Feadship won four prestigious prizes at the 2022 BOAT International World Superyacht Awards (WSA) on Saturday 21 May. This year the ceremony took place in London. The gala ceremony to announce the winners of the 2022 Neptune trophies was held in front of a live audience at the historical Guildhall and completely sold out. As always, the winners were decided upon solely by a panel of superyacht owners, making the prizes even more appreciated by their industry peers.
Viva
Viva took home the Motoryacht of the Year award. “Such all round excellence”, the judges felt, “was largely due to the detailed consideration given to every aspect of the vessel. The owner’s knowledge and complete involvement with specifications also paid dividends. As a result, this yacht has it all, from an attractive exterior design with superb deck spaces to an enviable beach club and a modern interior by Peter Marino that connects with the outside through huge windows, plus a general arrangement plan entirely suited to the needs of the owner, guests and crew. Viva also lacks nothing on the technical and operational side”. The judges were equally impressed by “her sustainably minded power and propulsion system, optimal technical areas, a practical tender garage, excellent living and working facilities for her crew, and a superlative quality”.
Viva is also the winner of the Displacement Motoryachts between 2,000GT and above category.
Somnium
The next prize for Feadship was in the Displacement Motoryachts between 500GT and 999GT category in which the 55.20-meter Somnium was revealed as the winner. The judges noted that “Somnium is a full custom yacht built for an exacting owner who made bi-weekly visits to the shipyard throughout the design and build process”.
Vanish
Another coveted award came in the Displacement Motoryachts between 1,500GT and 1,999GT category. Vanish scored “particularly highly for her appearance and interior layout” which are from the drawing boards of Harrison Eidsgaard Design. The judges also were impressed by “the extremely high quality of build seen throughout the yacht”. Overall, the jury felt, Vanish “is not a revolutionary yacht, but one that completely fulfills her owner’s requirements, offers delightful interior and exterior spaces, and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever she goes”.
Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship Director / CEO Royal Van Lent Shipyard, who attended the ceremony, said that “receiving four awards including Motoryacht of the Year is another great recognition for the passion of our Feadship craftsmen and the teamwork of all parties involved. We would like to thank the owners of Viva, Somnium and Vanish, who made this possible.”
Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.
Credits: Feadship
Columbus Yachts has launched its new 42-meter Crossover model, M/Y Big Naan, at its Savona shipyard in Italy. The steel-hulled explorer with aluminum superstructure was built for an American owner, with construction supervised by owner's representative Trevor van Wyk and brokerage handled by Zarpo Yachts.Designed by Hydro Tec with interiors by Hot Lab, the Crossover 42 features explorer-style exterior lines with a bulbous bow and distinctive angular superstructure. The yacht accommodates 11 guests across four lower deck cabins and a full-beam master suite on the main deck featuring a central bed, walk-in wardrobe, office area and bathroom with separate shower compartment. Crew quarters provide for nine staff members.The aft deck combines leisure and functional spaces with a 17-square-meter swimming pool and tender storage served by a built-in crane. A beach club on the lower deck incorporates a hydraulic door and receives natural light through side windows and a glass-bottom pool. The yacht is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines delivering a maximum speed of 14 knots and transatlantic range exceeding 5,500 nautical miles at 10 knots.Columbus Yachts currently has four additional vessels under construction at Savona, including a Crossover 47 scheduled for 2027 delivery and two ISA Gran Turismo 45 Alloy hulls that will be completed at the company's Ancona facility. The shipyard did not disclose the build time or price for Big Naan, which will undergo sea trials before delivery to its owner.The Crossover 42 model represents Columbus Yachts' approach to compact explorer vessels, combining long-range capabilities with leisure amenities typically found on larger superyachts. The launch follows the 2023 delivery of the first Crossover 42, M/Y Dragon, and expands the Palumbo Group subsidiary's portfolio of explorer-style vessels.Technical