Revealed: The 24 winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2016

The runner-up in the secret ballot for this class had been designed and built to quite different parameters than the winner, and the judges felt strongly that it was necessary to acknowledge the design achievement that led to her stunning appearance and excellent on-the-water performance.

Nikata is a 35-metre racer/cruiser designed by Judel/Vrolijk, styled by Nauta Design and built by Baltic Yachts. Her racy looks are apparent from first glance, so it is unsurprising that she hit an impressive speed of 24.8-knots during her first crossing of the Atlantic and won her class in her first RORC Caribbean 600 in which she finished seventh overall.

Precisely built entirely from carbon pre-preg laminate with a Corecell foam core, this 88-tonne vessel is equipped with high-speed winches and an easy-trim jib system, but she does not lack creature comforts that include a 200-bottle wine cellar, six fridges, two freezers and a spectacular sound system, as well as an opening transom that converts to a bathing platform.

LOA: 35m

Builder:  Baltic Yachts

Naval Architect: Judel/Vrolijk & Co

Exterior Design: Nauta Design

Interior Design: Nauta Design

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

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

This class contained many excellent yachts, most of which displayed significant pedigree, but the judges chose a newcomer as the winner. Wider Yachts have been previously known for their innovative tenders and small craft, but in late 2015 they launched their first superyacht. This was the 46-metre Wider 150, a yacht which continued their already established trend of thoughtful design and innovation.

In the judges’ view, this vessel is the epitome of a modern yacht, incorporating the best of today’s design trends and introducing many original ideas, while scaling down desirable features that, so far, have only been seen on much larger yachts. The judges particularly admired her bright interior spaces and the clean exterior lines, together with the superb beach club in the stern that, among other features, combines the functions of tender dock and swimming pool.

In addition, the propulsion system was considered so advanced that it attracted a separate award for Technology and Innovation.

LOA: 46m

Builder:  Wider

Naval Architect: Wider Engineering & Associates

Exterior Design:  Fulvio De Simoni

Interior Design: Ideaeitalia

The 46-metre, Wider 150, was selected for this award on the basis of her beach club as well as her propulsion system. Many yachts have previously been fitted with a diesel-electric propulsion system in which diesel generators power electric azimuthal pods, but never before has the system been exploited to the full by positioning the generators and associated equipment in underused areas of a yacht, thus releasing a ‘high value’ midships area - traditionally occupied by the engine room - for owner and guest use.

Without engines running, the Wider 150 can use her 544kWh of Li-Po batteries to cruise for six hours at five knots or, alternatively, switch to ‘quiet ship’ mode for an overnight stop of eight hours. Additionally, the design of the beach club with its two side- opening shell doors and a swimming pool that converts to a ‘float-in’ tender stowage bay, has never before been seen in a yacht of this size.

Length: 46m

Builder: Wider

Naval Architect: Wider Engineering & Associates

Exterior Design: Fulvio De Simoni

Interior Design: Ideaeitalia

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

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.