sailing yacht of the year 2023

Yachting World

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Best yacht 2023: European yacht of the year winners

Toby Hodges
January 21, 2023

The European Yacht of the Year 2023 winners have been announced and comprise the best yacht winners in five categories including a special mention award. Toby Hodges was one of the 12 jury members who test sailed each of the 21 shortlisted yachts before deciding on the winners.

The European Yacht of the Year programme is a highlight of my year as it gives us jury members the opportunity to assemble our shortlist of the best nominees, seatrial each and every one of them and discuss what works and what doesn’t at sea and in port, in order to choose the best yacht of 2023 in a variety of categories. Our trials were held in La Rochelle and Port Ginesta, Barcelona over the autumn of 2022.

This is the 20th anniversary of the European Yacht of the Year awards, which were presented at a gala event on the opening evening of the Boot Düsseldorf Boat Show on 21 January 2023.

Together we comprise 12 magazines across Europe, each the leading voice on boat testing in their respective countries. The result is indisputably the most thorough, impartial and respected awards programme for new production yachts worldwide.

Best yacht 2023

Best performance yacht.

Nominees: Elan E6 ; Beneteau First 36 ; Grand Soleil 40 ; Italia Y 12.98; Solaris 50

Three Italian pure performance cruisers and two very different yachts built in Slovenia made for a varied and exciting Performance category. Where once we could assume a cruiser-racer was a fairly standard format design, over the last decade it’s been much more the sexy fast cruisers the Italian yards specialise in. But as French yards like Pogo and JPK have proven, we salute lightweight planing yachts – and the Beneteau First 36 is the first real production yacht in that spirit.

Winner: Beneteau First 36

Here’s a yacht that puts the focus firmly back into sailing. The First 36 has been kept inviting and approachable – unlike many yachts that can plane, the look is modest, not aggressive. It’s uncomplicated, unfussy and the result is a pleasure for all to sail. It’s more about what you can’t see, the design and engineering, which should ensure longterm demand.

The small, fiddly heads compartment and lack of tiller options are perhaps the only real detraction from an otherwise brilliant collaboration by Seascape and Beneteau, from concept to build quality.

It was their goal to keep this area of the market relevant and prove a mainstream brand can do it, rather than only niche specialist yards. To create a mass produced yacht at this weight and to this foam-cored quality and one that can bring so much fun is a feather in the cap of the First brand.

Price: (ex VAT) €238,813

Jury comments:

“The complete universal cruiser-racer.” Pasi Nuutinen, Fin.

“The truly modern fast cruiser that dares to be different and that not enough yards dare to build.” Jochen Rieker, Germany.

“Fast but easy going, precise but not nervous, and lightweight, yet comfortable.” Marinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong, Netherlands.

Best Luxury Yacht

Nominees: Oceanis Yachts 60 ; Oyster 495 ; Ice 62 Targa

A spacious production yacht, a premium bluewater cruiser and a highly customised Italian performance cruiser shows the variety on offer in the 50-60ft+ market, while giving the jury some tricky comparisons to make.

Winner: Oyster 495

It is hard to imagine that the decor of a yacht can change its look and feel quite this much, yet the layout of this second 495, Eddie Jordan’s dramatic looking Tuga , is in fact identical to the first boat that I spent several days aboard last summer. At its heart is a wonderfully (Humphreys) designed and engineered luxury bluewater cruiser conceived from the ground up, built in a new dedicated facility to a repeatable quality very few yards are capable of.

The 495 offers consistent passage making speeds in real voluminous comfort – whether enjoyed from the deep cockpit or the best-in-class aft cabin. Deck stowage and mechanical space is also superb. Then factor in the family appeal of Oyster’s after sales and world rally programme and you start to appreciate the premium world this sub 50-footer gives access to.

Price: (ex VAT) £1.35m

Jury comments

“So reassuringly strong, so surprisingly quick in straight line speed, so great to helm, so easy to handle and so, so comfortable if you want to retreat to her living quarters!” Jochen Rieker, Germany

“A true blue water cruiser that makes no compromise in terms of comfort, safety or sailing abilities.” Loic Madeline, France

“The entry level of the Oyster range brings with it the build quality and customisation typical of the yard’s largest models… perfect for a couple’s globetrotting dreams.” Alberto Mariotti, Italy

Best Family Yacht

Nominees: Bente 28; Dufour 37 ; Linjett 39

Typically this category brims with midsize cruising yachts from mainstream manufacturers. And while the Dufour flies that flag, when you put these three nominees together you have a diverse selection of interesting new cruising yachts from 30-40ft to suit significantly different budgets.

Winner: Linjett 39

If you haven’t heard of Linjett before, prepare to be impressed. The 39 offers easy fast family cruising and occasional racing in luxurious comfort and proves that classic needn’t be old fashioned.

Linjett exudes Scandi heritage: a third generation 50-year old brand, it’s run by three brothers and has built 900 yachts from its 19th Century Rosättra yard in Sweden. Sturdy and stable the 39 instils instant confidence and proved a delight to sail. The Linjett is set up to easily shorthand it too, with two winches and a bank of clutches each side positioned aft in reach of the helm.

The interior is offered with two or three cabins and the latter we saw had an excellent layout, including separate shower/wet hanging compartment aft. The joiner work is first class, with traditional mahogany used as standard, or the more contemporary European Oak on the test boat.

This is a premium yacht, but you get what you pay for. It will surprise most and ensure everyone steps ashore smiling.

Price: (ex VAT) SEK 4,208,000 (approx €400,000)

“Practically flawless yacht for offshore, coastal and archipelago cruising, peppered with a big spoonful of performance and a strong flavour of luxury,” Pasi Nuutinen, Finland

“Aesthetically immortal because it is impeccably designed and built with modern construction techniques.” Alberto Mariotti, Italy

“A fast luxury yacht that is also the best family yacht… timeless.” Axel Nissen-Lie, Norway

Best Catamaran

Nominees: Balance 482 ; Catana OC ; C-Cat 48 ; Excess 14; Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 ; Lagoon 51; Nautitech 44 Open

What started out as two separate multihull categories – Family and Performance – merged into one once the jury appreciated the boundaries are quite blurred and that some of these catamarans belong in both camps.

All seven of these 40-50-footers merit close scrutiny for anyone after space and cruising comfort. The decision lies with how much you tweak the performance:comfort ratio.

Winner: Nautitech Open 44

We saw a good, interesting battle of the aft helm cruising cats this year in the Excess 14 and the Nautitech. For those who cite a lack of visibility and protection as reasons not to choose this route, try sailing this boat! Direct steering brings so much more helming pleasure – you get the enjoyable feeling and communication more associated with a monohull. I consider this 44 Open to be the ideal size to go distance sailing, with good performance, low draught and space for family and friends.

The interior design is smart and inviting – not as voluminous as some, but certainly enough to be smugly comfortable at anchor. Out of all the multihulls nominated or sailed in the last year, this cat impressed me the most.

Price: €560,800 ex VAT. (€818k ex VAT as tested).

Jury Comments

“This is a catamaran that makes the heart beat out at sea rather than at a boat show.” Axel Nissen-Lie, Norway

“Sailing sensation sets the Nautitech apart. She’s delightfully sensitive in light wind and gets more and more convincing with speed – which she picks up to very decent numbers.” Pasi Nuutinen, Finland

“This shows why the desire for catamaran sailing is spreading: It combines the comfort of two hulls with the good sailing characteristics of a modern yacht.” Lori Schüpbach, Sui

Best Specialist Yacht

Nominees: Astus 22.5 ; Ecoracer 25; Ace 30

Always the most diverse category, once again this did not disappoint with its contenders comprising a plywood IRC scow, a trailable trimaran and a recyclable sportsboat!

Special mention: Sustainability – Ecoracer 25

A reusable, recyclable prototype competitive sportsboat. If a ‘garage project’ such as this can successfully prove that the use of more sustainable materials, such as thermoplastic resins, linen fibre, basalt and recyclable carbon, are a viable solution for boatbuilding already, there is no excuse why the mainstream production yards shouldn’t already be employing them!

While most fibre-reinforced boats are destined for landfill, here the composites can be separated from the resin after immersion in a solvent, to make reusable composite products.

This is an on trend one-off racer, which at 1.1 tonnes and 2.7m beam can be towed when tilted and takes one hour from crane to sailing. It’s so much fun to sail, even in the lightest puffs, and won the ORC sportsboat class on Lake Garda on its debut season.

A shame it’s only a prototype, but the future looks bigger and brighter for this startup brand Northern Light Composites, with a 30ft version going into production. Congratulations on taking the initiative.

Price: Circa €80k

“Without changes the leisure boat market will be regulated and potentially fade away. The 100% recyclable Ecoracer 25 has shown that it’s possible to turn green for real.” Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, Denmark

“Shows that a technically complex sailboat can be built in a better way – without compromising on performance.” Axel Nissen-Lie, Norway

European Yacht of the Year Jury

Toby Hodges, Yachting World, GBR Jochen Rieker, YACHT, GER Loic Madeline, Voiles & Voiliers, FRA Pasi Nuutinen, Vene, FIN Roland Duller, YachtRevue, AUT Alberto Mariotti, Vela e Motore, ITA Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, Bådmagasinet, DEN Marinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong, Zeilen, NED Joakim Hermansson, Praktiskt Båtägande, SWE Axel Nissen-Lie, Seilmagasinet, NOR Diego Yriarte, Nautica Y Yates, ESP Lori Schüpbach, Marina.ch, SWI

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Home  News  Charlie Enright, Christina Wolfe Awarded US Sailing’s 2023 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards

Charlie Enright, Christina Wolfe Awarded US Sailing’s 2023 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards

On Thursday, February 1, 2024, as part of US Sailing’s National Sailing Programs Symposium, the best U.S. sailor athletes of 2023 were honored among family, friends, peers, competitors, and contributors to the sport of sailing.

Charlie Enright ( Barrington, RI ) and Christina Wolfe ( Orcas, WA ) were awarded the 2023 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award and were celebrated along with fellow 2023 award finalists Betsy Alison, Erika Reineke, Steve Hunt, and Allan Terhune, Jr.

The winners were presented with the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award trophy along with specially engraved Rolex Yacht-Master timepieces. These honorees join an elite group of notable national sailors.

As Skipper, Charlie Enright led the 11th Hour Racing Team to become the first American flagged team to ever win The Ocean Race in 2023. In his third shot at the elusive Ocean Race Trophy, the win had been over 10 years in the making for his team, and over 6 years in the making for 11th Hour Racing.

Of the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Award, Charlie Enright said “It’s iconic. It makes me think of all the people who have come before all of us. I’ve done a lot of sailing with some of the other finalists who were nominated, and I’ve certainly learned a lot from all of them. This is an individual award in theory, but it takes a village no matter what you’re doing, and I can’t say enough about all the teammates that we had in this endeavor.”

Christina Wolfe is an accomplished offshore sailor, having put thousands of offshore miles under her belt. Wolfe is best known for her doublehanded sailing, which she does often with her husband, Justin. In 2023, Wolfe achieved 1st Overall ORC, 2nd Overall IRC, and Double-handed Line Honors in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, first female skipper overall in the Rolex Fastnet Race, and first in IRC 2 at the De Guingand Bowl, all achieved doublehanded.

“Never in a million years did I expect to be standing on this stage, let alone in the room with all of you,” said Christina Wolfe. “This is an incredible honor for me to be up here on this stage. I don’t sail for a living, but when I do sail, it’s the most alive that I feel, and I know many of you feel that as well. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do this, to see these iconic races, and to meet inspiring people.”

