Revealed: The 24 winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2016

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

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

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

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

It is unusual for World Superyacht Award judges to give a specific Commendation prizes for interior design as, being created to the specific taste of her owner, this aspect of a yacht does not contribute to the overall marks awarded by individual judges.

In the case of Rüya, however, the judges were so enthusiastic about the interior design created by Sam Sorgiovanni, which combines the rich tones of the Australian Outback and other uniquely Australian textures, that they unanimously decided to break with tradition and award a Judges’ Special Commendation. In particular, the judges were impressed with the modern, highly sophisticated atmosphere that was created by the use of architecturally clean lines together with the harmonius colours, textures and timbers that are found throughout, which thoroughly complement the yacht’s open and bright atmosphere.

Length: 41.3m

Builder:  Alia Yachts

Naval Architect: Van Oossanen Naval Architects

Exterior Design: Sorgiovanni Designs

Interior Design: Sorgiovanni Designs

Many modern yachts are labelled as ‘explorers’ merely on the basis of their commercial appearance and the stowage position of their tenders, but few actually fulfil all the necessities of a true explorer, especially exceptional seaworthiness, long range and lengthy autonomy.

The judges felt that the new steel-hulled Sanlorenzo 460Exp Moka was an exception to this general rule, combining all these functions with high internal volume and a layout that provides excellent comfort for owner and guests, while reducing environmental impact sufficiently to receive RINA’s Green Plus Gold designation.

On top of this, Sanlorenzo have created a purposeful and attractive yacht, ideally suited to her owner’s long-range cruising plans, with good safety features as well as the ability to carry a wide range of watercraft and provide impressive lifestyle amenities, such as a swimming pool with current generator.

Length: 42.2m

Builder:  Sanlorenzo

Naval Architect: Sanlorenzo

Exterior Design:  Francesco Paszkowski Design

Interior Design: Sanlorenzo

With every yacht in this class having received top marks from at least one judge, it was a tough job to choose exactly which of the worthy entries should receive the Neptune. While it was recognised that each of the yachts displayed some extremely good attributes, the secret ballot resulted in a win for 11.11 – its unusual name derived from the date of birth of the owner’s child.

At its heart, 11.11 is very much intended as a family yacht. Despite being near completion when purchased, the owner was able to put his distinct stamp on this vessel thanks to the cooperation and flexibility of the yacht’s builder, Benetti. The eight judges who had viewed the yacht felt that 11.11 was the best product ever to come from this yard. This high opinion helped sway opinion and was a deciding factor in choosing this as the winner, along with her elegant and modern lines, excellent machinery spaces, high level of amenities for her owner and his guests, excellent crew and service areas, and glamorous, Art Deco-inspired interior.

Length: 63m

Builder:  Benetti

Naval Architect: Benetti

Exterior Design: Benetti

Interior Design:  Owners' private design team

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

This class, which contains the largest of the yachts entered for the World Superyacht Awards, saw just two yachts qualifying as finalists. Both, however, were so extraordinary that the judges initially anticipated that choosing a winner might be difficult. But as each aspect of the two contestants was scrutinised in greater detail, it became clear that the Feadship-built Symphony had edged into the lead. Not only did the judges consider this 101.5-metre motor yacht to have stunningly beautiful exterior lines, but they also admired the division of her interior spaces and the incredible quality and attention to detail that had been invested in all areas.

The builder had also successfully addressed many challenging technical issues that had arisen from both the requirements of her owner, as well as from the new PYC code to which the yacht is built. This yacht is a remarkable story of design, craftsmanship and technological innovation that has been cleverly combined to totally satisfy the owner’s requirements.

Length: 101.5m

Builder: Feadship

Naval Architect: Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects

Exterior Design:  Tim Heywood

Interior Design:  Francois Zuretti/ Peter Marino

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