features include two watermakers producing 8.6 cubic meters daily, 60 cubic meters of fuel capacity, and dual stabilizer systems for both underway and at-anchor use. The yacht's interior design emphasizes natural materials and functional spaces suited for extended cruising.Columbus Yachts was established in 2008. In early 2019, the shipyard launched the new flagship Columbus Classic 80m M/Y Dragon, which joins in the Columbus star-studded fleet with the award-winning Sport Hybrid 40 Divine, the 57m M/Y Taiba and the 40m M/Y Eleonora III. The Columbus range offers four different lines: Sport, Classic, Crossover and Custom for unique projects. Currently, Palumbo Superyachts comprises a representative office in Monaco and a logistics network of five shipyards in the Mediterranean (Ancona, Malta, Marseille, Naples and Savona), operating under just as many world-renowned brand names: ISA Yachts, Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine, Extra Yachts and Palumbo SY Refit.Credits: Columbus Yachts
May 22, 2025
Italian boatbuilder Capoforte has unveiled a special "Summer Edition" of its CX240 day cruiser, available as a limited production run until August 2025. The 7.5-meter model features a monochromatic white exterior with cognac-colored upholstery accents and a sunset gold-finished console, powered by a matching white Yamaha F200XCA2 200hp outboard engine.The design draws inspiration from Mediterranean coastal architecture, with Valentina Procopio, Head of Marketing at Capoforte, explaining: "The white palette reflects traditional lime-washed buildings while offering practical cooling benefits through sunlight reflection." Below deck, the cabin accommodates a double berth that maximizes the vessel's 2.5-meter beam, with optional toilet compartment availability. Natural light floods the interior through elongated side windows enhancing the connection to the marine environment.Functional elements include a convertible helm seat that extends the aft dinette and a retractable canopy providing sun protection across the cockpit area. The helm station maintains vertical positioning for improved ergonomics while operating.Priced comparably to standard CX240 models (base price €85,000), the Summer Edition targets both novice and experienced boaters for coastal day cruising. Capoforte will continue offering its standard color options - including Ulisse Blue and Sepia Black - alongside this temporary variant.The Antwerp-based builder specializes in sub-8-meter day boats with Mediterranean styling cues. The company has not disclosed production numbers for the limited edition, maintaining its policy of small-batch manufacturing. The CX240 platform remains one of Capoforte's most popular models, recognized for combining compact dimensions with cabin amenities uncommon in its size class.Sea trials conducted in Mediterranean conditions confirmed the Summer Edition maintains the standard model's seakeeping capabilities, including performance in choppy conditions. Delivery timelines remain consistent at 8-10 weeks from order confirmation.The limited edition will be displayed at select European boat shows throughout summer 2025, beginning with the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, where Capoforte plans to showcase both Summer and standard edition CX240s side-by-side.Capoforte has twenty years of experience in boatbuilding. Over one hundred people work at the building site of Roccelletta di Borgia, close to Catanzaro. The yards extend to a production area of 19,500 sq. m, of which 9,500 covered. Credits: Capoforte
May 22, 2025
Damen Yachting has commenced sea trials for its latest 53-meter Yacht Support vessel at its Antalya facility, following the yacht's launch last month. The trials mark the final phase before the vessel's scheduled completion in summer 2025.This represents the third unit of the YS53 model, following the 2024 deliveries of Bad Company Support 175 and Five Oceans. The YS53 series targets owners requiring multifunctional support vessels, featuring an axe bow design for improved seakeeping and high bow construction for deck protection.Project Manager Pim Oostra stated: "We are delighted this YS53 has started sea trials, an important step toward summer completion." The Antalya shipyard continues work on final outfitting during the testing period.Damen Yachting has delivered over 20 support vessels across its Yacht Support range. The YS53's design emphasizes operational reliability, with an aft deck configured for various tender and equipment deployments. No client details or delivery destination were disclosed for this third hull.The vessel's technical specifications remain consistent with previous YS53 models, though Damen hasn't confirmed whether this unit includes custom modifications. The sea trials will evaluate performance parameters ahead of the scheduled summer handover.Damen Yachting, a division within the Damen Shipyards Group, was created in 2019. The division combines the pedigree and heritage of Amels yachts with a growing portfolio of SeaXplorer yachts and Yacht Support vessels.Credits: Damen Yachting
