XO Boats has reached a major milestone as its flagship model, the XO EXPLR 44, has been awarded Best Big Boat at the 2025 Best of Boats Awards, one of the most respected international accolades in the motorboat industry.

The award was presented on November 27, 2025, in Berlin, during BOOT & FUN Berlin, following an extensive evaluation process conducted by an international jury of professional boating journalists and test experts.

Recognised Among the Best in the World

The Best Big Boats category showcases vessels that successfully combine size, performance, innovation, and usability for discerning owners. In 2025, the finalists included the XO EXPLR 44, Beneteau Swift Trawler 54, and Prestige M7 — placing XO among the most established names in the global boating industry.

The jury praised the EXPLR 44 for its distinctive blend of robustness, design clarity, and premium execution.

“The XO EXPLR 44 elevates luxury with iconic XO sportiness — a stunning adventure yacht built for living the beautiful life on the water.”

— Best of Boats Awards Jury Statement

A New Chapter for the XO Brand

Designed as a true owner-driver yacht, the EXPLR 44 marks a significant step forward for XO Boats.

“The XO EXPLR 44 positions our brand among the world’s most respected boats in the luxury category. As recognised by the jury, it represents the very best in design, safety and modern thinking available on the market today.”

— XO Boats, Design Lead

At the core of the EXPLR 44 lies an aluminium deep-V hull, engineered for confidence and control in demanding conditions. The aluminium structure delivers durability, safety and long-term reliability — qualities that have long defined XO Boats — while enabling high performance and precise handling.

Engineered for Real Conditions

The XO EXPLR 44 is powered by high-performance outboard configurations, offering up to 1,350 horsepower with options including triple 450 hp or twin 600 hp engines. Depending on configuration, the EXPLR 44 reaches speeds of up to 50 knots while maintaining predictable handling and comfort.

Advanced systems such as Seakeeper Ride further enhance the driving experience by actively stabilising the hull, reducing pitch and roll, and improving overall ride quality — especially in rough or variable sea states.

Customisation Without Compromise

One of the EXPLR 44’s defining strengths is its extensive customisation potential. Owners can tailor exterior colours, interior materials and onboard configurations to reflect their individual lifestyle — from understated elegance to bold, distinctive finishes such as Champagne and Graphite Black.

“XO’s aluminium hull, customisable solutions and unique colour options make the EXPLR 44 truly special for the most demanding customers. XO represents a professional-grade adventure platform that also redefines recreational boating.”

— XO Boats Design Team

The result is a yacht that feels equally at home exploring remote archipelagos, navigating challenging northern waters or cruising international marinas.

Setting the Standard for Adventure Yachting

The Best of Boats Award confirms the XO EXPLR 44’s position as a benchmark in the adventure yacht segment — combining professional-level seaworthiness with refined comfort, distinctive design and a strong emotional connection for owner-drivers.

As XO Boats looks ahead to 2026, the EXPLR 44 stands as a clear expression of the brand’s philosophy: building boats that are safe, capable and inspiring — designed for those who explore further.

Discover the award-winning XO EXPLR 44 and the full XO fleet at https://xoboats.com/xo-fleet/explr-44/

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The BoB Award, now in its 12th year, is widely recognized as Europe’s largest and most respected motorboat award, judged by a 16-member expert jury comprising leading editors and test managers from across Europe and the USA, following hundreds of real-world boat tests. This year’s finalists were carefully selected after a rigorous season featuring nearly 300 full-scale test drives.

Best Big Boats Finalists—A Class of Excellence

In the Best Big Boats segment, dedicated to luxury motor yachts designed for long-range cruising up to 60 feet, the XO EXPLR 44 stands alongside elite competitors:
• Beneteau Swift Trawler 54 (France)
• Prestige M7 (France)

Our Legacy: A Continual Recognition of Quality

This latest honor builds on its previous accolade as a 2025 Motor Boat & Yachting (MBY) Awards finalist, underscoring the XO EXPLR 44’s established reputation for outstanding design, performance, and value.

About the XO EXPLR 44

Crafted entirely from marine-grade aluminum, the XO EXPLR 44 delivers exceptional durability and refined Nordic elegance. With a deep-V hull that reaches speeds of up to 50 knots, it offers unrivalled excitement across oceans and archipelagos. Its flexible cabin configurations, innovative technology (including a 360° surround-view camera and Seakeeper stabilization), and robust design redefine the adventure yacht category.

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Best of Boats Award Ceremony

The winners will be revealed during the Best of Boats Award 2025 Ceremony at BOOT & FUN Berlin on Thursday, 27 November 2025, 18:30 (CET), held at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.

Join us in celebrating this exciting milestone for XO Boats!

