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Adventure Boats 2025: Part 1
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‘Adventure starts wherever you are. We take you there.’ So states Axopar, which continues to lead the popularity of Nordic-inspired ‘adventure boats’, as revealed in the first chapter of a two-part feature.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Shipyards
Axopar continues to focus on adventure with its boats and lifestyle products
Following Axopar’s 10th-anniversary celebrations last year – which included debuts of its AX/E electric boats and The Adventure Collection of watersports products – the Finnish brand kicked off 2025 in typically high-profile fashion by collecting two awards during the Boot Düsseldorf show in Germany.
One year after the Axopar 29 debuted in two versions at Boot 2024, the yacht won ‘Best Sportsboat up to 30ft’ at the 2025 Motor Boat Awards, while the Cross Cabin version was named European Powerboat of the Year in the ‘Up to 10m’ category.
Jan-Erik Viitala, Axopar’s Founding Partner, was delighted with the recognition of the 29, which represents the third generation of a model that began as the Axopar 28 – the company’s first boat – and was released in an upgraded Mark II edition in 2018.
Jan-Erik Viitala, Axopar’s Founding Partner, was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Finland for 2024
“We’re really humbled by the awards for the Axopar 29. With the launch of the third generation of Axopar, we genuinely believe we’re getting a good idea of what customers are looking for, and how we can continue driving innovation forward,” said Viitala, who has been the face of Axopar since the company debuted at the Helsinki International Boat Show (Vene Båt) in February 2014.
“At the same time, we remain true to our core DNA – creating boats that are easy to handle, easy to drive, and accessible for everyone, whether you’re an experienced boater or just starting out.”
As well as the enclosed Cross Cabin and open Sun Top versions, Axopar has launched further versions of the 29. It debuted the CCX crossover centre-console model at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2024, before introducing the fishing version of the 29 CCX at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October.
Axopar debuted the fishing version of the 29 CCX at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale show
During Boot this year, Axopar introduced the Mediterrana Edition upholstery on the 29 Cross Cabin and Sun Top models, while introducing Miami Blue and Platinum Grey hull colour options available through the ‘Brabus Line’ options, which also include upgraded engines. In fact, Viitala was proud to announce that the Axopar 29 was now available in over 300 different configurations!
“With our designers, we’ve been pushing the modularity and the functionality to extremes, and I believe the Axopar 29 is the most modular boat ever built. The 29 CCX alone can accommodate seven aft-deck variations,” he said.
“Across the three models, with the aft and foredeck variations, combined with the accommodation choices, we can offer 308 different configurations. We’ve been pushing modularity for over 10 years and now we really feel we understand it.”
The Cross Cabin version of the Axopar 29, which succeeded the iconic Axopar 28
In just over a decade, Axopar’s range of boats from 22-45ft has racked up 6,500 sales, dominated by the iconic 28 and the 37, which debuted at Boot 2015 and was succeeded by the Mark II edition in 2020.
In fact, the Axopar 37 was the brand’s most-produced model in 2024, with just under 500 units rolling off the lines in Poland. Demand was boosted by Axopar’s biggest single customer order to date, with the UAE government purchasing over 50 units. Axopar’s other models include the entry-level 22 introduced in 2021, plus the 25 and flagship 45 that both debuted the followed year.
Last year, the brand moved into electric models with the debuts of the AX/E 22 and AX/E 25 following a collaboration with Evoy, a leader in high-output electric propulsion systems.
Axopar produced almost 500 units of the 37 in 2024, with the UAE government ordering over 50 hulls
Axopar’s display at Boot this year showed the variety of its range with a 22 T-Top and AX/E 25 Cross Top, three versions of its 29 – CCX and the Mediterrana Edition of the Cross Cabin and Sun Top – as well as two 37s (Cross Cabin, Sun Top) and two 45s (Cross Cabin, Cross Top).
“Axopar boats are the epitome of versatility and functionality,” Viitala says. “Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced all-weather boater, a sailboat race captain, a movie star, or have just worked hard for years to be able to buy the boat of your dreams, we cater for them all.”
Axopar is now about more than solely boats. Its new Adventure Collection includes watersports products – such as inflatable kayaks and paddleboards, electric seascooters, life vests and dry bags – developed with Dutch-owned Jobe. The clothing line and bags developed in collaboration with Swedish company Sail Racing were unveiled at Boot 2025.
The Adventure Collection by Axopar includes watersports products by Jobe
“With this new collection, the adventure extends beyond what you can do onboard – it leaps into new territories,” Viitala said. “The gear is perfect for bringing along on the boat, but its possibilities are so much greater. Imagine packing an inflatable two-person kayak or SUP board into a backpack and unlocking a new world of exploration.”
Axopar continues to be profitable and debt-free, announcing positive EBITDA of €13.5 million and €190 million of turnover for last year, up from €166 million in 2023.
Now employing about 1,200 staff, the company produces 700-800 boats per year across two sites in Poland – at the Slepsk factory in Augustow, and in Slupsk, where Axopar is now the majority shareholder in the Markos composite-production facility.
Axopar also continues to grow and refresh its global dealer network, now with over 50 distributors around the world.
The Adventure Collection by Axopar also includes clothing and bags by Sail Racing
Last year, Simpson Marine was appointed to cover Hong Kong, mainland China and Indonesia, and this year it hosted the Axopar Adventure Day in Hong Kong. The regional dealer complements other Axopar representatives including Derani Yachts (Thailand), Europa Yachts (Philippines), Amal Yachting (Taiwan), Marineland (Korea) and Okazaki Yachts (Japan) elsewhere in Asia.
For Axopar, its increasingly wide variety of designs and configuration options across its five boat lines, as well as the new electric models and The Adventure Collection, means it can offer more fitting solutions to each of its customer’s needs.
“We have a variety of customers at Axopar and it’s amazing to know who are buying our boats and what they do with the boats. However, we’re not only producing boats; we’re here to create experiences,” concludes Viitala, who previously worked at Nimbus, Paragon and XO Boats.
“We’re now focusing more strongly on what we see as our responsibility to take people for their greatest moments in life, to help people enjoy big or small adventures, whatever they might be.”
Brabus premiered the Cross Top version of its flagship Shadow 1200 at Boot Düsseldorf 2025, a year after debuting the Cross Cabin edition
Brabus Marine – which offers upgraded versions of Axopar models – unveiled the Cross Top edition of its flagship Shadow 1200 at Boot this year. Based on the Axopar 45 and boosted by three 400hp Mercury Racing V10 outboards, the Cross Top model was showcased in the brand’s Black Ops Signature Edition, as it was for the Shadow 1200’s debut in its enclosed Cross Cabin version a year earlier.
Formed in 2017, Brabus Marine is an alliance between Axopar and German tuner Brabus. Its upgraded ‘superboats’ are produced 4km from the Axopar facility in Augustow and use higher-value materials, superyacht-standard paint-finishing processes, high-end detailing, and increased power and technology.
Along with the three Shadow 1200 versions, Brabus Marine also produces other Shadow models based on Axopar platforms, with the number indicating the boat’s total horsepower. The Shadow 900 and 1000 are based on the Axopar 37, the Shadow 500 builds on the Axopar 29, while the Shadow 300 upgrades the Axopar 25.
