Not to be outdone by their displacement motor yacht brethren, semi-displacement and planing yachts hold a strong place in the World Superyacht Awards with three award categories. Nominees range from sporty high-performance superyachts to modern explorer yachts and really represent the breadth of yachting tastes today. See the winners across these diverse categories below.
Two-deck semi-displacement or planing motor yacht (including raised pilothouse designs) – Sponsored by Admiral Tecnomar
Finish Line – 36.7m Trinity Yachts
This was an exciting class, containing a good selection of newly designed vessels that the judges viewed with great interest. In the final reckoning, the lead was narrowly taken by the 40-metre superyacht Cacos V, built by Admiral Tecnomar, while Luca Dini Design took responsibility for the yacht’s attractive, aggressively masculine styling. A high standard of construction, a convivial modern interior that incorporates wide open spaces, and good performance figures were among the points that influenced the judges decision. In addition, the emphasis on practical items, such as the reverse slope of the wheelhouse windows and full-height saloon windows to enhance light and views, provided the slight edge over other contestants.
Three-deck semi-displacement or planing motor yacht 45m and above – Sponsored by Esen Yacht
_Galactica Star _– 65m Heesen Yachts
In this interesting class, the 65-metre superyacht Galactica Star did not only stand out to the judges for her size – significantly larger than the other yachts in her class – but also for her technically innovative ‘FDHF’ (Fast Displacement Hull Form) design, developed by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. This permits the yacht to operate efficiently in both displacement and semi-displacement modes and is achieved with a bulbous bow, slender forebody, and a shallow transom incorporating an ‘interceptor’ to provide lift at the stern. As a result, the yacht – powered by engines developing 8,600kW – performs efficiently at both displacement and semi-displacement speeds, where she can reach 27-knots. The judges were also impressed with her layout and interior design, created by Bannenberg & Rowell Design which, they considered, made her a great yacht.
Judges’ Commendation: Vellmari – 47.5m Rossinavi
The judges also felt the need to commend Vellmarì, an attractively streamlined 47.5-metre built by Rossinavi, for her high quality design and construction.
Catamaran Award
Quaranta – 33.7m Curvelle/Logos Marine
Superyacht catamarans are relatively rare entries to the World Superyacht Awards on account of the small numbers that are built. When they do enter, the judges often have difficulty in assessing them against monohulls in view of the fact that both their exterior and interior design is necessarily very different from their single-hulled cousins. This was the case this year, and while superyacht Quaranta did not win the class in which she was placed, she came very close to success. In view of her particularly handsome appearance and highly successful layout that incorporates excellent deck spaces, six pleasantly large guest cabins of adaptable configuration positioned on the main deck, and a single saloon on the upper deck, all complemented by an attractive style of interior design, the judges voted to award her with a prize specific to catamarans.