The World Superyacht Awards, organised by BOAT International, and now in their 18th year, have announced the winners for the best vessels in the world, focusing on design, engineering, and technology innovation. This year, during the ceremony held in Istanbul, the best superyachts in terms of performance, both motor and sailing, were announced, and, like in years past, there were plenty of Italian winners.

ITALY AT THE WORLD SUPERYACHT AWARDS 2023

The jury announced that the motoryacht of the year, was the 74.85 metre Kenshō, by Admiral Shipyard, part of The Italian Sea Group, with exterior design by Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture and archineers.berlin, with interiors by the French, Jouin Manku. A design which was created based on specific needs of its owner, who, before signing on the commission, studied hundreds of famous yachts from around the world, to find their best qualities and bring them all together in his superyacht. The resulting yacht is excellent, given this prestigious award (alongside another for the category, displacement motor yachts over 1,500 GT) which also saw an award for its diesel-electric hybrid system.

In the category, Sailing yachts from 30 to 49.9 metres, the winner was the  Sørvind (34.59 metres) a sailing yacht by Southern Wind Shipyard with naval architecture by Farr Yacht Design, and exterior and interior design by Milan-based studio Nauta Design. A yacht, as described by its owner, a passionate sailor, “of high performance, for fast and comfortable sailing” and embodies, “a ‘Nordic Cool’ spirit, created for the charter market.” The fifth model of the SW105 series, Sørvind also comes from a special assembly process for the hull, deck and bulkheads made completely in carbon fibre (while the deck is in ecological synthetic teak), so light that it can even sail in unfavourable wind conditions. All technical details that the jury appreciated, in addition to the interior design, with its layout having the owners cabin to the bow and the other cabins and services to the stern.

Rush by Baglietto, a 41.7 metre superyacht designed by Francesco Paszkowski Design (and Margherita Casprini for the interiors) won first place in the Semi-displacement or planing motoryachts between 35 and 41.9 metres category. The biggest and fastest in the category, thanks to its three diesel MTU engines pushing her to 29 knots, it was awarded for its elegantly aggressive lines which did not impede a traditional layout for the wheelhouse and deck, for its aft beach club design with its collapsible platform, and for its classic “welcoming and simple” interiors.

Benetti distinguished itself in the category  displacement motor yachts over 499 GT  between 30 and 39.9 metres with Unknown, a 34.36 metre superyacht, with naval architecture designed by the shipyard together with Ausonio Naval Architecture (exterior by RWD and interior by Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture). The jury were impressed by the space below deck, in close contact with the water (especially to the stern with a two-level beach club) and with the surrounding natural environment: the pool with transparent bottom, collapsible gunwales which expand the surface area, a dining area protected with curved sliding doors and the sun lounge to the bow. All in a very compact size, for a yacht that is “well built and revolutionary”.

Also a winner was Cantiere Delle Marche with Acala (naval architecture by Hydro Tec, exteriors by Horacio Bozzo Design, interiors by Simon Hamul Design Studio) in the category, displacement motor yachts over 499GT between 40 and 44.9 metres. An explorer built completely following the requirements of its owner, who is on his second yacht with this shipyard, and stands out for her modern lines and equipment, for the elegance of its interiors and its solutions for services and machinery.