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Winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2024 announced

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Written by Rachel Kelly

Earlier this month the winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2024 were announced at a glittering ceremony held in Venice. The winners come from some of the most renowned shipyards, naval architects and designers in the world and recognise outstanding achievement in yacht building across a range of categories from Motor Yacht of the Year to the Voyager’s and Legacy Award.  

We brought you details of the full list of nominees last month and now we are delighted to reveal the winners in the Big Four Awards:

Motor Yacht of the Year

Winner: M/Y  ALCHEMY | Rossinavi | Philippe Briand | Enrico Gobbi 2023 | 66m (216’6”) | 12 guests

The Motor Yacht of the Year is awarded by the judges for the best yacht across all the motor yacht categories. As her name suggests luxury yacht ALCHEMY is a magical creation born from the combined skills of her design team and discerning owner. Her crowning glory, specifically noted by the judges is her suspended glass staircase which opens up the main salon in a sculptural form plus her overall layout which includes outstanding storage and crew areas.

Sailing Yacht of the Year

Luxury sailing yacht SARISSA

Winner: S/Y  SARISSA| Royal Huisman | Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design | Liaigre 2022 | 59.7m (196′) | 10 guests

The Sailing Yacht of the Year winner came from the 40m and above category and was considered by the judges to be the most notable from both categories. Sailing yacht SARISSA was built with performance sailing in mind, and it was her groundbreaking propulsion system and state-of-the-art sails and rig plus exquisite interior which appealed to the judges.

Refitted Yacht

Winner: M/Y CORINTHIA VII | Lurssen | Tim Heywood | Bizzozero Cassina Architects 2023 | 97m (318ft) | 12 guests

Superyacht CARINTHIA VII stood out in this category because of her ambitious refit, updating her from a private yacht to commercial in a mere 10 months, while remaining true to the original design. As well as her technical and structural upgrades to meet commercial code requirements, charter-friendly amenities were introduced including a swimming pool and gym.

Rebuilt Yacht

Superyacht H3 – © Photos Guillaume Plisson

Winner: M/Y  H3 | OceanCo | Lateral Naval Architects | Reymond Langton Design 2000/2023 | 105.0m (344’6″) | 32 guests

What makes a rebuild rather than a refit? If a significant amount metal has been replaced and the interior and technical areas have seen major alterations, the yacht is considered in the rebuild class. Superyacht H3 saw a multi-faceted alteration which clearly stood out from the other nominees and was so extreme, the team at Oceano considered her to be akin to a new build. She was extended by 10 metres, with two metres added to the forward deck in addition to an eight-metre stern extension. Oceanco estimates that rebuilding H3 saved a year and a considerable amount of carbon, compared to starting a new build this length from scratch.

Legacy Award: Paola Trifiro

Paola has been a committed member of the World Superyacht Awards judging panel and given her time and energy to the awards since 2012. As her fellow judges attested: “Paola has built and sailed a number of spectacular superyachts and is well known and respected in the industry. She is a great personality, and through her long-term work as a judge, she has supported the industry in many ways. She is an icon, instantly recognisable and highly knowledgeable.”

The ceremony celebrated Paola Trifirò’s remarkable life in the yachting industry with the presentation of a well-deserved Legacy Award.

The CharterWorld team have been delighted to get to know the nominees and winners to understand the direction of travel for outstanding superyacht design and building – and of course to welcome some of the winners to the charter market.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2024 announced".

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2023 Motor Boat Awards winners: Best motorboats of the year revealed

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It has taken months of testing, weeks of analysing and days of deliberating amongst our judges but the 2023 Motor Boat Awards winners can now be revealed....

As always, we have chosen a winner in each of our ten categories based on how well the boat performed during our rigorous sea trials but also how well it meets the requirements of its target market in relation to its size, style and price.

In some categories, we have also awarded a Highly Commended, not because it’s the nearest runner-up but because the judges feel it has some exceptional talent or innovation that is worthy of recognition.

Last but not least, we’d like to thank Sleipner for once again partnering with us as the headline sponsor of the 2023 Motor Boat Awards and our category sponsors Garmin and The Moorings .

2023 Motor Boat Awards winners revealed

Customer service award.

Sponsored by Garmin

Approved Boats, Boats.co.uk, Gibbs Quay Boat Sales, Haven Knox-Johnston

Winner – Gibbs Quay Boat Sales

This is the only award that is open to nominations from members of the public. However, the judges base their decision not just on the number of nominations each company gets (as this would always favour bigger companies with more customers) but also on the quality of service provided to these customers.

This year, we had more nominations than ever before, with several previous winners making it through to our shortlist of finalists, proving that good customer service isn’t just a passing phase but permanently ingrained in the culture of the best companies.

This year’s winner also enjoys a long track record of looking after its customers and particularly of helping new buyers take their first tentative steps into boating – a daunting prospect for many. This is what a few of their recent customers had to say about them:

“The after-sales experience has totally matched the pre-sales experience, dealing with minor niggles and providing us with unlimited technical advice.” “They made us feel welcome from day one and had the patience of a saint as we chose our new boat. They are a credit to the marine industry.” “Excellent after-sales service, prompt and professional boat service and good advice given at all times.”

Sportsboats up to 30ft

Aquaspirit 585 ,  Iron Boats 827 ,  Quarken 27 T-Top ,  Ryck 280 ,  X Shore Eelex 8000

Winner – Quarken 27 T-Top

Quarken’s 27 T-Top is an object lesson in practical dayboat design. Proudly built in Finland, it uses a single Yamaha F300 outboard motor for a 43-knot top end and cruising efficiency only a shade over 1.5 litres per nautical mile.

It’s fun to drive, with a novice-friendly hull and an effective helm position with direct access to a ‘skipper’s cleat’ for single-handed work. And it looks cool too, with its sleek stepped hull, flared bow and contrasting tinted panels.

There’s also masses of storage on board and all of it is useable, thanks to sensible proportions, proper linings, dual access points and quick-lift one-handed cushions. But it’s the ease of movement that really hits home.

Even if you reverse the helm seats to integrate with the diners at the aft bench, you can still pass them freely on the starboard side. And when you reach the bow, whether the forward seats are rigged for dining or sunbathing, the step-through forepeak with offset anchor means you can still disembark without obstruction.

There’s no wet bar and the heads is an open-plan affair but if you want a proper open dayboat with a serviceable cuddy at a sensible price, this is a superb debut from Quarken.

Highly commended – Iron Boats 827

Fast, agile and well-priced, with a brilliant Mannerfelt hull and a cool military aesthetic, the Iron Boats 827 is one of the most entertaining boats you will ever drive.

Weekenders over 30ft

Aquila 32 ,  Duchy Sport ,  De Antonio D36 ,  Galeon 325 GTO ,  Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5 ,  Rand Escape 30

Winner – De Antonio D36

De Antonio has become well-known for its unique take on the outboard-powered weekender and its new D36 is a fine exponent of that approach. It uses a raised sunbed to cover its motors, with a clever transverse tender slot and a full inboard-style swim platform.

It counteracts that extra aft weight with a pair of hull extensions for extra buoyancy – and when you get the boat under way, that translates into the kind of flat-running 50-knot performance that thoroughly validates De Antonio’s way of doing things.

Further forward, there’s a central dining zone opposite a big transverse galley, with a pull-out cushion-topped coolbox that turns it into a dining station for ten. The bow adds another generous sunpad and yet, when you step down below, the calibre of the cabins is way beyond expectations for an open weekender.

There’s a central lounge, a starboard bathroom, a forward double berth with push-button convertibility and a huge full-beam mid-cabin that can be converted from a saloon to a second double in a matter of seconds.

With masses of user-friendly day space, versatile four-berth accommodation and whippet-like performance, this is a truly brilliant family weekender.

Highly commended – Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5

The imposing new 12.5 features a deepset cockpit, an expandable port terrace, twin or triple outboards for 45 knots and convertible sleeping for up to five.

Adventure Boats

Axopar 45 Cross Cabin ,  Viggo C8 ,  Wellcraft 355 ,  XO DFNDR 9

Winner – XO DFNDR 9

Very few boats under 30ft offer anything like as much all-round ability as the XO DFNDR 9. Slender and soft-riding, with raised hull sides and a lofty but deepset pilothouse, there is virtually no cruising ground where its practical but innovative walkaround layout wouldn’t excel.

You can slide it onto the beach for a party. You can spend the night in the comfy forward cabin. You can open up the aft end of the pilothouse and enjoy a relaxed sunbathe or a six-man lunch – and you can achieve precisely that same feat up in the bow.

Back in the pilothouse, the helm is superb, there’s ample standing headroom and visibility is also first class. But if you slide those vast glass side panels aft, you can also enjoy the DFNDR 9 in much the same way as an authentic open boat.

Having taken it across the Baltic, we can vouch for its performance too. With twin 225s on the transom, it’s fast, frugal and beautifully balanced.

The fact that it’s built like a tank and looks like a film star is just the crowning glory for an all-action adventure boat that proves just how much can be achieved when intelligent design, quality build and rigorous development come together.

