The contestants in the category "Luxury Cruiser" for the 2020 European Yacht of the Year Award are:
● Amel 60
● Grand Soleil 42 LC
● Oyster 565
This is the upper-class of boatbuilding. Yachts that make a difference – not only in the way they sail but also by the kind of craftsmanship involved and the special aura they radiate. It’s the world of a rare few. Luxury cruisers are sold and built not by the dozens but by a handful each year. They are a rare sight in most harbours, respected if not adored for their superb finish and style. Some owners take them around the world, even to high latitudes because they can handle it. Others just use them for hopping the coasts and enjoying their high degree of comfort and refinement. While quality, space and design rank very highly on the jury’s list when evaluating the candidates, price and performance are of lesser importance. After all: Who would want to go fast in a yacht offering amenities that even a five-star hotel can hardly compete with?
The announcement of this year’s winners, will take place during the Flagship-Night on the first evening of the Boot Düsseldorf (18.-26.01.2020).
Amel 60
Gone for good are the days of ketch-rigged Amels. With the success of the Amel 50 – European Yacht of the Year 2018 – the yard ditched their hallmark concept of decades and turned to sloops. Still, they kept some essential parts of their DNA, namely the doghouse sheltering the deep and secure center cockpit. The new 60 takes the ideas of the 50 to a new level. First and foremost this has to do with the extra space and refinements a bigger yacht facilitates. Yet Amel also went on to further improve performance with a carbon mast offered as standard. Could this be the boat that has it all?
You can find further information, more data as well as first photos on Amel´s dedicated website.
Technical information:
Length: 18.00 m ● Beam: 5.40 m ● Draft: 2.35 m ● Displacement: 27 t ● Sail area: 170 m2
Grand Soleil 42 LC
The iconic Italian brand has finally transformed her award-winning 46-foot cruiser into a more compact and therefore even more popular format. Nearly identical visually the Grand Soleil 42 LC comes in a 2-cabin-version as standard, offering lots of storage on portside aft which makes her an ideal choice for extended bluewater sailing. But there is also a 3-cabin-option with either split or double berths. In any case the layout offers two bathrooms. Equipped with a self-tacking jib the boat handles easily; for more performance a Code Zero or asymmetric spinnaker can be flown from the long bowsprit that also keeps the the anchor away from the vertical bow. Contemporary interior design with lots of natural light and bright topsides create a nice ambience that won't age quickly.
For further information, please feel free to visit the webpage of the manufacturer.
Technical information:
Length: 12.95 m ● Beam: 4.18 m ● Draft: 2.25 m (opt. 1.80 m) ● Displacement: 9.6 t ● Sail area: 103 m2 (Sport Version 109 sqm)
Oyster 565
After a change of ownership the British luxury brand is going strong again, proven by the all new 565. Dubbed a "mini superyacht" she offers a wealth of quality and some rather special options. Her lines are cleaner than ever with a flush deck and a well-integrated cabin top that gives her interior that much appreciated decksaloon atmosphere without exposing the crew completely to other people's views. One of her unique features is the owner's cabin forward that comes with an en-suite private lounge and bathroom – a well thought-out alternative to the more classic owner's cabin aft. No doubt: Oyster is back!
For further information, please feel free to visit the webpage of the manufacturer.
Technical information:
Length: 17.22 m ● Beam: 5.13 m ● Draft: 2.50 m (opt. 1.66 - 3.96m) ● Displacement: 25.6 t ● Sail area: 164 m2