Contact Information
XO Boats Oy
Ludviginkatu 3–5 A, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
Media Inquiries: info@xoboats.fi
 

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Experience the XO EXPLR 44 – book your appointment now!

Be among the first to witness the world premiere of the XO EXPLR 44 at Boot Düsseldorf (January 18–26). Visits to this extraordinary model are by pre-approved appointment only—secure your spot today!

Two stunning flagship models will be presented:

• Gray EXPLR 44 with twin 600-hp Mercury engines
• Metallic champagne EXPLR 44 with triple 400-hp Mercury engines

XO EXPLR 44 is a finalist for the 2025 Motor Boat Awards, celebrating excellence in design, performance and value.

Don’t wait—book your appointment now and be part of this exclusive event.

Book your appointment now!

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Crafted from 10/5 mm marine-grade aluminum, the EXPLR 44 draws inspiration from superyachts, offering exceptional robustness and stiffness, even in the harshest sea conditions. Its deep-V aluminum hull enables impressive speeds of up to 50 knots, delivering an unparalleled driving experience with maximum control and safety.

The yacht’s interior exemplifies Nordic design, featuring two equally sized main cabins. The aft cabin offers versatile configurations, including a comfortable atrium, two single beds, or a spacious double bed with an en-suite head. Accommodating up to six guests overnight, the EXPLR 44 provides a luxurious retreat on the water.

Equipped with cutting-edge technological innovations, the yacht features a 360-degree surround-view camera and the Seakeeper stabilization system, enhancing both safety and comfort. Two flagship models will debut at the show: a gray EXPLR 44 powered by twin 600-hp Mercury engines and a metallic champagne-colored EXPLR 44 featuring triple 400-hp Mercury engines.

Motor Boat & Yachting Award Nomination for the XO EXPLR 44

The XO EXPLR 44 has been announced as a finalist for the prestigious 2025 Motor Boat Awards. Considered one of the boating industry’s most esteemed accolades, the awards recognize boats that excel in design, performance, and value for money. Hosted by Motor Boat & Yachting, the awards are judged through rigorous sea trials and a comprehensive evaluation process, ensuring every finalist meets the highest standards of real-world functionality and showroom appeal.

This recognition underscores XO Boats’ commitment to innovation and excellence in the adventure yacht segment. The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony, which coincides with the Düsseldorf event, adding to the excitement for XO Boats.

Visit XO Boats at Boot Düsseldorf 2025

Explore the full range of XO Boats at Hall 4, Stand D40, including:

• XO DFNDR A8
• XO DFNDR 9
• XO EXPLR 10 S+
• XO EXPLR 44, 2 x 600 hp
• XO EXPLR 44, 3 x 400 hp

Visits to the XO EXPLR 44 models are available by pre-approved appointment only. For more information or to schedule a visit, please get in touch with your nearest XO Boats dealer.

Join XO Boats at Boot Düsseldorf 2025 to experience the fusion of robust engineering and refined luxury that defines the new EXPLR 44 and the rest of the XO Boats lineup.

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XO Boats and Seakeeper, known for their innovative gyro stabilizers, are starting a collaboration with their newest product, Seakeeper Ride. 

“We are among the first in Europe to bring Seakeeper’s newest product within reach of boaters,” says XO’s Erkki Talvela. 

XO is thus a pioneer, offering Seakeeper’s new stabilization system, Seakeeper Ride, as standard equipment for all XO boat models. 

The XO technical team has tested Seakeeper Ride’s suitability for various XO boats. 

“Seakeeper Ride gives the deep V-hull, typical of XO boat models, excellent lateral balance,” says Talvela. 

Seakeeper Ride is the first-of-its-kind Vessel Attitude Control System (VACS) that stabilizes the boat while underway. 

Seakeeper Ride outperforms other self-leveling systems on the market and is completely automatic, providing increased safety, control, and comfort. It is installed outside the boat, below the waterline, replacing traditional trim tabs. 

Customized, proprietary sensing hardware and sophisticated software understand how the boat behaves across all three axes and deploy rotary blades to counteract pitch, roll, and yaw. 

The result is a considerably smoother driving experience, making boating in rough conditions more pleasant. 

Seakeeper Ride perfectly aligns with XO’s ideology: XO Boats keep going when others stay in port. 

“XO Boats is at the forefront of innovation, and by adding the only complete underway stabilization system available, they are providing their customers with the best possible boating experience,” says Harry Heasman, EMEA Sales Manager. 

Whether you’re a new or seasoned boater, the improved ride, predictability, and handling of a boat equipped with Seakeeper Ride is incomparable. 

“This partnership combines great boat building and design with unparalleled stabilization technology.” 

