The annual World Superyacht Awards, which recognise the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the world's most remarkable luxury yachts, turns 20 this year. Partnered with Acquera Club, The Italian Sea Group, and Maddox, the event is globally renowned for its prestige and stands out from other yacht awards thanks to its distinguished judging panel of current and former superyacht owners.
To celebrate the awards' milestone, we have taken a trip down memory lane to revisit the 20 winners (two yachts shared the honour in 2011) of the Motor Yacht of the Year Award. Each boat featured below stands out for its exceptional design, innovation and craftsmanship and represents the pinnacle of luxury yachting over the past two decades. Tickets are now on sale for this year's ceremony, running from 2-3 May 2025.
APPLY FOR A TICKETAlchemy
2024
Delivered in 2023, Alchemy was designed by Vitruvius, which also completed the naval architecture. Her suspended glass staircase – a striking sculptural centrepiece and a marvel of engineering – was one of the many standout features that wowed the judges. They also loved the thoughtful design of this 66-metre Rossinavi – which prioritised storage as a central element rather than an afterthought. Her interior is by Team For Design - Enrico Gobbi.
Kenshō
2023
Kenshō’s flowing lines and distinctive metallic green-blue hull took six years to create, and when the 74.8-metre superyacht was delivered from Admiral - The Italian Sea Group in 2022, it received universal acclaim. She not only picked up the top World Superyacht Award in 2023, but also a BOAT International Design & Innovation Award for Best Interior Design. She was designed by Azure Yacht Design and Naval Architecture and archineers.berlin, with interiors by Jouin Manku.
Viva
2022
Built in the Netherlands by Feadship and delivered in 2021, Viva boasted an innovative hybrid propulsion system, waste treatment plant and heat recovery systems. The 94-metre yacht was designed by Studio De Voogt and Azure Yacht Design and Naval Architecture, with naval architecture by De Voogt Naval Architects and interiors by Peter Marino.
Artefact
2021
Artefact's funky exterior, including split overhangs and 740 square metres of glass, caught the judges' eye at that year’s awards. The 80-metre Nobiskrug yacht, designed by Gregory C. Marshall, is perhaps best known for her green credentials: she was one of the first to meet IMO Tier III emissions regulations and is equipped with solar panels and a large battery storage system.
Read More/Artefact: On board Nobiskrug's striking 80m hybrid superyachtPi (now 818)
2020
Announced during a virtual event in the midst of the pandemic, the judges singled out 818's harmonious exterior lines (penned by Jarkko Jämsen with naval architecture by Feadship's De Voogt Naval Architects) and sophisticated Zen-like interior (courtesy of Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design), as well as details such as the floor-to-ceiling glazing on the main deck and large lower deck portlights. Delivered in 2019, the 77.3-metre Feadship yacht changed her name from Pi in 2024.
DAR (now Luna)
2019
At the 2019 awards held in London, Luna was singled out for her "attractive profile, excellent deck spaces, good crew areas, technical features and efficient build time", achieved by Dutch yard Oceanco. Delivered in 2018, the 90-metre motor yacht was designed by Luiz De Basto, with interiors penned by Nuvolari Lenard.
Faith (now Sophia)
2018
Announced at a ceremony in Florence, Sophia scooped the top prize for her innovative features such as a "snow room", basketball court and wood-burning pizza oven on the sundeck. Designed by British studio RWD, with naval architecture by De Voogt Naval Architects, the interior of the 96.6-metre Feadship yacht was designed by RWD and Chahan Interior Design.
Dilbar
2017
Built by German yard Lürssen and delivered in 2016, the 156-metre Dilbar captivated the judges thanks to her record-breaking features, including her 180-cubic-metre swimming pool. Designed by Espen Øino with interiors by British studio Winch Design, Dilbar was sanctioned in April 2022 following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Savannah
2016
The 83.5-metre Savannah was built in the Netherlands by Feadship and delivered in 2015. The judges were dazzled by her "quality of design and construction that showcases a level of craftsmanship many yachts aspire to", along with her innovative new propulsion system. Designed by De Voogt Naval Architects and Cristina Gherardi Design, she boasted many noteworthy features, including a semi-submerged Nemo Lounge and nine-metre mosaic pool. She was the first superyacht to be given a completely metallic paint finish, a "Sea Foam" metallic green.
