Motor Boat 2022 elections: what will be the boats of the year?

By / October 28, 2022

Two days, sixteen boats, twenty-six readers, six winners, these are the key figures to remember from the tenth edition of the Motor Boat elections of the year which took place in mid-June in Hyères. Throwback to two days of madness… Photos: Virginie Pelagalli and Boris Réjou.

The event took place on June 14 and 15 in Hyères in the Var. During these two days, sixteen boats of all sizes and typesmeeting only one requirement, that of being a novelty of the year 2022were scrutinized by an impartial jury, made up entirely of readers of Boat engine.

On the first morning, each reader receives a file containing his schedule and the questionnaires to be completed.

Once again, many of you applied to take part in these elections and we apologize for not being able to respond positively to all of you.

The tenth edition of the Motor Boat of the Year Elections

This 2022 edition marked the ten years of the Motor Boat of the Year Electionswhich we launched for the first time in 2013. After beginnings on the Atlantic coast in Crouesty and La Rochelle, it is finally in Hyères in the south of France that we have been organizing this event for a few years.

The friendly and warm welcome of the captaincy of the third basin and the provision of their premises by the resort SNSM allow us to organize these two days in the best conditions. Added to this is quick access to the exit from the port, which allows more frequent rotations. Because the principle of these elections is simple: all the readers, divided into teams of two or three, must pass on all the boats and then answer a questionnaire drawn up by us.

photo of the boats present during the motor boat 2022 elections
From the small bow-rider of less than 6 meters, such as the Bayliner M19, to the habitable semi-rigid of 9 meters such as the Salpa Soleil 30, the line-up was very varied this year again.

Thus, according to a very precise program, the readers are required to change boats approximately every forty minutes. They should then note different
criteria, ranging from access on board, to the level of finish, through the comfort of piloting and ending with the price.

The counting, carried out by us once all the questionnaires have been collected, is therefore only a matter of figures, the boats with the highest score then being naturally designated “Boat of the Year”.

This time again, the sixteen boats present enabled us to form three categories and therefore to elect the “Tyre of the Year”among the Fanale 700, the Marlin 24X, the Novamarine RH 800, the Capelli 900, the Salpa Soleil 30 and the Lomac 12.5 GT, the “Boat of the year under 7 meters” among the Bayliner M19, the B2 Marine 702 SD, the Bénéteau A8, the AS Marine 23 GL, the Jeanneau MF 795 Sport and the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5 CC Series 3, and the ” Boat of the year over 7 meters » among the Boston 250 Dauntless, the Iron 827, the XO Defender 9 and the Terra Nauta 30.

A studious atmosphere

These two days of testing took place in excellent conditions, thanks to perfect weather, a relaxed but studious atmosphere, and the great availability of the professionals present. Besides these three prizes, readers also nominated three other boats for the prize of Eleganceof innovation and the Falling for something of the jury.

motor boat 2022 election readers
Our twenty-six readers pose with their salmon pink polo shirts, the color of this anniversary edition, accompanied by some of the professionals present.

The names of the winners will not be revealed until December during a ceremony at the Nautic de Paris on Wednesday 7 December at 5 p.m. on the nautical scene (to be confirmed). In the meantime, discover the participants in this 10th edition below.

The 6 contenders for the title of “tyre of the year”

They were six to apply for the title of “Tire of the year 2022”. Six models from 7 to 12 meters, certainly different in their programs, the largest with their cabin allowing short cruising, but which perfectly illustrate the richness of the current semi-rigid market.

The era of Alain Bombard’s inflatable boat is long gone, today the semi-rigid has a level of equipment, finish and comfort equivalent to, or even superior to, certain hard hulls. Not to mention the marine qualities or the accommodation capacity they offer…

1 – Fanale Falchettu 700

photo of the Fanale Falchettu 700 tire
Produced in Corsica, this semi-rigid, less than 7 meters long, has simple but functional fittings. Tested with its maximum engine, it exceeds 42 knots in top speed.