In January, three men and three women were chosen as finalists for US Sailing’s 2023 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards. The annual rundown of the year’s “best in the U.S.” represents a wide range of accomplished sailors from various disciplines and at different stages of their respective careers. All nominees are highly distinguished and talented, and the nomination panel was especially impressed by their growth and depth of achievements. Yachtsman and Yachtswoman finalists earned their spot on this exclusive list by dominating their respective classes and showing true variety in their sailing accomplishments. All six of these sailors represent their own unique pathway in the sport, have demonstrated on-the-water excellence at international and national events, and have brought global recognition to sailing while representing the United States.

View Recording of the Ceremony

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The winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2023

The winners of the 2023 World Superyacht Awards have now been revealed. From the newly crowned Motor Yacht of the Year to the prestigious Voyager's Award, scroll down to find out which yachts scooped this year's coveted Neptunes...

Motor Yacht of the Year - Kenshō Sailing Yacht of the Year - Alea Rebuilt Yachts - Marala Refitted Yachts - Athos Sailing Yachts, 30m to 49.9m - Sørvind Sailing Yachts, 50m and above - Alea Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts, 30m to 34.9m - Blue Jeans Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts, 35m to 41.9m - Rush Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts, 42m and above - Callisto Displacement Motor Yachts 499GT and below, 30m to 39.9m - Unknown Displacement Motor Yachts 499GT and below, 40m to 44.9m - Acala Displacement Motor Yachts 499GT and below, 45m and above - Ocean Z Displacement Motor Yachts, 500GT to 1,499GT - Come Together Displacement Motor Yachts, 1,500GT and above - Kenshō Voyager’s Award - V6 Legacy Award - Rahmi M.Koç Judges' Special Award - Shinkai Judges' Special Award - Coral Ocean Judges' Special Award - Nebula

MOTOR YACHT OF THE YEAR: KENSHŌ

Length 74.85m Builder Admiral - The Italian Sea Group S.p.A Naval architect The Italian Sea Group S.p.A/Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture Exterior designers Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture / archineers.berlin Interior designer Jouin Manku

In selecting the winner of the coveted Motor Yacht of the Year award, our judges were faced with the unenviable task of choosing a single yacht from among the eight individual winners of the Semi-Displacement and Displacement Motor Yacht classes. Making this choice is not just a matter of choosing the largest yacht, nor the yacht that won its class by the greatest margin, as the judges are also required to consider how each of these vessels might have advanced the design, construction and appearance of future generations of yachts. After lengthy debate, the secret ballot revealed Kenshō – Japanese for “seeing one’s true nature” - to be the winner by a healthy margin, and while many factors influenced this decision, it was her owner-driven attributes that tipped the scales. In his bid to create a vessel that stood out from the crowd, the owner visited around 100 of the world’s landmark yachts, listing attributes that he particularly admired. High deckheads, calming room volumes, minimal side decks, and no main saloon were high on the resulting list presented to his designers, Netherlands-based Azure, and Germany-based archineers.berlin, who took on responsibility for naval architecture and exterior design. Parisian design studio Jouin Manku, meanwhile, created her stunning interior from a palette of soft natural tones in leather, teak, metal and glass. Added to her more visual attributes, Kenshō ’s diesel-electric propulsion system with twin Veth azimuth drives, driven by Danfoss electric motors that draw their exact power needs from five variable-speed generators, was the icing on the cake for this splendid yacht, which certainly stands out from the crowd while reflecting the “true nature” of her owner.

SAILING YACHT OF THE YEAR: ALEA

Length 56m Builder Vitters Naval architect Germán Mani Frers Exterior designer Germán Mani Frers Interior designer m2atelier

The title of Sailing Yacht of the Year is awarded to the yacht that is considered by the judges to be the most notable of the class winners in two sailing yacht categories. Selecting the winner is not a matter of merely choosing the yacht that won its class by the greatest margin, as the judges are required to consider all the other elements that led to their being chosen as class winners. Both yachts were conceived as fast cruisers and, as both their owners invested a great deal of thought and experience into their designs, choosing the winner was a difficult task for the judges. Following lengthy discussion they decided that the Frers-designed 56-metre Alea , built to impeccable standards by Vitters, should receive this prestigious award. As is usual, their decision was based on a wide-ranging study encompassing all aspects of this yacht in relation to her owner’s specific requests. In Alea ’s case, her owner wished to circumnavigate the world in speed and comfort, and to fulfil this ambition Frers created a powerful, sleek hull form with a distinctive reverse bow to increase waterline length and speed, that would sail with comfortably low angles of heel. Other important needs were for safely uncluttered decks, 360-degree views in the communal living areas and a sizeable beach club, all of which were admirably incorporated into Alea ’s sleek and attractive profile. The judges particularly admired the manner in which the floor of the deck saloon and the adjoining cockpit are on the same level, set just over a metre below deck level to lower the profile of the deckhouse, while also offering the cockpit significant protection from wind and weather.

REBUILT YACHTS: MARALA

Length 58.8m Original builder Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard Pendennis Naval architect Charles E Nicholson Exterior designer Charles E Nicholson Interior designer Muza Lab

First, a word of explanation about this class: all yachts are entered into the Refit/Rebuild category, and the jury, having reviewed the photographs and read the statements submitted with each entry, decide whether the degree of work justifies it as a refit or a rebuild. If a meaningful amount of metal has been replaced, along with significant renewal of the interior and in technical areas, this generally leads to the yacht being placed in the Rebuild class. Of the yachts having undergone such extensive work, the jury unanimously decided that the standout winner was Marala , a classic motor yacht built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1931 and which has had just four owners during her 92-year lifespan. She had been rebuilt over two and a half years at Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, where the emphasis was on stripping back the additions made during her lifetime to reinvigorate her original spirit. The owner’s cabin is a nod to his admiration for the liner Normandie , while others pay homage to the Palace of Savoy and Japanese-influenced art deco, while another adds a sophisticated salute to the vessel’s days in military service. To quote her interior designers: “We knew we already had a diamond – it has been a case of polishing it to reveal its brilliance.” The rebuild saw the replacement of more than 100 tonnes of steel, predominantly in the hull, which was left unfaired to provide an authentic appearance. Stability was improved, all services including HVAC, piping, ducting and cabling were replaced, main engines and auxiliary generators were fully rebuilt and her emergency generator was replaced with a battery system. The judges felt that a yachting treasure had been saved by a meticulous period-conscious rebuild and this made her a worthy winner.

REFITTED YACHTS: ATHOS

Length 63.25m Original builder Holland Jachtbouw Shipyard Huisfit Naval architect Hoek Design Naval Architects Exterior designer Hoek Design Naval Architects Interior designers Hoek Design Naval Architects

As mentioned on the previous page, for this class, all yachts are entered into the Refit/Rebuild category, and having reviewed the photographs and read the statements submitted with each entry, the jury decides whether the degree of work justifies it being a refit or a rebuild. In general terms, if the work is commensurate with a five- to 10-year refit, without significant metal being cut, the yacht is usually judged in the Refit category. Among the many interesting entries, it was the 63.25-metre schooner Athos that caught the judges’ eyes. In choosing the ideal yacht for a world cruise, her owner had been drawn by the yacht’s elegant lines, the excellent “close to the water” sailing experience that she provides, and the fact that she had originally been designed with all the necessary attributes for a circumnavigation. This led to the owner taking the extraordinary step of chartering the vessel for a year in order to “get the feel of her” before committing to purchase, a time in which he defined the necessary works to fully customise her for his circumnavigation. Following her acquisition, Athos was placed in the hands of Royal Huisman’s Huisfit yard in Amsterdam – the home of her now-defunct original builders, Holland Jachtbouw – for almost a year under the design supervision of Andre Hoek, her original naval architect. Among the mass of work carried out, her stern was slightly extended to provide the owner with a larger cockpit adjoining his cabin, and the navigation station repositioned to a new deckhouse just aft of the foremast. She was also given new booms, new sails and lightweight carbon-fibre rigging. The quality and practicality of the work so impressed the judges that they had little hesitation in selecting her as the winner.

SAILING YACHTS, 30M TO 49.9M: SØRVIND

Length 34.59m Builder Southern Wind Shipyard Naval architect Farr Yacht Design Exterior designer Nauta Design Interior designer Nauta Design

Two yachts were built in the qualifying period for this class. One was designed to provide its owner with a combination of seagoing comfort and excellent sailing performance, and the other a classic-inspired bluewater cruiser. A closer examination of specifications, photographs and plans was followed by further discussion that focused the spotlight on the 34.59-metre Sørvind , a yacht that was beautifully constructed and multifunctional. The secret ballot that followed confirmed that this yacht, built in Cape Town, South Africa by Southern Wind to a design by naval architects Farr Yacht Design, with exterior and interior design by the Milan-based Nauta Design, took the prize. The owner, a keen sailor from a young age, told us in his statement submitted for the judges’ dossier, that he had wanted a “high-performance yacht for fast and comfortable sailing that embodies a ‘Nordic Cool’ spirit, while also designed for success on the charter market”, and the judges felt that he had received exactly this. In creating Sørvind , her builders had optimised this, their fifth SW105 model, developing a special assembly process between her full-carbon hull, deck and bulkheads, while her environmentally friendly synthetic teak decks were paired with titanium stanchions to reduce her weight to an impressive 69,500kg, thus giving her the ability to sail in the lightest of wind conditions. The judges also considered that her bright and light Scandi-style interior decoration combined with a highly practical GA plan – which places the master cabin and a double forward of the saloon, and two twin cabins and the crew accommodation, navigation and technical areas aft - perfectly met her owner’s needs.

SAILING YACHTS, 50M AND ABOVE: ALEA

Length 56m Builder Vitters Naval architect Germán Mani Frers Exterior designer Germán Mani Frers Interior designer m2atelier

The larger Sailing Yacht class contained just one vessel whose size was such that the judges considered it to be difficult, if not unfair, to compare it with the two significantly smaller sailing yachts, whose similar size suggested that they should be judged in a class of their own. It might seem that classes with just one yacht entered hardly require a judging process but, to ensure that unworthy yachts are not celebrated, precedent requires the judges to decide - based on their past experience - whether the vessel in question, in this case the 56-metre Alea built by Vitters is of sufficient quality to win its class against similar-sized winners in former years. Following a thorough review of the material submitted in support of Alea ’s entry, the judges unanimously approved that she should be awarded a Neptune. Alea is a long-range bluewater cruising sloop conceived for an owner who had requested a light displacement vessel that would perform well in both low and high winds. An extensive engineering study in conjunction with Frers Design led to an aluminium-hulled yacht whose lifting keel reduces her draught from 6.95 metres to 3.5 metres, thus allowing access to shallower harbours. On deck, she is clean and hazard free, with all sheets and halyards led below to captive winches, and her otherwise flush layout is broken only by a low deckhouse and coachroof-shaded cockpit amidships, and a raised entry to the crew and navigation areas aft. Her interior is a picture of comfortable minimalist elegance, the deck saloon giving access forward to the master and two guest cabins, while three further guest cabins and the crew areas open aft. Beautifully built in every respect, she is a most worthy winner.

