The Axopar 29 wins ‘Best Sports Boat’ category at the 2025 Motor Boat Awards

Announced at the prestigious Motor Boat Awards gala dinner and presentation ceremony held at Düsseldorf’s Hyatt Regency Hotel on January 21st, the Axopar 29 has been awarded as ‘Best Sports Boat’ for 2025.

Hosted on stage by Motor Boat & Yachting editor, Hugo Andreae, and senior boat test journalist, Alex Smith, the annual MBY awards are a celebration of boats that have been independently tested, evaluated and debated by the magazine’s editorial staff over the past 12 months.

From MBY’s perspective, it’s only by physically testing the nominated boats that judges can be certain that eventual winners have the performance and seakeeping ability to match their showroom appeal.

Summarising why the Axopar 29 won the award, Hugo Andreae, awards chairman, said:

“Replacing a boat as popular and iconic as the Axopar 28 is fraught with danger but Axopar has negotiated that tight rope with consummate skill. The new 29 does everything the old 28 did only better.

A taller bow with more pronounced flare above the waterline not only makes for a drier, safer ride in rough seas but also creates room for a more sociable forward cockpit with seating on all four sides of the table, storage under all the seats, a sunpad infill and a multi-cabin under the helm console with room for a bed, sink and toilet.

The competition may have got a lot stiffer since Axopar launched the original 28 but that has only served to fire up the Finnish brand. The result is an exceptionally well-rounded performer that sets the standard for others to follow.”

Winning the award is a remarkable achievement for the Axopar 29 considering what a tough act it had to follow. Unveiled a year ago, the Axopar 29 has effectively replaced the outgoing Axopar 28 – widely acknowledged as the iconic fire-starter that created the original sports-weekender, ‘adventure boat’ genre as we now know it.

Honored to receive the recognition, Axopar Founding Partner Jan-Erik Viitala said:

“Everything onboard the Axopar 29, all you can see, touch and feel, has been improved and enhanced to our customers’ wishes. It has all been done with a sense of purpose, and for specific reasons, in terms of improved functionality, usability, comfort and higher quality with a new visual presence, still without forgetting our origins.

Your trust, support, and loyalty as part of our global community of Axoparians have been integral to the success of the Axopar 29. Your insights and feedback have shaped this journey. This award isn’t just ours — it belongs to the incredible community of Axoparians we’re so fortunate to have. We promise to keep pushing for innovation and ensuring that, no matter the adventure, we will take you there.”