2 – Marlin 24X

picture of the marlin 24 X
This semi-rigid is easily recognized by its inverted deck sheer. Motorized with
a 200 horsepower Selva, it displays good performance, its maximum speed being
of 41.5 knots.

3 – Novamarine RH 800

picture of the novamarine rh 800
This semi-rigid is easily recognized by its inverted deck sheer. Motorized with
a Selva of 200 horsepower, it shows good performance, its maximum speed being 41.5 knots.

4 – Sun Salpa 30

Photo of the sun salpa 30
Located in the Soleil range between the 26 and the 33, this semi-rigid hides under its foredeck and in its console a cabin offering a large double berth and an independent bathroom. Enough to consider beautiful cruises!

5 – Capelli Tempest 900 Open

Photo of the capelli tempest 900 open
Replacing the 900 Sun, this new model from the Tempest range from the Italian shipyard Capelli has a particularly user-friendly deck plan and beautiful seaworthiness in addition to an elegant line.

6 – Lomac GT 12.5

Photo of the Lomac GT 12.5
Maximum comfort on board this decked version of the Gran Turismo 12 with vast and pleasant outdoor facilities, but also a beautiful living area with a large double berth and a bathroom with marine toilet and shower.

Technical details of the 6 contenders for the title of “tyre of the year”

pneumatic data sheet

The 6 contenders for the title of “boat of the year under 7 meters”

1 – Bayliner M19

Picture of bayliner m19
An attractive price and a versatile sailing programme, these are the objectives of this small bowrider, the largest model in Bayliner’s M range, launched last year with the M15 and M17.

2 – B2 Marine 702 SD

Photo of the b2 marine 702 SD
Entirely made in France, this day-cruiser offers very good value for money and hides in its cabin a large berth 2.50 meters long and 1.80 meters wide. With 200 horsepower, it flirts with 40 knots.

3 – Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport

Photo jeanneau mf 795 sport
Located in the middle of the new Merry Fisher Sport range, the 795 is a helmsman with a sporty look and an adventurer program with roof bars capable of receiving a paddle or a kayak.

4 – Beneteau Antares 8

photo of the beneteau a8 boat
The Antarès 8 is available in the Fishing version or, as here, in the Cruise version. The difference lies in the cockpit equipped as an option, on the Cruise version, with a pleasant U-shaped saloon convertible into a sundeck.

5 – Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5 CC

photo jeanneau 7.5 cc
The hull of this new version of the Cap Camarat 7.5 CC is designed by the American Michael Peters. It was presented during these elections with a specifi c coating which accentuates the sporty character of this unit with its very modular cockpit.

6 – AS Marine 23 GL

photo of marine ace 23
Originally from Italy, this sun-deck has a modern look with angular curves and a matte black balcony. Below the raised foredeck, the cabin accommodates a U-shaped bench seat convertible into a berth as well as a toilet compartment.

Technical sheet of the 6 boats under 7 meters

The 4 contenders for the title of “boat of the year over 7 meters”

1 – Boston Whaler 250 Dauntless

photo of boston 250 dauntless
A pointed bow, a flared hull with irreproachable behavior, an impeccable finish, this magnificent open marks the arrival of a new generation Dauntless for the American shipyard Boston Whaler.

2 – Iron Boats 827

Picture of the iron boats 827
With its tapered line and its 400 horsepower on the transom, this open clearly displays its program oriented towards speed and piloting. The breathtaking hull amazed us with its agility!

3 – Terra Nauta 30

photo of the terra nauta 30
Originally from Croatia, this elegant cabin-cruiser shows a perfect finish based on teak present everywhere on board. Its cabin offers an excellent level of comfort with four beds, a galley and a bathroom.

4 – XO Defender 9

picture of the XO Defender 9
With its protective wheelhouse and breathtaking hull, this boat can adapt to all sea conditions. The presence of a forward berth and a separate toilet room also make it possible to spend the night on board.

Technical sheet for boats over 7 meters

What do you think will be the boats of the year? It’s up to you to play in the comment space!

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