JUDGES’ COMMENDATION: MELODY

Length 41.5m Builder Ridas Yacht Naval architect Olivier F. van Meer Exterior designer Olivier F. van Meer Interior designer Olivier F. van Meer

For 20 years, the owner of Melody had dreamed of building a state-of-the-art sailing yacht in which to make a safe and comfortable round-the-world voyage. When he came across the Zaca series of classically inspired designs created by renowned Dutch naval architect Olivier van Meer, he knew his search was over. This led to the commissioning of the Zaca 115 design which, built by Ridas Yacht & Composites in Estonia, became the 41.5-metre ketch Melody . Ridas had made its name in the construction of much smaller, composite vessels of extremely high quality, so the request to build an aluminium-hulled sailing superyacht of this size classed to Lloyd’s +100A1 presented the yard’s 25-strong workforce with a real test, but they rose to this challenge. The judges were impressed with the high quality of construction and finish, along with the sophisticated onboard technical systems, such as the Böning monitoring equipment that makes it possible to remotely monitor all of the yacht’s technical aspects. The judges found it difficult to compare this classic vessel with her more modern rival in the class, but were so impressed with her builder’s achievement that they voted to award a Judges’ Commendation.

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS, 30M TO 34.9M: BLUE JEANS

Length 33.74m Builder Van der Valk Shipyard Naval architect Diana Yacht Design Exterior designer Guido de Groot Design Interior designer Guido de Groot Design

All five yachts in this class were of very similar size, and while this made detailed comparison easier, the unvarying high quality of the entries and their disparate characteristics still made the task of choosing the winner difficult for the judges. The nominees’ performances ranged from an extremely fast 51 knots to a more sedate 26 knots, while advanced composites vied with aluminium and GRP for hull material, and water-jet propulsion jousted with conventional propellers. During discussion it was the less extreme vessels that drew the attention of the majority of the judges, with the fully customised 33.74-metre Blue Jeans , built by Van der Valk Shipyard, being the focus of much of their attention. Their admiration of this vessel was confirmed after the secret ballot, which she won by a significant margin. The judges admired her striking appearance, her comfortable cruising speed of 25 knots, her spacious maintenance-friendly engine room, high- quality build and her optimum layout. The owner had asked Van der Valk for a fast vessel with a high level of seaworthiness, stability and manoeuvrability and challenged the yard to surprise him with what they could do. To meet the owner’s performance needs, naval architects Diana Yacht Design drew a semi-displacement hull with large propellers positioned in tunnels to increase efficiency and decrease draught. Her interior by Guido de Groot Design, who also drew her exterior lines, was laid out in the classic manner with the master cabin well aft on the lower deck where movement is at a minimum, and a formal dining room forward on the main deck. Blue Jeans , the judges considered, is a very pleasant all-rounder that certainly met the owner’s challenge.

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS, 35M TO 41.9M: RUSH

Length 41.7m Builder Baglietto Naval architect Baglietto Exterior designer Francesco Paszkowski Design Interior designers Francesco Paszkowski Design in collaboration with Margherita Casprini

Comprising four similar-sized vessels that were otherwise quite different in their construction materials and performance, this was a tough class for the judges. Their discussion was long and wide-ranging, and after every aspect of the yachts had been considered in detail there was no clear consensus of which might come out on top. But even though the results revealed that the voting was indeed close, the outcome of the secret ballot was clear in that the aluminium-hulled 41.7-metre Rush , with naval architecture and build by Baglietto and exterior styling and interior design from the board of Francesco Paszkowski, the latter in collaboration with Margherita Casprini, led the field. She was the largest and also the fastest yacht in this class, topping out at 29 knots powered by three MTU 1,939kW diesels; the flank engines driving fixed-pitch propellers, while the central unit powering a Voith Linear Jet drive. At her fast cruising speed of 24 knots, her 43,090 litres of fuel provides a range of 980 nautical miles, which increases to an admirable 2,800 nautical miles at her 12-knot economical cruising speed. Her elegantly aggressive exterior line reveals a classic raised pilothouse design with spacious deck areas aloft, forward and aft. These are complemented by a fold-down stern platform that opens to reveal a compact beach club that gives access forward to an athwartships tender garage. Inside, the brief called for a traditionally laid-out interior, well illuminated by natural light, offering a “welcoming and sober style”. This was achieved by Paszkowski and Casprini with predominantly grey hues and a small palette of materials that create a sense of harmony throughout the vessel. Fast, stylish and fully featured, she is a worthy winner.

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS, 42M AND ABOVE: CALLISTO

Length 42.5m Builder Feadship Naval architect Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects Exterior designer Studio De Voogt I nterior designer Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design

Four finalists were lined up to compete in this, the largest of the semi-displacement and planing classes. Our judges, having thoroughly examined the material provided in the dossier, voted that Callisto , a 42.5-metre, full-custom, fast-displacement design built by Feadship, was the winner by a close margin. The owners of Callisto , who also own a much-loved 65-metre Feadship of the same name that launched in 2006, wished to downsize and focus their future cruising on the Mediterranean, where a smaller vessel would allow access to more ports and anchorages. They also wanted a good turn of speed to dart between these, as well as comfortable navigation at lower speeds, so a fast displacement vessel that could replicate as many of the things they loved about their former yacht was the obvious choice. The larger Callisto had classic Feadship lines and a hint of these were retained in the new yacht, while giving her a more modern edge and personality, an example of which is seen in her near-vertical bow. After studying two versions – a raised pilothouse and a three-deck configuration – the owners opted for the three-decker, further requesting that it should be “light, liveable and summery”. Interior designer Sinot achieved this with a background of brushed and bleached oak that was combined with cinnamon oak detailing and pale marble to create the crisp, clean beach house look that was admired by the judges. The panel felt that the combination of good looks, the highest standards of construction and the very evident satisfaction of the owners with their new Callisto , were very compelling reasons to award her the coveted Neptune.

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS 499GT AND BELOW, 30M TO 39.9M: UNKNOWN

Length 34.36m Builder Benetti Naval architects P.L. Ausonio Naval Architecture and Benetti R&D Dept. Exterior designer RWD Interior designer bonetti/kozerski architecture

After the judges had completed their detailed discussion of the five yachts in this class, the ballot made it clear that one yacht stood out from the crowd. The subsequent voting confirmed the supremacy of the 34.36-metre Benetti Oasis, Unknown , with exterior design by UK-based RWD and interiors by the New York architectural firm bonetti/kozerski, the same team that created the larger 40-metre Oasis design. The first thing that drew the judges’ attention were the deck spaces, in particular the aft deck, whose intimate connection with the water has created a huge and open beach club over two decks, centred on a glass-backed pool that sits astride the two levels. The judges also admired the open beach sensation created by the fold-down bulwarks to port and starboard, as well as the ideally positioned sunbathing area surrounding the pool, and the ability to unite all of this with the dining room through its wide semicircular doors. No other yacht, the judges felt, could match this highly desirable deck. Further large deck areas that offer comfortable seating and sunbathing are also to be found at the bows, on the bridge deck aft and on the sundeck, where alfresco dining is on offer. This is, in the judges’ opinion, a yacht that makes an excellent connection with the ocean and the open air. Inside, Unknown displays a natural, refined and tranquil style that perfectly matches her sporty exterior spaces, while huge windows again provide a close connection to her surroundings. The judges felt that this was a well-built, groundbreaking yacht that fits such extraordinary features into its compact size that it is very deserving of a Neptune.

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS 499GT AND BELOW, 40M TO 44.9M: ACALA

Length 42.9m Builder Cantiere Delle Marche Naval architect Hydro Tec Exterior designer Horacio Bozzo Design Interior designer Simon Hamui Design Studio

This year, none of the classes provided easy decisions for the judges, but this was possibly the toughest even though it contained five significant yachts – all of which had been visited by judges – of a size, volume and performance that made them very comparable. The discussion that followed was lengthy and detailed but two yachts, the 44.27-metre Conrad Ace and the 42.9-metre Cantiere Delle Marche Acala , seemed to command most attention. This was confirmed by the result of the secret ballot, when Acala came out top and Ace second with near-identical scores. Acala is the second yacht of this name for this owner, whose family had used their first vessel, a smaller Darwin 102 delivered by Cantiere Delle Marche in 2015, to visit and dive in the remote islands and archipelagos of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This, his second yacht of the same name, was devised to provide additional comfort while using their extensive knowledge to customise it to their exact needs. Working with designer and naval architect Horacio Bozzo and interior designer Simon Hamui, they defined and designed every aspect of their new yacht and spent almost a year working on its technical aspects. In the owner’s own words: “The shipyard has outdone itself – the build was smooth and totally under control, and the quality of construction is impeccable.” The judges admired Acala ’s rugged good looks, her well-sized engines that provide a top speed of 15.3 knots and a 7,506-nautical- mile range at 10 knots, excellent crew areas, a superb diving store and her elegant and modern interior. Their summary was that this is a true explorer yacht, well conceived and built, that perfectly met all of her owner’s needs. As such, she is an extremely deserving winner.

JUDGES’ COMMENDATION: ACE

Length 44.27m Builder Conrad Shipyard Naval architect Diana Yacht Design Exterior designer Reymond Langton Design Interior designer m2atelier

During their visits to Ace , our judges admired many aspects of this Conrad C144s design first seen in her near sistership, the smaller 40-metre Viatoris , also penned by Diana Yacht Design and Reymond Langton Design. Appealingly attractive and built to a commendably high standard, she was commented on favourably by the judges on the generous size and practicality of her well-laid-out deck spaces, while admiring her interior design, created by Marco Bonelli and Marijana Radovic’s m2atelier. They also thought highly of her convivial crew facilities and working areas, as well as her engineering and technical areas. Her owner came across Viatoris , the near-sistership to Ace , during the 2018 Cannes and Monaco yacht shows, and after spending a good deal of time aboard, sea-trialling her and discussing a few changes – notably his request for a slightly larger vessel with a vertical bow rather than the raked bow of Viatoris – the deal was signed and Ace started her voyage to reality. In view of the extreme closeness of the results of this class, together with their admiration for the product of this up-and-coming Polish superyacht yard, the judges decided to award Ace – an enviable all-rounder yacht – with a Judges’ Commendation.

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS 499GT AND BELOW, 45M AND ABOVE: OCEAN Z

Length 49.9m Builder Heesen Yachts Naval architect Heesen Yachts Exterior designer Clifford Denn Design Interior designer Reymond Langton Design

Having reviewed all the yachts in this class in some detail, the judges’ secret ballot clearly showed the 49.9-metre Heesen Ocean Z to be the clear winner. Her American owners had purchased their first yacht, a 32.9-metre, during the Covid-19 pandemic, a time when they had made a great deal of use of her. Having uncovered a new-found passion for the yachting lifestyle, they decided to invest in a new vessel more tailored to their lifestyle. Their research drew them to a semi-displacement yacht under construction at Heesen, but she swiftly came under offer and they lost her. On reflection, however, this was a serendipitous moment as it caused them to reassess exactly what they wanted. Comfort and good seakeeping came at the top of their list, so when another in-build Heesen of similar size and appearance became available – this time built from steel with a full-displacement hull form offering the comfort that they now sought – it was seen as fate, and a contract was signed. Ocean Z is the third vessel in Heesen’s 50-metre series - true bluewater vessels offering a top speed of 15 knots and a range of 3,800 nautical miles at 13 knots - which feature a purposeful exterior design by Clifford Denn. Ocean Z ’s interior, by Reymond Langton Design, although already underway, was customised to the owners’ need for clean and simple lines, bright open spaces and subtle contrasts of light and shade that were admired by the judges. This, combined with the yacht’s attractive lines, excellent deck spaces and Heesen’s high quality of construction and engineering, tipped the judges’ balance in favour of this very competent yacht.

