Best of Boats Award 2022 winners announced

On the evening of Thursday, 24 November 2022 at Boat & Fun Berlin the presentation ceremony took place of the Best of Boats (BOB) Award. Honours went to the motorboats from the 2022 model range which came out on top after extensive and thorough tests by the BOB panel of jurors. The presentation took place in front of an international audience at the Marshall Haus on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Prizes were awarded in the four categories Best for Beginners, Best for Travel, Best for Fun and Best for Family. In the category Best for Future a potential "game changer" in the boating industry was honored for the third time this year.

Throughout the 2022 water sports season a 16-member panel of jurors comprising chief editors and head motorboat testers from all over Europe and the US tested the latest and most interesting motorboats in numerous regions. The resulting picks made by the BOB jury members took the perspectives and specific needs of future boat owners into account rather than boat lengths. Only boats tested by several panel members were taken into consideration. Thus, new products still in the planning or building stage did not compete for the BOB Award. The thoroughness and extent of the tests is a hallmark of the Best of Boats Award and represents a seal of approval for the boats selected. Both domestically and internationally, the Best of Boats Award is one of the most coveted boat industry awards.

The winners of the Best of Boats Award 2022

In the Best for Beginners category the Ryck 280 from Hanse Yachts came out ahead of the other three finalists, who put in a strong performance. Julijan Višnjevec, chief editor of the Slovenian Magazine "Val Navtika" emphasized in the laudation: "The new Ryck 280 marks the launch of a new generation of walkaround boats that are not only good looking but also very capable in the water. That means outstanding seaworthiness, particularly in rough conditions." An ideal boat for beginners then. On receiving the prize in Berlin, Boris Heitmann, vice president of Communications, Hanse Yachts said: "Whereas last year our focus was more on design, this year we achieved even more with usability. I am delighted to be able to receive this award here in Berlin on behalf of the company."

The Leopard 46 Powercat from South Africa, the only catamaran among the outstanding finalists competing for the BOB Award 2022, won the Best for Travel category. "This catamaran is ideal for taking a comfortable sea trip on a spacious dual-hull deck", said Stanislaw Iwinski, chief editor of the Polish magazine "Yachtsmen", commenting on the selection. He presented the award to Chantal Julen, marketing manager Germany at Leopard Catamarans. "We are delighted that our brand is gaining popularity in America and Europe. Our focus is increasingly on the German market, which is why BOAT & FUN here in Berlin is particularly important for us", said Chantal Julen. "The BOB Award means a lot to us and I am very proud to be representing our company here."

The Rand Source 22 from Denmark impressed the BOB jurors and won the Best for Fun category. Giacomo Giulietti, head motorboat tester at pressmare.it from Rome in Italy, had this to say about the winner: "The Rand Source 22 impressed with its super-ergonomic deck layout featuring clever details for day trips, including a sun lounger, which is unusual for this size of boat. This Danish boat is also available as a future-oriented electric version." On Thursday evening a delighted Oscar Rand, founder and managing director of Rand Boats, accepted the award, commenting: "This was our very first time on the BOB finalist shortlist and we directly hit the home run. We are incredibly grateful and very honoured, especially considering the very strong competition in the Best for Fun category. It is fantastic to be able to meet all the industry experts face-to-face here in Berlin."

Arek Rejs, head motorboat tester at Wiatr from Poland, presented the Best for Family Award. The jurors' choice was the Bavaria SR 36. "This comfortable and spacious family boat has a lot more to offer than one would expect from a boat measuring 36 feet", said Arek Rejs commenting the selection. He presented the award to Marc Diening, CEO of Bavaria Yachts, and Marcus Schlichting, head of Marketing & Communications. "The number 36 brings us a lot of luck", said a delighted Marcus Schlichting. "Throughout the project we had a very good feeling about the SR 36. Our aim was to develop and implement a concept for families and every possible situation. This award is proof we succeeded", said Marc Diening.

This was the third time the special Best for Future award was presented to a potential boating industry game changer for innovative technology in combination with new sustainability concepts. This year it went to Delphia Yachts for their initiative on an electric boat infrastructure project in the Netherlands. Stefan Gerhard, creator of the Best of Boats Award, presented the prize acknowledging that "even if the project is still a work in progress and has not yet been fully realised – Delphia Yachts is showing what the future of electric boating could look like. This project is a blueprint for many other European countries." He presented the award to Delphia brand director Martin Schemkes. "We will initially push this project in the Netherlands and will hopefully soon expand to the Berlin/Brandenburg region. Because electric driving is the future," explains Martin Schemkes. "As part of the maritime industry we all have a responsibility. Together and as one we must dare to undertake and drive forward the transition."