This year will mark the 14th anniversary of the annual World Superyacht Awards and, from 16th to 18th May 2019, London will be proudly hosting this glamorous and prestigious ceremony.
Every year, the World Superyacht Awards offers a chance to the leaders and trailblazers of the superyacht community to meet and come together in celebration of the best in luxury yachting. The nominees for the 2019 World Superyacht Awards have recently been announced across this year’s eleven categories: read on to find out more about the nominees in each division.
Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts
Yacht design is constantly evolving. The semi-displacement and planing motor yachts exhibit a hull design that tends to offer speed and performance. This is the speediest category of the bunch, consisting of both. These vessels are defined as those which “displace less than their own weight of water when under power at full speed”. Both types of yacht are designed to sit above the water at a high speed that enables them to glide dynamically over the waves. Within the 30-32.9 metre category, top speeds fall into the range of around 20-28kn, but once we get to the 40m and above division, nominees such as Rossinavi’s Utopia can reach 33kn and above at top speed.
This year there are seventeen nominees across the three size categories within Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts: 30-32.9 metres, 33-39.9 metres, and 40 metres and above.
Displacement Motor Yachts
The categories for Displacement Motor Yachts are split as follows: 1) Displacement Motor Yachts below 299GT, 2) below 500GT – 30 to 47.9 metres, 3) below 500GT – 48 metres and above, 4) between 500GT and 1,999GT, and 5) 2,000GT and above.
Twenty-five impressive yachts in total make up the nominees for Displacement Motor Yachts across the five individual sub-categories. A Displacement Motor Yacht is defined by the show as “as a vessel that always displaces their own weight of water when under power at full speed.” Because of the manner in which these vessels move (slowly through the water rather than on top of it) they are some of the most stable, comfortable and economical when it comes to fuel. The judges are likely to be looking at the design, range, fuel efficiency and stability more than the speed in this superyacht category, and the range of subcategories based on size helps to conduct this fairly.
Sailing Yachts
This category consists of yachts which are “primarily powered by their sails” and this year there are six sensational contenders. Ranging from the 32.3m Kiboko Tres, to the 106.7m and aptly named Black Pearl there is an exciting variety of design, speed and power amongst the nominees.
This category showcases stunning design and innovation in luxury wind powered yachts.
Rebuilt, Refit and Conversion Yachts
As well as the many luxury yachts for sale and brand new superyachts that will be exhibited at the show, this category is reserved for boats which have been either partially or fully rebuilt or refurbished. A profile has been submitted with every nominee that details pre-and-post refurbishment of the vessel, including before and after photos and videography. Any refurbished entry over 30 metres is welcome and so amongst the nominees this year we have 106.5 metre mega yacht, DREAM, which is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate up to 36 people along with 40 crew members.
Voyager’s Award
This very special award category cuts right to the heart of yachting and celebrates bold exploration and expedition by owners who have really put their vessels to the test. According to the official brief, this coveted award will go to the yacht having ‘completed the most inspirational cruise during 2018’, which can include cruises that began in 2017.
There are three finalists in this year’s category. Beluga is a 34.7m luxury yacht, built by Moonen, with a top speed of 13.5kn. Rosehearty, built by Perini Navi is a 56m yacht with an impressive top speed of 16.0kn, while finally 40m Silentworld was designed by Inigo Echenique. The owners of these beautiful explorers are hoping their story is the one to inspire the judges this year.
Featured image: © Copyright Philip Halling and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
