Celebrating excellence at Båter i Sjøen
The Viknes 10 has been awarded the title of Boat of the Year 2025 at Båter i Sjøen, Scandinavia’s largest on-water boat show. The honour comes as part of a new annual award created by the Norwegian Boat Association and Båtmagasinet, designed to highlight the best leisure craft in the Norwegian market.
The jury, made up of prominent industry voices including racer Marit Strømøy and journalists Stig Hvide Smith and Ole Henrik Nissen-Lie, praised the Viknes 10 for its combination of quality, seaworthiness, design, and market success. Their goal was to identify boats that capture the essence of Norwegian boating culture: rugged, practical, and reliable yet forward-looking in design.
“This award celebrates the boats that resonate most strongly with Norwegian owners, who are some of the most discerning boat buyers in the world,” explained Hvide Smith.
A next-generation Viknes
The Viknes 10 marks the first model in the yard’s next generation, and the designers have not shied away from rethinking how a 10-metre boat should function. While unmistakably carrying the company’s DNA, the Viknes 10 introduces several new features that set it apart.
Highlights include:
- A more functional foredeck, with integrated bow thruster and practical storage solutions
- Sliding canopy walls and a lift-and-lower aft window, offering seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces
- A galley upgrade, with double sink, expanded fridge capacity, and space for a 32-inch TV
- Innovative storage systems, including deep pantry compartments and dedicated fender lockers built into the bathing platform
- Weather-protected hatches and ropeways, ensuring dry and ice-free handling all year round
Together, these details position the Viknes 10 as a true all-season cruiser, equally suited to Nordic winters and Mediterranean summers.
Layout and performance
Inside, the Viknes 10 offers a remarkably spacious three-cabin configuration:
- Aft cabin with single berth
- Starboard midship double cabin with improved headroom
- Forward cabin with larger windows and sliding door
- Dedicated toilet and shower compartment with increased ceiling height
The saloon flows naturally to the aft deck, creating a sociable living space that benefits from an electric full-width sunroof above.
Performance is delivered by a single Yanmar 6LY440 (440hp) inboard with straight shaft drive, supported by twin 350-litre fuel tanks. At just over 10.6m in length and 3.52m in beam, the boat is CE certified for both Category B (offshore) and Category C (coastal) cruising.
Viknes is available in New Zealand
While this award was judged in Norway, the recognition of the Viknes 10 has wider relevance. Scandinavian builders have long been admired for producing craft that thrive in demanding conditions, and Kiwi boaters share a similar appreciation for rugged seaworthiness and practical design.
Charlie Bravo named New Zealand distributor for Viknes – “the best boats you’ve never heard of”
The Viknes 10’s blend of innovation, safety, and comfort makes it a strong candidate for New Zealand waters, whether exploring the Hauraki Gulf, venturing into Cook Strait, or heading offshore on extended cruises.
As Norway’s Boat of the Year, it underlines a growing shift toward practical, all-weather motor yachts that combine efficiency with long-distance comfort—qualities that resonate deeply with Kiwi boaties.