Highly commended – Axopar 45 Cross Cabin

With its stepped hull, sliding wet bar, vast sunroofs, two-part side doors and fold-down bulwarks, this is a fast, versatile adventure boat.

Sportscruisers up to 45ft

Bavaria SR36 ,  Dale Classic 37 ,  Jeanneau DB43 ,  Marex 330 Scandinavia

Winner – Marex 330 Scandinavia

The Marex 330 is full of ideas that directly upgrade your life on the water. There’s a fold-down bench at the aft swim platform and hidden fender slots beneath the side decks. There are aft and side doors, plus a mix of sunroofs and sunshades, so you can tweak the conditions to your needs.

In fact, with an aft curtain that wraps around the cockpit, you could easily use this boat as a four-season cruising machine. But it doesn’t stop there. The cockpit is deep and sociable for large dayboating parties and the saloon dinette uses a pop-out stool and reversing co-pilot bench to make best use of the space.

But the fore and aft dining zones also convert into double berths. And that means you can add another two beds to the forward double and the low-slung mid-cabin and sleep up to eight at a time.

Under way, the 330 makes a mockery of its restrained looks with plenty of poke, outstanding poise and pinpoint handling. You can spec it with single or twin V-drives or sterndrives.

And a beautiful helm position with multiple adjustment points, a wide overhead sunroof, a skipper’s side door and the option of joystick control makes single-handed helming an absolute breeze.

Highly commended – Dale Classic 37

Designed by celebrated Dale stalwart, Arthur Mursell, the new four-berth Classic 37 is built like a tank, styled like a work of art and equipped with a delightfully soft-riding semi-displacement hull.

Sportscruisers over 45ft

Fairline Phantom 65 ,  Pardo 60 Endurance ,  Riva 68 Diable ,  Sunseeker Predator 65

Winner – Fairline Phantom 65

This may be Fairline’s first attempt at a sportsfly design but you’d never guess it from the way it looks, performs and feels. With those sleek, flowing lines, it strikes the perfect balance between elegance and sportiness, yet somehow still manages to pack in up to four cabins below deck and masses of sociable living space inside and out.

Even the flybridge itself, while compact by Squadron standards, has plenty of secure seating, sunpads and a proper wet bar, as well as a comprehensive outside helm station.

However, all of this would count for little if the driving experience failed to live up to Fairline’s usual high standards. Thankfully, it’s even better than we had anticipated, delivering effortless acceleration up to a top speed of 38 knots, responsive handling and the kind of refined, long-legged cruising that feels perfectly in keeping with that other legendary Phantom built by Rolls-Royce motor cars.

Last but by no means least, those impressive dynamic characteristics are backed up by sound practical thinking, a beautifully finished interior and reassuringly solid build quality.

As we said in our original test, the Phantom 65 really does feel like it offers the best of both worlds with the looks and driving characteristics of a traditional sportscruiser but also the comfort and practicality of a flybridge.

Flybridges up to 60ft

Absolute 56 ,  Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 ,  Galeon 500 Fly ,  Leopard 46 Powercat ,  Prestige M48

Winner – Galeon 500 Fly

The Galeon 500 Fly is a supremely innovative boat. Up at the helm, push-button windows aid ventilation and a rotating seat integrates the driver with the starboard bench and the rest of the upper saloon guests.

There’s a pleasantly sociable helm on the flybridge too, with forward sunbeds and a wraparound lounge, plus a port wet bar and a huge dining space aft.

And back down on the bow, a big triangular dining area with comfy backrests provides all kinds of convertibility, including incline control for the sunlounger and sliding forward benches for a larger party.

Down below, there’s masses of natural light from oversized windows and skylights. But it’s the aft part of the main deck that really stands out. The port balcony folds down so you can perch on a stool and take advantage of the galley’s inside-outside bar.

On the other side, the saloon opens up, enabling the settee to reverse and face out over its own terrace. And in the aft cockpit, a spinning carousel enables you to face in whichever direction you choose.

In short, with its combination of rotating seats, twin terraces and inside-outside zones, the 500 Fly is more rewarding than any other boat in its sector.

Highly commended – Prestige M48

In addition to three double cabins, each with its own bathroom and staircase, the Prestige M48 provides a stupendous amount of day space and a drive as novice-friendly as any you will see.

Flybridges over 60ft

Absolute 60 Fly ,  Azimut 68 ,  Numarine 22 XP ,  Sirena 68 ,  Sirena 78

Winner – Sirena 68

It’s hard to believe that Sirena Yachts has only been making motor boats under its own name for a little over five years but with plenty of prior experience building high-quality motor yachts for Azimut, and the talents of world-renowned yacht designers German Frers and Cor D. Rover to assist them, it has gone from zero to hero in record time.

We tested two new models in 2022 alone, both of which made it through to our shortlist. But it’s the 68 which we feel is the more rounded package, offering the perfect balance of size, style, ability and price.

That starts with a modern yet elegant design that manages to pack a high-quality, high-volume interior into a surprisingly sleek exterior.

Then there’s the robust semi-displacement hull with its category A RCD rating that is just as happy batting aside heavy seas at displacement speeds as it is hoovering up the miles at 25 knots.

That low-speed comfort and stability also plays into the current trend for fuel efficient passage-making, giving a safe cruising range of almost 1,000nm at 9 knots. The result is a wonderfully capable all-rounder that is perfectly in tune with today’s needs at a price that belies its quality.

Highly commended – Absolute 60 Fly

With its versatile deck spaces, vast windows, innovative layout and refined IPS performance, Absolute’s latest flybridge is as comfortable as it is stylish.

Custom Yachts

Sponsored by The Moorings

Azimut Grande 26M ,  Grand Banks 85 ,  Pearl 95 ,  Sunseeker 90 Ocean

Winner – Sunseeker 90 Ocean

We don’t mind admitting that this was the hardest of all the categories to pick a winner in. We could make a case for any one of these finalists winning. However, after much debate we decided to give it to the one we felt was most in tune with what today’s buyers are looking for.

The Sunseeker Ocean 90 has it all: acres of versatile deck spaces packed with innovative solutions like the X-TEND seating; an intimate connection with the sea thanks to the vast sea-level beach club, glass transoms and bulwarks; masses of storage space for tenders, water toys and cruising gear; a wonderfully luxurious interior that makes full use of the unusually wide beam; and a hull that feels very nearly as agile and sea-kindly as some of its overtly sportier siblings.

The fact that this all fits comfortably into a craft with an LOA of 89ft is all the more remarkable, enabling it to offer the same space and luxury as much longer boats but without the associated running costs.

However, the biggest achievement of all is that despite its extra beam and volume and a brand-new hull shape, it still manages to look, feel and drive like a true Sunseeker.

Highly commended – Grand Banks 85

With its slippery hull shape, carbon fibre superstructure and IPS drives, the new GB85 is exceptionally fuel efficient but still just as seaworthy, stylish and beautifully built as its much heavier predecessors.

Judges’ Special Award

Sponsored by Sleipner

Winner – Pearl Yachts

From its humble beginnings in 1998, when a former yacht captain teamed up with a local businessman to launch a stylish new range of aft cabin craft, Pearl Yachts has never shied away from doing things differently.

In the face of vastly bigger, better resourced competition, it has consistently managed to defy the odds, building spacious, cleverly packaged craft with the style and quality to match.

While many of its competitors have been bought, sold or even fallen by the wayside over the intervening years, Pearl Yachts’ small but enthusiastic management team, led by its founder and managing director Iain Smallridge with the backing of its owners Tony and Margaret Whittaker, steered Pearl Yachts through the tough times and continued to invest in new product.

The introduction of world-class designers, Bill Dixon and Kelly Hoppen, in 2012 has ensured that its latest range of yachts are as fresh and innovative as ever, while maintaining the quality-to-price ratio for which they are renowned.

Now boasting a thoroughly modern range of stylish flybridge cruisers from 62ft to 95ft, including a brand new 72ft model and an 82ft project currently in development, Pearl Yachts enters its 25th year in business looking stronger and fitter than ever.

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British Yachting Awards 2023 winners revealed

By Annabelle Lee | 28 Nov 2023

The great and good of the yachting world descended on the Royal Thames Yacht Club on 27 November to celebrate the 2023 British Yachting Awards.

(c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting/ Jeff Gilbert.

The awards, organised by   Sailing Today with Yachts and Yachting  magazine , are an opportunity for the readership to vote and give their verdict on some of the incredible talents within the sailing world.

It was also a chance to celebrate the finest new yachts, best events, kit innovations, destinations and much more.

The champagne flowed as the winners were announced, confirming what a vintage year this has been for sailing.

The guest speaker was Kate Fortnam, Campaign Manager of the RYA and British Marine’s The Green Blue project , who spoke about how we can work towards a more sustainable approach to yachting.

Paul Heiney, British yachting journalist, writer and broadcaster, presented the awards.

In association with BoatLife, the Youth Sailor of the Year award went to Grace Cecil-Wright , who hit the headlines as the best female helm at Cowes Week.

Kirsten Neuschäfer , following her epic performance in the Golden Globe race, won the prestigious Sailor of the Year award.