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS, 500GT TO 1,499GT: COME TOGETHER

Length 60m Builder Amels Naval architect Damen Yachting Exterior designer Espen Øino International Interior designer Winch Design

This was another class in which the high quality of the contestants – all built by notable shipyards – made it difficult for the judges to decide a winner. Each yacht certainly displayed some enviable attributes, but the voting revealed that Come Together , the first vessel in the Amels 60-metre semi-custom series designed by Damen Yachting, with exterior design by Espen Øino and her interior by Winch Design, narrowly topped the secret ballot. But this was not an easy victory as she was chased hard by the 54.9-metre Feadship Shinkai and the 60-metre Heesen Lusine . The owner’s brief for Come Together was clear. Limiting the carbon footprint came top of the list, followed by the need for a stable, seaworthy platform for comfortable cruising. When focusing on the design detail, he requested an expansive sundeck and the ability to touch and go in a helicopter. In terms of the interior, the request was for an atmosphere in which he could entertain and unwind with family and friends. Winch Design met this with a relaxed and natural theme that gives a subtly masculine feel to its tactile and architectural form. This, in the judges’ view, blended well with Espen Øino’s pleasingly angular and geometric exterior. Among other admirable layout features, the judges were also influenced by the yacht’s amazingly spacious sundeck, where the central portion could be blocked by sliding- glass doors to prevent the unpleasant wind tunnel effect that can spoil open-air gatherings. The yacht’s hybrid-propulsion technology was also admired, enabling the yacht to up anchor and slow cruise without starting the engines and disturbing guests. This, the judges concluded, was a well-conceived yacht and a deserved winner.

JUDGES’ COMMENDATION: LUSINE

Length 60m Builder Heesen Yachts Naval architects Van Oossanen Naval Architects /Heesen Yachts Exterior designer Omega Architects Interior designer Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design

Having produced few fully customised vessels in recent years, Heesen is today best known for its range of high-quality semi-custom yachts built as speculative projects. But the company shines when commissioned for a fully customised vessel such as the 60-metre Lusine . Developed from a concept design, her elegant exterior features a touch-and-go helipad that can also be used as a sports deck, a private owner’s deck, guest areas on both the fore and aft of the main deck and a large bathing platform. Set within a practical GA, her sophisticated interior reveals an exquisite display of opulence that reinvents the understated glamour of the art deco period. Its star attraction, perhaps, is the games table inset with a slice of genuine lunar rock in a nod to the yacht’s name, which is Armenian for the word “Moon”. Provided with a fast-displacement hull form by naval architects Van Oossanen, Lusine has a top speed of 15.5 knots and a 4,500-nautical-mile range at 13 knots. She is tailored to the needs of an experienced client, and the judges felt that this was a special yacht which, in view of the closeness of the scoring, should be awarded a Judges’ Commendation.

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS, 1,500GT AND ABOVE: KENSHŌ

Length 74.85m Builder Admiral - The Italian Sea Group S.p.A Naval architects The Italian Sea Group S.p.A/ Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture Exterior designers Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture/ archineers.berlin Interior designer Jouin Manku

This was yet another class in which all the competitors are superb yachts, but a winner had to be chosen. After long deliberation, the secret ballot revealed that the 74.85-metre Kenshō , built by Admiral, a brand of The Italian Sea Group, who also acted as naval architects in conjunction with Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture, had triumphed. Azure also created the yacht’s exterior design with multi-disciplined architectural and engineering consulting company archineers.berlin. The yacht’s German owner wanted an “out of the ordinary superyacht to travel the world with family and guests”, and he presented an extremely concise list of demands for the designers to make reality. First of all he wanted to prioritise his interior design requirements over the yacht’s technical needs in creating a design with a high ratio of living areas to technical spaces. This living area could be spread over four decks, and should offer generous room heights of 2.7 metres on the main and upper decks, while incorporating highly glazed, forward-facing living rooms above the wheelhouse. Additionally, there should be generous outdoor living areas, especially on the lower deck aft, which should be dedicated to a large and comfortable beach club. Add in the need for optimal circulation routes, two pools, a four-deck lift, helicopter pad, excellent storage for a nine-metre tender and toys, and spacious crew areas. Such unique demands gave the design team food for thought, but they achieved the owner’s wishes. Despite the jury not being unanimously drawn to her exterior styling, the admirable manner in which the other requests were met by her builders and designers led to her being declared an exemplary winner of this competitive class.

JUDGES’ COMMENDATION: JUICE

Length 71.1m Builder Feadship Naval architect Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects Exterior designer RWD Interior designer Peter Marino

The owner’s previous vessel had been the first Feadship F45, used for family and friends in which he had cruised for ten years before returning to Feadship in search of a larger vessel. This new yacht was to feature a private owner’s deck, and was to exhibit the highest quality construction while emanating an air of refined elegance and timeless modernity. The result was the 71.1-metre Juice , featuring naval architecture by De Voogt, exterior design by RWD, and interior design by Peter Marino. The judges were impressed by her sleek exterior lines, together with impressive detailing such as that seen in the “pencil line” shadows that draw the eye forward and aft from the hull’s tear-shaped windows. They also applauded the manner in which the exterior staircases giving access to the upper decks are separated from the superstructure to let more light in the interior. The fact that the owner spent hours perfecting the interior with Marino, even personally selecting individual pieces of veneer for the stairwells, is a testimony to his involvement in the creation of his perfect yacht. The judges agreed that such superb build quality and attention to detail should be rewarded with a Commendation.

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARDS: SHINKAI

Length 54.9m Builder Feadship Naval architects Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects /Vitruvius Exterior designer Vitruvius Yachts

Many superyachts are classed by their builders as “expedition yachts”, but when put under scrutiny few actually meet the specific needs of a vessel designed to explore the oceans from tropics to high latitudes. But the 54.9-metre De Vries-built Feadship Shinkai , featuring naval architecture by Vitruvius and de Voogt, is a true go-anywhere vessel. Her experienced owner’s second explorer yacht, she is a development of his first Vitruvius-designed vessel that has, where necessary, refined and amplified aspects of his earlier yacht in which he twice circumnavigated the globe. Shinkai ’s worldwide cruising grounds include polar and uncharted regions, as well as the depths of the ocean, and this led to the need for ice classification, FLIR night-vision cameras and the installation of forward-looking 3D sonar and seafloor-charting equipment to assist navigation in uncharted waters. Shinkai ’s permanently embarked U-Boat Worx submarine gives the ability to descend to between 300 and 480 metres, while she also carries a full range of tenders, including an eight-metre limousine and a six-metre SOLAS tender. For land exploration, there is a six-person SUV housed in a weatherproof garage. As many of the areas that this yacht will visit are environmentally sensitive, Shinkai has SCR units to remove harmful emissions from her exhausts, state-of-the-art black/grey water systems, plus garbage compaction and freezing systems. Add to this a range of 6,200 nautical miles at 12 knots, an interior perfectly suited to the owner’s needs, and the legendary build quality of the de Vries shipyard, and the result is an extraordinarily capable explorer that so impressed the judges that it was unanimously decided to present her with a Neptune to denote a Judges’ Special Award.

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARDS: CORAL OCEAN

Length 72.54m Original builder Lürssen Refit Ahoy Club Naval architect H2 Yacht Design Exterior designer H2 Yacht Design Interior designer ibL / Sabrina Monte-Carlo

When the majority of judges seriously admire a narrowly second-placed yacht, they usually discuss the presentation of either a Judges’ Commendation or Judges’ Special Award. Such discussions are commonplace in the Refit and Rebuild Class, where comparing differing yachts can be problematic. Such was the case this year, when the upgrades to both Athos and Coral Ocean were much admired by the judges. While the refit of winner Athos had completely updated her, any changes would take an expert eye to spot, while the changes to Coral Ocean are more obvious. The owner’s aim was to allow charterers to fall in love with every space, particularly the deck spaces that urgently needed upgrading. Additionally, he felt it essential that all six guest cabins should offer equal facilities to charterers. The sundeck was reimagined, with a new central deckhouse containing a TV lounge, dining area and bar, all lit through a sunroof and glazed doors that access open decks fore and aft. Forward is a glass-sided spa pool, while aft is a sunbathing and observation deck. This new area, in conjunction with the upgraded cabins and the sensitive approach to the refit, was considered to be worthy of a Judges’ Special Award.

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARDS: NEBULA

Length 68.2m Builder Astilleros Armon Naval architect Incat Crowther Exterior designer Schwalgien Yacht Design Interior designer Schwalgien Yacht Design

Nebula was the sole support vessel delivered in the qualifying year for these awards, and given the unfairness of judging a work vessel against superyachts of similar size, the judges decided that she should be judged in a Support Vessel class of her own and only awarded a Neptune if she came up to the highest standards of past winners. Even the briefest look at this yacht’s dossier assured the judges that this was a very special craft. Built in Spain by Astilleros Armon with naval architecture by Incat Crowther and interior design by Schwalgien Yacht Design, this 68.2-metre aluminium catamaran came about from an owner’s requirement to safely land his H145 helicopter on its certified landing zone, support it with refuelling facilities and a workshop, and store it securely in a weatherproof garage without folding its blades. While guests previously landed on the foredeck of the mothership adjacent to the owner’s suite, they now land more safely on Nebula ’s helipad and transfer on a 12-metre custom-built catamaran tender. Nebula also carries a 10-metre Scorpion RIB as well as a seven-metre Pascoe RIB. The vessel is provided with guest accommodation, guest deck areas and a lounge, should there be delays between landing and transfer, as well as a hospital cabin, waste treatment facilities, storerooms, and a sizeable laundry to support the mothership. Apart from these, and her 15-metre by 12-metre helicopter hangar, her size allows for excellent crew facilities that include a crew gymnasium, yoga and sunbathing area on the sundeck. With a top speed of 21 knots and an 8,900-nautical-mile-plus range, Nebula is an extraordinary vessel, and a well-deserved winner of this special Neptune.

VOYAGER’S AWARD: V6

Length 48.5m Builder G&K Yachting SA

Significant cruises are rarely impulsive, while some take years to plan, so the impact of Covid-19-related restrictions still cause a major impact on Voyager’s Award entries. Last year saw two entries, both made on impulse when their respective owners foresaw a need to isolate themselves. This year there was just one, and while remaining travel uncertainties meant that this entry was not as far-ranging as most in the past, the jury nevertheless considered it to be highly significant in terms of the amazing experience had by all those on board 48.5-metre expedition yacht V6 . She logged 14,500 nautical miles during her summer 2022 cruise, starting in San Diego, transiting the Panama Canal to the Los Roques archipelago off the Venezuelan coast, then returning through the canal and north to British Columbia and Alaska, before closing the loop at San Diego. While the judges considered the distance covered to be a feat in itself, Voyager’s Award rules require the owner, or a guest nominated by the owner, to be aboard for the majority of the cruise. This condition was not met during the lengthy transits, so the judges decided to consider the element from Seattle to Anchorage as a stand-alone voyage – a cruise that met the needs of the award and with a scope equal to that of former winners. The adventure started on leaving Seattle, with orca and bald eagle sightings, scenic fjords, rides in historic float planes, and trips to the whirlpools of Arran Rapids and the all-but-abandoned town of Ocean Falls. The Alaska leg added canoeing, fishing, otter-, bear- and moose-spotting and beach barbecues into the mix. This was a well-documented cruise, spectacularly illustrated with remarkable photography.

