The 5th edition of the Gdynia Polboat Yachting Festival, the largest boat show in Poland, ended a few days ago. During the event, the awards of the President of Gdynia for outstanding vessels were presented. The Virtue Yachts brand with its Virtue V10 Open boat won in the category of motor yachts up to 10 meters in length.
From July 18 to 21 this year. Gdynia turned into the world capital of the best boats, all thanks to the Polboat Yachting Festival 2024 held as part of Gdynia Sailing Days, organized by the Polish Sailing Association and the City of Gdynia. Poland has for years been a European powerhouse and leader in the construction of modern yachts. Participants of the event were able to see more than 100 vessels from leading Polish and world shipyards, including more than a dozen premieres. Festival goers were hosted by Marina Yacht Park, one of the most modern marinas in Poland.
The Polboat Yachting Festival is not only an opportunity for visitors to experience the marine lifestyle and talk to interesting guests, it is equally a unique opportunity for Polish and foreign manufacturers, watercraft distributors to present their current offerings. This year, in addition to companies known from previous editions, there were also many new exhibitors.
However, what boat manufacturers were most looking forward to was the Polboat Night gala held on the first evening and the presentation of the Gdynia Polboat Awards 2024 under the patronage of the Mayor of Gdynia for the most interesting vessels presented at the fair. The jury selected the winners in four categories:
Virtue V10 Open – Motor yachts up to 10 m in length
W43 – Motor yachts over 10 m in length
Sunreef 80 Power – Special yachts
Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 – Sailing yachts
The award for the Virtue V10 Open is a huge honor for the Virtue Yachts brand and at the same time a real confirmation of the positive reviews that have come in since its launch.
The V10 Open boat is characterized by amazing nautical properties, while at the same time being quite economical. In the range of 3500 RPM, the boat is able to sail 194 nautical miles, reaching a speed of 32 knots (the tested unit had a 2 x 300 hp MERCURY VERADO AMS drive). Moreover, thanks to its hull made with Petestep technology, its maximum speed is almost 60 knots per hour. In addition, the boat has a sporty character while maintaining a sense of safety while cruising – comments Mateusz Drążek, General Director at Virtue Yachts.
The competition jury included: Stanislaw Iwinski (editor-in-chief of yachtsmen.eu), Jacek Centkowski (yacht designer), Marta Zawadzka (yacht designer) and Michal Bak (President of the Board of POLBOAT-Polish Chamber of Yachting and Water Sports Industry).