Paul Heiney, right, presents a Davey & Co. trophy and bottle of Dartmouth English Gin to the Event of the Year winner, Don McIntrye, founder of the Golden Globe Race. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

The Golden Globe Race pipped the Rolex Fastnet Race to Event of the Year. Don McIntyre, CEO and inspiration behind the Golden Globe Race was on hand to pick up the award.

Winners went home with a unique trophy, which was handmade by Davey & Co., and a bottle of Dartmouth English Gin. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting/ Jeff Gilbert.

Each winner received a unique trophy made for the ceremony by the historic chandler Davey & Co. , which produces chandlery for modern boats as well as classic yachts.

Winners and those who were Highly Commended received a bottle of Dartmouth Gin .

Groupe Beneteau won the Performance Yacht of the Year award; (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting/ Jeff Gilbert.

Constance Brement from Groupe Beneteau accepts the Cruising Yacht of the Year award; (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting/ Jeff Gilbert.

In the yacht categories, there were worthy winners all around; the Jeanneau’s Beneteau First 44 won the Performance Yacht of the Year, while the French manufacturer’s strong performance continued as their Jeanneau Yachts 55 scooped the Cruising Yacht of the Year award.

Barry Ashmore, middle, accepts the trophy for Bluewater Cruiser of the Year from presenter Paul Heiney and Paul Knox-Johnston of Haven Knox-Johnston Specialist Insurance.

Nautor Swan’s classy Swan 48Mk2 picked up the Bluewater Cruiser of the Year. The award was presented to Nautor Swan’s Barry Ashmore by sponsor Haven Knox-Johnston Specialist’s sales and marketing manager Paul Knox-Johnston.

200th Campaign Manager at the RNLI, Emily Foster, (c) Sailing Today with Yachts and Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

The RNLI was nominated as Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting’s   Charity of the Year. Emily Foster, the RNLI’s 200th Campaign Manager, spoke about the extraordinary work that the charity has done to save lives since 1824.

Matthieu Rougevin-Baville, Outremer’s Head of Sales, collects the trophy for Multihull of the Year. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

And it was the Outremer 52 that triumphed in the Multihull of the Year category.

The North Sails Team collected the Clothing Innovation of the Year award. From left, Chloe Henderson, Petra Wells-Carran, Lou Lewer and Nigel Musto, Director. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

North Sails’ new clothing line won the Clothing Innovation of the Year award, ahead of Musto’s new range of HPX waterproofs.

The team from Ocean Village Marina collected the Marina of the Year award. From left, Tim Mayer, James Bills, Lauren McCann and Ben Bourne. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

Marina of the Year attracted thousands of votes this year and the winner was won by Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, with Portbail Sur Mer in Normandy taking the highly commended spot.

Steve Bruce, Global OEM Sales Director, collects the Equipment Innovation of the Year trophy. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

In the Equipment Innovation of the Year, ePropulsion I-Series Electric Motors won the day.

Charlotte Hewitt, middle, accepts the trophy for Outstanding Achievement of the Year on behalf of Kirsten Neuschäfer from presenter Paul Heiney and Matthew Beckwith, Chairman of British Marine. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

Kirsten Neuschäfer also won the award for Outstanding Achievement of the Year. Currently, in South Africa, she could not attend but sent us a lovely video message. Matt Beckwith, chairman of British Marine , presented the award to Kirsten’s fellow team member, Charlotte Hewitt.

Richard Powell, Vice Commodore of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Tom Cunliffe. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

The awards finished with a Lifetime Achievement award for the evergreen and ever popular journalist, writer, sailing instructor, TV presenter and general raconteur Tom Cunliffe , who received a well-deserved standing ovation and proceeded to treat the crowd to a selection of salty yarns from a colourful life afloat.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner and highly commended in the Equipment Innovation of the Year category, Tom Cunliffe, pictured with his wife, Roz Cunliffe. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

For more information on all the categories, contenders, and of course the winners, visit the   British Yachting Awards website and see the February 2024 issue of the magazine, published in the New Year.

From left, Tom Cunliffe, Kate Fortnam, Francis D’Hulst, Patrick Roscoe, Jeremy Wilton and Ken Fowler. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting/ Jeff Gilbert.

The highly commended joined together to celebrate their successes.

The event takes place at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in the heart of Knightsbridge. (c) Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting / Jeff Gilbert.

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Charter yachts take honors at the World Superyacht Awards 2023

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By Nina Done   23 May 2023

The 18th edition of the World Superyacht Awards kicked off with cocktails in Turkey ’s vibrant capital, Istanbul over the weekend, and saw an impressive selection of charter yachts win a coveted Neptune trophy during the exclusive prize-giving ceremony. 

The annual black-tie gala dinner event celebrates the world’s finest superyachts of the year, recognising and rewarding ingenuity and craftsmanship in the design, engineering and construction of the luxury yachts. 

Using a secret ballot system by an independent judging panel made up of experienced superyacht owners, the World Superyacht Awards are the only peer-reviewed yachting awards in the world.

Hosted at the elegant Mandarin Oriental along the glittering shoreline of the Bosphorus, the elite of the superyacht world, owners and industry leaders gathered to celebrate this year’s event where 15 Neptunes were up for grabs, including the coveted Motor Yacht of the Year and Sailing Yacht of the Year awards. 

In an event that saw 49 nominees fight it out across 15 categories, charter yachts were awarded trophies in 7 of the categories. Here are the charter yachts that picked up a trophy at this year’s World Superyacht Awards;

Winner: Motor Yacht of the Year

Scooping the top award of the evening, the striking 75m (247ft) Admiral superyacht KENSHÕ was declared the winner by a comfortable margin, having wowed the judges with her owner-driven attributes, charter-focused amenities, high ceilings and Zen-calm interiors. She has also been lauded for her innovative engineering, harvesting power from five variable-speed generators using a diesel-electric propulsion system.

Winner: Best rebuilt Yacht

Following an extensive refit over two and a half years at the Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, UK , the 59m (193ft) classic yacht MARALA – originally built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1931 – has been lovingly restored to her former glory. Judges were impressed by the meticulous work undertaken to preserve her period features while paying homage to her fascinating storied history, such as her time in military service. Her interiors have also been given the full treatment, with a distinct nod to the avant-garde design influences of the era that can be seen throughout her interior spaces and accommodation.

Winner: Best Refitted Yacht

Catching the judges’ eye, they felt the arresting 63-meter schooner yacht ATHOS merited this coveted accolade chiefly for the exceptionally high-quality work undertaken by Royal Huisman ’s refit yard in Amsterdam. Under the supervision of her original architect, Andre Hoek, ATHOS was given new booms, sails and lightweight carbon-fiber rigging, as well as an extended stern to accommodate a larger cockpit adjoining the new owner's cabin, and newly repositioned navigation station. 

Winner: Sailing Yachts, 30m to 49.9m

Built in Cape Town by Southern Wind Shipyard in 2022, the 35m (114ft) sailing yacht SØRVIND has already enjoyed a slew of nominations for her interior design, naval architecture and outstanding exteriors, so it might not come as a huge surprise that she scooped the Sailing Yacht gong in her category after impressing judges by her high-performance capabilities, charter-focused amenities, Scandi-cool interiors and highly practical accommodation layout. 

Winner: Displacement Motor Yachts 499 GT and Below, 30m to 39.9m

Benetti 's Oasis 34M yacht UNKNOWN is certainly no unsung wallflower, garnering a raft of accolades since her arrival onto the scene in 2022 that lauded her strong connection with water and nature through her extensive glazing, harmonious indoor/outdoor areas and the Italian yard's award-winning Oasis Deck®. This is precisely what inspired the judges, who admired the yacht’s open aft beach club spanning across two decks, culminating in the infinity pool that straddles two levels, and additional sense of space created by her fold-down bulwarks – deployed for guests to enjoy while at anchor. They were also impressed by the number of alfresco relaxation and entertainment areas peppered across her deck spaces, which they considered truly remarkable for her size category and worthy of a Neptune.

Judges’ Commendation: Displacement Motor Yachts 499 GT and Below, 40m to 44.9m

Deemed by the judges as “an enviable all-rounder”, the 44m (145ft) yacht ACE has certainly proved a standout contender since her launch earlier this year. Built by the up-and-coming Conrad Shipyard in Poland, the judges admired the yacht for her striking good looks, convivial crew areas and technical engineering features. Already a finalist in her category at the International Yacht and Aviation Awards 2023, superyacht ACE also wowed the WSA judges with her generous proportions, reimagined deck spaces and elegant interiors. 

Winner: Displacement Motor Yachts, 500 GT to 1,499 GT

Come together.

It was inevitable that the successful pairing of the esteemed Espen Øino and Damen Yachting would end up scooping an award for their geometrically striking yachts that turn heads wherever they cruise, with the Amels 60 Limited Edition yacht COME TOGETHER proving no exception. Renowned for their next-generation design culture, Damen have been instrumental in creating yachts that not only deliver on space and luxurious comfort but also harnessing a raft of sustainable features, which ultimately won over the judges. Notable features include the seamless blend between Winch Design’s masculine interior scheme with Espen Øino’s angular and geometric exterior styling, the yacht’s innovative sundeck layout and hybrid-propulsion technology. 

