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World Superyacht Awards: The winning superyachts from the last decade

23 July 2021

Each year, some of the world's most ingenious and well-crafted superyachts are recognised during the World Superyacht Awards. Now in its 16th edition, the judges are gearing up to review some of the selected top-tier superyachts from the last year and will announce who comes out on top during a live event hosted at the Monte-Carlo Sporting in Monaco on 5th September 2021. 

To make the experience even better, some exclusive hotel and ticket deals are available. But in the meantime, let's take a look back at the last 10 years' worth of World Superyacht Awards and which motor and sailing yachts came out top. 

2011

Motor Yachts of the Year: 162.5m Eclipse and 49.91m Exuma

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 49.68m Zefira

Hosted in London, the 2011 World Superyacht Awards saw two superyachts take the award for Motor Yacht of the Year. One of these yachts was Eclipse, who, after a five-year build, left the Blohm+Voss yard in 2010 to formally take her place as the largest superyacht in the world. Also crowned winner, Perini Navi's Exuma stands out for her revolutionary explorer abilities. For the Sailing Yacht of the Year Award, Zefira came first for her build by New Zealand yard Fitzroy Yachts delivered in 2010.


2012

​​Motor Yacht of the Year: 77.7m Tango 

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 67.2m Vertigo 

In 2012, judges of the World Superyacht Awards gathered with guests for a gala dinner in Istanbul to celebrate the winners. Feadship's Tango was hailed leader of the motor yacht category as a result of the successful collaboration of designer Harrison Eidsgaard, Feadship and Edmiston. Built by Alloy Yachts, Vertigo won Sailing Yacht of the Year. Her builders said on the night: “After years of discussions, designs, meetings, engineering and building – the yacht that at Alloy Yachts, we knew had pushed us, challenged us and in the end satisfied us with an unbelievable sense of accomplishment, has been recognised by a global panel of superyacht owners and industry experts for an acknowledgement we knew she deserved.”


2013

​​Motor Yacht of the Year: 47m Loretta Anne

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 37.3m Pumula 

In Istanbul at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, the 2013 World Superyacht Awards judges crowned Loretta Anne as the year's motor yacht winner. Custom built for an experienced, second-time client of Alloy Yachts, Loretta Anne was designed by Dubois Naval Architects as an attractively low and sleek yacht. Pumula won Sailing Yacht of the Year and was recognised for her modern classic design built to the highest standards by Royal Huisman that reflect the beauty of a bygone age.


2014

Motor Yacht of the Year: 99m Madame Gu 

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 32.64m Inukshuk

For the Sailing Yacht of the Year class, three cruiser/racers and three pure cruising yachts were put to the test, but when the votes were counted, Inukshuk built by Baltic Yachts to a design by German Frers with an interior by Adam Lay Studio, topped the tables. The judges particularly admired her low profile deck house, uncluttered decks and state-of-the-art rig and sailing systems. Madame Gu was up against three other yachts, but stood out for her build by Feadship-De Vries with styling and interior design from Winch Design. The judges considered the technological sophistication together with the high-quality construction of her structure, machinery spaces, and interior made her a worthy winner.


2015

Motor Yacht of the Year: 73m Nautilus (ex: Grace E)

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 34.04m WinWin

In Amsterdam for the 2015 ceremony, Nautilus was the favourite to win Motor Yacht of the Year. As a superyacht with an ultimate sun deck spa, Nautilus handily won the prize and was joined by WinWin who was crowned Sailing Yacht of the Year despite stiff competition. The cruiser/racer seduced the judges thanks to Baltic Yachts' balance of performance, style and comfort.


2016

Motor Yacht of the Year: 83.5m Savannah

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 46m Unfurled

Hosted by Inés Sastre in Florence, Italy, the 2016 World Superyacht Awards saw Feadship superyacht Savannah named Motor Yacht of the Year after the judges were dazzled by her quality of design and construction that showcases a level of craftsmanship many yachts aspire to. Her propulsion system, which is the first of its type, also impressed. Sailing Yacht of the Year was a tough decision, but the technical innovation of Vitters’ Unfurled that nudged her to victory. The custom-designed retractable propeller pods of Frers-designed Unfurled were applauded by the judges, as was the Vitters-designed power steering system.


2017

Motor Yacht of the Year: 156m Dilbar

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 70m Badis (ex: Sybaris)

In Florence, the awards ceremony saw the judges undertake the difficult task of comparing diverse yachts for the Motor Yacht of the Year award. The judges said they seeking the ‘very best of the best’. As such, it was clear that Dilbar had to take the title. The choice of Sailing Yacht of the Year, however, was between two very different yachts, but Badis, an ultra-large yacht designed to cruise the extremities of the world in comfort, took first place. 


2018

Motor Yacht of the Year: 96.55m Faith

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 53.9m Pink Gin

Announced at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence in May 2018, Faith took the prize for her innovative features such as the three-metre-high skylight dome in the master stateroom, and wood-burning pizza oven on the top deck. Whereas Pink Gin won due to the judge's opinion of how she incorporates highly advanced design and technology to perfectly suit her owner.


2019

Motor Yacht of the Year: 90m DAR

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 106.7m Black Pearl

In London, the 2019 World Superyacht Awards judges announced DAR as the winner for her attractive profile and excellent deck spaces, good crew areas, technical features and efficient build time achieved by Oceanco. Another Oceanco yacht, Black Pearl, took home Sailing Yacht of the Year after being recognised for her influential technological advances and her capacity to provide all the space, facilities and luxury of a modern motor yacht.


2020

Motor Yacht of the Year: 77.25m Pi

Sailing Yacht of the Year: 43.3m Canova

Announced during a virtual event, the judges admired motor yacht Pi's harmonious exterior lines, sophisticated Zen-like interior, floor-to-ceiling glazing on the main deck and large lower deck portlights, and therefore crowner her the winner of Motor Yacht of the Year. Canova was a clear winner for her category for her groundbreaking DSS and environmental technology. Her leading design includes a practical interior and smart sailing and navigational functions.


Tickets for this year's World Superyacht Awards are now available. To find out what to expect from the 2021 event, click here.

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