The 18 winners of the ShowBoats Design Awards 2017

Wider 150

Length: 47.1m

Exterior styling: Fulvio de Simoni

Builder: Wider

"Clean lines and taut, smooth surfaces were the order," says Fulvio de Simoni, who assisted Wider’s managing director Tilli Antonelli with the development of exterior spaces that are long on liveability. The 90m² beach club includes a 7m floodable garage perfectly shaped for tender stowage that becomes a swimming pool when the tender is deployed, while large port and starboard opening panels create ample sunning areas at the water’s edge and enhance the enjoyment of the pool. While the judges appreciated the sensible military shapes of the hull and superstructure, it was the curves in the upper side decks to facilitate full walkarounds and an expansive flybridge deck, plus the innovative hidden covered seating area forward of the wheelhouse that put the Wider 150 ahead of the other finalists.

Sexy Fish

Length: 39.3m

Interior design: Tansu

Builder: Tansu

Beach house ease, pure and simple, won the day. The yacht’s layout and décor is a follow on from the original Tansu yachts in the Mothership series, the 35.2m Ceylan and the 36.4m Preference. Designer Riza Tansu took this yacht a step further by adding a central interior stair column from the wheelhouse to the main deck to facilitate service to the upper bar area, which can be either an open or protected space with sliding roof and louvred side panels. Beds and cabinets that appear to float off the wide-planked, natural floor timber appealed to the judges as did the round portholes in the cabins. The shapes of the rooms and the built-in furnishings created a harmonious match to the exterior design and profile.

Galactica Super Nova

Length: 70.1m

Naval architect: Van Oossanen / Heesen Yachts

Builder: Heesen Yachts

This is the most complicated of our categories, requiring a mathematical analysis of each boat’s, dimensions, weight, propulsion and fuel efficiency, plus evaluation of the rigorousness of the design process. For Galactica Super Nova, CFD analysis and tow tank testing for hull and interceptors were augmented by wind tunnel tests of the superstructure. The all-aluminium Full Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) design presents literally two boats in one; her 20-knot displacement hull becomes a 30-knot semi-displacement performer courtesy of a booster engine and waterjet. While small compromises show at the ends of the yacht’s speed spectrum, this yacht, displacing a somewhat modest 645 tonnes, scored 18 out of a possible 20 points for fuel economy. A single point separated runner-up Samurai, which at 70 meters and 935 displacement tons, is the largest steel FDHF hull designed to date and also by Van Oossanen.

Gipsy

Length: 35.3m

Naval architect: Umberto Tagliavini

Builder: Otam

While there were no radical designs among this group’s 2016 launches, three finalists stood out among the contestants. In the objective analysis, Gipsy moved to the front for her efficiency. This 35 metre tri-deck design is a well-considered upsizing of a 28 metre sister drawn by Umberto Tagliavini for Otam several years ago and developed through a tow-tank review. For Gipsy, the builder specified a hull shape capable of a comfortable ride in sea conditions likely to be encountered by a yacht with 2,000 nautical mile range.The brief also specified a 20-knot top speed for the relatively large volume yacht. The naval architect responded with a deep-V bow that transitions to an asymmetrical aft section with 14-degree deadrise, short, sharp chines and propeller semi-tunnels. CFD analysis further refined the bow and stabiliser fins’ position to best advantage. The yacht achieves her 14.1-knot fast cruising speed at just 51 per cent power.

AQuiJo

Length: 86m

Naval architect: Tripp Design Naval Architecture

Builder: Vitters Shipyard & Oceanco

This yacht moves into new territory. A ship by virtue of her equipment and gross tonnage and certainly comparable to a large motor yacht in size, displacement and appointments, this is nevertheless a true sailing yacht for safely circumnavigating the globe. In fact, she will have to, as her masts are too tall for passage through Panama. Two hulls were developed through CFD and 1:15 models tested in towing tanks produced the final shape. Wind tunnel simulations refined the superstructure and sailplan. Twin rudders to boost feedback and control and a lifting keel minimise her harbour draft to 5.23 metres. At full draft of 11.66 metres, the ballasted foil provides ample stability. With a sail area to displacement ratio typical of smaller racer/cruisers, she performs remarkably in light air – 10.5 knots close hauled in 8 knots of breeze – while she can exceed 20 knots reaching with reefed sails in a 30-knot blow. As the leader of the naval architecture panel aptly put it: “She’s an amazing piece of work”.