Judges’ Special Awards

Coral ocean.

Narrowly missing out on the Best Refit Award, the judges had been so impressed by her transformative upgrade that they felt the vast 73m (238ft) superyacht CORAL OCEAN deserved one of their special awards. Suitably impressed by her charter-rich amenities, the Lürssen yacht now features an entirely rebuilt sundeck, with sumptuous loungers and a glass-bottomed spa pool adjoining a central deckhouse housing an informal dining area, bar and TV lounge, with an integrated state-of-the-art sound system creating the perfect day to night party hub. Originally designed by the award-winning London-based studio Bannenberg and Rowell, the superyacht's styling now offers a neutral scheme with subtle color accents and Art Deco-inspired geometric motifs throughout.

The World Superyacht Awards will be back again next year to herald another superb selection of superyachts. 

If you would like to learn more about chartering an award-winning superyacht, please reach out to your yacht charter broker .

Instagram credits: @fraseryachts & @njordbybergman

Featured award-winning superyachts available for charter

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84m Feadship 2015 / 2020

85m SilverYachts 2019

77m Damen Yachting 2020

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Revealed: The European Yacht of the Year 2021 winners

• Toby Hodges
• January 22, 2021

Despite the difficulties and Covid restrictions during 2020, the European Yacht of the Year 2021 jury managed to test 15 yachts and award 5 category winners

The European Yacht of the Year 2021 award winners are announced this morning, Friday 22 January.

Yachting World has been a jury member for the European Yacht of the Year awards since its inception in 2004. This involves shortlisting the best annual prospects, typically into five categories before testing them all to elect the winners.

The awards have grown to include 12 judges from sailing magazines across Europe, each leading voices on boat testing in their respective countries. The yachts are all tested during trials which took place in Kiel, Cannes and La Rochelle last Autumn. The result is the largest, most influential and widely respected boatbuilding prize worldwide.

Normally the awards would be presented at a special event during the opening evening of the Dusseldorf Boat Show in January. This year it’s a virtual presentation, with a breakdown of the winners below. The full feature about the nominees and winners is in our March 2021 issue.

Family Cruisers

Nominees: bavaria c42, beneteau oceanis 40.1, elan gt6, bali catspace, excess 11.

Always a category brimming with interesting new production yachts, this year’s family cruiser crop was no exception as it included a couple of very popular new catamarans too. All proved worthy nominees and in the end it was a close run decision between the Elan GT6 and the Bavaria.

Bavaria C42 European Yacht of the Year 2021 winner

Winner: Bavaria C42

Cossutti’s design has a clever shape, the first Bavaria with hard chines and a rounded ‘V-bow’, which make a crucial difference, both below decks and on the water. It provides maximum space where you most want it – in the cabins, saloon and cockpit. And despite some sharp corners and small details, the yard should be commended for its increased attention to finish quality.

However, when competing in this broadest of markets – 40ft family cruisers – an extra something is still needed to help it stand out from the crowd. And in the case of the Bavaria C42 it’s this powerful but stable hull shape which combines with a generous sailplan for admirable performance, while providing sailors with direct helm feel of the single rudder.

We featured a full test in our January issue.

Price: ex VAT €157,900

Performance Cruisers

Nominees: corsair (no show), dragonfly 40, grand soleil 44 performance (no show).

It was obviously a shame to have two late drop outs in what stood to be a very exciting category. The Corsair would have made for an intoxicating battle of the trimarans, while we now know from the first footage of the Grand Soleil that this new Matteo Polli design looks as slippery as it does stylish.

But in what was a remarkably difficult year for many, and a particularly problematic one for travel, the fact that this only left one contender in this category should in no way take away from the deserved glory of the Dragonfly 40 .

Dragonfly 40 European Yacht of the Year 2021 winner

Winner: Dragonfly 40

A Dragonfly is always a thrill to sail, but what about the largest Dragonfly yet, how would that fare and how would the Danish yard manage to combine real performance with cruising comfort at this size?

In performance terms, the main difference at this size (compared to previous Dragonfly models) is that it feels like a proper fast cruising yacht as opposed to a sportsboat. Our Danish judge Morten, who sailed the boat the most and in good breeze, describes it as a solid performance cruiser, which remains very comfortable to sail in control at 15-20 knots with the big gennaker hoisted.

The DF40 has the displacement for distance cruising, yet is light enough to thrill, can dry out easily and has folding outriggers to reduce its berthing beam. What’s not to like… other than the price?!

Price: from €570,000 ex VAT.

“One of the most stunning constructions out there at sea. Low freeboards, inverted bow sections, muscular beams and a nicely integrated bowsprit give the Dragonfly an athletic, racy feel.” Jochen Rieker, YACHT.

Luxury Cruisers

Nominees: contest 55cs, hallberg-rassy 40c, moody 41ds.

This was always going to be a very tough category as it comprises three really interesting and well executed designs. The Hallberg Rassy 40C we tested in our August issue and the Moody 41DS in our November issue.

In the end the award went to the yacht that befits the category perfectly – or as as our Italian judge described the Contest, for its “immersive and uncompromising luxury”

Contest 55CS European Yacht of the Year 2021 winner

Winner: Contest 55CS

A superb example of a fast, quality and comfortable bluewater cruiser, the Contest 55CS certainly has the wow factor. It offers real luxury, albeit at a price (circa €2m sailaway). But for that you are getting top build quality, comfort and technical solutions in a very appealing looking package.

The clean and crisp deck lines feature a flush foredeck, while the deckhouse is impressively low profile given the amount of light it allows into the accommodation.

Our Finnish judge Pasi remarked on the ‘invisible comfort’ and how the Contest 55CS takes care of you without you even noticing. There are plenty of options for the saloon, which shows the custom nature of the yard, the galley is large and well planned and the owner’s aft cabin, with it’s aft facing secret window, is a proper suite.

Bluewater Cruisers

Nominees: boreal 47.2, garcia explocat 52, ovni 400, pegasus 50, viator explorer 42 ds (no show).

It was exciting to have a really interesting crop of go-anywhere boats to zero-in on this year. It was a pity the Viator wasn’t available in time, as this looks like a very promising new offering from a German yard. But to have five contenders, four of which are bare aluminium boats, shows the recent spike in interest in expedition style cruising.

We featured a full test of the superb Garcia Explocat 52 in our February 2021 issue, and the Ovni 400 in our October issue. The Pegasus 50 is a particularly appealing new and original concept from a Slovenian brand formed of experienced hands and includes innovative features such as a gimballing saloon seating and a tandem fin keel connected by a bulb.

Boreal 47.2 European Yacht of the Year 2021 winner

Winner: Boreal 47.2

Boreal, is a Tréguier yard, specialising in ballasted aluminium centreboarders, robust yachts which are born out of its founder’s extensive cruising experience. Its designs have impressed the EYOTY jury before – the Boreal 52 won this category in 2015 – and the 47.2 was again a clear favourite with all returning to shore beaming and unanimously impressed as much by the feel on the helm as the practical features and refinement of the boat.

Combine the excellent handling and performance with the cockpit layout and protection afforded by the doghouse, the abiltiy to move around and through the boat safely and easily and the construction and insulation quality, and you have a centreboard yacht that can take you anywhere.

Price: ex VAT: €541,620.

Special Yachts

Nominees: mojito 650 (no show), saffier se 27, tofinou 9.7.

This category ended up being a head-to-head of two very attractive and refined daysailers which are a joy to sail. The Tofinou 9.7 may get the edge on the looks and the judges liked the tiller steering it offers, but the Saffier offers a more thrilling performance edge in a package that’s easier for one person to manage and with more space for a relaxing crew – and, significantly, it’s over €50k cheaper than the Tofinou.

Saffier Se27 Leisure European Yacht of the Year 2021 winner

Winner: Saffier SE 27 Leisure

Saffier has featured a lot in European Yacht of the Year competitions since it was first nominated and awarded 12 years ago. But this is arguably its finest and most evolved offering yet.

Here is proof that looks, ergonomics and performance can all coexist harmoniously.

The sporty shape and light weight of the SE 27 could be behind its appeal – build slots are already sold out for the next 18 months – but these combine with the boat’s ease of use. The Saffier is configured to be efficiently sailed single-handedly or crewed, yet the cockpit still leaves a large separate lounging space.

The result on the water is telling. “During our sea trials, this new Saffier not only showed its abilities to speed away even in the lightest of puffs, but also took on the challenges of heavier weather with excellence,” said Swedish judge Joakim.

Price: Starts at €77,500 ex VAT.

The full feature about the nominees and winners is in the MARCH 2021 issue of Yachting World.

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British Yachting Awards winners revealed

The great and good of the yachting world descended on the Royal Thames Yacht Club on 30 November to celebrate the 2021 British Yachting Awards.

  The champagne flowed as the winners were announced, confirming not only what a vintage year this has been for sailing, but also what a diverse and fascinating sport it remains.   

Guest speaker was Ian Walker , who after a decorated career afloat as an Olympian, coach and skipper in the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race, is now the RYA’s Director of Racing.  

