The 2026 Dutch Boat of the Year Awards have recognised four boats that improve the boating experience through fundamentally different approaches — from quieter electric speed to a deliberate embrace of slower cruising.
Presented on 1 September at Bataviahaven in Lelystad, immediately before the opening of Hiswa te Water 2026, the awards demonstrate that innovation in modern boatbuilding is being judged by its effect on the user rather than by any single technological direction.
The Highfield ADV7 took the Open Motorboat Award for what the jury described as the most convincing step towards the next generation of open motorboats. The 6.98 metre crossover combines Highfield's RIB heritage with increased accommodation, including a galley sink, shower, portable toilet and twin sun decks. The jury highlighted its ability to reconcile competing qualities: high-quality finish with practical usability, distinctive styling with solid construction, and international appeal with broad applicability.
The Electric Boat Award went to the ESEA F800, an 8 metre Swedish-built dayboat that the jury praised for improving the experience of fast electric boating. Powered by a steerable 20kW ePropulsion pod and up to two 23kWh battery packs, the composite boat reaches 12 knots with a claimed range of 57 nautical miles on a single battery at an economical five-knot cruise. The jury specifically noted that the boat retains useful speed while propulsion noise is almost completely removed.
In a markedly different direction, the Motorboat Award went to the Steeler Enigma 50, a 15.4 metre steel displacement yacht with a displacement of 36 tonnes at 50 percent load. The jury said Steeler had reconsidered the complete concept of the displacement motor yacht, making slow cruising attractive in a market where speed is often used as a selling point. Coming from the same panel that handed the Electric Boat Award to a fast, near-silent dayboat, the result is a reminder that the judges are weighing usefulness and execution rather than pursuing any single technology.
The Sailing Yacht Award went to the Saffier SE 28 Leopard, a 28 foot daysailer designed for performance sailing with easy single-handed or short-crewed operation. The vacuum-infused fibreglass boat offers a choice of Yanmar diesel or 7.5kW Mitek electric propulsion, tiller or twin wheel steering, and optional integrated solar panels. The jury praised its combination of sportiness, quality and ease of use.
The awards also recognised Saffier Yachts' Dean and Dennis Hennevanger with the Lifetime Achievement Award, credited by organisers for their vision, entrepreneurship, sailing knowledge and development of Saffier into an international success. Their company has now won the sailing category five times since 2007, a record that includes the 2023 Saffier SE24 Lite and the 2026 Leopard.
Boss Boating received the Startup Award for its Electric Boating Without Charging concept, which combines electric propulsion with energy storage and integrated solar cells.
The 2026 results continue a pattern visible in recent years where innovation has become an explicit judging criterion, but is interpreted broadly. The 2023 Motorboat jury stated that innovation decided that year's result, while the 2025 Open Motorboat winner, the Interboat Intender 750, won through intelligent hull development and finish rather than alternative propulsion.
Fourteen boats were submitted in the 2026 Motorboat category, a record for the category, with eight entries in the Electric Boat category. Eligible boats had to measure between 3 and 20 metres and have been introduced after 1 January 2025.
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