Revealed: The 24 winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2016

Rebuilt Yachts

Judges’ Commendation for Achievement: Kanaloa

It is unusual that the jury grant an award for low-cost work, but it was agreed that the team that carried out the rebuild of Kanaloa, a 48-metre CRN motor yacht built in 1996, should be recognised. Significant defects were found in this yacht after a recent change of ownership, despite these not being discovered in a pre-purchase survey. Following a later Lloyds survey, the issues were found to be so costly to address in a shipyard that the owner was at the point of scrapping the yacht.

Yet miraculously, she was saved from this almost certain fate by the intervention of her captain, who suggested that the yacht could be saved at less than 50 per cent of the cost quoted if a large proportion of the work was carried out by the crew and independent sub-contractors working with a project manager from Hill Robinson. The owner agreed, and the structural and other work required to bring her back into classification was undertaken at Compositeworks during a 14-month period.

Among many other issues addressed, more than 30 per cent of the hull plating was replaced by Compositeworks, the main engines were returned to zero hours, and the remainder of the drive train was also dismantled and rebuilt. These tasks also required the removal and replacement of a large element of the yacht’s interior joinery and a great deal of other work. The rebuild was completed with a full repaint in time for the 2015 Monaco Yacht Show.

In the judges’ view, this was a commendable achievement by all concerned.

LOA: 48m

Original Builder:  CRN Shipyard

Refit Yard: Composite Works

Refit Naval Architect: N/A

Refit Exterior/Interior Design: N/A

Sailing Yacht 30m to 39.99m

Atalante

The old saying that ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’ is certainly true of the winner of this five-strong class of sailing yachts – but it was not the overriding factor, as all aspects of each entrant were considered in detail before the results of the secret ballot were analysed.

The winner, Atalante, a 38.8-metre sloop designed by Andre Hoek Naval Architects and built to impeccable standards by Claasen Shipyards in The Netherlands, is certainly a delight for the eyes, with supremely elegant lines and glistening brightwork. But the judges also applauded the well-developed deckplan that, among other notable items, positions the wheel in the aft cockpit adjacent to a navigation station with direct access to the owner’s cabin.

As well as offering convenience when under sail, this entire area becomes a private cockpit when the yacht is at anchor. Atalante is also an excellent performer on the water and embodies a good internal layout with superb guest and crew spaces and a well laid out engine room.

LOA: 38.8m

Builder:  Claasen Shipyards

Naval Architect:  Hoek Design Naval Architects

Exterior/Interior Design: Hoek Design Naval Architects

Sailing Yacht 40m and Above

Judges’ Commendation for Design: Topaz

During the judges’ discussions on this class, it became clear that Topaz, built to the J-Class Rule, was highly admired by all the jury, who agreed that this yacht was the most elegant in this year’s Awards. Not only were the exterior lines beautiful, but her superb interior, designed in Art Deco fashion to replicate the period in which this class was first introduced, made excellent use of the limited interior volume offered by these yachts.

Topaz also incorporates the latest technology, being equipped with an extremely compact hybrid power and propulsion system that allows it to be propelled electrically from its 80kW battery pack or the 50kW genset as well as its 325kW main engine. J-Class yachts are also huge consumers of power to drive the winches, especially when racing, and the sophisticated system aboard Topaz will deliver 250kW of hydraulic power to allow the simultaneous use of necessary equipment.

LOA: 42.6m

Builder:  Holland Jachtbouw

Naval Architect:  Hoek Design Naval Architects

Exterior Design: Hoek Design Naval Architects

Interior Design: Hoek Design Naval Architects

Semi-Displacement & Planing Two Deck Motor Yacht

Antheya III

The judges found this a a highly competitive class with all its entrants originating from experienced yards with long experience in building yachts of this size and specification. After projecting the images and hearing from those judges who had personal experience of the entrants, there was a long discussion during which the merits of each yacht were debated before the secret ballot decided the winner.