Notable winners included the remarkable   Katie McCabe , who scooped the Youth Sailor of the Year accolade, which was run in association with  BoatLife Live .  

There was spontaneous applause for the runner-up Timothy Long, who sailed round Britain solo aged 15 last summer, and also for the 420 crew of Jamie Cook and Will Martin, who were also shortlisted.

Elsewhere, octogenarian   Murdoch McGregor  beat some of the biggest names in sailing to win Sailor of the Year – an award run in association with  Pantaenius Sail and Motor Yacht Insurance . McGregor, aged 82, attended the event with wife Janice.  

Vendée Globe star Pip Hare  was a deserving winner of the Outstanding Achievement of the Year trophy, given her performance in the race, which was a winner in its own right in the Event of the Year category, in association with GAC Pindar .  

When it came to yachts and kit, there were worthy winners all round; the exciting   Pogo 44  won the Performance Yacht of the Year while the coveted Cruising Yacht of the Year was a tie between the  Dufour 470  and  Jeanneau 60 .  

There were also wins for the  Lagoon 55  catamaran and  Discovery 48 .  

In the kit section,  Musto ‘s Flexlite Vapour range won through, as did  ePropulsion ‘s Spirit 1.0 Evo electric outboard.   

The awards finished with a Lifetime Achievement award for Sir Chay Blyth , 50 years on from his pioneering solo voyage around the world, against the winds and currents. Sir Chay was there with Lady Felicity Blyth to receive the award.   

The event was live streamed on the Facebook page of  Yachts & Yachtin g  magazine and remains available for viewing.  

For more information on all the categories, contenders, and of course the winners, visit the   British Yachting Awards website  and see the February 2022 issue of the magazine, published in the New Year.  

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British Yachting Awards 2022 winners revealed

The great and good of the yachting world descended on the Royal Thames Yacht Club on 28 November to celebrate the 2022 British Yachting Awards.

The awards, organised by  Sailing Today with Yachts and Yachting   magazine, are an opportunity for the readership to vote and give their verdict on some of the incredible talents within the sailing world.

It was also a chance to celebrate the finest new yachts, best events, kit innovations, destinations and much more.  

The champagne flowed as the winners were announced, confirming what a vintage year this has been for sailing.   

Guest speaker was Sara Sutcliffe, Chief Executive of the RYA,  who spoke about a more inclusive approach to sailing governance with a focus on diversity and equality.

The evening was presented by Hannah Diamond, SailGP athlete and part of the Athena Pathway Programme, which is attempting to win the Women’s America’s Cup in 2024.

Notable winners included young Round Britain double-handed racer  Ellie Driver , who beat many experienced names to scoop the Sailor of the Year accolade,  run in association with  Pantaenius Sail and Motor Yacht Insurance . There were huge cheers as her name was read out, before Ellie thanked her family, including father Jim, with whom she raced double-handed around Britain this summer.

The Young Sailor trophy, which was run in association with  BoatLife Live,  went to the three White brothers, Harry, Charlie and Tom, who have had a remarkable few years racing together in the Squib class, with podium results at Cowes Week.

SailGP was a winner of the Outstanding Achievement of the Year trophy, with the Royal Ocean Racing Club second and Highly Commended.

Meanwhile the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race won the Event of the Year category.  

Each winner received a unique trophy made for the ceremony by the historic chandler Davey & Co , which produces chandlery for modern boats as well as classic yachts.

Winners and those who were Highly Commended received a bottle of Dartmouth Gin .

When it came to yachts and kit, there were worthy winners all round; the Beneteau First 36   won the Performance Yacht of the Year.

The Cruising Yacht of the Year trophy, run in association with Hyde Sails , went to the Hanse 460 .  

There were also wins for the  Lagoon 51  catamaran and  Jeanneau 65 .  

In the Equipment Innovation of the Year, The Cruising Association’s CAptain’s Mate app won  the votes.

And it was the Helly Hansen Skagen Jacket  that won in the Clothing Innovation of the Year category.   

Marina of the Year attracted thousands of votes this year and the winner was Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour , on the Beaulieu River in Hampshire. The marina team is led by harbourmaster Wendy Stowe, with the trophy.

The magazine announced a partnership for 2023 with the Tall Ships Youth Trust , who become Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting ‘s Charity of the Year. The charity’s CEO Alastair Floyd, right, spoke about the positive, life-changing impact that charity’s work has on young people. He is pictured with the trust’s chairman David Aisher, centre.

The awards finished with a Lifetime Achievement award for Jim Saltonstall , the legendary British sailing coach who took Ben Ainslie and his generation from young children to the Olympic podium.

After receiving a lengthy standing ovation, Jim thanked some of the key people who have supported his career, which has included much work with the grassroots of sailing as well as the biggest names.

He paid tribute to wife Christine, who was in the audience, and he thanked “the ferrets for hoovering the medals”. His autobiography is about to be published by Fernhurst Books .  

The event was live streamed on the Facebook page of  Yachts & Yachtin g  magazine and remains available for viewing.  

For more information on all the categories, contenders, and of course the winners, visit the   British Yachting Awards website  and see the February 2022 issue of the magazine, published in the New Year.  

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How safe are luxury yachts? What to know after Mike Lynch yacht disaster left 7 dead

The Bayesian was a world-class yacht.

The 19th largest yacht designed by luxury Italian manufacturer Perini , it boasted a sleek interior design by French designer Remi Tessier, a double engine, and one of the tallest aluminum masts in the world. It won multiple awards, including for "best sailing yacht" the year after its release.

But, almost two weeks ago on Aug. 19, the luxurious vessel sank to the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Sicily in an internationally-followed disaster, dumping 22 people aboard into the water and leaving seven dead , including British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah .

"The impossible happened on that boat," Giovanni Costantino, the yacht manufacturer's CEO, told Reuters.

In the wake of the disaster, an ongoing investigation into possible criminal errors committed by the Bayesian's crew and lingering questions surrounding its design underscore the need for proper yacht safety measures and practical ship designs, according to experts.

Italian prosecutors from a nearby town have now widened their investigation into possible criminal actions by the ship's captain in the lead-up to the shipwreck to include two additional crew members, a judicial source told Reuters on Wednesday.

Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffith are now under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck, days after news broke that investigators are probing whether Captain James Cutfield committed the same crimes.

Authorities are looking into whether Parker Eaton, a ship engineer, failed to protect the ship's engine room and operating systems. Griffith, a sailor on the ship, was on watch duty on the morning the ship sank.

Cutfield "exercised his right to remain silent" when investigators interrogated him on Tuesday, Giovanni Rizzuti, his lawyer, told Reuters.

"First, he's very worn out," Rizzuti said. "Second, we were appointed only on Monday, and for a thorough and correct defense case, we need to acquire a set of data that at the moment we don't have."

Rizzuti did not immediately respond to a request for comment emailed to him by USA TODAY.

Rescuers found the bodies of Chris Morvillo, an American citizen and lawyer for Clifford Chance, his wife, Neda Morvillo, Jonathan Bloomer, a non-executive chair of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, Judy Bloomer, inside the ship two days after the wreck. Recaldo Thomas, the ship's cook who also went by Ricardo, was the first person pronounced dead in the disaster – his body was recovered on the day of the sinking.

Captains must follow safety procedures before storms

Costantino chalked up the boat's fate to a "series of indescribable, unreasonable errors" committed by the crew. The ship's crew made an "incredible mistake" in not preparing adequately for the storm, he said.

Costantino said the crew should have summoned passengers from their rooms earlier, as the storm picked up. The keel, a heavy weight under the ship to counterbalance the ship's large mast, should have been lowered, and portholes should have been closed – both factors that could influence whether the captain is found culpable, according to experts .

Captains should always check weather forecasts and look into local weather patterns, Mitchell Stoller, a maritime expert witness and captain, told USA TODAY . When in stormy weather, captains should also weigh anchor, so that a ship can float over unstable waters, he added.

"The general standard of care in this situation is to monitor the weather, exercise caution, have a night watch, have the engine going, ready to maneuver," he said.

More: Even heroes need a vacation: What to expect from the Disney Destiny cruise ship

Wealthy clients push for impractical designs, expert says

Costantino said the ship's design and construction was error-free. But one yacht design expert disagrees.

"There's so many other factors, and this huge, complex boat is part of it," said Tad Roberts, a British Columbia-based yacht designer who has worked in the industry for nearly 40 years.

The Bayesian's giant mast is part of a trend of bigger and bigger yachts, according to Roberts. He worked on the design of the Asolare, formerly the Scheherazade – at 154 feet long, the largest cold-molded sailing yacht in the world when it was released in 2003, according to its manufacturer, Hodgdon Yacht Services. "It's small today," Roberts added.

Roberts said problems emerge when yacht designers can't say no to wealthy clients' demands for more and more extravagant and overgrown designs.

"The clients are wealthy people. They are very used to getting whatever it is they want," he said.

But owners' requests can compromise security, he said.

"Owners are not naval architects," he said. "They don't understand the issues involved, and trying to explain to them may or may not work, but there are compromises being made all the time."

