The European Yacht of the Year award is widely regarded as sailing's most prestigious accolade. Since 2004, it has been decided through rigorous sea trials conducted by a panel of twelve leading European magazines, with every nominated yacht sailed, compared, and judged under identical conditions.
Beneteau arrives at the 2026 edition with a particularly strong hand. Two of its newest designs have earned shortlisted status: the sporty First 30 and the luxurious Oceanis 52. That pairing speaks to the brand's ability to innovate at opposite ends of the market simultaneously.
The First 30, unveiled in January 2025, introduces an entirely new category: the "planing cruiser." Naval architect Samuel Manuard's lightweight hull, measuring 10.33m LOA and displacing just 3,150kg, delivers the kind of acceleration and glide sailors typically associate with skiffs or dedicated racing yachts rather than anything bearing the word "cruiser."
Two distinct versions are on offer. The cruising model concentrates on ergonomic controls and simplified handling, making it well suited to couples or small crews who want genuine performance without complexity. The racing version sharpens things further with a traveller and additional trim options, aimed squarely at club racers chasing results on the water. Below decks, the layout is compact but well considered, providing berths for four across two cabins.
The timing carries symbolic weight too. Revisiting the iconic original First 30 of 1977 during Beneteau's 140th anniversary year, the new boat ties the brand's present-day ambition directly to its heritage.
Where the First 30 pursues speed, the Oceanis 52 takes a different path entirely. Designed by Roberto Biscontini with interiors by Nauta Design, it is built around long-range cruising comfort, combining genuine performance with a standard of liveability that feels closer to a floating home than a passage yacht.
The cockpit is perhaps the most immediately striking aspect. Thirty percent larger than the Oceanis 51.1, it centres on twin C-benches and adjustable tables, with options including a plancha grill for those who take cockpit entertaining seriously. Wide helm stations and unobstructed access to the side decks keep sailing the boat practical regardless of conditions.
Inside, the atmosphere is open and warm. A sloping companionway leads into a C-shaped galley and a generous saloon, while the owner's suite offers a 160cm berth, panoramic windows, and a dedicated "owner's corner" configured for working or simply unwinding. Layout options run from a three-cabin arrangement through to a five-cabin, three-head configuration, giving the Oceanis 52 appeal across the spectrum from private ownership to charter operation. A self-tacking jib and furling mast make shorthanded passages thoroughly manageable.
At 16.28m LOA with a displacement of 14,476kg, the Oceanis 52 is unambiguously a passagemaker, well equipped for New Zealand's coastal waters and for voyages well beyond them.
The First 30 and the Oceanis 52 could scarcely be more different in character: one celebrates lightweight thrills and planing speeds, the other quiet refinement and blue-water capability. Both carry Beneteau's name into the European Yacht of the Year 2026 nominations, and together they make a compelling case for the breadth of the brand's design philosophy and its continuing influence on the direction of modern sailing. Both yachts will be available in New Zealand through 36 Degrees Brokers, Beneteau's exclusive local dealer.
