling, design and comfort together with versatility shows it is not a one-dimensional speed machine, letting different crews adapt it to their day.
Wellcraft 28 T-Top
From the jury’s statement:
BEST FOR ADVENTURE
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Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin
A unique mix of high-speed performance, all-weather protection and versatility: twin 300–350 hp outboards push the Axopar 38 XC beyond 45 knots, with a fully enclosed, modular wheelhouse and cabin.
From the jury’s statement:
‘Best for Adventure’ means being ready and capable for the next outing regardless of weather or sea state and the Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin is built around that brief. Its fully enclosed wheelhouse protects the crew in poor conditions without losing the open-boat feel, thanks to wide sliding doors and an openable aft window that switch it back to open-air running when weather allows. Twin 300 or 350 hp outboards push the twin-stepped, sharp-entry hull beyond 45 knots, with handling to cover real distance. Below, a cabin with sleeping space, a galley and optional toilet and shower extends the adventure overnight.
De Antonio D36 Cabin
Designed for year-round boating, the D36 Cabin pairs an enclosed cabin with twin 425 hp Mercury Verados for the performance, safety and range demanding passages require.
From the jury’s statement:
An adventure boat has to work whatever the weather brings — shine or rain, hot or cold, flat or rough and the De Antonio D36 Cabin is designed for exactly year-round use. Its enclosed cabin provides protection and comfort without sacrificing the open, sporty character of the Barcelona-based shipyard, so poor weather doesn’t cancel the plan. The layout combines relaxation areas, comfortable interior accommodation and generous outdoor space for whatever the day calls for. Twin 425 hp Mercury Verado V10 engines supply the performance, safety and range that demanding passages require.
Saxdor 460 GTC
Saxdor’s move into luxury loses none of its sporty mission: the 14.38m, 52-knot 460 GTC’s two-stage V-hull and up to 1,275 PS from three Yamaha outboards keep it among the sportiest in its size class.
From the jury’s statement:
‘Best for Adventure’ asks for a boat ready and capable for the next outing whatever the weather or sea state and the Saxdor 460 GTC’s two-stage V-hull is built to cover that ground fast. At 14.38 metres and with up to 1,275 PS from three V10 Mercury outboards, it reaches 52 knots, giving it the speed to reach a distant anchorage or make it home ahead of changing weather. Despite the shipyard’s move into the luxury market, the boat stays true to Saxdor’s performance-first approach, so the sportiness demanding passages need has not been traded away for comfort.
Yamarin Aura Cabin
Yamarin’s new flagship Aura Cabin pairs a super-solid deep-V hull with wide walkaround decks and convertible, multifunctional sofas, a highly practical boat ready for adventures.
From the jury’s statement:
An adventure boat must handle whatever conditions the trip brings, flat or rough, and the Yamarin Aura Cabin’s traditionally formed deep-V hull is built for exactly that: a super-solid, safe performer in any sea and turn. Very wide walkaround decks stay easy to navigate underway, adding a safety margin when conditions turn, while the deck saloon opens fast via a glass sunroof, double side doors and full-width back doors, letting the crew adapt to sun, wind or rain. Convertible sofas in the saloon and bow cabin double as sleeping space, so an overnight stop is no obstacle.
BEST OF RIBS
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Highfield ADV9
Bridging rugged RIB and refined sports boat, the Highfield ADV9’s spacious cockpit, protected helm and comfortable cabin make it a genuine weekender that feels stable, dry and reassuring at speed.
From the jury’s statement:
A ‘Best RIBs’ boat needs a stable, seaworthy hull paired with resilient tubes for confident handling in any conditions, plus versatility as tender, sports boat and day cruiser — the Highfield ADV9 covers all three. Its deep-V, non-stepped hull delivers the predictable handling and seaworthiness Highfield is known for, feeling stable, dry and reassuring even in demanding conditions, while direct steering and balanced performance inspire confidence at cruising and higher speeds. The inflatable tubes add protection and agility, and the versatile cockpit with protected helm and cabin means it works as tender, sports boat or weekender.
Nordkapp Airborne 5.4
Designed by Espen Thorup, with a fibreglass hull and asymmetrical floats that free up space, the 5.44m Airborne 5.4 offers two Comfort Chairs and a driving position optimised for rough seas.
From the jury’s statement:
‘Best RIBs’ asks for a stable, seaworthy hull with resilient tubes that stays confident in any conditions and the Nordkapp Airborne 5.4 pursues that through its fibreglass hull and asymmetrical floats, which free up more usable space than a conventional RIB layout. Behind the helm, two Comfort Chairs or a bolster give a natural driving position optimised for high speeds even in rough seas, keeping the crew secure when conditions turn choppy. At 5.44 by 2.40 metres, it is compact enough to work as an agile tender while still offering the seakeeping the category demands at speed.
Ranieri Cayman 37.0 Hard Top
At 11.30m the Cayman 37.0 combines maxi-RIB performance with cruiser comfort: a monocoque cockpit system and patented CSA shock absorber deliver rigidity, quiet and onboard comfort.
From the jury’s statement:
A ‘Best RIBs’ boat pairs a stable, seaworthy hull with resilient construction for confident handling, plus the range to serve as tender, sports boat and day cruiser — and the Cayman 37.0 Hard Top adds genuine multi-day cruising to that list. Its Fully Developed Cockpit System, with a monocoque deck free of visible joints or welds, increases structural rigidity while cutting vibration and noise, and the patented CSA (Cockpit Shock Absorber) absorbs wave-motion stresses for a more comfortable ride at speed. The stepped hull delivers efficient, stable planing, while four berths and a separate bathroom extend comfort past a day out.
