Saffier Yachts has taken two honours during Hiswa te Water 2026, with the SE 28 Leopard named Dutch Yacht of the Year and brothers Dean and Dennis Hennevanger receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. The yard says the recognition reflects both the new daysailer and the wider contribution of the Hennevanger brothers to the development of the modern daysailer.
The SE 28 Leopard is an 8.4-metre model in Saffier's Elegance range. According to the official announcement, the Dutch Yacht of the Year jury highlighted the boat's combination of speed, ease of handling and the direct sailing experience it is designed to deliver.
The second award recognised Dean and Dennis Hennevanger for their work as Dutch marine entrepreneurs and for their influence on the daysailer sector. Saffier credited its wider team for the result, placing the awards in the context of the company's continuing production and development work at IJmuiden.
Saffier also confirmed that the SE 28 Leopard would be shown at Hiswa te Water in Bataviahaven, Lelystad, from 2 to 6 September. The award adds another current sub-12-metre sailing model to Leisure Boat Guide's coverage of European production yards.