Helsinki, Finland — November 27, 2025
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/