ZAR Imagine 115
Lounge boat, family craft and fast chase boat in one, the ZAR Imagine 115 sleeps four in comfort with a full bathroom, while almost a dozen can join for a day out in the sun.
From the jury’s statement:
‘Best RIBs’ calls for a stable hull with resilient tubes and the versatility to work as tender, sports boat and day cruiser — and the ZAR Imagine 115 stretches that versatility further than most. Yamaha’s Helm Master and Wave Assist minimise bouncing in short, choppy waves, keeping handling confident and comfortable at speed. Although rooted as a RIB, the Imagine 115 is a fully-fledged cabin cruiser with a rare talent in the 11-metre class: four people can spend the night aboard in comfort, complete with a bathroom with headroom and a shower, while almost a dozen can join for a day out in the sun.
Zodiac X9CC
The latest RIB from the French shipyard known for special-purpose motorboats expands the formula: excellent seakeeping, a comfortable weekend cruiser, and suitable for deep-sea fishing.
From the jury’s statement:
A ‘Best RIBs’ boat needs a stable, seaworthy hull with resilient tubes for confident handling in any conditions, plus the versatility to serve as tender, sports boat and day cruiser and the Zodiac X9CC, from a shipyard built on special-purpose motorboats, is engineered for exactly that expanded role. Its hull delivers excellent seakeeping suitable even for the most demanding conditions, while still working as a comfortable daily cruiser for weekend trips and a capable platform for deep-sea fishing. Ample space in the open-top cockpits and a single cabin with separate toilet extend that versatility to overnight use.
BEST BIG BOATS
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Astondoa 577 Coupe
Made for living, not just cruising: the Astondoa 577 Coupé hits 36 knots, opens onto a generous deck for swims and sunset dinners, with two luxurious cabins of understated, meticulous luxury.
From the jury’s statement:
‘Best Big Boats’ expects a 40-foot-plus yacht with the amenities to live aboard permanently, not just cruise for a day and the Astondoa 577 Coupé is designed around living rather than transiting. Below deck, two luxurious double cabins, bespoke interiors, premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship create genuine living quarters rather than a stopover. Above deck, the generous open space supports everything from long lunches and swims to a sunset dinner or a quiet night at anchor. A 36-knot top speed adds the capability to relocate quickly between anchorages without giving up onboard comfort.
Beneteau GT 50
Flagship of the Gran Turismo line, the GT 50 pairs a resolutely automotive aesthetic with a 12 m² cockpit extension, an Alcantara-and-carbon helm, and twin IPS 480s reaching 31 knots.
From the jury’s statement:
At 50 feet, the Beneteau Gran Turismo 50 clears the length threshold for ‘Best Big Boats’ with amenities built for staying aboard, not just passing through. Three cabins and two bathrooms are flawlessly finished throughout, giving a crew real living quarters, while the versatile cockpit gains up to 12 m² of extra space via folding extensions and the vast 4.2-metre aft bathing platform, room enough to live outdoors on deck. Twin Volvo Penta IPS 480 hp engines give a 31-knot top speed and a 26-knot cruise, burning 155 l/h for a 201-nautical-mile range.
De Antonio D60
Entering the luxury segment, the De Antonio D60 hides four engines beneath the sun lounger and hydraulically extends its swim platform into a second one, agile at up to 48 knots on 2,400 PS.
From the jury’s statement:
A big boat earns its category by offering the amenities to live aboard, and the De Antonio D60’s fittings are built with exactly that daily use in mind. The swim platform extends hydraulically at the touch of a button and, with an integrated staircase, opens into a second platform that glides gently into the water, an everyday-luxury detail that matters when the boat is a home, not a transport. The four engines, concealed beneath the sun lounger, run exceptionally quiet at slow speed, keeping living spaces genuinely liveable, and up to 48 knots from 2,400 PS gives the range to move between anchorages.
Leopard 53 PC
Built by Robertson & Caine, the Leopard 53 Powercat delivers excellent range and superior accommodations, stackable glass doors, a high quality owner’s suite, and 1,300nm range at 8 knots.
From the jury’s statement:
A big-boat entry needs the amenities for permanent living aboard, and the Leopard 53 Powercat, built by Robertson & Caine of South Africa, is laid out for exactly that kind of extended stay. Offered with three or four cabins including a posh owner’s suite, it gives every occupant real living space, while Lewmar stackable glass doors open fully for a seamless salon-to-cockpit connection, and the spacious flybridge becomes the heart of everyday onboard life. Twin 370 hp Yanmar diesels deliver a 1,300-nautical-mile range at 8 knots, so the boat can genuinely be lived aboard on a long cruise, while still reaching 24 knots in calm conditions.
Sirena 60
Combining luxury-yacht finish with long-distance capability, the Sirena 60’s semi-displacement hull cruises efficiently at 6–10 knots yet reaches 17–18 knots, with a layout built around living aboard for more than a weekend.
From the jury’s statement: At 60 feet, the Sirena 60 comfortably clears the size threshold for ‘Best Big Boats’, and its layout is built around living aboard for longer than a weekend. Three comfortable cabins, a redesigned foredeck lounge, a generous flybridge and ample stowage give a crew the space and storage permanent living demands, while a CE Category A offshore rating backs genuine long-distance capability rather than coastal cruising alone. The semi-displacement hull runs efficiently at 6–10 knots for range, yet still allows a comfortable 17–18-knot passage speed when needed.
You can find more on https://bestofboats.com/award-2026/