LEGACY AWARD: RAHMI M. KOÇ

Mention the name Rahmi M. Koç to a group of international businessmen and they will instantly link it to his family business, Koç Holding A.S., a Fortune 500 company with a turnover of $52 billion, that is responsible for seven per cent of Turkey’s exports. Rahmi Koç has dedicated his life to this company, eventually taking over from his father, Vehbi Koç, as chairman of the board in 1984, a post he held until his retirement in 2003. The company’s achievements have been legendary – forging international manufacturing partnerships with global brands such as Ford, Fiat, Peugeot and Siemens, but also in setting up or acquiring wholly owned companies in fields as diverse as household goods, medical products, hotels, marinas and banking.

Despite his involvement with this huge group of companies, Rahmi Koç always found time for his particular passion – boats. A keen yachtsman since his childhood holidays, which, in his own words, were spent “mucking around in boats” on the Bosphorus, he grew up to become an avid collector of vessels both large and small, powered by steam, sail and diesel. He accumulated so many that he doesn’t know the exact number, but many can be found in perfect working condition in Istanbul’s superb Rahmi M. Koç Museum. Vessels such as the 1907 steam-tug Gonca , and the William Fife-designed 12 Metre Lady Edith launched in 1925, have been saved for posterity and are open for public viewing, which is a legacy in itself, but Rahmi still asserts that his first “real” boat was Nazenin , a 19-metre Francis Jones design which he built in Turkey in 1977 and still owns. Then came Nazenin II , an Alden 23-metre, and then Nazenin III , another Alden ketch, but this time 33 metres LOA. Having crossed the Atlantic, he then set his sights on a circumnavigation and his extensive experience was poured into the fourth Nazenin , a 35-metre designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Palmer Johnson, in which he took two years to circle the globe. His current flagship is Nazenin V , a Sparkman & Stephens-designed 52-metre built at RMK, his own shipyard in Istanbul.

Tonight, we celebrate this remarkable life in business, philanthropy and boats with the presentation of a well-deserved Legacy Award.

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Oyster 495 wins European Yacht of the Year 2023

We were delighted to win the prestigious European Yacht of the Year Award in the Luxury Cruiser category, and humbled to have been nominated.

Designing, building and delivering the Oyster 495 marks a major milestone for Oyster coming into our 50th year. As the ‘baby’ of our fleet, she embodies all of the aspects of our much-loved larger superyachts, all within a compact 50 foot yacht. She feels much larger and more luxurious than other yachts of this size and can be sailed shorthanded with ease.

From the outset, we set the bar high for the Oyster 495 – the benchmark 50 foot bluewater sailing yacht, and nothing less. Based on the reputation of European Yacht of the Year’s demanding judging criteria and in recognition of the verdict from 12 of the most respected and revered sailing journalists in Europe, we are confident we achieved our objective.

“So reassuringly strong, so surprisingly quick in straight line speed, so great to helm, so easy to handle and so, so comfortable if you want to retreat to her living quarters!”

Jochen Rieker Chairman of the European Yacht of the Year Jury and Chief Editor of Yacht Germany

“At its heart is a wonderfully (Humphreys) designed and engineered luxury bluewater cruiser, conceived from the ground up, built in a new dedicated facility to a repeatable quality very few yards are capable of.

Toby Hodges, UK judge, Yachting World journalist and judge

“A true bluewater cruiser that makes no compromise in terms of comfort, safety or sailing abilities.”

Loic Madeline, French judge and Voiles & Voiliers journalist

“The entry level of the Oyster range brings with it the build quality and customisation typical of the yard’s largest models… perfect for a couple’s globetrotting dreams.”

Alberto Mariotti, Italian judge, Director Editor of Vela E Motore

For more information on the Oyster 495, Luxury Cruiser, European Yacht of the Year 2023:

Oyster 495/02 TORTUGA, owned by Former Formula One team owner and race winner, Eddie Jordan was the Oyster 495 tested for the European Yacht of the Year 2023, in Port Ginesta, Spain.

The second yacht delivered from the Oyster 495 production line, Eddie’s "little treasure" met his desire for outstanding speed and performance at the Oyster Palma Regatta 2022. More on this story below.

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Winner of European Yacht of the Year 2023. She sets a new 50 foot bluewater benchmark, offering a stunning combination of sailing performance, comfort, safety and luxurious living space.

Oyster 495 sailing yacht with man at helm

Heralding a new generation of Oysters, this 60 foot bluewater cruiser is a sailing yacht for all oceans. Practical and well-provisioned for long distance sailing or cruising in coastal waters.

The much-anticipated Oyster 595 is well-proportioned and extremely versatile. Offering exciting, customised build options with no compromise, she is capable of great things.

A versatile sub-70 foot sailboat offering the perfect balance of size and practicality. She can be sailed shorthanded effortlessly or take a full crew and up to eight friends and family.

This long range 75 foot cruising yacht is designed for very big adventures. A joy to sail yourself, she also boasts dedicated crew quarters.

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An exhilarating 90 foot sailing yacht, delivering comfort and safety with uncompromising performance. She is capable of taking you anywhere in the world effortlessly, in luxury and style.

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2023 Boat of the Year Awards

By Herb McCormick
December 7, 2022

The arrival of the cold front could not possibly have been more surreal. At precisely 5 p.m. this past October 17, coinciding exactly with the official pronouncement that the annual US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, had concluded, a fierce thunderstorm rolled over Chesapeake Bay, generating sideways rain and powerful gusts. Chaos ensued. Exhibitors on land breaking down tents and packing up displays were left doused and scrambling. The crews on boats untying lines to depart the docks ducked for cover. It was a mess for everyone.

Except, that is, for our team of judges for the 2023 Boat of the Year contest , the sea trials for which were scheduled to begin early the next day. For us, hiding out from the fray, the timing couldn’t have been better.

We knew that the front was also bringing a fresh breeze—a couple of days of pumping northerlies before a welcome swing to solid southerlies. Game on.

Full disclosure: It’s not every year that every nominee in our yearly BOTY competition gets tested in superb conditions. Chesapeake Bay can be a fickle test bed in mid-October, particularly on flat-calm mornings, when it takes some time for the capricious sea breeze to fill in. Truthfully, sometimes it never does. But not this year. And while the winds did fluctuate somewhat over the next 72 hours, when our panel conducted sea trials for this year’s fleet of 17 entries, overall the conditions were almost ideal—some of the best, most consistent pressure in the 20-odd-year history of the event. Each entry got a fair opportunity to strut its stuff.

And it was a great year for that to happen, because while the fleet may not have been the largest ever, in terms of sailing prowess and performance, it was exemplary across the board. The sailing, quite simply, was outstanding.

But about those numbers: It’s safe to say that the effect of the pandemic on worldwide sailboat manufacturing is lingering. Last year in Annapolis, builders were inundated with orders, and for some companies, order books were full for the following two or three years, or more. Which meant that if you laid down a deposit for a new boat in 2021, it was by no means unusual for delivery to be scheduled for 2023, or later. That trend is slowing, but it has not ceased. What seems to have been shelved for many brands is the R&D that goes into new models. It makes sense. In the meantime, many marine-industry stalwarts from whom we’re accustomed to reviewing new boats on an almost yearly basis (Jeanneau and Leopard leap immediately to mind) were absent for 2023. Almost everyone is still playing catch-up.

All that said, even in years with two dozen entries or more, it’s rare to be presented with a fleet with such a resounding international presence. The 17 boats that comprise the BOTY ’23 field were produced in nine different nations: Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, South Africa, Slovenia, Sweden, the United States…and even Ukraine, where the manufacturing of a sweet, trailerable pocket racer/cruiser, the L30, has continued despite the ongoing conflict. Whoa. Sailors by nature are known to be a resilient lot, but so too are those who create the craft we sail. We salute them.

The makeup of the entry list was also noteworthy. In recent years, we’ve seen a proliferation of large monohulls, in the 55- to 65-foot range, many with price tags in the hefty seven figures. But there was no Luxury Class for the high-end set in 2023 (though the cost of several entries did crest the million-dollar mark). In fact, unprecedentedly, the largest monohull we reviewed this year was the Elan Impression 50.1 (the Lagoon 55 catamaran was the biggest multihull among the competitors).

And there were a couple of exceptionally strong classes, which certainly reflects the current state of the market. Both the Performance Cruiser division of dual-purpose racer/cruiser and the Multihull class drew a quintet of entries (the latter with four cats and a trimaran). Neither was particularly surprising because versatile boats that serve multiple purposes are always in fashion, and the trend toward multihulls is one that has seemingly become stronger for more than a decade and shows no sign of reversal. But it did not make the judges’ tasks any easier; both classes were formidable from top to bottom.

Another happy occurrence was a pair of excellent homegrown entries from the USA—once a powerhouse in the boatbuilding world but more of a footnote in recent years. The fine entries from Maine builder Lyman-Morse and a new Tartan from the resilient Midwest crew were heartening additions.

There was one final, unique aspect to the Boat of the Year 2023 competition: the number of owners aboard the yachts that we tested for the sea trials. Manufacturers reps and designers are our usual presenters, but having the sailors who purchased and commissioned the vessels always adds a new and fascinating dimension. Hearing what they chose and why is valuable input.

In that vein, we’d like to recognize Erik Asgeirsson on the J/45 , a lifelong sailor who’s the very definition of a racer and cruiser. He enjoys competing aboard the boat but also sailed it across the windswept English Channel after taking delivery, and he cruises with his wife and four girls all over New England. Jim Eisenhart, aboard his Moody DS41, was about to swap sailboats for a trawler until he took one look at the yacht’s sweet deck saloon and realized it would extend his years as a sailor. Chantal and Denis Rosa’s Impression 50.1 is the couple’s second boat from the Slovenian builder, and this year they’ll be sailing it to Grenada to visit their daughter and her new baby.

It was fascinating listening to Bob Frantz and learning about the choices he made with gear and charging systems on his Hallberg-Rassy 400; an avid ambassador for the brand, he circumnavigated on an earlier model from the Swedish builder. Of course, Drew Lyman loved his Lyman-Morse LM46 ; his company built it. He’ll be rolling down to the Bahamas aboard the awesome performance cruiser this winter with his clan. And a special tip of the cap to Ukrainian sailor and entrepreneur Alexander Ivanov, the importer and force behind the one-design L30, who took us on one of our best sails of the week on the windswept bay.

Spoiler alert: These boats largely did very well in the competition, and it probably was not a coincidence.

As always, the contest was conducted in two parts, with a series of dockside inspections of overall build, systems and layout preceding the sail trials. And, as always, we want to thank all the participants, who were gracious with their time and very accessible, even when we closed down their boats for viewing at busy periods during the Annapolis boat show.

Eventually, as they invariably do, the winds calmed and Chesapeake Bay was placid. Which meant it was time to convene, deliberate and choose some winners. This year, in particular, that was the hard part. What follows is a roll call of the winners, and a closer look at each and every nominee. For our team who puts it together, our Boat of the Year program is always some of the best sailing we ever get to do. And this year, breeze on, was special indeed.

2023 Boat of the Year: Best Overall Winner

Two for the blue.

When the spray had settled, at the top of the leader board was a pair of yachts destined for blue water and beyond: the Lyman-Morse LM46, the Domestic Boat of the Year, and the Hallberg-Rassy 400, the Import Boat of the Year.

Hallberg-Rassy 400 and the Lyman-Morse LM46

Domestic Boat of the Year: Lyman-Morse LM46

It’s an understatement to say that Drew Lyman, president of Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding Company—the estimable midcoast Maine semicustom builder with facilities in Thomaston and Camden—knows a thing or two about cruising boats. After all, his father, Cabot, founded the firm in the late 1970s, and several years later, circumnavigated with his family on a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Sequin 49 produced in his yard called Chewink , with Drew aboard for significant legs of the journey. Many lessons were learned; many memories were lasting.

