What sets the BOAT International World Superyacht Awards apart from every other boating awards event is simple: the panel of judges. The panel is made up of current or former yacht owners, bringing with them, collectively, hundreds of years of experience owning, running and managing superyachts.
The judges are not just yacht owners, but knowledgeable, serial owners who have taken a keen interest in the design and build of their own vessels. Their personal interest drives the judging process and we owe them an enormous debt for their enthusiasm and generosity.
Chairman of the judges Dick Raper discusses the detailed judging process and tips on how to impress the judges in our BOAT Briefing podcast with BOAT International's editor-in-chief Stewart Campbell.
Listen nowChairman of the judges
Dick Raper, owner of a 38.8m sailing yacht
Judges
Carlos Ancira, owner of a 45m motor yacht
Alan Dabbiere, owner of a 60m motor yacht
Bill Duker, former owner of a 52m motor yacht and 70m sailing yacht
West Duker, former owner of a 52m motor yacht and 70m sailing yacht
Joaquín Folch-Rusinol, owner of a 37.3m motor yacht
Barry Houghton, former owner of a 43m motor yacht
Steve Ladas, owner of a 37m motor yacht
Roger Lean-Vercoe, former chairman of the judges
Victor Muller, owner of a 35.4m motor yacht
Udo Müller owner of a 75m motor yacht
Jan-Eric Österlund, former owner of 54.6m sailing yacht
Ilia Rigas, owner of a 50m sailing yacht
Steve Rigby, owner of a 26m motor yacht
Kim Schindelhauer, owner of a 33m sailing yacht
Anil Thadani, owner of a 45m motor yacht
Paola Trifiró, owner of a 24m motor yacht
Harry Vafias, owner of a 46m motor yacht
Kim Vibe-Petersen, owner of a 54m sailing yacht and a 52m sailing yacht
Sebastian Vibe-Petersen, owner of a 54m sailing yacht and a 52m sailing yacht
Marco Vögele, owner of a 33.4m sailing yacht
Matthew Voorhees, owner of a 56m motor yacht
Steve Watson, owner of a 59m motor yacht and a 51m motor yacht
Peter Wilson, founding partner of yacht project management company MCM
Jörg Wolle, owner of a 38.8m sailing yacht
Tickets are now on sale for the World Superyacht Awards 2025 and nominations will remain open until 31 December 2024. For more information about the awards, please contact the events team.
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