The European trade press presented the Best of Boats Award as part of BOOT & FUN at OutVenture Berlin. In five categories, shipyards from Finland, Norway and the USA received the popular award.
Which boat is right for me? For twelve years, the Best of Boats Award (BOB) has provided reliable guidance to help buyers make purchasing decisions. On Thursday evening, 27 November 2025, it was presented in five categories addressing different target groups at BOOT & FUN in the blue-lit Marshall-Haus on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
During the past season, 16 journalists from international boating magazines carried out a total of 300 boat tests. Among the jury members was also Gerasimos Gerolimatos, Director Ondeck Media & Events. Each model was reviewed by at least five of them, making the BOB the toughest and largest motorboat award in Europe.
Founder and chairman Stefan Gerhard highlighted the innovative strength of the industry: “Many innovations emerge in challenging times. This year we discovered fantastic boats from previously rather unknown shipyards. We see, for example, new materials like PE entering the competition, as well as new applications such as wakesurf boats.”
BEST FOR BEGINNERS: Bayliner C21 (USA)
Stanislaw Iwinski from the Polish trade magazine Yachtsmen.eu tested the entry-level cruiser from Bayliner in Portugal, where it is also built. He praised its spaciousness and safety – and believes the boat has what it takes to spark a love for boating among newcomers. Sylvain Perret, Product Portfolio Manager European Venture Group, and Alexis Flechier, Head of International Sales Brunswick Corporation, accepted the award. Alexis Flechier thanked the jury: “It’s simply wonderful that they recognised the value of the Bayliner C21. The award means a lot to us. We want to get people onto the water with simple boats – it’s the best thing we can do.”
BEST FOR FAMILY: Viknes 10 (Norway)
The so far rather unknown family shipyard Viknes in Germany was able to win the BOB in the category “Best for Family”. CEO Kristian Sivertsen and his brother, Chief Designer Gisle Sivertsen, accepted the award from Alfred Boer, Chief Motorboat Tester of Nautique magazine in the Netherlands. Their company sources all its materials from Norway. The Viknes 10 convinced with its fusion of modern and traditional elements and with its stability on the water. Features such as the retractable roof set it apart from other nominees. “We really wanted to win the BOB, especially the family category means a lot to us. It’s a great honour to be here today,” said Kristian Sivertsen.
BEST FOR FUN: Nordkapp Enduro 830 (Norway)
The winner of the “Best for Fun” category also comes from Norway. The sporty Nordkapp Enduro 830 is designed for watersports, day trips and high-speed cruising. The design is the work of Espen Thorup, who has been creating Nordkapp boats for decades. He described it as one of the most challenging yet exciting projects of his career. His goal: that Nordkapp boats should be recognisable even without its lettering. Mats Hjørnevik, Head of Marketing Frydenbo Marine, was particularly pleased that the boat is now reaching not only the Scandinavian but also the German and other European markets. He received the trophy from Chiara Riveruzzi, tester at the Italian magazine Mondo Barca Market, who joined the jury for the first time this year.
BEST FOR ADVENTURE: Saxdor 340 GTWA (Finland)
The new “Best for Adventure” category is aimed at fun boats that, with a roof and cabin, prove themselves for adventures and as commuter boats year-round. Jan Sjölund, Editor-in-Chief of the Finnish magazine Venemestari, presented the award for the Saxdor 340 GTWA to Pawel Blaszak, Chief Production Manager Saxdor Yachts. The rapidly growing shipyard has existed for only six years and already employs more than 1,000 people internationally. “Without our team, Saxdor wouldn’t exist. The BOB is an excellent recognition of all their hard work. I want to thank them for that,” said Pawel Blaszak.
BEST BIG BOATS: XO EXPLR 44 (Finland)
Another new jury member presented the award for the best big boat: Geoffroy Langlade, Editor-in-Chief of Boat Heroes (France), honoured the work of Timo Miettinen, owner of EM Group Helsinki, and Rabbe Nerdrum, Sales Director XO Boats. As the largest model of the Finnish shipyard, the luxury weekender XO XPLR 44 convinced the jury. “It is a great honour, and I am very grateful for this award. Our customers are absolutely thrilled with the XO XPLR 44,” said Timo Miettinen about the boat that has become the shipyard’s flagship.
