The Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin has been selected as the Cabin Cruiser of the Show at the Helsinki International Boat Show Vene 26 Båt. The award was announced on Wednesday, 11 February, marking the 27th time the prestigious Boat of the Show titles have been presented.
At Vene 26 Båt, the jury evaluates new models on display and selects winners in the Open Boat, Weekender/Commuter Boat, Cabin Cruiser, and Sailboat categories. The aim of the awards is to advance the boating industry and recognize successful product development, with particular emphasis placed on innovation. Design, construction, and space-use solutions, functionality and ergonomics, and value for money are all taken into account. Models are assessed within their own size and price categories.
The finalists for the Boats of the Show were selected by a pre-selection jury consisting of editors from boating magazines. The Cabin Cruiser category featured strong competition this year, with the Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin competing against the Prestige F4.3 and the Yamarin Aura Cabin.
The winners were selected by a jury consisting of Antti Numminen from Eurofins Expert Service, Jouko Saarinen, journalist at Kippari, Jan Sjölund, editor-in-chief of Venemestari and Totalvene.fi, and Tom Wilenius from Traficom. To provide a Nordic perspective, Lars-Åke Redéen, editor-in-chief of the Swedish Båtliv, also participated.
The jury described the Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin as follows:
“The Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin is a modern cruising boat whose modularity and customizability are in a class of their own. Its high-quality design and unique space solutions make the boat a comfortable and versatile package that offers excellent value for money.”
Axopar's Head of Design, Jouni Huusko, and Hydrolink Boatcenter's Kenneth StrandThe Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin made its world premiere in mid-January at Boot Düsseldorf 2026. As the first model in the all-new Axopar 38 range, it builds on the values that have defined Axopar from the beginning, while elevating comfort, usability, and adaptability throughout the boat. With comprehensive layout options, the design enables greater freedom with fewer compromises, delivering a new level of adaptability and versatility.
The Vene 26 Båt Boat Show is held from 6–15 February 2026 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre and features around 400 boats on display, offering a wide and diverse selection for every purpose.