Will Cimino, Chief Commercial Officer of Seakeeper Ride, states that by standardizing Seakeeper Ride across their entire model line-up, XO Boats is setting the bar for comfort and innovation. 

“Seakeeper Ride is quickly becoming must-have technology for boaters globally. Furthermore, XO’s integration across their entire line-up 8-13m highlights the value of the product to boaters across all size ranges,” Cimino concludes. 

For XO customers, cooperation with Seakeeper Ride means the most effective stabilization on the market, further enhancing the superior driving experience, says Talvela. 

“We have always been pioneers, striving to build professional-level boats for the demanding consumer. Cooperation with Seakeeper Ride takes this vision even further.” 

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Made of aluminum like the most luxurious superyachts and vessels, this gem of naval architecture has the ultimate performance, durability, and safety for recreational yachting for true ocean explorers. The adventure yacht EXPLR 44 is a highly anticipated and awaited addition to XO’s fleet.

”For a long while, XO Boats has had a number of passionate fans, who appreciate XO’s driving features, safety and high quality. As we have discussed with our customers and listened to their feedback, we saw that there was demand for a yacht-sized craft from XO. With this launch, we aim to meet the needs of more demanding and quality-conscious boaters, who also appreciate the elegance of EXPLR 44” tells Erkki Talvela, CEO of XO Boats.

At the overall length of 44 feet, the EXPLR 44 highly benefits from the rigidity of aluminum. Vibrations and shatters of rough seas vanish, and the solid seaworthiness of the adventure yacht can be thoroughly experienced. In the long run, the owners of EXPLR 44 benefit from its durability, resistance to corrosion, repairability and care-free ownership.

Embracing all the benefits of an all-aluminum hull & superstructures and finding new ways to create the ultimate adventure yacht has resulted in a strikingly modern styling —form following function. While classy and elegant, XO EXPLR 44 maintains its safety and high seafaring standards for reaching the edge of the world.

“With the design, we wanted to find ways to maximize the interior space. As result, we created two cabins which are equal in size – so there’s not just one owner cabin, but more like two luxurious suites. We also wanted to give extra stability to the yacht while maintaining the sporty outlook of an XO, which is why we lowered the center cabin.” tells Jaakko Kantola, the Lead Design of XO Boats.

The interior design is inspired by Nordic aesthetics, without forgetting luxurious touches and extra comfort. In the front you’ll enjoy everything you’d expect from an owner cabin of an exploration yacht: a large double bed, shower compartment and good headroom with ample light, space for changing and stylish detailing.

The aft cabin has the option of a comfortable atrium, two single beds or a large double with its own head. Together with the additional bunk in the pilothouse, the EXPLR 44 comfortably accommodates up to 6 people overnight, making it the perfect adventure home on waves.

”We believe that we have created something unique again by placing the second suite under the aft deck. No other yacht in this class seems to have an innovation like this!” continues Kantola.

Providing an inviting shelter or an open-air ambiance, EXPLR 44’s air conditioning and heating ensure the comfort. There is space for solar panels on the roof, along with rails for roof racks to accommodate your bikes and sport gear. Sunbeds in the bow and aft transform into perfect lounging areas, when you want to relax and enjoy a cocktail after exploration.

Pictures of the XO EXPLR 44 can be downloaded from this link.

PRODUCT INFORMATION: 

Overall lenght excl. engines – 43,65 ft / 13,4m
Beam ­– 12,1 ft / 3,7m
Construction – ALU/ALU/ALU/GRP
Lightship weight (excl. engines) – approx. 8 268 kg (18 226 lbs)
Draft to props – 3,5 ft / 1,05 m
Outboard engines – 3×450 / 2×600, Max 1350 hp
Fuel capacity – 1800 l (US version 430 gal)
Max speed range – up to 50
Passengers – 12-14
Berths – 4 + 2
Hull – MARINE ALUMINUM
Classification – B

More Information: 

Erkki Talvela
CEO, XO Boats Oy
+358500504252
erkki.talvela@xoboats.fi

xoboats.com

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The DFNDR 8 is the sister model for award-winning XO DFNDR 9. With twin engines, agile XO DFNDR 8 can reach +50 knots of speed. Although the boat is smaller than other recent XO models it still maintains the uncompromising attitude and resilience of a true XO. This powerhouse combines all the fun elements of boating with glorious speed, and XO’s unique and renowned driving qualities, making it the perfect nominee for this category.

We thank BOB-awards for this exquisite nomination!

More information about Best of Boats can be read at bestofboats.com!

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Finnish boat manufacturer XO Boats takes on a new frontier by launching its first entirely aluminum-made boat, the fiery and agile XO DFNDR A8. Made for trailblazers and serious boaters, this practical speedster is the perfect companion for the ones with active lifestyles.