As was expected the result was close, but it was Antheya III, a newly designed 35-metre semi-custom yacht from UK builder Princess, that filled the top spot. This vessel, developed in conjunction with her owner, had attracted high scores for every judging criteria. The judges particularly admired her exterior design, which incorporated a variety of functional areas in which to relax and dine, as well as her contemporary yet ageless interior. Additionally, the judges found a high quality of construction and excellent technical, service and crew areas. A well balanced yacht indeed.

Length: 35.2m

Builder:  Princess Yachts International

Naval Architect: Olesinski

Exterior Design: Olesinski/Princess Design Studio

Interior Design: Princess Design Studio

Semi-Displacement & Three Deck Motor Yacht 30m - 40.9m

Divine

Modern lines, bright and tranquil interior spaces, and modest, semi-displacement performance attracted the judges attention to the 40.1-metre all-aluminium Palumbo Divine, and when combined with the optimised seakeeping and fuel economy derived from a diesel-electric propulsion package, this yacht proved to be a winner.

Among many design features admired by the judges were the fold-down bulwarks that form lovely side balconies – their glazed elements providing increased visibility from the interior when folded – these are positioned opposite floor-to-ceiling sliding doors in order to unite the saloon with the world outside. On a technical level, the yacht’s hybrid propulsion, which provides for excellent fuel economy, also allows the yacht to cruise extremely quietly at eight knots, running on fixed-RPM generators with low emissions.

During navigation under the main engines the same electric motor is used as a generator, allowing the gensets to be turned off.

Length: 40.1m

Builder: Palumbo Group

Naval Architect: Palumbo Group/Hydrotec

Exterior Design: Palumbo Group/Hydrotec

Interior Design: Palumbo Group/Hot Lab Studio

Semi-Displacement & Three Deck Motor Yacht of 41m and Above

Serenity

Having reviewed all the yachts in this class in some detail, the judges selected the 42.3-metre Mondomarine Serenity, with exterior design by Luca Vallebona and SFL Design, as the winner.

Well-built, and displaying modern yet extremely harmonious exterior lines that perfectly match her interior, the judges considered this to be a well-balanced motor yacht whose interior layout offers the owner the privacy that he requested in his brief. In order to achieve this, the designers created an unusual general arrangement that assigns both the interior and exterior areas of the complete upper deck for the owner’s use, linking this to the forward part of the main deck where the owner’s bathroom is located.

Despite the relatively modest size of the yacht, guests enjoy four spacious cabins on the lower deck and a main-deck lounge with wide openings to balconies on either side. The crew are provided with generous accommodations on the lower deck as well as a crew mess on the main deck, which is adjacent to the galley.

Length: 42.3m

Builder:  Mondomarine

Naval Architect: Mondomarine

Exterior Design: Luca Vallebona/SFL Design

Interior Design: Fatema Almaidan/SFL Design

Displacement Motor Yachts Below 500GT of 30m to 41.99m

Solis

The judges were immediately drawn to the Mulder 34-metre motor yacht Solis by her attractive and original exterior lines, while excellent reports from the judges that had visited her concerning her quality of build and other aspects that cannot be determined by text and photographs reinforced this interest.

Delving deeper, they discovered the vessel’s transatlantic range, state-of-the-art facilities and the very pleasing level of interior brightness and exterior visibility provided by her large use of glass, much of which has the ability to be opened. This, the judges felt, is a true ‘pocket’ superyacht built on a human scale that not only satisfies the demanding aesthetic requirements of her owners, who tend to shy away from ostentation, but also provide a high level of comfort and convenience.

The judges were so impressed by this yacht that the decision to award her the Neptune for this class was almost unanimous. Solis, the largest Mulder launched to date, was deemed a very worthy winner.