Wider 150

Length: 47.1m

Naval architect: Fulvio de Simoni / Wider Engineering & Sydac

Interior design: Ideaeitalia

Exterior styling: Fulvio de Simoni

Builder: Wider

Following the transformer nature of the Wider sport boat, it was clear that the builder’s first true superyacht would also be a “shapeshifter”. The corollary to the adage “form follows function” is that when function changes, so must the form, and that is what Wider CEO Tilli Antonelli has arranged throughout the yacht, allowing it to live bigger than its actual LOA. The float-in tender garage/swimming pool/beach club maximises options without compromising on living spaces or tender size. But the true innovation of the Wider 150 is the propulsion system that fully leverages the hybrid concept, eliminating the traditional engine room and locating the electrical generators far away from owner and guest areas, thus opening up a new world of barrier-free interior layout possibilities. Insulated electrical cables powering Veth azimuthing pods replace the traditional shafts and propellers and an Emerson Industrial Automation system utilises batteries and one to four gensets to deliver just the right amount of power for hotel use or navigation.

Sybaris

Length: 70m

Interior design: PH Design

Exterior styling: Perini Navi

Lighting Specialist: PH Design in collaboration with Lindsey Adelman

Builder: Perini Navi

Reflecting on the fact that lighting can make or break a yacht interior and take its exterior from merely functional to exciting, the ShowBoats Design Awards added this category to the line-up for 2017. The inaugural winner of this award, PH Design, collaborating with Lindsey Adelman, noted that the lighting plan began with the first pencil strokes for the interior, which was planned from the beginning to showcase art amongst subtle finishes. It is the design firm’s first yacht. The judges were impressed with the sophistication of the plan, which in some cases uses asymmetry to give the illusion of extended spaces and floating walls. The use of both uplighting and downlighting for ambient light draws the eye to special pieces and helps direct movement through the yacht and set various moods. Adelman’s seemingly delicate fixtures were modified especially for this project and installed by the renowned artist herself.

PLVS VLTRA - Wellness Centre

Length: 74m

Builder: Amels

Naval architect: Amels

Interior design: Winch Design

Exterior styling: Tim Heywood

Another new category, this one seeks to uncover and celebrate those spaces that give a yacht its joie de vivre. Most of the entries were from fully custom yachts, although the winner, a new model from Amels’ Limited Editions range, shows how a niche feature can be smartly adapted as the length and volume of the vessel grows. Rather than simply increase the size and offerings of the aft beach club on its smaller models, Amels took the bold step of moving it amidships on the lower deck and making it full-beam so that it would be a pleasant space even if wing doors are closed or the yacht is underway. When the yacht was sold during its build, the owners embraced the idea, creating a 75m² wellness space, with every feature from a hammam to a hair studio. At anchor, folding decks put the space in touch with the sea.

**The two winners of the Young Designer of the Year 2017 are Student Designer, ****Thibaud Le Merdy, and Professional Designer, **Eric Laurent.

You may read more about them here.

PH Design

Yacht: Sybaris

Length: 70m

Three design firms were put forward as finalists for this award, which recognises individuals and companies undertaking their first large yacht project. The judges welcomed and carefully scrutinised their fresh approaches to design and reviewed how their participation factored into the overall project. Sybaris is the first yacht commission for PHDesign, the Miami-based design firm headed by Peter Hawrylewicz, although he has completed residential projects for the yacht’s owner. As well as interior and furniture design, the firm is grounded in architecture, a trifecta of sorts for this project, which presented the team with the envelope of a very powerful sailing machine designed to circumnavigate. The judges applauded the boldness of materials and unique details in the design. “Each environment we create is specific to time and place, but global and hopefully timeless in its appeal,” says Hawrylewicz.