May 21, 2025
Vripack has completed the interior concept for Burger Boat Company's new 55-meter superyacht, drawing on their 25-year collaboration with the Wisconsin shipbuilder. The design emphasizes natural materials, functional storage solutions, and adaptable lighting schemes for the custom-built vessel.The interior scheme features American walnut flooring and ceilings throughout, complemented by Calacatta Gold and Dark Emperador marble in guest bathrooms. Vripack prioritized maintaining sightlines through large picture windows while incorporating discreet storage units, particularly in the main salon. "Floor-to-ceiling windows are important, but shouldn't sacrifice functionality," said Vripack co-creative director Bart Bouwhuis.Lighting design forms a key element, with layered illumination including sconces, mini spots, and underlighting to transition from daytime to evening ambiance. The owner's stateroom employs a lighter color palette with customizable artwork displays, while guest areas feature Poltrona Frau furniture including Archibald armchairs.Storage solutions were expanded across all decks, addressing a common owner priority. The design maintains what Bouwhuis describes as "an easy-going foundation" with textured fabrics by Dedar and high-gloss finishes adding visual richness. Loose furniture selections include a Poliform Westside coffee table in the main saloon.The project continues Vripack's longstanding partnership with Burger, having previously collaborated on yachts including the mahogany-clad Ingot and the Slide Hull-equipped Burger 50 Cruiser. No delivery date was specified for the 180' model, which represents Burger's contemporary approach to custom yacht building.Vripack's design targets what Bouwhuis identifies as the typical Burger owner's priorities: "A vessel that's practical, comfortable, and tailored to their specific desires." The studio balanced aesthetic considerations with maintenance requirements and durability for extended cruising use.The Burger 180' interior marks another American-European collaboration for the Dutch designers, who have increasingly focused on storage optimization and transitional lighting schemes in recent superyacht projects. The yacht's technical specifications and propulsion details remain undisclosed at this stage of construction.Vripack is a yacht-design studio with a portfolio that represents over 7400 designs, made strong through its extensive naval architecture and engineering experience. From the moment they opened their doors in 1961, Vripack studio’s approach to design has been governed by the playful interaction between form and function.Credits: Vripack
May 21, 2025
Electric yacht builder Sialia Yachts has named Marco Plicchi as its new Chief Operating Officer. The appointment strengthens the company's leadership team as it prepares to launch its fully electric Sialia 45 model in June 2025.Sialia 45Plicchi brings 25 years of marine industry experience to the Polish shipyard, having previously held senior operations roles at several luxury yacht manufacturers. As COO, he will oversee production processes, new product development, and quality control across Sialia's range of 13-30 meter electric yachts.Marco PlicchiThe naval architect's immediate focus will be operational efficiency improvements as Sialia completes its 45-foot flagship model. The Sialia 45 claims class-leading range and a 43-knot top speed ahead of its scheduled debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2025.Sialia 57 Deep SilencePlicchi's technical background includes implementing production systems, managing sea trials, and developing after-sales service programs. His appointment follows Sialia's expansion under parent company Silent Straits Group, though no organizational changes were announced beyond the COO position.Sialia 45The shipyard continues developing its zero-emission yacht portfolio, targeting the growing market for electric propulsion in the 40-100 foot segment. No production volume targets or new model announcements were disclosed alongside the executive appointment. Plicchi will assume operational responsibility immediately as Sialia prepares for its Cannes showcase.Credits: Sialia Yachts
May 21, 2025