Length: 34m

Builder:  Mulder Shipyard

Naval Architect: Van Oossanen Naval Architecture

Exterior Design:  Claydon Reeves

Interior Design: Claydon Reeves

Displacement Motor Yachts 1,300GT to 2,999GT

Savannah

This class contained six exceptional yachts that were readily comparable by the judges, but it was clear from the very outset of the judges’ deliberations that one stood out above the crowd. This yacht was Savannah, an 83.5-metre motor yacht built by Feadship, which excelled in so many different areas that her selection as winner was almost unanimous – itself a rarity in a jury comprised of yacht owners with differing tastes and values. Firstly, it was the elegance and harmony of her exterior lines that thrilled the judges, but they soon agreed that her hybrid diesel-electric drive system – which is claimed to offer fuel savings of up to 30 per cent – could be a glimpse into the future of yacht propulsion.

Additionally, the layout of her exterior and interior areas – including the open aft deck and wow-worthy underwater lounge – and the manner in which these areas are intelligently united with each other, together with the detailing and finish of her decorative items, were considered a triumph.

Length: 83.5m

Builder: Feadship

Naval Architect: Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects

Exterior Design: CG Design/Feadship De Voogt Naval

Interior Design: CG Design

Quality and Value Award

Nashwan

Presented to a nominated yacht in any class, the Quality and Value Award recognises a yacht which, in the judges opinion, represents particularly high quality, while avoiding any undue escalation in high cost. Fittingly, the yachts entering for consideration in this award category must declare their cost. This year, the award was presented to Nashwan, a 37.3-metre Majesty 122 motor yacht built by Gulf Craft in the UAE.

Over the last few years, the quality of the yachts emerging from this builder have greatly increased, and this was certainly reflected in Nashwan. Not only is this yacht built to a high standard in all areas, but it displayed a spacious layout that includes a tender garage and a commodious crew area, as well as good on-board facilities for the owner and his guests. In the judges opinion, this yacht is well suited to entry-level Mediterranean and Gulf cruising. In terms of winning this particular prize, she represents extremely good value in respect of her $9.5-million price tag.

Length: 37.3m

Builder:  Gulf Craft

Naval Architect: Gulf Craft

Exterior Design: Gulf Craft Design Studios

Interior Design: Gulf Craft Design Studio

Legacy Award

Jim Clark

Words by Alice Huisman, Royal Huisman

We have been privileged to know Jim Clark as a client and a valued friend for over twenty years.

Jim’s intellect, ambition and energy enabled him to overcome serious challenges early in life to earn a master’s Degree in Physics and a PhD in Computer Science. His scientific rigour and entrepreneurial talent led to globally successful businesses, such as Silicon Graphics (the world leader in visual effects and 3-D imaging) and Netscape.

Jim Clark entrusted our yard with the build of three custom superyachts: the 47m sloop Hyperion, the 90-metre three-masted schooner Athena and the 42-metre Super-J Class Hanuman. Each project was bold, individual, and exceptional; each charged with the same intensity of drive for innovation and challenge.

Hyperion demanded the most sophisticated alarm monitoring, control and navigation systems the industry had ever seen. We were fortunate that our client not only knew what he wanted, but how to write the software! The superyacht industry has benefited ever since.

Athena was the yacht that just kept on growing. As it approached 90 metres, my father realised his building hall could be extended no further and even suggested Jim might take the build elsewhere. But Jim had only one builder in mind and his ability to motivate and encourage came to the fore. Athena became the proudest launch of my father’s career.

The Super-J Hanuman appears more straightforward. But Jim’s intellectual curiosity and quest for perfection ensured there was no shortage of constructive challenge. The rig was a particular focus, with five specialist organisations cooperating to achieve regatta success with the most powerful, aerodynamic and fine-tuneable sailplan possible.

And we cannot ignore Comanche. The Sydney-Hobart line honours winner and world’s most advanced 100-foot racing machine is yet another example of how Jim Clark never does anything by halves.

Neither can we ignore Jim’s philanthropy. He has made substantial donations to the academic world as well as to marine conservation. His long-term support for the Oceanic Preservation Society has included making Athena freely available to its scientists and campaigners. He is also a major funder of director Louie Psihoyos’ award-winning eco thrillers The Cove and Racing Extinction. Jim’s boldness and love of innovation, his challenge and motivation mean that every yacht he has created has been a masterpiece of its genre. His impact on our entire industry – inspirationally as well as technologically – is without equal.

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