YACHTING: World Awards 2023

Istanbul recently hosted the 18th BOAT International World Super Yacht Awards, classic sailing ships to modern superyachts, it was a riveting and competitive event where the best yacht makers in the world sailed up to show off their latest and greatest.

Here is a list of some of our favorite winners of the event in their categories.

MOTOR YACHT OF THE YEAR: KENSHŌ


Length 74.85m
Builder Admiral – The Italian Sea Group S.p.A
Naval architect The Italian Sea Group S.p.A/Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture
Exterior designers Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture/archineers.berlin
Interior designer Jouin Manku

After a secret ballot was cast in its division it was clear that  Kenshō – Japanese for “seeing one’s true nature”, was the winner of this prestigious award. This incredible creation also had the pleasure of also winning the DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS, 1,500GT AND ABOVE.

SAILING YACHT OF THE YEAR: ALEA


Length 56m
Builder Vitters  
Naval architect Germán Mani Frers
Exterior designer Germán Mani Frers
Interior designer m2atelier

Considered by the judges to be the most notable of the class winners in two sailing yacht categories. After careful consideration the Frers-designed 56-metre Alea, was the remarkable ship built by Vitters, was the chosen winner of this prestigious award. The lovely Alea also had the priviledge of also winning the Sailing Yachts, 50 meters and Above.

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS, 30M TO 34.9M: BLUE JEANS


Length 33.74m
Builder Van der Valk Shipyard
Naval architect Diana Yacht Design
Exterior designer Guido de Groot Design
Interior designer Guido de Groot Design

While all five yachts in this class were of very similar size it was Blue Jeans‘ striking appearance, her easy cruising speed of 25 knots, her roomy maintenance-friendly engine room, high-quality build and her ideal layout that earned her the award of the year.

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS, 35M TO 41.9M: RUSH


Length 41.7m
Builder Baglietto
Naval architect Baglietto
Exterior designer Francesco Paszkowski Design
Interior designers Francesco Paszkowski Design in collaboration with Margherita Casprini

The voting was a close call but, in the end, RUSH was named the prevailing winner in her class.  The largest and the fastest yacht in this class, topping out at 29 knots powered by three MTU 1,939kW diesels, it proved to be the winning combination and pride of the builder, Baglietto.

PHOTO CREDITS: BOAT INTERNATIONAL; Vanderwalt Productions;