Family boats can be as different as the families who use them: Weekenders, overnighters, sport and hiking boats – everything is possible. The origin and the area also make a difference, i.e. how a shipyard “thinks” a boat in this category. The equipment, deck layout and motorisation are designed accordingly. And so the space available on and below deck also differs on board the best family boats in 2018. Check the article New Small Boats Deliver Big Fun By Boat US for more information.

For the largest motorboat award in Europe, 17 jury members – all experienced test pilots, including two women – undertook more than 550 boat tests in 15 countries in twelve months. Their credo: always look at the boat from the point of view of its future users. This makes the European boat price unusual. The award ceremony is on 29 November on the boat fair boat & Fun in Berlin.

The family boat category is shorter than in previous years. The jury nominated the Jeanneau NC 33 from France as the first completely new boat in the revised series. The Parker 110 Monaco is the largest boat of the Polish shipyard to date. The Targa 27.2, a classic commuter from Finland, is more of a family boat than a travel boat due to its compact dimensions.

Jeanneau NC 33: Once edgy, now hyggelig

“NC” stands for New Concept at Jeanneau. The essential idea: a boat that covers all areas of life on a single level. In short, an apartment on the water. New in the second generation of the series, which has just been launched, is the L-shaped sofa in the aft cockpit and a small, very practical side door that leads directly from the saloon to the corridor on the starboard side.

The new NC series no longer has the angular charm and angular deckhouse shape of its predecessors. Comfortable cabins and a very well balanced hull – which is identical to the hull of the Leader 33 that won the Best of Boats Award in 2017 – make the yacht, which is positioned between NC 9 and NC 11 in terms of length, a family ship.

Parker Monaco 110: Big cruiser with ideas

With the Monaco, Parker Boats has changed boat classes – from compact cabin boats like the Parker 630 Sport that won the Best of Boats Award in 2015 to motor yachts. Designed by renowned naval architect Tony Castro, the ten-metre boat combines the spaciousness of a cruiser with the performance and serviceability advantages of current outboard boats.

Inside, the largest Parker model with a hull length of 33 feet offers as much space as a classic motor yacht – with two cabins, separate shower room, saloon glass roof and a rear sun lounger that makes the two powerful engines invisible to on-board guests under a shady cockpit roof.

Targa 27.2: Extremely solid, reinterpreted

The third generation of the successful commuter boat Targa 27 is both wider and longer than its predecessors. With closed and powerfully motorised boats of this type, the Scandinavians drive to their summer house – and in the morning to the office, if they live on an island: they “commute”, i.e. commute – hence the boat name.

The body and deck of the Targa 27.2 have been completely redesigned. But the characteristic of a classic Targa is still there. These include the extremely solid construction, an ergonomically excellent driving position, safety orientation as a concept – and the typical teak interior. Only available as inboard engine. There must be so much tradition.

Best for Fun: Italian elegance

The winner in the Best for Fun category comes from Italy. The Invictus 370 GT corresponds completely to the Italian design from the pen of Christian Grande and stands out clearly from all competitors by the fuselage form with the negative Steven. The handling of the 370 GT is exceptionally good – just like the smaller 280 GT model Invictus became famous for. The spacious deck layout with centre steering position, plenty of space in the stern and a magnificent sunbathing area makes the 370 GT an elegant weekender with many exclusive design solutions on and below deck.

How the best family boats are selected in 2018

According to the 17 jury members of the Best of Boats Award, family boats should have sufficient space on board that is suitable for all generations, offer very good safety for children on board and, with their equipment and the associated comfort, permit a longer stay on the ship.

The Best of Boats Award 2018 will be presented in the categories Beginners, Fishing, Family, Fun and Travel on 29 November 2018, the first day of Boot & Fun Berlin 2018. All this year’s finalists in the category Best for Family are listed here. For comparison: last year’s finalists have been portrayed in detail here.