Yacht buyers are more likely to get a better boat than they would 50 years ago, since yachts are exported and built towards international standards, he said. Still, the worsening effects of climate change and extreme weather are growing risks to anyone sailing the high seas, he added.

"Be aware. That's the biggest part of it," he said. "There's a possibility that things could go bad, that there is risk involved."

More: Investigators seek answers to why luxury superyacht Bayesian sank in storm

Yacht owners install million-dollar, AI-powered security systems

Piracy on yachts is even rarer than sudden storms – only two cases were reported between 2019 and 2023, according to the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre . Still, superyacht owners are investing in James Bond-esque technology in an effort to protect their vessels.

"There's definitely increased concern," said Frederik Giepmans, managing director of safety and security at MARSS, a technology company that offers high-tech surveillance and security systems for superyachts with a price tag "from the hundreds of thousands into millions," he said.

NiDAR, a software program manufactured by MARSS to provide protection for superyachts, can pick up on objects approaching a yacht from the air or water "while underway, at anchor and in port," according to the company's website.

The surveillance system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to handle data from sensors monitoring all sides of a vessel. The AI system provides "constant, long range monitoring of the air, of the surface, of the underwater, to try and give the crew as much response time as possible," said Giepmans.

That way, yacht owners can pick up on any manner of approaching objects, from "small, fast craft approaching on the surface" to divers and submarines under the water.

But if a threat is detected, a yacht owner's "options to respond are limited," Giepmans said. "You can get out of the way. You can bring people to safety. But, for instance, a more military response is not available to you."

Giepmans pointed to a recent increase in attacks on commercial ships, like attacks carried out by Houthi rebels on ships cruising through the Red Sea. "There's a gap there in terms of security," he said. "Because there isn't really, right now, a way for commercial or private clients, to respond, perhaps, in an appropriate way to these threats."

Luxury yacht owners cruising off the coast of Monaco, for instance, shouldn't be as concerned about a direct threat to their security, as compared with boats sailing through other locations, he said. "It really depends on that, as to what extent they will go to protect their ship."

The greater danger could come from adverse weather events, as the planet warms every year.

Meteorologists have pointed to a water spout, a tornado that spun up over the water amid the storm that hit the Bayesian, as a possible factor in its wreck.

Water temperatures in the area were more than three degrees higher than average that day, the perfect conditions for the spout to form and the likely result of climate change, Rick Shema, a certified consulting meteorologist and former member of the Navy, previously told USA TODAY.

"The water spout was an uncommon occurrence. But again, these things happen, especially in warmer water," he said.

Contributing: Reuters

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

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The Winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2020 Announced

The winners of the 2020 World Superyacht Awards have been revealed. From the newly crowned Motor Yacht of the Year to the prestigious Voyager's Award, find out which yachts scooped this year's coveted Neptunes and watch all the highlights from our virtual ceremony...

Motor Yacht of the Year - PI Sailing Yacht of the Year - CANOVA

Refitted Yachts - OASIS

Rebuilt Yachts - VAGRANT

Support Vessels - HODOR

Sailing Yachts - CANOVA

Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts Below 500GT 30m to 34.9m - IV DREAMS Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts Below 500GT 35m and Above - MANGUSTA GRANSPORT 45

Displacement Motor Yachts Below 499GT 30m to 39.9m - THE BEAST

Displacement Motor Yachts Below 499GT 40m and Above - BINTADOR

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 500GT and 999GT - NAJIBA

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 1,000GT and 1,499GT - METIS

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 1,500GT and 1,999GT - PI

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 2,000GT and 4,999GT - LADY S

Displacement Motor Yachts 5,000GT and Above - FLYING FOX

Voyager’s Award - DOROTHEA III

Judges' Commendation Winners

Rebuilt Yachts - MAGNA GRECIA

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 2,000GT and 4,999GT - MADSUMMER

Voyager’s Award - PRESSURE DROP

Motor Yacht of the Year: Pi

Length: 77.3m Builder: Feadship Naval architect: Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects Exterior design: Jarkko Jämsén Interior design: Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design

The 10 winners of the individual motor yacht classes compete for the highly coveted title of Motor Yacht of the Year. When deciding this award, the judges acknowledge the difficulty of comparing such diverse yachts, while being aware that they are seeking the “very best of the best” – a vessel that is considered exceptional by any and every measure.

Understandably, a larger, fully customised yacht often wins this prize in view of the much larger budget that is usually available to its builder and designers, and often this has led to the Neptune being won by the very largest yacht. But this was a year of excellence in which many entries approached a standard that could be considered “exceptional”, and judges were unable to immediately direct their gaze towards an obvious winner. Discussion eventually concentrated on three yachts but when the result of the secret ballot was announced it became clear that Pi built by Feadship’s Royal Van Lent shipyard with exterior design by Jarkko Jämsén and interiors by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design, had taken this title by a significant margin.

The judges admired this yacht’s harmonious exterior lines, and the sophistication of her Zen-like interior, while approving of the extreme connectivity between interior and exterior brought about by her floor-to-ceiling glazing on the main deck and large lower deck portlights. Technically, this had been difficult to engineer, and this aspect, as well as the overall perfection of her construction, had influenced the judges’ views. Such excellence made her a worthy winner of this prestigious title.

Watch the moment Pi emerged from the sheds at Feadship

Sailing Yacht of the Year: Canova

Length: 43.3m Builder: Baltic Yachts Naval architect: Farr Yacht Design Exterior design: Lucio Micheletti Interior design: Lucio Micheletti

With just one sailing yacht class in this year’s World Superyacht Awards, the only question for the judges to answer was whether the class winner, the 43.3-metre Baltic Canova , was also a worthy winner of the Sailing Yacht of the Year title, an award presented only to truly exceptional vessels. The unanimous response from the judges reiterated their earlier enthusiasm and confirmed that this enviable trophy was hers. The groundbreaking DSS and environmental technology built into this yacht has already been documented in the class winners text, but the judges’ passion extended much further than this.

The calm practicality of her interior design by the Milan-based Lucio Micheletti, and a general arrangement plan that placed the crew aft in excellent quarters at the epicentre of the yacht’s sailing and mechanical aspects, was also admired. The amidships master suite was another positive, as was the combination of owner’s study and an adjacent secluded area for guests to retreat to with a book, that can be converted into a third guest cabin.

Sailing and navigational functions, as well as operational practicalities, were also not overlooked. Twin fully instrumented helm stations set well outboard give the helmsman a choice of standing behind the wheel or steering from a sitting position on the gunwale, with the display screen able to rotate to suit both choices as well as fold away when out of use. The staysail is self-tacking, and two tenders are stowed beneath the decks – a seven-metre with 45-knot performance below the foredeck, and a five-metre below the aft deck.

The list goes on, but one thing is certain – this yacht is a design leader.

Find out how Canova became an award-winning sailing yacht

Refitted Yachts: Oasis

Length: 59.4m Builder: Lürssen Refit interior design: FM Architettura d'Interni

Five yachts contended for the Refit category, which is defined as: “Repairs and modifications carried out to a yacht necessitated by the number of years the yacht has been in service.” After full consideration and intense discussion among the judges, the secret ballot revealed a near unanimous decision to present the Neptune to Oasis , a 59.4 metre originally built by Lürssen in 2006. Designed and project managed by FM Architettura d’Interni, based in Ancona, Italy, with the collaboration of the captain and crew but without the involvement of a shipyard, the project took place in two relatively short phases.

The first, just three months in length, remodelled and redecorated the sundeck, master suite and the yacht’s public saloons to make them suitable for contemporary lifestyles, creating multi-purpose, flexible living areas in preparation for the yacht’s first summer season with the new owners and their large family. It was a tough task in both scope and duration. The second period took place from the following January until April 2019, when the cabins and remaining areas were completed.

The judges felt that this project was remarkable not only for its detailed planning and execution, which allowed so much to be achieved in such a short time, but also for the excellence of the result. The skilled team from FM Architettura d’Interni remodelled and transformed a tired interior – using lots of Italian leather and sanding down glossy maple burr to leave a more contemporary matt finish – and redesigned the sundeck to suit the lifestyle of the new owners. The judges were truly impressed by this remarkable achievement.

Rebuilt Yachts: Vagrant

Length : 40m Builder : Herreshoff Refit yard : Huisfit (by Royal Huisman) Refit naval architect : Herreshoff (rig update by Dykstra Naval Architects & Rondal) Refit exterior design : Herreshoff Refit interior design : Huisfit (by Royal Huisman)

Entries for this class are made under the general heading of “Refitted and Rebuilt Yachts” and the decision regarding the specific class into which a yacht falls – Refitted or Rebuilt – is made by the jury after having reviewed the entries in detail. This year the jury decided that of the three yachts that warranted entry into the Rebuilt class, one stood out, not only for the painstaking manner in which the rebuild was undertaken, but also for the magnificent result.

Rebuilt by the Royal Huisman shipyard over a 22-month period, this yacht was Vagrant , designed by the legendary Nathanael G Herreshoff and launched from the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company shipyard in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1913 for Harold S Vanderbilt. Vagrant was shipped to Royal Huisman in such poor condition that it was unsafe for her to make the journey on her own bottom, and on arrival she was completely stripped out, with her interior and deck woodwork carefully taken apart for preservation. Her hull was sandblasted, thin plates replaced and all her rivets welded in place to avoid potential future leakage.

