ISTANBUL – At the 2023 World Superyacht Awards on May 20, over a dozen Dutch builders, designers and naval architects raked in Neptune awards and commendations:
Overall sailing yacht of the year: 56m Alea, built by Vitters Shipyard. (Photo above) Naval architect and designer Germán Mani Frers “created a powerful, sleek hull form with a distinctive reverse bow to increase waterline length and speed.” Alea packs key Vitters innovations such as retractable V-Bollards, three forepeak V-Drums to make headsail changes easy and the submarine Anchor system that keeps bow and foredeck clean.
Refitted Yachts: 63.3m schooner Athos. Naval architecture and design by Hoek Design Naval Architects. Andre Hoek supervised the refit in which the stern was extended, the nav station repositioned and new booms, sails and lightweight carbon-fiber rigging were installed.
Semi-displacement or planing motor yachts, 0-35m: Blue Jeans, built by Van der Valk Shipyard, naval architecture by Diana Yacht Design and Guido de Groot Design. Blue Jeans won “by a significant margin (due to) her striking appearance, comfortable cruising speed of 25 knots, spacious maintenance-friendly engine room, high-quality build and optimum layout.”
Semi-displacement or planing motor yachts, 42m and up: 42.5m Callisto, built by Feadship, design by Sinot Architecture & Design. The judges: “the combination of good looks and highest standards of construction were very compelling reasons to award Callisto the coveted Neptune.”
Displacement motor yachts 499GT and less, 45m and up: Ocean Z, built by Heesen yachts. Ocean Z has a top speed of 15 knots and a range of 3,800 nm at 13 knots. Kudos for her exterior design, “and Heesen’s high-quality of construction and engineering.”
Displacement motor yachts, 500 to 1,499GT: Come Together, built by Damen Yachting. An “amazingly spacious sundeck and hybrid-propulsion technology (that lets) “the yacht cruise without starting the engines and disturbing guests.”
Special Awards: 54.9m Shinkai, built by Feadship. Featuring naval architecture by Vitruvius and De Voogt Naval Architects, Shinkai “is a true go-anywhere vessel” with a deep-dive U-Boat Worx sub and a full range of tenders, including an 8m limousine and a 6m SOLAS tender.
Judges’ commendation: 71.1m Juice, built by Feadship. The judges cited her ‘pencil line’ shadows “that draw the eye forward and aft from the hull’s tear-shaped windows.” And they praised her exterior staircases separated from the superstructure to let more light into the interior. “Feadship is known for large custom yachts of the finest quality but the two Neptunes and the Judges’ Commendation at this year’s World Superyacht Awards gala show it is not always about size,” said Feadship Sales Director, Bas Nederpelt.
Judges’ Commendation: 44.3m Ace: built by Conrad Shipyard, Naval architecture: Diane Yacht Design. “Attractive, convivial crew facilities and working areas, as well as her engineering and technical areas.”
Judges’ commendation: 60m Lusine, built by Heesen Yachts, Van Oossanen Naval Architecture, Omega Architects and Sinot Yacht Architecture and Design. Heesen is best known for its semi-custom yachts. But it “shines when commissioned for a fully customized vessel such as Lusine” with a top speed of 15.5 knots and a 4,500-nautical-mile range at 13 knots.
Judges’ commendation: 41.5m Melody, built by Ridas Yacht & Composites, naval architecture and design: Olivier F. van Meer. The ketch Melody brims with high-quality construction, finish, and sophisticated technical systems.”
World Superyacht Awards winners 2023 (boatinternational.com)
