Boat International Media in association with Oyster Yachts will hold the 14th annual edition of The World Superyacht Awards 16 - 18 May 2019 in London. The awards are aimed to recognise remarkable design, engineering and construction innovations of the world’s finest luxury yachts.
This year’s ceremony will take place in the heart of the City, in Old Billingsgate, returning to London after several other venues, such as Venice, Amsterdam and most recently Florence.
The three day programme includes golf day at the exclusive St. George’s Hill Club and clay shooting at West Wycombe House, along with a journey aboard the Belmond British Pullman train prior to the opening party at Kensington Palace.
This year’s nominees list enhances some of the most stunning superyachts, as usual divided into categories. The categories formed by experts of the industry include displacement (comfort) motor yachts, semi-displacement, and planing (speed) motor yachts and sailing yachts. Three categories are reserved for yachts that have been given major refits, have been completely rebuilt or converted and that were finished within the last year.
Yacht Harbour chooses the vessels not to miss out from the nominees lists in the most interesting categories.
BEST SAILING YACHT
Builder: Oceanco
Length: 106m
Year: 2017
Launched in 2016, this already iconic vessel holds the title of the largest sailing yacht in the world. Inspired by Perini Navi's 88-metre Maltese Falcon, Black Pearl features similar to Maltese Falcon structure with three rotating masts, while the yacht is capable of crossing the Atlantic burning just 20 liters of fuel thanks to alternative power sources.
The Black Pearl’s striking exterior was designed by Nuvolari Lenard and Ken Freivokh, while her praised naval architecture was developed by Dyksra Architects, who had also previously worked on Maltese Falcon.
A combination of smart and elegant high-tech design and modernised state-of-the-art DynaRig sailing system makes the Black Pearl a unique vessel. Her hull outline is trademarked with an exclusive wave-piercing bow featuring not only graceful appearance, but also fuel efficiency.
Another key element of Black Pearl's development was her solar sails, which can actually produce energy whilst the yacht is underway thanks to solar panels built within the fabric of the sail.
Other nominees: All About U, Global Impact Yachting/Ada Yacht Works (49.9m), Aquarius, Royal Huisman (56m), Kiboko Tres, Southern Wind Shipyard (32.3m), Meira, Neta Marine (50m), Vijonara, Pendennis (42.2m)
SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS 40M AND ABOVE
Builder: Rossinavi
Length: 63m
Year: 2018
The yacht owned by Loren and J.R. Ridinger according to Forbes, was commissioned in November 2014 and launched in 2018. Utopia IV is fitted with four light Rolls Royce engines as well as four hydro jets, optimised for comfort and style.
The yacht with exterior design by Team For Design, balancing between elegance and attitude, is presumed as the compromise between a tri-deck motor yacht and a speed boat. She can reach a top speed of 28 knots and an cruising speed of 15 knots. She can easily reach a cruising speed of 18 knots using only 35% of propulsion power.
With the yacht’s capacity to sleep 12 guests within six spacious cabins, the forward facing owner’s suite features a six-metre fixed balcony and floor to ceiling glass windows for a 180-degree panoramic view.
The vessel’s key trademarks include Key features do include 70 square metre beach club, 3 spa pools and a touch-and-go helipad. Her naval architecture is by the Italian studio Arrabito Naval Architects. Gobbi's studio also designed the interior, which includes rich wood panelling to divide the main-deck saloon from the dining area.
Year: 2018
Photo : Dick Holthuis
The 51-metre full-custom motor yacht Irisha was delivered by Heesen in May 2018. Irisha features exterior lines with a gunmetal blue hull and contemporary curved glass windows, and interiors by Harrison Eidsgaard.
The unique colour scheme enriches the beauty of the profile. The top is Snow White, the main deck is Midnight Blue by Awlgrip, and the hull is metallic Pacific Blue custom paint by Alexseal. In sunlight, the hull colour changes from metallic blue to dark olive-green hues.
Spacious and bright, Irisha’s interior enjoys lots of natural light and has a versatile layout with a seamless flow between the interior and exterior living space, ideal for socialising and entertaining. The yacht offers accommodation to up to 10 guests within 5 beautifully-appointed staterooms.
Powered by two MTU 16V 4000 M93L diesel engines, Irisha achieves a top speed of 26 knots, with a transatlantic range of over 3,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 11 knots.
Other nominees: Flying Dagger, Rossinavi (49m), Elysium, Sunseeker International (40.1m), El Leon, Overmarine (54m), C'est La Vie, Gulf Craft (43.1m).
DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS BETWEEN 300 GT AND 499 GT - 48M AND ABOVE
# Cecilia
Builder: Wider
Length: 49.6m
Year: 2018
At a sleek 50-metre LOA and just under 500GT, the elegant all aluminum superyacht has an elongated profile. Designed to accommodate the owner’s long wish list of toys, both inside and out, the Wider 165 satisfies the desires of the most adventurous.
Constructed entirely in aluminum, the elegant profile of the Wider 165 was created by the in-house Wider design team in collaboration with Italian yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni.
The interior layout, designed by IdeaeItalia in conjunction with the owner’s architect, is packed with more stand out features including a generous study with terrace on the port side, private gym with terrace on the starboard side, a sauna room as well as a spacious and light owner’s cabin and ensuite bathroom.
On the foredeck, the helicopter-landing pad, unique to the Wider 165, and circular seating areas set into the superstructure, forward of a large Jacuzzi tub, offer a versatile space that will double as generous dance floor for fun evenings afloat.
Cecilia is set to boast a range of 3,100 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12.5 knots, increasing to 5,400 nm at the ecological speed of 10 knots. The yacht’s maximum speed meanwhile makes 14.1 knots.
Other nominees: KD, Sanlorenzo (52m), Latona, CRN (50m), Power Play, Damen (55.5m), Seven, Benetti (49.8m).
DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS ABOVE 500 GT AND UNDER 2,000 GT
Year: 2018
The yacht was launched in August 2018, making her international debut at the Monaco Yacht Show.
Designed by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini, Solo’s interiors represent blend of contemporary and timeless air. Her spacious main and upper salons provide relaxation zones with large plush seating areas, along with a dazzling baby grand piano and numerous entertainment options.
The yacht’s six staterooms can accommodate up to 12 guests, including a spacious VIP, two doubles and two twins. The master suite is fitted with a private terrace complete with sunpads and a Jacuzzi with panoramic views.
On the skylounge aft, there is a swimming pool and a private dance floor, which easily converts to a touch-and-go helipad.
Solo’s beach club, meanwhile, represents a spacious and welcoming space with sofa, bar, TV, oversized glass walled gym with fold-out terrace, bathroom, sauna (also fitted with its own fold-out terrace) and hammam.
Other nominees: Volpini 2, Amels (57.7m), Promise, Feadship (51m), Spectre, Bennetti (69.3m).
DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS ABOVE 2,000 GT
# O'Ptasia
Builder: Golden Yachts
Length: 84.7m
Year: 2018
The 85-metre superyacht O’Ptasia was launched in 2018 by Greek yard Golden Yachts, joining the list of the top 200 largest superyachts in the world. Her exteriors and interiors were developed by Italian Studio Vafladis.
O’Ptasia can accommodate up to 12 guests in 11 cabins - 3 twin and 8 double cabins, including a 95-square-metre owner’s suite on the upper deck and 85-squaremetre VIP suite with a private cinema room. The service is provided by the crew of 26.
Other key features on board O’Ptasia include a large beach club complete with wellness and spa centre, an elevator servicing all decks, and a fully equipped gym on the bridge deck. The central superyacht elevator provides quick access between all four decks, while the foredeck helipad allows guests to arrive in style.
Other nominees: White Rabbit, Echo Yachts (84m), Planet Nine, Admiral - The Italian Sea Group (73.2m), GO, Turquoise Yachts (76.8m), Elandess, Abeking & Rasmussen (74.5m), DAR, Oceanco (90m).
REBUILT/REFIT/CONVERSION YACHTS
# Dream
Builder: Halic Shipyard
Length: 106.5m
Year: 1997
Refit Yard: Olympic Yacht Services
Fully rebuilt, this former passenger ferry now represents a brand new six-deck superyacht. There are two elevators and four staircases for guests only; a 2,800 sf master cabin, a 400-square-metre main saloon, a cinema and 22 guest cabins (up to 36 guests); massive crew and service areas and six pantries. The spacious entertainment decks include a sundeck with swimming pool, a huge bar, and oversized beach club. On the fifth deck adjoining the owner's suite, there a luxurious dining area for 44 guests.
The yacht cruises at 15 knots and reaches a top speed of 17 knots.
Other nominees: Haida 1929, Krupp Germaniawerft (71.1m), Dancing Hare, Amels (57.5m), Thalia, Vitters (48.5m), Forever, Benetti (44.8m), G2, Vitters (39m), A2, Eurocraft (37.6m), Vespucci, CRN (30.5m).
