The best and most funcional boats awarded at Vene 26 Båt

At the Vene 26 Båt Boat Show, the Boat of the Show awards will be presented for the 27th time. From among the new models on display, the jury will select the Open Boat of the Show, the Weekender/Commuter Boat of the Show, the Cabin Cruiser of the Show, and the Sailboat of the Show. In addition, for the second time, the Fishing Boat of the Show will be awarded.

The boat show features a wide and diverse selection of boats and many new launches. The Vene 26 Båt Boat Show will be held from 6–15 February 2026 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.

Around 400 boats will be on display, offering suitable options for every purpose. With the Boat of the Show awards, the aim is to advance the boating industry and recognize successful product development. Particular emphasis in the selection process is placed on innovation. Design, construction and space-use solutions, functionality and ergonomics, value for money, and suitability for the intended use are also taken into account. New models are evaluated within their own size and price categories, not against one another. When selecting the Fishing Boat of the Show, attention is paid to factors such as suitability for fishing, level of equipment, space-use solutions, and new structural and technical innovations.

Interesting finalists among the Boat of the Show nominees

The Open Boat, Weekender/Commuter Boat and Cabin Cruiser of the Show are selected by a jury consisting of Antti Numminen (Eurofins Expert Service), Jouko Saarinen (Kippari magazine), Jan Sjölund (Editor-in-Chief of Venemestari magazine and Totalvene.fi), and Tom Wilenius (Traficom).
The Sailboat of the Show is selected by Tom Wilenius together with Markos Puro (Eurofins Expert Service) and journalists Pasi Nuutinen and Otto Aalto.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday 11 February at 3:00 PM on the Maritim Stage in the Sailing Harbour area.

There is a wide selection of open boats this year. The finalists are Cremo 488 BR (6b30), the eSuvi electric boat range (6g48), and Sea Ray SDX 250 (6k50).
Weekender/Commuter Boat finalists are MAX 68 Cabin S (6e2), Wellcraft 28 Explorer (7m126), and Windy SR40 (7g128).
Competing in the Cabin Cruiser category are Axopar 38XC (6a50), Prestige F4.3 (7m128), and the Yamarin Aura Cabin (6b48), which will be presented to the public for the first time at the boat show.

Four of the five sailboats are entered in the Boat of the Show competition: Beneteau First 30 (7k150), Hallberg-Rassy 370 (7k150), Hanse 360 (7k150), and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415 (7k150).

The public also votes for the Fishing Boat of the Show

The Fishing Boat of the Show is selected by a jury of fishing media professionals and experts, including Jyri Kuusisalo (Kalastajan Kanava), marine electronics expert Jani Mäkeläinen, freelance journalist Timo Sarkkinen (Metsästys ja Kalastus magazine), and Antti Zetterberg, Editor-in-Chief of Kalastus magazine and kalastuslehti.fi.

This year’s show features a record number of fishing-equipped boats. Seven of them have been selected for the Fishing Boat of the Show competition:
Alba 440 C (1a19), Alutroll 405 Trekker (1c38), Finval 515 Evo DC (1a21), Linder Arkip 510 Catch (7a110), Predacast 430 Striker (1e1), Terhi 400 CC (1d9), and UMS 655 Fishing (1e37).

Public voting is open until Friday 13 February, and the award will be presented on Saturday 14 February at 12:00 noon on the Tohatsu Stage.

The Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 26 Båt, will be held from 6–15 February 2026 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The event is open on weekdays from 11:00 to 19:00, and on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 10:00 to 18:00. The show is organized by Messukeskus on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation, Finnboat ry.

Further information:
Communications Manager Teija Armanto
Tel. +358 50 376 0804
teija.armanto@messukeskus.com

www.venemessut.fi
Images from the award ceremonies are available in the media bank:
http://messukeskus.mediabank.fi