The judges of the World Superyacht Awards 2025

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 now

Chairman 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