Seascape 18: European yacht of the year 2010

After months of waiting the verdict came in. In the so called Oscars of european sailing industry Seascape 18 was voted the winner in the category of Special yachts. Jury of editors from 11 biggest European magazines decided for Seascape since it “it represents best fun/price ratio on market”.

Journalist’s comment about selection:

Batnytt: Represents an econymy version of an Open 60 or VO 70. Quick, light and fun sailing for a nice price.

Seilas: Scores point on its simplicity - it’s not the most innovative or advanced boat, but its the attention to details and well thought ideas which impresses me. The concept of the boat and how the boat is used is well developed. It’s got a carbon mast, but it looks like a windsurfing mast. It’s light, easy to rig and a very uncomplicated boat.

Yachtrevue: A very good attempt, to transfer a modern VO70-hull-concept to a small boat; it is a very nice feeling, to sail with such a small boat at speeds of 15 Knots or more; excellent downwind performance; well done fittings: simple but functional; you feel the experience of the builders.

Yachting World: A scaled down Mini-Transat-styled One-design sportsboat, that’s affordable, versatile and lots of fun. Lifting keel and twin rudders allow her to be both beached and trailed, simple construction keeps the price tag down, while a carbon rig aids performance. Up to 15.5knot surfs on our first kite run! Playful and tamable, with her broad aft stable form sections, this is a both a fun family toy and a potentially thrilling sportsboat class within a commendable budget - definitely special.

Swissboat: Uncomplicated but yet challenging: The Seascape provides fun and speed for beginners and proven sailors - and remains at a very interesting price.

Voile Magazine: The very clever Seascape 18 is a good boat for racing or day-sailing. Maybe not the best for the open sea but a very pleasurable all-rounder, easy to trail and easy to sail.

Yacht: An almost democratic approach to small sportsboats: easy to rig, easy to beach, easy to handle - and a blast to sail when it’ s windy. Besides, quite accessible in terms of price, too - at least if one considers carbon mast, boom, bowspirt and laminate sails. And you can camp on the Seascape 18 with a tent over the vast, unobstructed cockpit. The only downside is performance in low wind - too much wetted area and too much weight with three on board.

Waterkampioen: It gives a lot of people the possibility to experience a little bit of the spectaculair sailing that you see nowadays (Open 650, Volvo 70 - you name all the well known downwind flying gennakerboats) for themselves. For a fair price (around 20.000€) and easy to achieve. The boat sails easily, is easy to handle and is more like a ‘fun’ performer, than a flat-out racer. It is forgiving, but can reward you with 14 to 17 knots downwind speed without getting in trouble.

More news on:

http://www.yacht.de/yo/yo_news/powerslave,id,8900,nodeid,50.html
http://www.yachtrevue.at/news-segelyachten/eyoty-2010-die-gewinner-910800.html
http://www.yachtingworld.com/news/439726/european-yacht-of-the-year-2010-winners