When Drew decided he required a boat for a similar rite of passage with his own family, at first he was drawn to the notion of a cruising catamaran, and for a while, he leaned heavily in that direction. But when push came to shove, he decided to move forward with a monohull; one in size and in spirit was a descendant of the Sequin 49 of his youth.

That yacht is the Lyman-Morse LM46, a striking performance cruiser from renowned New Zealand naval architect Kevin Dibley, who created a light, fast sailboat that’s both strong and sleek, and a testament to the skilled craftsmen who built it. Lyman then added his own personal touches, including many features he borrowed from legendary skipper Stan Honey, whose Cal 40 took overall honors in this past summer’s Newport Bermuda Race after a refit at—where else?—Lyman-Morse.

Our judging panel was thunderstruck by both the formidable sailing prowess and the exacting level of execution, and unanimously awarded it the title of Domestic Boat of the Year. Judge Mark Pillsbury sums up the collective opinion of the judges: “Cold-molded construction, top-notch systems, a powerful sail plan, and an interior that is both practical and lovely at the same time. Wow! The Lyman-Morse LM 46 is a heck of a boat. Purpose-built for an experienced owner, for sure, but in terms of a pure sailing machine, the 46 was the standout boat in this year’s lineup of new models.”

Import Boat of the Year: Hallberg-Rassy 400

As cruising sailors, we’ve long been enamored with Swedish builder Hallberg-Rassy, and that respect has been reflected in past editions of our Boat of the Year contest, where the company has enjoyed numerous successes. The latest offering continues a trend introduced since noted Argentine naval architect German Frers has become the line’s principal designer. It’s oftentimes not easy for a company with proven results to change what’s already a successful formula. But this latest 40-footer is a yacht that has certainly evolved, and in doing so, it’s the 2023 Import Boat of the Year.

The cockpit windshield is a feature that warms the heart of every Hallberg-Rassy owner, and it’s continued here. But the aft-cockpit configuration is certainly a departure from the brand’s earlier iterations (including the yacht the 400 succeeds in the line, the center-cockpit 40C), and so too are the twin wheels and corresponding twin rudders. Those matching helms provided the judges with one of the best sails of the contest, a jaunt that began in light airs, and just got better and better as the wind filled. It was a winning performance.

The versatile layout, with a variety of options, is also unusual in a 40 footer, and it sealed the deal. As judge Herb McCormick said during deliberations: “This ain’t your old man’s Hallberg-Rassy. It’s a lot better. It just is.”

View all of the winners by category, meet the judges, and more…

More: 2023 Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year , hallberg-rassy , lyman morse , print Jan 2023 , Sailboats
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Charlie Enright (Barrington, RI) and Christina Wolfe (Orcas, WA) were awarded the 2023 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award and were celebrated along with fellow 2023 award finalists Betsy Alison, Erika Reineke, Steve Hunt, and Allan Terhune, Jr.

Charlie Enright
Christina Wolfe
Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year

The ocean race wins the sustainability award in the international sports awards 2023, neuschäfer and slingsby crowned at world sailing awards in malaga, world sailing awards 2023 to recognise this year’s highest achievers, sy nyumba wins the international superyacht society award 2023, sailing’s best to be celebrated at 2023 world sailing awards in málaga, nominations open for 2022 us sailing rolex yachtsman and yachtswoman of the year awards.

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Navigating 2023: A Calendar of the Year's Remaining Major Sailing Races and Regattas

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The world of sailing is a vibrant tapestry of tradition, innovation, competition, and camaraderie. As we navigate through 2023, the calendar is filled with events that capture the essence of yachting, from the elegance of classic boats to the adrenaline rush of modern racing. This comprehensive guide takes you on a journey through the premier yachting events of the year, offering an in-depth look at what makes each one unique and unmissable.

Calendar of the Year's Remaining Major Sailing Races and Regattas

Half Ton Classics Cup

Dates: August 13 to 18
Location: Cowes
Circuit: Half Ton class

The Half Ton Classics Cup is more than a race; it’s a celebration of a golden era in sailing. These boats, which made their mark in the seventies and eighties, come alive again in Cowes. The event is a blend of fierce competition and nostalgic reminiscence, where sailors and spectators alike can revel in the beauty and craftsmanship of these classic vessels. With a week of racing and social events, it’s a gathering that transcends generations and rekindles the spirit of the great IOR era.

Azimuth Challenge

Dates: September 19 to 24
Location: North Brittany
Circuit: IMOCA

Growing in stature with each passing year, the Azimuth Challenge in North Brittany is a festival of speed and endurance. The program is a thrilling mix of speed runs, a grueling 48-hour race, and a scenic tour of the island of Groix. The event’s unique combination of racing formats has made it a magnet for competitors, drawing an ever-increasing number of participants. It’s a showcase of skill, strategy, and the sheer joy of sailing at its best.

Mini-Transat 2023

Date: September 24
Location: Les Sables d’Olonne – Santa Cruz de La Palma (Canaries) – Saint-François (Guadeloupe)
Circuit: Mini 6.50

The Mini Transat is a race that captures the imagination and challenges the soul. Held every two years, this two-stage race is a pinnacle event for the Mini 6.50 class. The journey from Les Sables d’Olonne to Guadeloupe is a test of skill, determination, and courage. After two years of rigorous training, the solo sailors embark on this epic adventure, facing the vastness of the ocean and the unpredictability of the weather. It’s a race that demands everything and rewards with an experience like no other.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

Dates: To be defined
Location: Saint-Tropez
Circuit: Wally, traditional yachts, modern yachts, and Maxis

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez is a feast for the eyes and the soul. Over a week, the picturesque harbor of Saint-Tropez comes alive with 300 boats, ranging from classic beauties to sleek modern yachts. Nearly 4,000 sailors gather to celebrate the art of sailing, both on water and on land. With races, exhibitions, and social gatherings, it’s a festival that embraces the diverse and vibrant culture of yachting.

Vire Vire Banque Populaire Méditerranée

Date: October 1st
Location: Marseilles harbor
Circuit: IRC, old rigs, barquettes

A tradition dating back to 1948, the Vire Vire Banque Populaire Méditerranée is a beloved event in the Marseilles harbor. Bringing together 150 boats, the race is a 13 nautical mile coastal course that weaves through iconic landmarks. It’s a celebration of maritime heritage, where old rigs and barquettes race alongside modern IRC yachts. With a blend of competition and camaraderie, it’s a race that embodies the spirit of Marseilles and its rich sailing history.

Rolex Middle Sea Race

Date: October 21
Location: Malta
Circuit: IRC Solo and Duo and Class40

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a jewel in the crown of Mediterranean sailing. Starting and finishing in Malta, the 606 nautical miles course is a breathtaking journey around Sicily. The fleet navigates through the Strait of Messina, passes the marks of the Aeolian Islands and the Stromboli volcano, and heads to the Egadi Islands, Pantelleria, and Lampedusa. It’s a race that offers both beauty and challenge, often compared to legendary races like the Rolex Fasnet Race or the Rolex Sydney-Hobart.

Transat Jacques Vabre

Date: October 29
Location: Le Havre – Martinique
Circuit: IMOCA, Ocean Fifty, and Class40

The Transat Jacques Vabre is a race that transcends boundaries. Organized every two years, this double-handed race is a unique blend of partnership and competition. For the 16th edition, almost 100 duos will embark on a journey from Le Havre to Martinique. With three different courses to allow for a grouped finish, the race promises to be a thrilling spectacle. It’s a test of teamwork, strategy, and endurance, making it one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Back to Base

Date: November 22
Location: TBD

The Back to Base race is a new challenge for the IMOCA racers. Following the Transat Jacques Vabre, this event enables the racers to bring their boats back into the race between Martinique and Lorient. These 3,500 miles are to be sailed single-handed, adding a unique dimension to the event. It’s a race that explores the relationship between the sailor and the sea, offering a solitary journey that tests skill and resilience.

Rolex Sydney Hobart

Dates: December 26 to 31
Location: Sydney

An icon of Australian summer sport, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a global phenomenon. Over 74 years, it has evolved into a symbol of excellence in sailing. The start in Sydney Harbour is a spectacle that captures the world’s attention, followed by a challenging course to Hobart. With media coverage that rivals national events like the Melbourne Cup or the Australian Open tennis, it’s a race that celebrates the best of sailing and ends the year on a high note.

The year 2023 promises to be a thrilling ride through the world of sailing. From the elegance of classic yachts to the cutting-edge technology of modern racers, from professional competitions to gatherings that celebrate the joy of sailing, this guide offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of the yachting world. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a lover of the sea, these events offer something unique and unforgettable. Join us as we sail through the seasons, embracing the wind, the waves, and the timeless allure of the sea.

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Review of the year : That was the sailing year 2023

YACHT-Redaktion

· 30.12.2023

Brilliant start to the year and the Ocean Race off Alicante

Croatia will join the Schengen area at the beginning of the year. This eliminates border controls at the land border with Slovenia. Furthermore, owner and charter crews no longer have to clear in and out when crossing the sea border in Croatia, Italy or Slovenia.

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Royal end: Harald V of Norway cancels his sails

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Sailing Oscars: These are Europe's yachts of the year 2023

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The hoped-for comeback of para-sailing at the Paralympic Games has been cancelled for the time being. This means that the 2028 Games in Los Angeles will take place without sailing competitions. Nevertheless, the World Sailing Association wants to maintain its commitment and is banking on new opportunities for para-sailing in the future.

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SailGP: Storm shock in Sydney - SailGP fleet badly hit

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52 Super Series: Harm Müller-Spreer becomes a partner in the professional racing series

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"Rigmor von Glückstadt": Germany's oldest sailing ship turns 170

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With Nico Lunven and Rosie Kuiper, two Malizians are joining the Swiss team Holcim - PRB. Lunven will compete directly against Boris Herrmann for the Vendée Globe 2024. Kuiper's medium-term goal is to build up a crew for the Ocean Race Europe in 2025.

Lunven and Kuiper - two Malizians move to Holcim - PRB

The renaturalisation measures at Darßer Ort begin. The existing emergency harbour will no longer be available as a berth for the rescue cruiser or damaged vessels. After several delays, the long-planned Prerow island harbour is due to be completed at the start of the 2024 season. It is located around 1.5 nautical miles to the east of the existing Darßer Ort port of refuge off the coast at the end of a 720 metre-long pier.

Darßer Ort port of refuge: Closed for good from today

The first test of strength before the 37th America's Cup, which will be held off Barcelona in 2024, is won by the US team American Magic with superstar Tom Slingsby. The Australian had already brought the Americans luck in 2013 when they started a spectacular comeback and ultimately won 9:8 against Team Emirates New Zealand.

America's Cup: American Magic wins - is the Slingsby factor already working?

Harm Müller-Spreer and his team first secure the Rolex TP52 World Championship title on "Platoon" and then win the 52 Super Series season championship a month later. The world championship heart-stopping finale off Barcelona and the championship showdown in the bay of Palma are highly dramatic and are only decided in the final metres. German professional sailor Michael Müller is also part of the international crew.

52 Super Series: The double for "Platoon" - season title after World Championship triumph

Max Kohlhoff and Ole Burzinski win the world championship in the former Olympic two-man keelboat. The reigning champion Diego Negri has to admit defeat after winning two titles in a row. The North Germans thus join the prestigious ranks of Dennis Connor, Paul Cayard and Robert Stanjek, who have won the Henkelpott in previous years.

