Walter Cooper
Every year, it seems, the Boat of the Year fleet includes a company and a boat with a groundbreaking approach that borders on the radical, something that seems completely different than anything else on the water. For 2025, that yacht was an impressive catamaran, the Wascho 54 Yachting.
Judge Mark Pillsbury said: “Over the last few years of our Boat of the Year inspections and sea trials it seemed as if there was less and less difference between the various nominees. As I boarded the 54-foot Wascho, it was refreshing to see all sorts of new thinking in terms of construction materials, layout and propulsion. The front cockpit was a reinterpretation of a trend that was popular with some high-end cats.
“The diesel-electric hybrid engines and electrical system were very innovative,” he added. “In addition to solar energy, the large lithium-ion battery can be charged using hydropower, significantly extending the range. The move to build the boat from basalt fiber instead of fiberglass was definitely unconventional. The berths in the aft cabins were surrounded by glass. The water views are fantastic while underway and at anchor the living space is full of light.”
The father-son entrepreneurs, who founded the company in 2018, were initially interested in developing an eco-friendly private boat that they could sail around the world. The design team of Christophe Barreau and Fréderic Neuman was commissioned to draw the lines. Windo's slogan is “Ocean Future”, and the manufacturer soon expanded its range to three models. In addition to the 54, there are also 47 and 50 foot cats.
The special recognition award recognizes the unusual construction materials and methods as well as the forward-looking approach to systems and energy. But it's also an impressive boat, and it sails very well. With a first-class inventory of French-built Incidence sails, including a square main sail and multiple headsails, the 54-foot yacht provided plenty of sailing fun, achieving boat speeds of over 8 knots under gennaker in just 11 knots of real wind.
Windello is a company we'll be hearing a lot more about in the future. In recognition of what its team has already achieved, we are awarding the company the Jury's Special Recognition Award for Boat of the Year 2025.
Click here to return to the main 2025 Boat of the Year page.