The Best Leisure Boats of the Year: Awarded and Featured Models

Discover the latest awarded and nominated boats

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14 DECEMBER 2025

Each season, the world’s leading shipyards are recognised for their excellence in design, innovation and performance through prestigious international awards. These distinctions highlight the models that best represent the spirit of the sea and the passion for sailing.

At Hermanos Guasch, as official distributors of benchmark shipyards such as Beneteau, Excess Catamarans, Sasga Yachts, Astondoa, CNB Yachts and Wellcraft, we have compiled in this article the most awarded and outstanding leisure boats of recent years.
A selection that reflects current industry trends and the continuous evolution towards more comfortable, sustainable boats designed to enjoy the sea all year round.

 

The Best Boats of 2025

1. Swift Trawler 54 
The long-range cruising yacht 

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The Swift Trawler 54 proudly showcases years of refinement and continuous feedback from owners of previous models. Its design combines efficiency, comfort and autonomy, making it ideal for those who enjoy long-distance cruising with maximum safety and style.
Winner of the Motor Boat Awards 2025 in the “Best for Beginners” category, it stands out for its manoeuvrability, ease of use and onboard living design.

2. Antares 12 
The versatile best-selling cruiser 

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The flagship of the Antares range redefines the modern weekender experience. With a spacious interior, an exceptional flybridge and a perfect balance between power and comfort, the Antares 12 adapts equally well to short getaways or extended cruises.
Finalist at the Motor Boat Awards 2025 in the “Best Flybridge up to 60ft” category, it consolidates its position as one of the most successful models in its segment.

3. First 30
Pure sailing pleasure 

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The Beneteau First 30 represents the essence of modern performance sailing: light, agile and with elegant lines. Its outstanding performance and deck ergonomics make it an ideal sailing yacht for both fast cruising and coastal racing.
Awarded “Best Sailing Yacht Under 20m” at the Yacht Style Awards 2025, it is also nominated for the European Yacht of the Year 2026 (up to 10 m) and the British Yachting Awards 2025, reinforcing its international recognition.

4. Oceanis 47
Elegance and comfort offshore

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The Oceanis 47 perfectly balances design, performance and onboard comfort. Its clean deck layout, bright interiors and optimised hull make it a modern cruising yacht designed to enjoy the sea without sacrificing comfort.
Nominated for the British Yachting Awards 2025 as “Cruising Sailboat of the Year”.

5. Oceanis 52
The new benchmark in contemporary cruising

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The Oceanis 52 is a masterful synthesis of elegance, innovation and smart sailing. With advanced living solutions and pure design lines, it sets a new standard in the cruising yacht segment.
Winner of the Design Innovation Award 2025 (up to 16 m category) and nominee for the European Yacht of the Year 2026.

6. Excess 13
The most desired multihull of the year 

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The Excess 13 catamaran embodies the shipyard’s philosophy: combining pleasure, excitement and freedom at sea. Its modern design and balance between performance and comfort have made it a benchmark in the multihull segment.
Winner of Multihull of the Year 2025 and nominee for European Yacht of the Year 2026 (up to 14 m).

7. Wellcraft 38 T-Top 
Power and uncompromising design

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The Wellcraft 38 T-Top is synonymous with sportiness and technology. Its high-performance hull, fully equipped centre console and onboard comfort place it among the most complete boats in its category.
Winner of the European Powerboat of the Year 2025 (up to 14 m), it has been recognized for its open-sea performance and adventurous spirit, true to the DNA of the American shipyard.

8. Astondoa Ax8 
Mediterranean design elegance

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The Astondoa Ax8 redefines the mid-size motor yacht concept with contemporary design, generous outdoor spaces and understated luxury aesthetics.
Nominated for the International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2025 in the Motor Yacht under 25 m category, consolidating the reputation of the Alicante-based shipyard for its artisanal excellence.

9. CNB 62 
Ocean cruising sophistication 

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The CNB 62 is a masterpiece of French yacht design: elegant, powerful and conceived for experienced sailors. Its naval architecture offers the perfect balance between performance and comfort on long voyages.
Nominated for the European Yacht of the Year 2026, an award that recognizes its unique combination of luxury, safety, and performance.

10. Menorquín 48 FB
The essence of authentic Mediterranean boating

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The Menorquín 48 Flybridge represents the natural evolution of Sasga Yachts’ classic range. Its timeless design, spacious flybridge and impeccable build quality make it an icon of Menorcan style.
Nominated for European Powerboat of the Year 2026 (up to 18 m), reaffirming the prestige of the Balearic shipyard and its commitment to traditional navigation reinterpreted for the 21st century.


