Motor Boat of the Year 2016

The Axopar 28 was awarded “Motor Boat of The Year 2016” in the category Sportsboats and RIBs in the 2016 Motor Boat Awards, considered the Oscars of the motor boat world!

All boats currently available for sale in the UK are eligible for a Motor Boat Award provided they were tested and published by Motor Boat & Yachting in the past twelve months. Boats are judged by a panel of experienced professionals with decisions based on sea trial experience of each vessel. On average, over 70 boats are tested each year and are considered for entry into eight main categories.

THE JURY'S COMMENTS ON THE AXOPAR 28 RANGE:

“A boat that has it all; searing performance, a fantastic hull, brilliant deck spaces, somewhere to sleep and looks to die for.”

MORE INSIGHT INTO WHAT THEY LIKED ABOUT THE BOATS:

”When the Axopar 28 came out on top in our four-way test between it, the Draco 27 RS, Paragon 25 Ranger and XO 250 we knew we were on to something special. Not only did it have the best deck layout and smartest packaging but it was also, inexplicably, the cheapest of the four to buy.

The 28 covers a huge number of bases, partly down to the fact that it is available as an Open, T-top or hardcore Wheelhouse version and partly beacuse it is just so cleverly designed. Pluses include the aft sunpad, with access at either end to what is a surprisingly usable double berth that is just as useful as a large dry storage locker, and the way the helm area is sunken into the deck and protected by a tall, sturdy windscreen. It has a toilet and sink nestled away within the console and in that pointy bow the yard has found space for a table so you can picnic on board.

Then there is the ride, which is sublime thanks to that knife-like, twin-stepped, 22 degree deadrise at the transom hull, and the 40-knot performance from the single 250hp Mercury Verado.

It’s a dayboat, weekender, sportsboat, watersports machine and a fast point-to-pointer rolled into one.”