Project Tanzanite, a 120-meter Amels Full Custom superyacht, has reached the next stage of construction following her launch at the Damen Yachting facilities in Vlissingen. At 6,083 GT, she is the largest new build completed by Amels to date.The yacht first entered the Netherlands in June 2023, arriving from Damen Yachting’s hull building facility in Galati, Romania, where the hull had been constructed. Since then, she has been prepared for outfitting at the shipyard’s facilities in Vlissingen City. In the weeks leading up to the launch, Project Tanzanite was floated inside the dock before moving into open water.With the yacht now in Vlissingen for the final phase of work, more than 1,000 people, including Damen Yachting teams and members of the international superyacht supply chain, will contribute their expertise over the next year. Completion is scheduled for 2026.Project Tanzanite is a one-off Amels Full Custom design. The exterior is by Espen Øino, while details about the interior remain undisclosed. Damen Yachting provided the naval architecture for the project.Key figures for the yacht include a length of 120 meters (394 feet) and a gross tonnage of 6,083.Credits: Amels
September 5, 2025
Ferretti Group will present six world premieres at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025, held September 9–14, alongside a fleet of 25 yachts. The debuts include models from Ferretti Yachts, Itama, and Riva: the Ferretti Yachts 800, Itama 54, Riva Aquariva Special, Riva Cento, Riva 58’ Capri, and Riva 112’ Dolcevita Super. These will be joined by the Ferretti Yachts 940 and Pershing GTX70, introduced earlier this year in Venice. Wally will also be present with the wallywind110 in the sailing section at Port Canto.The Ferretti Yachts 800, designed with Filippo Salvetti and Ideaeitalia, measures 24.47 meters in length with a beam of 5.91 meters. It offers large windows, an optional salon sliding door, and a 40-square-meter flybridge. Powered by MAN V12 engines, it reaches up to 31 knots.The Itama 54, styled by Tommaso De Luca, features a double-cockpit layout with seating for 10, extended side glazing, and a lower deck with two cabins. Its LOA is 16.44 meters with MAN engine options up to 850 hp.The Riva Aquariva Special updates the long-standing Aquariva line with new navigation lights, redesigned windscreen, and expanded swim platform while maintaining analogue helm instrumentation. It measures 10.07 meters and reaches 41.5 knots.The Riva Cento, marking the 100th Rivamare, introduces new color options, integrated stern handrail, and a convertible interior dinette. With an LOA of 11.88 meters, it is powered by twin Volvo Penta engines.The Riva 58’ Capri is an evolution of the 56’ Rivale with three cabins, a fixed hardtop, and garage options for tenders and water toys. Its length is 17.27 meters with speeds up to 37 knots.The Riva 112’ Dolcevita Super, at 34.37 meters, features fold-out terraces in the stern, redesigned flybridge, and two interior layout options. Twin MTU engines deliver speeds of up to 25.5 knots.Also on display are the Ferretti Yachts 940, a 28.97-meter widebody yacht with five cabins and floor-to-ceiling glazing, and the Pershing GTX70, a 21.76-meter model with expanded exterior areas and a sundeck split into three zones.Ferretti Group’s presence at the show will be accompanied by a range of luxury partners including Range Rover, Flexjet, Dolce & Gabbana, Frette, Venini, and Lavazza, among others.Credits: Ferretti Group
September 5, 2025
Sanlorenzo S.p.A. announced consolidated financial results for the first half of 2025, reporting €454.1 million in net revenues from new yacht sales, representing a 9.4% increase compared to H1 2024. EBITDA reached €80.5 million, an 8.5% year-over-year increase. The company maintained a robust order backlog of €1.44 billion, with 93% of orders already sold to final clients.Chairman and CEO Massimo Perotti stated: "The first half of 2025 reflects the resilience of Sanlorenzo, the strength of our brand, and the timeless desirability of our yachts. Even in a global environment marked by trade tariff uncertainty and broader macroeconomic pressures, we have delivered stability and measured growth."Order intake increased 29.9% to €419.5 million, driven particularly by strong demand for yachts exceeding 30 meters. The net backlog stood at €985.2 million as of June 30, 2025, providing approximately one year of revenue visibility.Regional performance showed Europe accounting for 58.8% of revenues (€267.1 million, +15.4% YoY), Americas contributing 21% (€95.3 million, +38.6% YoY), APAC at 12% (€54.4 million, +5.8% YoY), and MEA representing 8.2% (€37.3 million, -41.3% YoY).Division performance varied: Superyacht Division revenues increased 10.2% to €137.1 million, while Yacht Division declined 6.6% to €225.8 million primarily due to market conditions below 30 meters. Bluegame Division decreased 10.9% to €43.6 million, and Nautor Swan Division contributed €47.5 million since its 2024 acquisition.The company reported net profit of €46.6 million, a 7.0% increase from H1 2024. Net working capital remained positive at €86.6 million, though inventories increased to €186.7 million due to production ramp-up and distribution hub expansion.Sanlorenzo confirmed its 2025 financial guidance, citing strong product pipeline including three new yacht debuts at the Cannes Yachting Festival and the upcoming delivery of the 74Steel model. The company continues to focus on yachts under 2,000 GT where it believes the risk-return profile remains most favorable.Sustainability initiatives progress includes development of bi-fuel green methanol propulsion technology, though the launch timeline for the 50 X-Space project has been adjusted to align with expected infrastructure availability toward the end of the decade.The company maintains its net financial position with €8.3 million net debt as of June 30, 2025, following dividend payments of €34.7 million and €11.1 million share buyback program execution during the period.Sanlorenzo was founded in 1958 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.60 to 73 meters in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