Starboat World Championship: Max Kohlhoff and Ole Burzinski are world champions!

The sinking of skipper Martin Daldrup's German yacht "Jambo" has stirred the local sailing scene. Around 900 nautical miles off Brazil, his Bavaria 34 sank after colliding with an unknown object. Daldrup climbs into the life raft. He is later rescued by a freighter.

German yacht "Jambo" sank in the South Atlantic - was that the cause?

In the top ClubSwan duel between Italy and Germany's best racing swans, the Azzurri win the world championship final. Marcus Brennecke's "Hatari" takes bronze and secures victory in the season class ranking.

ClubSwan World Championship: "Cuordileone" takes gold, "Hatari" wins seasonal ranking

What the footballers can't do, Hamburg's sailors can: the NRV wins the championship trophy for the seventh time in the eleventh Bundesliga season. In their home match on the Outer Alster, the record champions knocked the Münchener Yacht-Club, who had travelled to Hamburg as league leaders, off top spot.

Bundesliga: Sovereign home match - record champion NRV storms to title seven

Storm surge of the century on the Baltic Sea: The German and Danish Baltic Sea coasts are hit by a catastrophic storm surge, the likes of which have not been seen for 120 years. Dykes break, harbour facilities are completely destroyed and countless boats sink directly at the jetties or are totalled. Strong winds blowing from the east for days, which developed into a hurricane-force storm, combined with a water level that was already significantly higher than normal, led to the event of the century. Although the storm surge had been predicted by meteorologists, the extent of the damage exceeded the imagination of most people.

Storm tide of the century: over 200 total losses - "Schilksee resembles a battlefield"

After a furious race to catch up, Boris Herrmann and Will Harris finish seventh in the Transat Jacques Vabre. Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink, by far the youngest crew in the Class 40 field, reach Martinique in 13th place, while the Imoca team of Fabrice Amedeo and co-skipper Andreas Baden also cross the finish line.

Transat Jacques Vabre: Seventh after Caribbean thriller - Team Malizia crosses the finish line

The President of the German Sailing Association, Mona Küppers, and blue water sailor Burghard Pieske are honoured with the Federal Cross of Merit. Küppers receives the order primarily for her commitment to gender equality, Pieske for his services to socially disadvantaged young people with whom he goes sailing.

Mona Küppers honoured with the Federal Cross of Merit
Federal Cross of Merit for circumnavigator Burghard Pieske

After 2010 and 2021, Tom Slingsby is once again voted World Sailor of the Year by the World Sailing Association. Kirsten Neuschäfer wins this award for the first time with her irresistible victory in the Golden Globe Race.

Tom Slingsby and Kirsten Neuschäfer are World Sailors of the Year

The yacht photo of the year was taken by Samo Vidic from Slovenia on board Alinghi's AC75. The adrenalin-fuelled picture shows the crew exposed to enormous forces at speeds of more than 40 knots.

Samo Vidic wins Mirabaud Prize with Alinghi adrenalin picture

A whole issue of sustainability: In our Special edition 24a we deal with 100 pages of topics relating to the question of how sailing can be better harmonised with the protection of the environment and nature in the future. From the eco-balance of a sailing yacht to sustainability in boat building and the recycling of disused sports boats. Efforts to rethink professional regatta sport are also highlighted, as are marine conservation projects under sail.

YACHT special edition: How sustainable is sailing?

Scientists at the Universities of Copenhagen and Victoria are using wave data and artificial intelligence to develop a formula for predicting monster waves. This discovery could make shipping safer.

Monster wave study: better protection thanks to artificial intelligence?

Yoann Richomme wins, Boris Herrmann proves his strength with fourth place in the Transat-Solo Retour à La Base. The Hamburg native wants to fight for a podium place at the Vendée Globe 2024/2025.

Retour à La Base: Boris Herrmann on course for the Vendée Globe - the winners and losers of the season finale

The 78th Rolex Sydney Hobart Race starts on Boxing Day with 113 boats on the entry list. Among them is Christian Opielok from Hamburg with "Rockall 8".

Rolex Sydney Hobart Race: "Unfinished Business" - Opielok wants to arrive with "Rockall VIII"

YACHT wishes all readers a good start to a successful 2024!

Click here for all previous "YACHT Week" columns

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Most read in category Special

Published on October 13th, 2022 | by Editor

Nominees for 2023 Boat of the Year

Published on October 13th, 2022 by Editor -->

Annapolis, MD (October 13, 2022) – The 2023 Boat of the Year nominees for Cruising World and Sailing World magazines have been revealed as the U.S. Sailboat Show gets underway today in Annapolis, MD.

For Cruising World, sixteen boats – 11 monohulls, and 5 multihulls – have been nominated and will be tested by systems expert Ed Sherman of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) along with longtime sailors and marine journalists Mark Pillsbury and Herb McCormick.

“Once again, sailboat builders have raised the bar, putting up a worthy fleet of contenders ranging from comfortable cruisers to wave-piercing performance models,” said Herb McCormick, Cruising World Boat of the Year director. “We have one of the most well-rounded fleets in years, and we can’t wait to get out and put these new boats through their paces.”

Cruising World’s 2023 Boat of the Year nominees include: Balance Catamarans 442, Beneteau First 36, Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, Dufour 37, Elan 50.1, Hallberg-Rassy 400, Hanse 460, J/Boats J/45, Lagoon 55, Lyman Morse LM46, Moody DS41, Nautitech 44 Open, Neel Trimaran 43, Fountaine-Pajot Tanna 47, Tartan 365, and X-Yachts X4.3.

Running parallel to Cruising World’s tests in Annapolis, the Sailing World magazine Boat of the Year program has narrowed its list of nominees to 11 boats, including four dinghies, five offshore-oriented raceboats, two performance cruising multihulls, and four recreational dinghies.

“One exciting element this year is the number of recreational dinghies, which is essential for the continued growth of the sport—boats that are relatively inexpensive and provide easy access to the water,” said said Dave Reed, Sailing World’s editor and Boat of the Year director.

The nominees or Sailing World’s 2023 Boat of the Year Award are: Beneteau First 36, Lyman Morse 46, X-Yachts X4.3, J/45, L30, MiniCat 310, Tiwal 3R, Nacra 500 MKII, SOL, Balance 442, and Neel 43. They will be reviewed by Sailing World’s independent judges—Chuck Allen, Greg Stewart, and David Powlison.

Tags: Boat of the Year awards , Cruising World Boat of the Year Awards , Sailing World Boat of the Year Awards

2024 Boat of the Year winners →

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8 Fascinating Facts About ‘Kokomo,’ the Lightning-Fast 192-Foot Sailing Superyacht

The 192-footer has a 242-foot-high mast and spinnaker half the size of a football field. but it's so automated it can be sailed by two people., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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The 192-foot Kokomo was the second largest sloop in the world when it launched from New Zealand’s Alloy Yachts shipyard in 2010. It remains the largest fast-cruising sloop available for charter. The yacht’s commissioning owner Lang Walker (who died in January 2024) was a seasoned sailor who gave all three of his yachts the same name.

The first was a 131-foot sloop, which Walker replaced five years later with a 171-footer. The same day he took delivery of his 171-foot sloop, he placed an order for the third and final 192-foot Kokomo, which he planned to use for racing and cruising around the world. He also kept the same design team for all three yachts, with exterior and naval architecture by Ed Dubois and interior by UK’s RWD.

The reference to the yacht’s name has had different explanations over the years, ranging from the pseudonym of a composer whose music Walker played as a child to a nod to the Beach Boys’s song from their 1988 album Still Cruisin’ , which references a fictional utopian island called Kokomo. The island fantasy was brought to life in 2011 when Walker acquired a private island in Fiji’s Great Astrolabe Reef and named it Kokomo .

Here are eight unknown facts about one of the most game-changing sailing yachts on the water.

You’re Going to Need a Bigger Boom

When Kokomo was launched, she was the second-largest sloop in the world and carried the largest set of sails made by Doyle Sails in New Zealand. The 23,971-square-foot asymmetric spinnaker is half the size of a professional football field, while the 9,688-square-foot mainsail needs a crane to lift it. Because of the gargantuan size of the sails, the designers entered a new era of spar and winch design, having to “reinvent” the deck equipment—winches, mast, boom, rigging and sails—to cope with the 31.6-ton load on the genoa sheet and 32-ton load on the main sheet clew. The 244-foot carbon mast is the largest ever made by Southern Spars.

A Hidden Lifting Keel

The yacht’s 130-ton lifting keel is one of its most impressive features, though it’s largely left to the imagination. The interior layout is carefully designed so that the keel structure remains hidden. Dubois Naval Architects positioned the keel box to come above the main deck, serving as a partial separation between the bridge and the main salon (see inset). Kokomo was only the second yacht to be fitted with a lifting a keel, the first being 246-foot M5 (ex-Mirabella V), the world’s largest single-masted sailing yacht. This innovative design shortens Kokomo’s 28.5-foot draft when the keel is fully extended, to just 15 feet for shallow waters.

Fast-Track Sailing

Kokomo was one of the first yachts to be fitted with a hydraulic batt-car system for furling the mainsail, which has cars at each batten end that slot in an outer track on the mast. This alleviates a once-common issue where the luff tape or bolt rope on large sailing yachts became chaffed by the compression of the battens, which often caused the in-boom furling mainsails to fail. “When sailing Kokomo , especially when racing, I am completely impressed with the speed and efficiency of the hydraulic system,” says Kokomo ’s captain, Jeremy ‘Bear’ Wynne, who notes the yacht’s recorded top speed is a very impressive 22 knots. “The jib furlers are some of the fastest I have seen. There is absolutely no shortage of hydraulic power, even with multiple winches running on a jibe—a rarity on a big sailing yacht.”

Now You See It, Now You Don’t

Kokomo might be big on technology, but never at the expense of design. The wheelhouse has fold-down computer screens that conceal the navigation equipment when not in use, converting to beautiful carbon counter tops. This design sleight of hand transforms a highly technical area into a tony lounge. It’s a theme that extends to the foredeck, where the yacht’s two tenders are concealed in dedicated lockers. There’s also a fully retractable tender crane that launches the tenders from either side of the boat but disappears out of sight when guests are using the Jacuzzi. “The designated deck lockers were an advanced feature at the time of her launch,” says Wynne, adding that another bonus is that diesel tanks are fully available. “The tenders can be fueled onboard before launching.”

It Takes Just A Few Good Sailors

Kokomo can accommodate up to 10 crew in total, but theoretically it only takes two to sail—a helm person and a sail trimmer. That sounds almost impossible given the size and complexity of yacht. But all sails are controlled by joystick on the flybridge. And when the boat is in full-on racing mode, there are control stations on both sides, providing visibility of the sails. Thanks to the hydraulics system, the mainsail can be hoisted and lowered on a wireless remote control. Of course, maneuvers like stowing the massive genoa can never be automated. That’s a job for a half-dozen good sailors.

Art On Board

The hallway that leads to the owner’s cabin is lined with a mosaic tapestry made from sea glass woven together with wire. Backlit to create an unusual effect, it’s just one of the eclectic works of art that decorates the interior. The main salon also has a stunning and colorful work of glass art as another example.

Interior Matters

Kokomo is not all tech features. The yacht’s modern interiors combine dark wood floors and calming cream furnishings start in the main salon and continue across the five guest cabins. Penned by British studio Redman Whiteley Dixon, the design carefully wraps around the lifting keel without sacrificing or impeding on any interior guest space. The yacht accommodates up to 10 guests in a master suite, VIP, one double cabin and two twins. There are other accommodations for up to 10 crew. On the foredeck, the Jacuzzi brings another element of outdoor entertainment, bolstered by a sunken cockpit.

