Berlin, 29 November 2024 – A jury of 13 journalists from international boating magazines presented the Best of Boats Awards (BOB) for the eleventh time on Thursday evening, 28 November, as part of BOAT & FUN BERLIN at Messe Berlin's Marshall House.

The founder of the Best of Boats Award, Stefan Gerhard, explained that all the nominated boats had not only been thoroughly tested on European waters over the past twelve months. For the first time, an online consumer voting was included in the judging process, with around 5,000 people taking part. The BOB Award 2024 has been divided into six categories based on the different target groups. This provides potential buyers with a concrete tool to help them make their decision.

Best of Boats Award 2024: The Finalists, winners and jurors. © Messe Berlin GmbH

Steering a successful course: the winners of the Best of Boats Award 2024

BEST FOR BEGINNERS: AMT 165 R (Finland)

At less than five meters in length, the AMT 165 R offers plenty of space on board. The boat's great versatility is demonstrated by the various deck options and hull materials such as GRP and aluminum, explained Alfred Boer, chief motorboat tester at 'Nautique' from the Netherlands and 'Varen' from Belgium, the jury's decision. Dominik Entzminger, Managing Director of Boat Solutions, accepted the award on behalf of AMT Boats. “I am very surprised and delighted that our model has won,” he said.

BEST FOR FAMILY: Marex 440 Gourmet Cruiser (Norway)

The Marex 440 Gourmet Cruiser from Norway beat out the competition from four other finalists. The jury was impressed by its unpretentious luxury with its spacious deck design and great performance. A special feature is the Gourmet Cruiser concept, which gives chefs plenty of space. This makes the boat perfect for full dinners and long family cruises. Arek Rejs, chief motorboat tester for the Polish magazine 'Wiatr', presented the award to Espen Aalrud, CEO of Marex Boats. Aalrud expressed his gratitude for the award. “The BOB makes us proud and happy. It is a valuable acknowledgment of our work,” he said.

BEST FOR FUN: Saxdor 400 GTC (Finland)

The Saxdor 400 GTC promises fun on the water. The focus is not on maximum speed, but on maximum serenity. Whether sunbathing, partying on the two balconies or cruising in all sea conditions, the versatile and spacious 40-foot vessel is always fun on board, said the jury, which was represented by Siga Curt Iborra, editor-in-chief of 'Mares' from Spain. Erna Rusi, CEO of Saxdor Yachts, said: “I feel very honored to have won the race and received this award in this demanding category”.

BEST FOR PERFORMANCE: Anytec 860 T (Sweden)

It was also not easy for the jurors to make a choice in the 50+ knots class, where speed is not the primary consideration. The focus is on performance, safety and ease of use. The Anytec 860 T from Sweden offered the best combination of these features with the simplest handling, a robust aluminium hull and a fine cruising performance. Jonas Vedin, CEO Anytec Sweden and Jari Ahoranta, International Sales, accepted the BOB 2024 from Jan Sjölund, Editor-in-Chief of 'Venemestari' from Finland. “We feel very honored and did not expect to receive this award,” said Jonas Vedin.

BEST ELECTRIC: Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air (Austria)

The collaboration between Germany's leading sports car manufacturer, Porsche, and the Austrian shipyard, Frauscher, with many years of experience in the field of electric boats, promises the best of both worlds. A fast day cruiser with a state-of-the-art electric drivetrain, the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air is, according to the jury, the first electric boat with performance and class for continuous daily use. Kerstin Zillmer, editor-in-chief of 'float' magazine in Germany, presented the team with the trophy. Florian Helmberger, Director Sales and Marketing, accepted it on behalf of Frauscher, while Jens Winterfeld, Director Electric Drives and Combustion/Hybrid Systems, travelled to the event on behalf of Porsche. Both indicated that this was likely not to be the last collaboration.

BEST BIG BOATS: Omikron OT-60 (Greece)

Marketing Manager Eugene Anyfantis and George Papantoniou, Naval Engineer at Omikron Yachts, accepted the award in the Big Boats category from Julijan Višnjevec, Editor-in-Chief of the Slovenian magazine 'Val Navtika'. The jury based its decision in favour of the Omikron OT-60 on its outstanding workmanship. The 20-meter boat is not designed for maximum speed, but for minimum fuel consumption and noiseless traveling. At the same time, it offers an unrivalled level of comfort and quiet on board, inspired by sailing yachts. Eugene Anyfantis, Marketing Manager, and George Papantoniou, Naval Engineer at Omikron Yachts, felt that their efforts had been rewarded. “The jury understood our concept and we look forward to a bright future,” Anyfantis said.

Images of the presentation of the Best of Boats Award on 28 November 2024 are available in our media database.

BOAT & FUN BERLIN

28 November to 1 December 2024 | 10.00 am to 6.00 pm

Berlin Exhibition Centre | Entrances South (Jafféstraße) & North (Masurenallee)

In association with:

AUTO CAMPING CARAVAN | 28 November to 1 December 2024

OFFROAD BERLIN | 28 November to 1 December 2024

TRANSPORTER DAYS BERLIN | 28 November to 1 December 2024

ANGLING WORLD BERLIN | 29 November to 1 December 2024

Further information on the associated trade fairs, opening times, travel and entrances as well as an up-to-date site plan for BOAT& FUN BERLIN 2024 are available online at www.boot-berlin.de.

Press accreditation for BOAT & FUN BERLIN can be obtained online in the press section of BOAT & FUN.

Print-quality images of BOAT & FUN BERLIN for editorial use are available in our media database.

You can find logos for your own use in the press section of BOAT & FUN.

About BOAT & FUN BERLIN

Water sports, outdoor adventures, camping fun – in the heart of Europe's largest region for water sports, BOAT & FUN offers event highlights covering all aspects of leisure and adventure in, on and around water. BOAT & FUN INWATER invites water sports enthusiasts to Werder an der Havel every year in late summer. The open-air boat show offers an atmospheric mix of the latest boats, test drives and sales pagodas along the picturesque promenade of Marina Havelauen. BOAT & FUN BERLIN traditionally invites visitors to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds at the end of November for the huge end-of-season event. The halls under Funkturm Berlin are organised according to theme worlds and offer a wide range of water sports and outdoor trends. From summer lifestyle- and test event in the Havelauen of Werder (Havel) to the huge end-of-season event for the water sports scene in the exhibition halls under Funkturm Berlin – BOAT & FUN is not just the “place-to-be” for fans of water sports and water tourism – fishing enthusiasts, campers and outdoor fans also get their money's worth here. Together with Europe's largest trade show on the trend topic of angling – ANGLING WORLD BERLIN –, AUTO CAMPING CARAVAN and Transporter Tage Berlin, BOAT & FUN BERLIN is Germany's largest boat and leisure trade show for water sports, angling, outdoor and camping. www.boot-berlin.com

About Messe Berlin

Berlin has been a trade fair destination for 200 years, and has been one of the most important such hubs for many decades. Messe Berlin – the state’s own trade fair company – conceives, markets and organizes hundreds of live events every year. It strives to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, generate optimal business stimuli, and provide fair conditions for everyone. This concept is reflected in the company slogan: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.