Aston Martin AM37

Perhaps the coolest boat to be launched this year, the Aston Martin AM37 is designed for those who want to live the James Bond lifestyle.

The day cruiser, which can be transformed into an overnight berth thanks to the table folding down into a bed, will set your back an eye-watering £1.3 million.

For that you get (amongst other things) an electro-hydraulic carbon fibre bimini, mood lighting, air-conditioning, refrigerator, microwave oven, a coffee machine and a lavatory, as well as rear seating in the finest leather for up to eight people.

The 37-foot powerboat, which had its world debut at the Monaco Yacht Show, is offered in two versions, with the AM37S expected to reach speeds of 50 knots.

 

Spirit 47 CR

Launched at the Southampton Boat Show 2016, the traditionally handcrafted Spirit 47 CR certainly turned heads…and hearts.

Designed for ease of handling, the 47-foot yacht is marketed for long distance cruising or for living aboard.

As a result, it can accommodate up to six people, with the owner’s suite forward boasting a king-sized bed and en-suite facilities. There is also a roomy galley, a guest double cabin, bathroom, saloon, navigation station and spacious aft deck.

An impressive power to weight ratio means it also offers the option for competitive racing.

 

Sunseeker Manhattan 52

Although it is the smallest flybridge Sunseeker has built in years, the Manhattan 52, leaves nothing out!

The mini beach club, with its mini BBQ, shower and fold away bench seat certainly caught our eye.

Curved glass gives it that sleek look, and convertible helm seating and bi-fold saloon doors makes it feel roomy.

See the test of the Manhattan 52 by MBY’s Jack Haines here.

 

Elan GT5

Combining performance with the comfort of a larger cruising yacht, the Elan GT5 has been described as “the most eagerly anticipated yacht in the history of the company”.

It was launched at Salon Nautique de Paris in December 2016.

The 42-foot yacht has an easy handling system, and makes the most of space with an inverted saloon layout featuring the galley forward and a separate shower compartment with a 3-cabin, 2-heads interior layout.

Twin rudders, a high-performance T-shaped keel and a chinned hull ensuring the least amount of drag comes as standard.

 

Oyster 675

Incredibly practical, the Oyster 675 is ideal for long distance sailing, but is also built for speed.

The foredeck stowage for the tender and step-down sunbathing platform really impressed, as did the twin rudder hull by Humphreys Yacht Design.

This is configured and engineered to take a more powerful rig plan than the smaller yachts, with options for carbon masts and rigging and performance sails.

Down below, it doesn’t stint on comfort with two spacious double guest cabins complementing the full beam master suite and a fourth cabin for crew, with options for en suite facilities.

The Oyster 675 was certainly the centre of attention when it showcased at the Southampton Boat Show 2016.

 

Princess 49

The first Princess flybridge with the IPS pod drive system, the new Princess 49 caused quite a stir when it was unveiled at the 2016 Southampton Boat Show.

Combining high performance, ease of handling and economical seakeeping (it has a cruising speed of 30 knots), this flybridge model did not disappoint.

The flybridge incorporates a twin helm seat, a large L-shaped sofa that converts into a sun pad, and a generous seating area aft with a folding table.

The deck saloon, which leads into the cockpit, is light an airy thanks to the panoramic windows and features an ingenious aft-galley that can be fitted with a full-height fridge/freezer and optional ice maker.

 

Riva 76 Bahamas

Showcasing the very best of Italian beauty and style, the Riva 76 Bahamas is yet another iconic, award winning boat from this historic yacht company.

It promises ultimate versatility, with the patented C-Top system allowing the boat to be transformed from open to coupé mode.

The 76 Bahamas is rich in technical details, with an aerodynamic hull and generous hull glazing.

As expected from Riva, the interior styling is pure elegance, with a full-beam master suite and two further cabins, all en-suite, and separate crew accommodation.

 

Seawind 1190 Sport

Larger and lighter than the successful Seawind 1160 range, the Seawind 1190 Sport is designed as a true offshore cruising cat.

It looks a lot longer than its 39 feet thanks to a new cabin moulding and extended hulls, and comes with three cabins as standard.

Designed with performance in mind, the Seawind 1190 Sport has dagger boards and lift up rudders rather than low aspect ratio keels.

It also makes the most of  twin electrically raised 20hp Honda outboards, instead of inboard diesels, to help reduce drag and weight aft.

 

Bénéteau Figaro 3

Although technically not launched yet, there was huge industry excitement when Bénéteau announced it would start sea trials of the Figaro 3 in 2017.

Designed by VPLP and built by Bénéteau, this is one of the most interesting development in keelboat production for a long time.

The 10-metre offshore racing yacht is in build at the moment.

It has horseshoe-shaped hydrofoils that effectively turns the latest Open 60 technology on its head, and is being considered as a bold step for a major manufacturer.

ONAK foldable canoe

One of the quirkiest launches in 2016 has to be the ONAK canoe, which can be folded to the size of a large suitcase.

Incredibly practical, the canoe can take up to three people plus gear; incredibly it weighs just 37 pounds.

This is because the frame of the canoe has been removed; it even comes with telescopic paddles.

Assembled in 10 minutes, it is made out of a custom developed honeycomb-Curv™ composite material which is 10 times stronger than a normal polypropylene.