The XO DFNDR A8 is a modern, enclosed walkaround T-top boat made of 10/5 mm marine aluminum. The boat can be equipped with 2×250 hp and 1×450 hp motors, reaching up to +50 knots in speed.  

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This weekend, XO Boats is participating to the largest in-water boat show in Finland, Uiva 2023!

The boats from the DFNDR series featured at the show will be XO DFNDR 9, the award-winning Adventure Boat of the Year and DFNDR 9’s little sister, the dynamic XO DFNDR 8. Some open boat luxury can also be experienced with the XO DSCVR 9 T-TOP also being present at the event.

Join us at Uiva 17.–20.8!

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Designed and built in Finland, XO Boats’ EXPLR series offers exceptional seakeeping performance through the combination of a military-grade deep-V aluminium hull with a striking Scandinavian design, providing rigidity, durability, and outstanding driving qualities. The CXO300 is initially available on the EXPLR 9 model, being the first of this range to offer the convenience of a high-performance outboard, with the strength and efficiency of diesel, typically only found on larger vessels. Offering reduced fuel consumption, extended maintenance intervals and the broadest range of approved fuels, the CXO300-powered EXPLR 9 is the perfect boat for adventure seekers looking to travel sustainably to all corners of the planet.

Pre-rigged at the XO factory, the CXO300 equipment is configured to the XO EXPLR 9 – the 9-metre version of XO’s premium weekend cruiser. This ensures an optimum finish to all touch points on the vessel, in every sense – from the ergonomically positioned, smooth engagement of the electric shift throttle to a perfectly balanced boat and steering system. This alignment means that the end user always experiences the best of both the CXO300 outboard and XO Boat.

Discussing the partnership, Erkki Talvela, XO Boat’s CEO, explains, “At XO, we are no stranger to innovative design solutions that enhance our customers’ experience. Offering the CXO300 diesel outboard widens the potential market for XO as diesel fuel is more widely available in certain areas. The EXPLR 9 is designed for outboard power to achieve top performance and optimum onboard space. Cox’s CXO300 offers the best of both worlds, and we are excited to offer it as a choice for our customers.”

Harry Heasman, Cox Marine’s EMEA Regional Director, adds, “At Cox Marine we are always excited to see customers using and enjoying the benefits of our CXO300, but the alignment with XO Boats is extraordinary because of the similarities in the brand’s foundations and ambitions.”

“Both brands are committed to going beyond, often looking outside the norm to deliver the customer something uniquely beneficial to their passion, work, or pastime. We are very happy to be able to offer the Cox Marine customer integration with such a versatile and capable boat partner.”

Sweden-based Cox Marine distributor Diesel Power, whose territory includes Finland, has been integral in supporting the development of this relationship.

“The partnership between Cox Marine and XO Boats is an incredible asset to our customers. This special relationship means customers can purchase a Cox Marine outboard with their new XO boat, making every step much easier,” said Mats Hallberg, Export Sales Manager, Diesel Power AB.

With the agreement in place from the beginning of the 2023 marine season, new XO Boats are now available with the CXO300 diesel outboard from dealers worldwide.

Cox Marine 

Led by CEO Gavin Wesson, Cox Marine is a leading outboard manufacturer working to improve the marine industry with convenient and responsible technology. The CXO300, a 300-hp diesel outboard, offers a new marine propulsion option, redefining industry standards. Offering the performance and packaging of an outboard with 30% less CO2, 30% less fuel burn and 650 Nm of torque.

This purpose-built outboard has begun to revolutionise the market. Cox Marine is supported by a worldwide network of 25 distributors covering 100 countries.

For further information, visit www.coxmarine.com or email contact@coxpowertrain.com

XO Boats 

The XO range consists of 3 key models; the all-new DFNDR – designed for fun boating and sport fishing, DSCVR – a crossover bowrider layout with the handling and spirit of a high-performance speedboat, and the premium EXPLR range, a weekend cruiser with additional accommodation, allowing owners to go further and EXPLR more remote locations.

For more information on XO Boats, please see www.xoboats.com or contact info@xoboats.fi

Diesel Power AB 

One of the leading distributors for Cox Marine in Europe, covering Sweden, Finland, the Baltic states, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungry and the Czech Republic. The company’s intrinsic knowledge of marine diesel propulsion in Northern Europe and Cox Marine’s extensive engineering knowledge have forged an ever-strengthening relationship.

To arrange a demonstration of the CXO300 on the XO EXPLR 9, contact Mats Hallberg at mats.hallberg@dpower.se or call +46 31-748 6210.

Media Contact

Henry Green, Global Events & Communications Manager, Cox Marine
E: press@coxpowertrain.com

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