September 5, 2025
Italian marine manufacturers Castoldi and Nauta have developed the Jet Tender 34 Limo, marking Castoldi's first entry into the limousine tender segment. The 10.4-meter vessel will serve as ship-to-shore transportation for a new boutique cruise ship fleet under construction in Italy, with four limousine tenders and two support vessels ordered per vessel.Giacomo Castoldi, CEO of Castoldi, stated: "This project represents a new chapter for Castoldi that expands our offerings to new markets, while maintaining the commitment to innovation, quality, and luxury we are known for." The collaboration utilizes Castoldi's waterjet propulsion technology and semi-serial production capabilities combined with Nauta's design approach.Nauta Director Guido Valtorta noted: "Typically, limousine tenders are custom-made for large yachts, but this project allowed us to merge bespoke luxury with the efficiency of semi-serial production." The design incorporates multiple boarding points, configurable seating arrangements, and ceiling lighting systems aimed at creating spacious interior environments.Technical features include Castoldi's ACES electronic control system and waterjet propulsion designed for commercial vessel applications. The tender achieves cabin cooling within 15 minutes and incorporates noise-reduction systems within rub rails. The platform allows for Open Limo and Support Vessel configurations through modular design principles.The first unit is scheduled for delivery in late 2025, with project presentation planned for the Monaco Yacht Show. The tender measures 10.4 meters in length with limousine-style enclosed cabin accommodation. Production follows semi-serial methods rather than custom one-off construction, representing a new operational approach for Castoldi in this vessel category.The partnership combines Castoldi's marine engineering capabilities with Nauta's yacht design experience, targeting the growing market for luxury tender operations in cruise ship and superyacht sectors. The design emphasizes functional elements including pantry facilities and toilet accommodations within the compact hull form.Credits: Nauta
September 4, 2025
Extra Yachts has launched the X145 Global, a 44-meter explorer yacht designed for long-distance cruising. The steel-hulled vessel features an aluminum superstructure designed by Agon Studio, with interior spaces by Hot Lab.The yacht offers 4,000 nautical mile range with five deck levels and 9.1-meter beam while maintaining under 500 GT volume. The layout places all five guest cabins on the main deck utilizing maximum beam width, with an owner's private terrace on the bridge deck. Crew accommodations include four double cabins with ensuite bathrooms on the lower deck.Technical specifications include dual-mode hull design balancing performance and fuel efficiency. Storage capacity includes an 8.5-meter tender, rescue boat, two jet skis, and additional water toys in the aft garage. The beach club area provides 80 square meters of space with fold-down platforms and day facilities.Interior design incorporates large glazed surfaces, oriental-inspired details, and open-plan layouts emphasizing spatial perception. The upper deck features 360-degree viewing lounge with separated dining and seating areas connected by a central staircase.The X145 Global represents Extra Yachts' expansion into the explorer yacht segment, combining extended range capabilities with contemporary interior aesthetics. The design prioritizes crew operational areas with dedicated mess and laundry facilities alongside professional galley space.The yacht's configuration focuses on long-term autonomous operation with reduced fuel consumption parameters compared to traditional motor yachts of similar dimensions. The explorer market continues to show growth as owners seek vessels capable of extended itineraries with self-sufficient capabilities. Extra Yachts continues production at its Italian facilities, with the X145 Global positioning the brand in the 40-45 meter explorer segment. The company's product range includes both fiberglass and metal-hulled yachts with varying mission profiles from coastal cruising to global expedition capabilities.Extra Yachts specializes in the development of yachts with a strong personality. Its distinctive lines are combined in a variety of motor yacht models ranging from 76' to 130' and a 30-meter motor catamaran. Developed thanks to the advanced technical experience of ISA Yachts, Extra offers customers all the advantages of being part of the Palumbo Superyachts network.Credits: Extra Yachts
September 4, 2025