The European Yacht of the Year Award is widely regarded as the most prestigious recognition in the sailing world. Since its inception in 2004, it has set the benchmark for new yacht design. Unlike many awards, this one demands every nominee is thoroughly tested under near identical conditions, making victory all the more meaningful.
For 2026, the Kraken 58 has been named among the select few to undergo these trials. The first hull, freshly launched and bound for Malta, will soon face the scrutiny of twelve judges representing Europe’s leading sailing magazines. Winners will be announced during Boot Düsseldorf in January, the largest yacht exhibition in Europe.
For Kiwi designer Kevin Dibley, whose Auckland-based studio has earned global respect, the recognition reinforces New Zealand’s reputation as a hub for innovative yacht design.
The Kraken 58: a yacht built for the world
At 58 feet, the Kraken 58 is unashamedly a true bluewater cruiser. Every aspect of her design reflects an unwavering commitment to safety, comfort, and performance—values shared by Dibley and Kraken Yachts founder Dick Beaumont.
Unlike many production yachts, Kraken delivers what they call a Full World Cruising Specification as standard. There’s no hidden upgrade list here; buyers won’t need to add 20–40 percent in extras to prepare for long passages. Instead, each Kraken 58 comes fitted with the essentials: Kohler generator, diesel heating, triple fuel polishing and transfer, induction cooking, Garmin dual-station electronics, davits, water maker, bow thruster, liferaft, rib and outboard, and Harken electric winches throughout.
As renowned bluewater sailor and writer John Kretschmer puts it: “Undoubtedly the best bluewater sailing yacht in production today.”
Built on uncompromising design
The Kraken 58 is not simply equipped for the voyage—it is engineered to thrive in the harshest conditions. Her one-piece hull incorporates the brand’s trademark Zero Keel, with an integral lead ballast bulb designed to eliminate keel-bolt failure risks.
The hull is laid up with between 17 and 22 layers of composite fabrics bonded by vinyl-ester resins. Kevlar is added in high-impact zones, while closed-cell foam is purposefully used—all contribute to improved rigidity and insulation. The result is a structure that shows no flexing, even under load.
Below decks, modular layouts allow owners to customise between four and eight berths. The interior is light, open, and modern, yet built for seagoing practicality with secure handholds and safe passage in rough weather.
A Kiwi touch in a global collaboration
This is not the first time Dibley’s work with Kraken Yachts has drawn international attention. In 2017, their Kraken 66 won Sailing Today’s “Bluewater Cruiser of the Year” at the Southampton Boat Show, triumphing over well-known names like Hallberg-Rassy, Amel, and Najad.
The Kraken 58 is part of a fleet also including the K44, K50, and K66—all designed by Dibley in close consultation with Beaumont. As Dibley recalls, “Dick has thousands of sea miles behind him and knew what he wanted. That made the designing enjoyable, as the process and detailing were shared between both parties.”
For both men, the design brief distilled down to three uncompromising priorities: safety, comfort, and performance. The result is a yacht that can be confidently sailed from the delivery dock to anywhere in the world.
Eyes on Düsseldorf
With the Kraken 58 now in the hands of Europe’s top yacht journalists, attention turns to Düsseldorf in January. Whether or not she claims the ultimate prize, the nomination alone cements her status as a standout bluewater cruiser.
For Dibley, and for New Zealand yacht design more broadly, it is another milestone in a long tradition of innovation and craftsmanship. From Auckland’s drawing boards to Europe’s biggest stage, the Kraken 58 carries Kiwi ingenuity to the world’s oceans.