Read More/Savannah: The 83m Feadship with the world's first Nemo loungeGrace E (now Nautilus)
2015
The original owners of 73-metre Perini Navi went to Vitruvius "intrigued by the concept of better efficiency", according to her designer, Philippe Briand. The result was the supremely quiet superyacht Nautilus, equipped with a super-streamlined hull and two steerable Azipod propulsors; innovations that won her that year's Motor Yacht of the Year Award.
Read More/Grace E: the superyacht with the ultimate sundeck spaMadame Gu
2014
Built in the Netherlands by Feadship and delivered in 2013, the judges praised Madame Gu’s "technological sophistication together with the high-quality construction of her structure, machinery spaces and interiors", which are penned by Winch Design. Madame Gu has been stationed in Dubai since Russian economic sanctions were introduced.
Loretta Anne (now Ab Initio)
2013
Designed by Dubois Naval Architects, Ab Initio was created with a distinctive shallow draught, as the owner spent much of their time in the Bahamas. Her interior design was penned by Donald Starkey. At 47 metres LOA, she is the smallest build in the World Superyacht Awards' 20-year history to win Motor Yacht of the Year.
Tango
2012
Delivered in 2011, the 77.7-metre Tango was designed by Harrison Eidsgaard, who also designed the interior. She was hailed the leader of the motor yacht category as a result of "a successful collaboration of designer Harrison Eidsgaard, Feadship and Edmiston". In 2022, the yachts was seized by Spanish officials following a request from the US Department of Justice.
Exuma (now Falco Moscata) + Eclipse
2011
Hosted in London, this year saw not one but two superyachts claim the title of Motor Yacht of the Year. The 49.5-metre Falco Moscata was built with solid eco-credentials and she was honoured with a RINA Green Plus Award upon launch in 2010. Designed by Vitruvius and naval architect Philippe Briand, the Perini Navi sports a uniquely styled wave-slicing bow that enhances fuel efficiency by up to 30 per cent.
Joining her on the podium was the 162.5-metre Eclipse, built by Blohm+Voss and designed by Terence Disdale – the biggest superyacht in the world at the time. She was sanctioned following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Arkley (now Caipirinha)
2010
Delivered by Lürssen in 2009, the voluminous 60-metre 1,182GT motor yacht Caipirinha was designed by Espen Øino with interiors by Mark Berryman. Since cruising as Arkley, she was christened 5 Angels, before ending on the name Caipirinha in 2016.
Al Mirqab
2009
Built in Germany and delivered in 2008, 133.2-metre Al Mirqab is the flagship of Peterswerft - Kusch. She was designed by two of the top superyacht designers, with Tim Heywood penning her exterior and Winch Design creating the interior. At the time of her award, she blazed the trail by having many large-scale amenities such as a helicopter pad with a refuelling station and a vast aft platform.
T6 (now V6)
2008
Built in New Zealand by Flyghtship and delivered in 2006, the 48.5-metre V6 was designed by Pieter Beeldsnijder, who also designed the interior. V6 has gone from strength to strength, and even went on to win another award 15 years later – the Voyager’s Award at the 2023 World Superyachts Awards. The latter prize was awarded in honour of her globetrotting endeavours, logging up many nautical miles during the summer of 2022.
Kogo
2007
Designed by Tim Heywood with a Terence Disdale interior, the 71.7-metre yacht Kogo was built by French yard Alstom Marine and delivered in 2006. One of the original explorer yachts, she sports an ice-classed steel hull and features a helicopter landing pad.
Ice
2006
Delivered in 2005, Ice scooped the top gong at the first World Superyacht Awards in 2006. The 90.1-metre yacht was designed by Tim Heywood, with naval architecture developed by Lürssen and the interior of the yacht penned by Terence Disdale. She was one of the first-ever vessels to be fitted with electrically powered Azipod propellers, an advanced propulsion system that helps increase manoeuvrability, efficiency and performance.
Read More/Everything you need to know about the World Superyacht Awards 2025