All engine room equipment, wiring and piping was completely replaced at the Dutch yard, while her woodwork was repaired and restored. A new sailplan and rig were also created to simplify sail handling so that the yacht can cruise with a limited crew.

The judges were highly impressed with the detailed work undertaken that has undoubtedly helped preserve this magnificent yacht for another 100 years at least.

Support Vessels: Hodor

Length: 66.2m Builder : Astilleros Armon Naval architect : Incat Crowther Exterior design : Incat Crowther Interior design : Oliver Design

Increasing numbers of support vessels are being built so the awards now include a specific class for such craft. Of the two entries, the judges felt that Hodor , designed by the Australian naval architect Incat Crowther and built in Spain by Astilleros Armon, was the outstanding vessel.

Built on a catamaran platform, Hodor ’s 22.5-knot top speed is sufficient to outrun her mothership, making her able to prepare tenders and toys for immediate use when the mothership arrives and, on departure, pack up, overtake, and repeat the process. She carries five tenders, the largest of which has a 17-metre overall length, and a whole host of toys. There are nine jet skis, four quad bikes, two all-terrain vehicles, two trail motorcycles, two Laser dinghies and a Hobie Cat. In addition, there is a submarine that is housed in a garage on the main deck. This is launched using twin beam-cranes, which also serve the other tenders and toys. The launch and recovery of tenders can also be made using a hydraulic platform that is set between the hulls and which rises to the aft part of the main deck, while two knuckle-boom cranes on the bridge deck serve the larger craft.

There are also facilities for guests arriving by helicopter, thus keeping the mothership disruption-free. In this respect, located aft on the bridge deck is a fully certified six-tonne landing pad that takes craft up to the size of an Airbus H145. Arriving guests walk forward to a plush waiting room behind the bridge, from which they descend to a room on the lower deck and directly board a waiting tender through a shell door. The judges thought this well-conceived vessel a worthy winner.

Delve into the world's largest floating toybox

Sailing Yachts: Canova

In this age of environmental awareness it is extraordinary that so few large sailing yachts are being commissioned and built. Just four yachts qualified for this category, but even so it contained some interesting and innovative yachts. The judges soon focused on the 43.3-metre Canova , built by Baltic Yachts as a fast cruising yacht without concession to racing. They admired her high-quality build, attractive lines and excellent general arrangement plan, and were blown away by the yacht’s concept and systems, including the innovative technology requested by her owner. A secret ballot confirmed her as the winner by a huge margin.

Her green credentials – always important to the judges – were as good as you can get on a vessel of this size, where the crew will always need mechanical assistance for sail handling. While under power, Canova is propelled by a highly efficient, 340-degree- rotating, electrical Azipod driven by two medium-sized 224kW generators, with any excess power generation used to charge her large bank of lithium-ion batteries. Under sail in a reasonable breeze, the Azipod can be put into use as a hydrogenerator, charging batteries and delivering sufficient power to run the yacht’s sailing and household systems, with the batteries contributing in times of peak demand. Canova also boasts groundbreaking innovation with her Dynamic Stability Systems foil, whose proven ability to reduce heel, increase speed and improve ride comfort might just persuade more owners to build large sailing boats. This, the judges considered, is a vessel that should influence the future of sailing superyachts.

Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts Below 500GT 30m to 34.9m -  IV Dreams

Length: 32.8m Builder: Custom Line – Ferretti Group Naval architect: Custom Line – Ferretti Group Exterior design: Francesco Paszkowski Design Interior design: Francesco Paszkowski Design/Margherita Casprini

This class presented the judges with an impressive line-up of equally sized yachts, all of which showed an abundance of admirable qualities. Assessing the combination of features, such as exterior styling, the layout of decks and interior, technical innovation and build quality that come together to create the most well-rounded vessel is never an easy task, but after thorough discussion the secret ballot revealed the winner as IV Dreams .

The first of a new series from Custom Line, a member of the Ferretti Group, impressed the judges with its modern exterior styling, whose flowing lines incorporated large outdoor areas on the sundeck and foredeck. They also noted a spacious, well-lit interior that offers good connectivity with the outside surroundings through three wide, sliding doors in the saloon and a balcony opening from the master cabin. Four further en-suite cabins – two doubles, and two twins each equipped with a Pullman berth – provide high-quality accommodation for guests.

Additionally, the judges were impressed by the beach club that doubles as a tender garage – a unique system patented by the yard – and the well-designed crew quarters. Mechanically, the Custom Line 106 was found to be very well equipped. A pair of MTU diesels, each developing 1,939kW, drive it to a top speed of 26 knots, while at her 22-knot continuous cruising speed she delivers a 400-nautical-mile range – a fuel burn of 780 litres per hour. Range is increased to 1,050 nautical miles when cruising in displacement mode at 12 knots. This winning yacht, the judges concluded, provides a well-balanced blend of good design, quality build and desirable facilities.

Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts Below 500GT 35m and Above - Mangusta GranSport 45

Length: 45.3m Builder: Overmarine Naval architect: Studio PLANA Exterior design: Alberto Mancini Interior design: Overmarine

This category consisted of five yachts: three with traditional semi-displacement hull forms and two with fast displacement hull forms, which, because of their similar performance/engine- power relationship and comparable size, are judged in the same class.

Four yachts drew the judges’ particular attention but the secret ballot revealed the first of the new Mangusta GranSport 45 designs to be launched as the winner by a narrow margin. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of this 26-knot craft was that at its 11-knot “economical delivery” speed it provides excellent seagoing comfort combined with an extremely long range of 4,200 nautical miles, burning just 10.9 litres of fuel per mile. Such performance, perhaps a key issue in today’s environmentally aware society and certainly one that drew the judges’ attention, could not be matched by the more traditional planing and semi-displacement hull forms in this class. 

But this was not the only factor that attracted the judges’ interest towards the Mangusta. Her extensive deck areas were admired for the good use made of every square metre, while the beach club stern, with its three openings to the sea, was seen as most desirable. Large windows in the main saloon, some opening to the side decks, made for another light and airy space. This feature is repeated in the master suite, while the three guest cabins offered comfort and natural light through well-sized windows. The yacht, the judges felt, satisfied all the features that an owner with a “need for speed” might demand.

Find out more about the latest edition to Mangusta's GranSport line

Displacement Motor Yachts Below 499GT 30m to 39.9m - The Beast

Length: 39m Builder: Profab Central Engineering Naval architect: LOMOcean Design Exterior design: LOMOcean Design/ Owner Interior design: Oceania Interiors/Owner

Probably the most diverse of the new-build categories, this five-strong class comprised three explorers, a composite production yacht and a hybrid diesel-powered yacht. All have similar maximum speeds and long-range performance so, apart from their future use, it was a good and even contest. After a thorough review of the entries the judges homed in on The Beast . At first glance, the grey camouflage paintwork of this vessel suggests a small warship, perhaps a patrol boat, but this disguise – handy in the remote areas that a long-range explorer such as this might visit – was just one element of the owner’s detailed specification.

As an enthusiastic sport fisherman, his key requirement called for the ability to carry, and safely launch, a 13-metre, 19-tonne sport fishing vessel, while the mothership remained below 500GT and 40 metres LOA to avoid local restrictions in New Zealand, its home waters. He also wanted a commercial finish to the hull, in keeping with its explorer role. With construction in his home country another priority, the contract was given to Profab Central Engineering, an experienced builder of custom-designed aluminium fishing boats and yachts in Palmerston North.

The Beast boasts deck spaces tailored for leisurely outdoor living, while concealing a luxurious fully- featured interior. The judges were also impressed with the launching system for the sport fishing boat, with a safe two-point lift provided by a pair of large knuckle-cranes. The way the vessel met the long list of detailed fishing and leisure requirements set out by its owner made this a very attractive yacht.

The Beast is, by the admission of her owner Sir Michael Hill, “a little bit different”. Here's how she came to be...

Displacement Motor Yachts Below 499GT 40m and Above -  Bintador

Length: 49.9m Builder: Tankoa Yachts Naval architect: Studio Francesco Rogantin Exterior design: Francesco Paszkowski Design Interior design: Francesco Paszkowski Design/Margherita Casprini

After the photographs were screened and each yacht discussed in detail by the judges, it became apparent that their interest was being focused upon three yachts, but the secret ballot eventually revealed a clear winner – the 49.9-metre Bintador , built by Tankoa Yachts. The judges saw much to like in this sleek three-decker: its modern exterior styling appealed to them; they liked the practical layout of its decks and interior; and the manner in which its interior volume was equitably shared between guest and crew areas, both of which are divided into comfortably proportioned spaces.

They also admired Bintador ’s fuel economy – a result of a refined hull shape and her being fitted with two 895kW diesels that are significantly smaller than those of her competitors. She is, nevertheless, able to reach 18 knots – a higher speed than her competitors by a clear two knots – because of her 300kW electric motors, one driving each shaft, which are powered by a pair of 250kW generators. Various combinations of main engine and electric motor provide hybrid flexibility as well as fuel economy, while running purely in diesel-electric mode (propelled by alternators powering the shaft motors) she can reach 10.5 knots and has a range of 4,900 nautical miles.

