At Vene 25 Båt Show, both motorboats and a sailboat were awarded
At the Vene 25 Båt show, the Boats of the Show were selected for the 26th time from the newly presented models. This year, the Open Boat of the Show is the Boston Whaler 250 Outrage, the Weekender or Commuter Boat of the Show is the Saxdor 340 GTWA, and the Cabin Cruiser of the Show is the Aquador 400 HT. This year, the Sailboat of the Show was also selected, with the title awarded to the X-Yachts X4.9 MkII. The Vene 25 Båt show takes place from February 7–16, 2025, at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
The Boat of the Show award aims to promote the boating industry and recognize successful product development. When selecting the winners, special emphasis was placed on the novelty value of the models. Additionally, design, construction and space solutions, functionality and ergonomics, price-quality ratio, and suitability for the intended use were taken into account. Each category’s winner was chosen from a shortlist of three or four finalists.
The jury that selected the Boats of the Show described the winning boats as follows:
The Open Boat of the Show: Boston Whaler 250 Outrage
The Boston Whaler 250 Outrage is an exceptionally versatile open boat with ample space to maximize its usability. The price is undeniably high, but the construction, quality feel, and finish are of absolute top class.
The Weekender or Commuter Boat of the Show: Saxdor 340 GTWA
The Saxdor 340 GTWA is a sleek and modern walkaround cabin boat featuring many innovative solutions and well-thought-out details. Its layout efficiently utilizes both interior and exterior spaces, and its value for money is in a class of its own.
The Cabin Cruiser of the Show: Aquador 400 HT
The Aquador 400 HT features a winning layout that combines spacious and versatile social and living areas. The cabin section offers six proper berths, while the main deck cleverly utilizes the open and continuous space characteristic of an HT motorboat. The design is completed with an innovative sofa arrangement at the swim platform.
The Sailboat of the Show: X-Yachts X4.9 MkII
The Sailboat of the Show, X-49 Mk II, is an enhanced version of an already successful long-distance cruiser. User feedback has been incorporated into many details related to onboard living. The further refined hull design enhances performance and opens up possibilities for regatta sailing while the boat—just like the exhibition model—can also be equipped as an ocean-worthy cruiser. In return for its high price, the X-49 Mk II undoubtedly offers top-tier quality, according to the jury's assessment.
At the Vene 25 Båt show, over 400 boats are presented, and the finalists for the Boats of the Show were selected by a pre-selection jury consisting of editors from boating magazines. The winners were selected by a jury consisting of Antti Numminen from Eurofins Expert Service, Tomi Peurakoski, producer at Kippari, Jan Sjölund, editor-in-chief of Venemestari and Totalvene.fi, and Tom Wilenius from Traficom. To provide a Nordic perspective, Lars-Åke Redéen, editor-in-chief of the Swedish Båtliv, and Ole Henrik Nissen-Lie, editor-in-chief of the Norwegian Båtmagasinet, also participated. In the selection of the Sailboat of the Show, in addition to government representatives, journalists Pasi Nuutinen from Totalvene.fi and Otto Aalto from Venemestari also participated.
The finalists for the Open Boat of the Show were AMT 150 R, Boston Whaler 250 Outrage, and Yamarin Cross 55 BR.
The finalists for the Weekender or Commuter Boat of the Show were Arronet 26 Surprise, Nordkapp Coupe 780, and Saxdor 340 GTWA.
The finalists for the Cabin Cruiser of the Show were Aquador 400 HT, Delphia D11 Sedan, and XO EXPLR 44.
The finalists for the Sailboat of the Show were Beneteau Oceanis 37.1, Hanse 410, X-Yachts X4.9 MkII, and Nautor ClubSwan 43.
The Vene 25 Båt show takes place from February 7–16, 2025, at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The event is open Wednesday to Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
For more information: Communications Manager Teija Armanto, Tel: +358 50 376 0804, teija.armanto@messukeskus.com
#venemessut www.venemessut.fi/en
Photos from the award ceremony are available in the media bank: http://messukeskus.mediabank.fi.