The Best Boats of 2024:

We present the nominations and awards received by the new boat models from both brands of the Beneteau Group and Astondoa:

1. Astondoa Ax8
The Yacht designed for living on board

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The new Astondoa Ax8 is a finalist in the category recognising the best luxury yacht designed for onboard living, offering exceptional space and comfort.

· Nominated for Best of Boards in the "Best Big Boats" category.


2. Excess 14 
The sailing catamaran

The Excess 14 delivers the best of the Excess DNA in a lightweight model designed to fully enjoy life on board and time at sea.

· Nominated for Sail Best Boats 2024.

· Nominated for Cruising World 2024 Boat of the Year.


3. Oceanis 37.1
The eco-friendly family cruiser

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The Oceanis 37.1 is the eighth model in the range. Originally launched in 2017, it now introduces more innovations than any previous version. 

· Nominated for Cruising World 2024 Boat of the Year.

· Nominated for SAIL Best Boats 2024.

· Nominated for European Yachts of the Year 2024


4. Beneteau Antares 12 
New Antares flagship

A weekender with the possibility of full onboard living, the Beneteau Antares 12 remains faithful to its heritage while incorporating new features in equipment, comfort, space and elegance.

· Nominated for European Power Boat of the Year 2024, 10-14 m category.


5. Beneteau First 44
Avant-Garde racer-cruiser

Balancing cruising comfort, performance and safety, the Beneteau First 44 perfectly represents the racer-cruiser concept.

· Nominated for SAIL Best Boats 2024.


6. Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 60
The dream home at sea

With elegant and timeless lines, the Oceanis Yacht 60 combines excellent sailing performance with refined comfort, making it a true home on the water.

· Nominated for SAIL Best Boats 2024

 

The Best Boats of 2023:

1. Beneteau Flyer 8 
The practical and easy-to-handle dayboat

The Beneteau Flyer 8, available in both SunDeck and SpaceDeck versions, the Beneteau Flyer 8 is ideal for day trips and marine activities.

· Nominated for Best of Boats Awards 2023, "Best for Beginners" category


2. Beneteau Oceanis 37.1
The eco-friendly sailing yacht

The Oceanis 37.1 stands out for its generous interior volume, particularly in the forward sections, and its strong eco-friendly approach.

· Nominated for British Yachting Awards 2023, at "Cruising Yacht of the Year" category


3. Beneteau First 44
Avant-Garde – Racer-cruiser

Offering an ideal balance between cruising comfort, performance and safety.

· Nominated for British Yachting Awards 2023, at "Performance Yacht of the Year" category


4. Beneteau First 36
 
The racer-cruiser sailing yacht

On the First 36, sailing experience and comfort go hand in hand. Its well-thought-out design has earned numerous accolades:

· European Yacht of the Year 2023, “Performance cruiser” category

· SAIL Best Boats 2023,  Monohull category:

"Une embarcation polyvalente et très vive qui séduira aussi bien les régatiers que les navigateurs de croisière orientés performance… la qualité de construction est irréprochable pour un bateau de série… nous avons été particulièrement impressionnés par l’agencement du cockpit."
— Jury des SAIL Best Boats 2023 Awards

· Boat of The Year Sailing World 2023


5. Beneteau Group
 
Global boating market player

· Winner of the Boat Builder Awards 2023, "Sustainability Project of the Year" category.

"For its collaboration with Composite Recycling and Chomarat, as it provides a response to one of the industry’s biggest challenges: creating a viable second-life option for the millions of GRP hulls built over the past 60 years.”
Boat Builder Awards 2023 Jury

 

The Best Boats of 2022:

1. Beneteau First 36 
Racer-cruiser sailing yacht

· Winner of the British Yachting Awards 2022, "Performance yacht of the year” category


2. Beneteau First 44
 
Avant-Garde – Racer-cruiser

· Winner of the Boat Builder Awards 2022"Environmental Improvement in Manufacturing Process" category

Recognised for integrating biomaterials into construction and using 100% recyclable resin in the First 44


3. Excess 14
 
The large sailing catamaran

· Design Innovation Award awarded by the Genoa International Boat Show and the Italian Marine Industry Association, “Honourable mention for research and use of materials”:

Recognised for achieving high sailing performance through detailed research into hull forms and materials.

 

The models featured in this ranking reflect the work of the most renowned shipyards on the international scene, with which Hermanos Guasch maintains direct collaboration to always offer the best to every sailor.

We invite you to discover these and other models in our new boat offers section, or to visit us at our facilities to experience first-hand the latest innovations from each shipyard.

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