World Superyacht Awards 2019

08 Jul 2019 | Updated on: 27 Sep 2022 |By Luxury London

The best cabin cruisers, mega-vessels and super-sloops are honoured at Boat International’s annual award ceremony

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 300GT and 499GT – 40m and Above

Cecilia, 49.6m (Wider yachts)

The judges considered Cecilia to be a yacht that points the way to the future, with one of her most significant aspects being a propulsion system in which diesel generators drive electric-powered motors fitted to azipods located at the stern of the vessel. While many yachts in the past have employed this propulsion system, few have taken full advantage of its flexibility by positioning the engine room in the bows, thus releasing the prime midships area of the lower deck for accommodation – a purpose for which it is ideally suited.

Converted Yachts

Dream 106.5m (Halic Shipyard)

This ambitious project converted an aging 93m cruise ship into a 106.5m dream yacht for an owner with world cruising in mind. At the outset, the hull was stripped to bare steel, the complete superstructure and surplus metal works were removed, and the interior gutted and sandblasted. The 320 tonnes of steel that were removed were replaced with 550 tonnes of new fabrications, including the new superstructure and 112 electrically-operated sliding windows, each weighing 500kg. New stabilisers and other heavy engine room equipment were installed before the vessel was faired, painted and relaunched.

Helicopter on the Halic Shipyard

Refitted Yachts

Haida 1929, 71.1m (Cox & Stevens)

The 90-year-old Haida 1929 yacht was in bad repair in 2017 when purchased by her new owner. During the 17-month refit, 110 tonnes of steel and 90 per cent of the pipework were replaced, the whole interior was reworked to the design of Adam Lay, and a Hammam spa, massage room, and hairdressing room were added. Early external features, such as stairways, were reinstated and her previous dip-pool was replaced with a larger swimming pool. The judges considered this an eminently worthy rebuild that saved a historic yacht.

Sailing Yachts 30m to 59.9m

Vijonara, 42.2m (Hoek Design)

Vijonara has not only been built to the highest standards, but her polar diagrams reveal that she possesses extremely good performance under sail, particularly in lighter breezes. However, the most important factor in choosing her as the winner is found inside, where the accommodation areas are beautifully panelled in wood and trimmed with fine leather supplied and crafted by Hermès.

Displacement Motor Yachts Between 300GT and 499GT – 30m to 47.9m

Viatoris, 40m (Conrad Shipyard)

Viatoris is not a yacht for those who yearn for speed as, powered by a pair of economical Caterpillar 500kW diesels, she has a cruising speed of 12-knots – but the benefits she reaps from this are a huge range of 11,100 nautical miles at her economical delivery speed of 8-knots. The judges also noted that her four ideally positioned fold-down balconies and adjacent sliding doors create a very airy interior, while her abundance of large windows and portlights provide excellent intimacy with the surrounding scenery.

Sailing Yachts 60m and Above & Sailing Yacht of the Year

Black Pearl, 106.7m (Oceanco)

Black Pearl is a sailing vessel with all the facilities, comfort and performance of a motor yacht, but one that has the potential to cross oceans without the use of any diesel fuel whatsoever – propulsion is left to the wind and the total demand for household electricity can be met from her shaft generators. This innovative sloop provides an example to current and future owners of large yachts that it is possible to own such a vessel and also be environmentally responsible. This, the judges felt, is a message worth broadcasting.

Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 33m to 39.9m

Brigadoon, 36.3m (Moonen Yachts)

The owner of Brigadoon said he was seeking a yacht with a ‘classic timeless look, embracing quality and reliability’, and the judges confirmed that he had received exactly this. These judges also praised the brightness and external views achieved from the yacht’s interior, which was sophisticated, comfortable and welcoming. They also showed special admiration for the crew quarters, highly practical galley, large laundry space for a yacht of this size, and the layout of the engine room.

Rebuilt Yachts

G2, 38m (Tripp Design)

The 38.2m G2 was rebuilt by Tripp Design with a new interior and modern machinery. On deck, the aft cuddy was removed to create a flush open deck, while 40 per cent of the old teak was replaced, the caulking changed to grey and the main cockpit extended to permit a larger guest dining area. Two large new skylights were cut into the deckhead of the main saloon, while 11 larger portlights were fitted to the guest cabins. The yacht was made as maintenance free as possible by servicing, upgrading or replacing all machinery and systems.

Displacement Motor Yachts 2000GT and Above & Motor Yacht of the Year

DAR, 90m (Oceanco)

The judges were impressed with DAR’s sculptural lines and elegantly shark-like ‘organic’ exterior styling created by De Basto Designs. One of the most spectacular highlights of this spontaneous and original design was the delightful deck area at the bridge deck aft, where a waterfall cascades into a large swimming pool, and the huge umbrellas that shade the casual seating fold into compartments concealed within the curve of the bulwark.

Displacement Motor Yachts Below 299GT

Mimi La Sardine, 33.5m (Cantiere delle Marche)

Mimi La Sardine not only possesses the attractively rugged exterior lines of an explorer, but her 5,000nm range, seaworthiness and long autonomy means she has all the other necessary attributes of this category. The judges admired the ‘beach house’ style of the whole yacht that successfully makes use of a wide range of organic materials and unfinished wood to create an immediate ‘holiday atmosphere’, which, at the same time, is also sophisticated and luxurious.

Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 30m to 32.9m

RJ, 31.6m (Arcadia Yachts)

RJ not only impressed the judges as being very well built, but also displayed contemporary good looks while satisfying many of today’s ‘must have’ trends. Particularly admired was the connectivity with the marine environment through an abundance of large windows, many of which open to provide a cooling breeze without the need to run air conditioning. Forward, there is an observation lounge that once again provides panoramic views over the yacht’s bows and through the glazed bulwarks, while the glass deckhead, overlaid by solar panels, adds both light and power.

Voyager’s Award

Rosehearty, 56m (Perini Navi)

Three entries were received for the Voyager’s Award, but it was the voyage of Rosehearty that won the judges’ favour. The cruise started when the owner’s party flew into King George Island, just off the Antarctic mainland. The first passage was southwest to Deception Island, a volcanic cone emerging from the sea. Onwards, their path took them to Trinity Island, Melchior Islands, Port Lockroy, Palmer Station and back to Port Lockroy. Then it was a sail to Paradise Bay on the Antarctic mainland before the final leg took Rosehearty south-west along the coast to cross the Antarctic Circle, followed by a stormy crossing of the Drake Passage to Cape Horn and Puerto Williams.

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