The owner wanted both a technologically advanced vessel and one that could give his guests a high standard of comfort and services. In awarding Bintador the Neptune for this class, the judges thought he had achieved this aim.

Step inside Tankoa's award-winning hybrid superyacht Bintador

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 500GT and 999GT -  Najiba

Length: 58m Builder: Feadship Naval architect: Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects/ Philippe Briand Exterior design: Vitruvius Yachts Interior design: Claudio Cicconetti Architetto/Liaigre

It was a tough field in this class, which pitted three exquisite yachts from some of northern Europe’s most distinguished yards against one another. The dimensions, power packs and propulsion of all three yachts displayed close similarity, but the detail, such as beam and gross tonnage, showed greater divergence. So did the performance figures, which first drew the judges’ attention to the Feadship Najiba .

Built at the De Vries yard, with naval architecture and styling from Philippe Briand and his Vitruvius Yachts brand, Najiba ’s numbers are phenomenal for a 58-metre yacht. Her top speed of 17 knots surpassed her rivals, while her fuel burn at her 12-knot economical cruise speed was just 137 litres/hour – around half that of her competitors despite her greater beam, clearly demonstrating an efficient hull design.

Added to this, the judges were impressed by her clean, harmonious exterior lines that cradled practical deck areas bordered by solid bulwarks and a glass rail that disappears from view when seen from a distance. Her interior layout, planned by Claudio Cicconetti, was considered fresh and innovative, particularly the yacht’s main entrance from the stern platform that rises up a central stairway from a reception area to the main deck aft. From here, arriving guests pass directly into the main saloon, a room that provides their first introduction to the much admired work of the yacht’s Paris-based interior designer, Studio Liaigre.

On top of all this, the judges’ final accolade went to the extremely high quality of construction seen throughout the yacht. She is, they were certain, a worthy winner of this highly competitive class.

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 1,000GT and 1,499GT -  Metis

Length: 63m Builder: Benetti Naval architect: Benetti Exterior design: Giorgio M Cassetta Interior design: Bannenberg & Rowell

Three yachts were in contention in this class and it was immediately obvious that the exterior lines of Metis were attracting the close attention of the judges. As discussions progressed it became clear that this custom-built yacht was also the frontrunner in many other areas. This was proved by the results of the secret ballot, which gave her a clear lead over her rivals who, unusually, drew for second place.

Apart from their admiration of her contemporary appearance, the judges also voiced approval of the manner in which the designers put every available external area to good use, even creating a gymnasium and observation area aloft – perfectly blended with the existing lines – while the vessel was in an advanced state of construction. The novel interior layout, meanwhile, was designed to exactly meet the needs of her owner, and the judges felt it achieves this while meeting all the modern design trends, including interiors with such good external visibility that they are at one with the surrounding seascapes.

The beach club also achieves this connection, with its comfortable lounge and bar opening directly to the sea through three huge fold-down hull openings – a design unhindered by any need to store tenders in the same area. Instead, the tenders are kept in a garage forward on the main deck between the helipad above and crew quarters beneath.

The judges considered that this was a well-constructed yacht that defied convention but, in doing so, fulfilled her owner’s needs in an elegant and stylish manner. They had no doubts that she was the clear winner of her class.

Take a video tour of Metis

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 1,500GT and 1,999GT -  Pi

It was immediately apparent to the judges that all four yachts in this class were outstanding vessels built to extremely high standards and demanding owner requirements. Nevertheless, one of these so clearly stood out for its combination of remarkable build quality combined with superb design and innovation that it proved to be the unanimous winner.

This yacht was Pi , built by Feadship’s Royal Van Lent Shipyard. This, the judges decided, was a yacht that bordered on perfection with its harmonious Zen minimalism, seen in both its interior and exterior. They also admired the manner in which Feadship surmounted the many obstacles in its path, the best example of which is possibly the incorporation of floor-to-ceiling windows without mullions, to create the owners’ dream of a main saloon that is truly at one with the exterior.

Engine room air-shafts were located unusually far forward to remove a visual block seen in most contemporary vessels, while the glazing itself – huge panes mounted in a novel manner – was extremely complex in view of the bi-directional curvature that reduces internal and external reflectivity.

For the judges, the icing on the cake was the detail and harmony of every interior element and Feadship’s perfect quality of construction. The original brief had been for an “iconic, innovative, elegant and timeless” vessel, and the means by which this was achieved, with the owner, designer and builder working closely together, is perhaps reflected in her original name, Syzygy 818 – an term for the perfect alignment of three celestial bodies.

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 2,000GT and 4,999GT -  Lady S

Length: 93m Builder: Feadship Naval architect: Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects Exterior design: Michael Leach Design Interior design: Reymond Langton Design

Selecting a winner from among the world’s largest and most luxurious yachts is always a notoriously difficult duty for the judges, given that they do not consider the individual tastes of owners, but focus their deliberations on quality, practicality, functionality and innovation. This year’s task was no exception. This class contained some exceptional yachts and while the ballot revealed extremely close scores, it showed Lady S , built by Feadship’s Royal Van Lent yard, with its elegant exterior design by Michael Leach and interiors by Reymond Langton, as the clear winner.

First, it was the elegance and harmony of her exterior lines that attracted the judges, whose gaze was then drawn past the decks’ practical features and luxurious furniture to the innovative layout that featured fire-pits on two levels, the largest sliding glass doors seen on any yacht, and a fully-certified helipad deck isolated from the bridge deck by a walkway. This, according to her builders, was the most detailed and complex exterior they had built to date in view of its radical shapes and complex engineering.

In the interior, the judges admired the huge windows and cool elegance of the owner and guest areas, and were fascinated by the boat’s many special features. These included a large gym on the bridge deck with expansive 180-degree views and a stunning beach club, as well as the only Dolby 3D IMAX cinema ever installed on a superyacht. This, the judges agreed, was a very special yacht.

Displacement Motor Yachts 5,000GT and Above -  Flying Fox

Length: 136m Builder: Lürssen Naval architect: Lürssen Exterior design: Espen Øino Interior design: Mark Berryman

The rules of the event dictate that should a class have only one entry, and its amalgamation into another class is inappropriate, judges are required to assess whether this vessel would be a worthy winner when compared to past yachts of her size. Lürssen’s Flying Fox was the sole vessel to qualify for the Displacement Yachts of 5,000GT and Above class.

With her interior volume three times greater than the largest yacht in the next class, fair comparison was deemed impossible, so the judges applied the “comparison” rule outlined above. It was clear from the outset of these deliberations, however, that the judges considered her to be an exceptional vessel, not only in technical achievement, but also for her owner and guest facilities, interior layout, and extremely high quality of construction. It was clear that Lürssen had striven for perfection, and a particularly impressive example involved the 12-metre-long pool set athwartships on the main deck aft. Concerned that the yacht’s slightest roll might initiate wave motion within the pool that would quickly empty it, Lürssen set up a program of computer modelling that resulted in several design modifications. Subsequently, the pool was successfully bench-tested and found to behave perfectly.

Add to this a beautiful interior featuring dining tables for 22, a plant-filled double-height saloon, a winter garden observation saloon and a world-beating spa and watersports centre incorporating the first cryo-sauna seen on a yacht, there was absolutely no doubt in the judges’ minds that she thoroughly deserved a Neptune.

Step on board the most talked about yacht of the year

Voyager’s Award -  Dorothea III

Length: 45m Builder: Cheoy Lee Owners: Dorothea and Steven Green

The judges congratulated all the owners and crews of the four outstanding entries to this year’s Voyager’s Award, whose cruises were well beyond the ordinary. As discussions progressed, it became clear that the judges favoured the cruise made by Dorothea III , a 45-metre Cheoy Lee motor yacht designed by Ron Holland, owned by Steven and Dorothea Green and captained by John Crupi.

This 34,965-mile voyage, taking in the North and South Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, was, the judges felt, particularly notable not only for its huge range but also for acts of philanthropy that raised $28,000 for humanitarian causes on the way. Dorothea III was also accompanied by a Hatteras 63GT sportfishing boat, Post One, which travelled much of the cruise under its own power.

Starting in Fort Lauderdale in January 2018, the two vessels spent their first few months in Central America, fishing, cruising and perfecting their ship-to-ship refuelling, while passing through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica and returning to the Caribbean. From here they travelled on to Bermuda before crossing the North Atlantic to Portugal.

Their onward path took them to the Canary, Cape Verde and Ascension Islands before a South Atlantic crossing to Brazil. Post One was shipped to Panama, while Dorothea III continued south to Chilean Patagonia. Cruising north through the Chilean canals, Dorothea III was reunited with Post One in the Galápagos and the two sailed on through the Marquesas, Tuamotus, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu, to finish their cruise in Cairns, Australia. The judges thought this outstanding adventure well worthy of a Neptune.

Steven Green and Captain John Crupi map out their epic journey

Nominations for the 2021 World Superyacht Awards close on December 11, 2020. Find out how to enter .

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