World Traveler

The mandate issued by Walker was to create a yacht that was a “quantum leap forward” from his previous yachts, with superior sailing characteristics and guest comfort. The mast’s height is too tall to sail through the Panama or Suez Canals, which meant it would have to be designed to sail around Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope to reach the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The maiden voyage took the yacht from the New Zealand shipyard to Australia, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, and Fiji. It also spent time at Walker’s private island (pictured above), also named Kokomo. The vessel has since spent many years exploring the Caribbean and Med. It’s based in both regions during the respective cruising seasons, with charters available through Cecil Wright.

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2023 Boat of the Year Best Dinghy: Tiwal 3R

By Dave Reed
December 16, 2022

Sailing World Magazine’s annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our 2023 Boat of the Year nominees »

The High-Pressure Ripper

Tiwal 3R 2023 Best Dinghy
Stated purpose: Recreational sailing, one-design and rally racing
Crew: One to two
Praise for: Performance, comfort, portability
Est. price as sailed: $8,900

The surest way to grow sailing is to make it easy to get on the water with minimal hassle on a boat that is exhilarating to sail—and that’s exactly what the inflatable and powered-up Tiwal 3R does. Thousands of Tiwal fanatics around the world can’t be wrong; they love their zippy little crafts, and the Tiwal community has grown ever larger since its young French innovators launched the first model a decade ago. The Tiwal 3R is the continuing evolution of a great idea—with even better execution. Tiwal boats keep getting better, and this one is its best yet.

The “R” is for Race, and that’s because after two years of playing and adventure racing on the early-edition Tiwal 3s, keener owners started asking for more. But the engineering required to make Tiwal’s high-pressure inflatable hull and aluminum frame take on greater rig and structural loads that had them stumped for nearly two years, says Emmanuel Bertrand. They kept breaking it until they got it right.

At 10 feet and 121 pounds fully rigged, the magic of the Tiwal 3R is its portability, which would explain why the company says it sells so many in urban areas around the world. The sail, hull, blades, five-part composite spar and boom, and aluminum frame pack into two 5-foot duffel bags. To put it all together at whatever water’s edge takes about 30 minutes; it’s mere minutes if the boat is coming off the car top already pumped and assembled.

The PVC hull construction is identical to all other Tiwals, but the design for the 3R is a big improvement, with a more pronounced V-shape, a bit more rocker, and a reinforcement plate on the bottom near the transom, which gives it stiffness and a cleaner exit. “It’s difficult to get a hard corner on inflatables,” Stewart says, “so that’s a great solution to give it a nice sharp edge and a cleaner break so the water isn’t bubbling up over the back.”

When I got my weight in the right spot, the boat just took off. It’s quicker than quick. —Chuck Allen

The gust-responsive rig and big sail, built with North Sails racing cloth, is what takes the boat a big step from the recreational sailor’s Tiwal 3 to the racing sailor’s 3R, Powlison says. “This is the same size sail as a Laser, 77 square feet, which is a lot of power. When you get the vang set right, it does make a big difference. It is an effective control that they got right.”

Powlison’s only desire was to be able to get the sail controls to run farther back on the rack, accepting, however, that this would unnecessarily complicate the setup.

Allen, who’s been a Tiwal fan since the original, is impressed once again. “You definitely get a lot more performance out of this thing,” he says after sailing the boat in 10 to 15 knots and flat water. “I got hit with a puff and was like, dang! This thing’s got some wheels. It’s much faster and stiffer. I’m 170 pounds and was able to stay out on the rack the entire time, even when it got light.”

Stewart’s assessment of the 3R is that it’s built for a slightly more advanced sailor. “This thing is higher tech, with a lot more control lines, so it’s a bit more boat to handle. That being said, I’m a big guy (the manufacturer’s stated maximum load on the wing is 242 pounds), and I was never sitting in water, so it will accommodate a wide range of people.”

Getting the purchase systems for the 4-to-1 cunningham and the two-part vang (all of which are doubled-ended) into the mast collar hardware was an engineering exercise, says creator Marion Excoffon. But the end result is a system of color-coded lines and color-matched Harken blocks that work effectively and smoothly to depower the sail. Once the control systems are assembled, they don’t need to be rerun. When rigging, simply slide the mast into the collar, hook up the mainsheet, attach the rudder, and cast off for a fast and sporty adventure.

“Every time I got a little puff, the boat zipped right along,” Allen says. “The foils are stiff and shaped well, so the boat goes upwind really nicely. The bow was stiff and wasn’t flopping in the chop. But the best part was reaching around in the big puffs, sitting at the back corner of the rack, with the boat just skimming. When I got my weight in the right spot, the boat just took off. It’s quicker than quick.”

More: 2023 Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year , Dinghy , Print Winter 2023 , Sailboats
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13 Mar 2024

Youth Sailor of the Year

Your 2023 youth sailor of the year nominees .....

Ben O'Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain,

National Yacht Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club

Ben and Ethan are the current 29er European champions, Irish National champions and brought home silver at the British Nationals in Weymouth last summer. They then added to this in December winning a bronze medal at the Youth World Sailing Championships in Brazil.

Clementine Van Steenberge,

National Yacht Club

Is nominated for holding to current 29er World Championship Title. She is part of a sibling duo with brother Nathan Van Steen Berge who is a year above the youth category. A huge achievement when considering they came top of the league of 205 competitors from 25 countries in Weymouth last August.

Lucia Cullen & Alana Twomey,

Royal St George Yacht Club & Royal Cork Yacht Club

Lucia and Alana have had a great 2023 on the international stage where they were crowned European Female 29er Champions. This is a repeat nomination for the pair as they were both in the running for the 2022 Youth Sailor of the Year.

Rory Whyte,

Waterford Harbour Sailing Club & Royal Cork Yacht Club

15-year-old Rory Whyte from Waterford Harbour and Royal Cork Yacht Club recovered from a false start in race one in a three-race final series to win the 4.2 World Championship Trophy in July of 2023.

Sienna Wright,

Howth Yacht Club

15-year-old Sienna from Howth Yacht Club is current U17 Vice Youth European and Youth World ILCA 6 Champion following on from a bronze medal at Youth World Sailing Championship in Brazil. These results only serve to highlight this young sailor’s potential where she can be expected to further consolidate in preparation for a senior career option towards the Los Angeles Olympics.

David Evans,

Sligo Yacht Club

David has been a committed and passionate helm on the Sligo racing scene since the early years of primary school, competing in both regional, national and international events in a variety of classes such as the Mirrors, GP14's and Fireballs. In 2023 David was the highest placed Irish helm in the Mirror nationals, he won the U19 category in the Mirror Worlds and came first in the silver fleet in the Fireball Nationals.

Marine Notices

Sail Portsmouth tall ships festival 2023: Blessing of Fleet is back, reviving tradition

PORTSMOUTH — A long-missed tradition celebrating a key community in the city’s maritime history will return this year to mark the city’s 400th anniversary celebration as part of the Sail Portsmouth tall ships festival .

The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 27 during the festival's opening Parade of Sail and Flotilla 400 up the Piscataqua River to the Memorial Bridge.

The Parade of Sail and Flotilla 400 kick off this year’s Sail Portsmouth tall ship festival, which will run July 27-31. A multi-denominational group of local religious leaders positioned on Four Tree Island will bless the tall ships, fishing vessels, commercial and recreational boats in the parade as they pass by the island.

Jason Brewster, owner of Brewster’s Bait and Tackle in Portsmouth, in cooperation with Sail Portsmouth and Portsmouth NH 400, proposed the renewal of Portsmouth’s traditional Blessing of the Fleet.

“It’s been quite some time. I think the last Blessing of the Fleet was celebrated in the 1980s, and the 400th anniversary is a great time to bring it back,” Brewster said. “It’s something that’s been missing.”

What you need to know: 5 tall ships coming to Sail Portsmouth 2023. Details on festival tickets and more.

Brewster, who grew up on Hunking Street and now operates the shop his great-grandfather founded, added, “There are a lot of people that have no recollection of the Blessing of the Fleet back in the day. That makes it more important than ever to bring it back now.”

That’s why Brewster approached Portsmouth NH 400 organizers to make it part of the year-long celebration.

“The reason we’re here is this river,” Brewster said. “Without the river and the people who work on this river, there would be no Portsmouth.”

The Portsmouth NH 400 year-long celebration includes seven pillars, or event themes, one of which is Maritime and Military.

“The Blessing of the Fleet easily falls under Maritime & Military,” said Valerie Rochon, executive director of Portsmouth NH 400th Inc. “One of our core values is diversity, inclusion, respect and accessibility, so we asked Jason to reach out to all denominations to invite them to participate. With the help of one of our great volunteers, Linda Sartorelli, all identified denominations, including the leaders of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki tribe, were invited.”

Participating clergy will include Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman of Temple Israel; Denise and Paul Pouliot of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People; Rev. Jacquelyn Brannen of the First United Methodist Church, Portsmouth; Rev. Dimitrios Moraitis of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Portsmouth; Rev. Gary Belliveau of Corpus Christi Parish, Portsmouth; Rev. Westley Conn of Stratham Community Church; and Rev. Jennifer Mazur of the North Church of Portsmouth. Additional local clergy members are expected to be added to the ceremony as their attendance is confirmed.

“All of us that grew up down here on the river, the Blessing was our own thing. Everyone on the river was involved in it,” Brewster said, remembering the whole fishing fleet participating in the ceremony with boats all decked out with decorations, families making tons of food, and lobster crate races across the river. “People would line up to watch from the riverbanks along Mechanic Street and Pierce Island.”

Crates that were used to hold lobsters were tied together with rope in a chain that created stepping stones across the water. The races were timed and the fastest racers won.

“Ten-year-olds were the kings because the lighter you are, the less the crate would sink down into the water. The adults would get dunked immediately,” Brewster said.

All his fond memories of the celebration grew from the ceremony at its core, blessing the city’s fishermen and all those who made their living from the Piscataqua River and Atlantic Ocean.

“Despite all the merriment, the original intention of the event was the annual blessing of the local fishing fleet by local clergymen,” he said.

Five tall ships coming to Portsmouth

The Parade of Sail and Flotilla 400 on the evening of Thursday, July 27 will feature five tall ships: the three-masted Trinidad, the two-masted schooner Ernestina-Morrissey, the three-masted schooner Denis Sullivan, the topsail schooner Lynx and the schooner Bowdoin. The Parade of Sail and Flotilla 400 is a joint presentation of Sail Portsmouth and the Propeller Club. Gov. Chris Sununu will be the grand marshal of this year’s Parade of Sail.

At 6:15 p.m. on July 27, the tall ships joined by the gundalow Piscataqua, Portsmouth’s own tall ship, will begin the parade at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. They will be accompanied by a flotilla of vessels, both civilian and commercial fishing boats plus military and municipal craft. The Parade of Sail will end at the Memorial Bridge where the tall ships will turn around and head to their mooring sites. Two will berth at the Portsmouth Commercial Fishing Pier, which will be the festival’s headquarters for the weekend, just across from Prescott Park. All boaters are invited to join in the Parade of Sail.

New this year, private pleasure and commercial fishing vessels which participate in the Parade of Sail and Flotilla 400 are eligible to win a $1,000 gift certificate from Hamilton Marine. The Propeller Club of Portsmouth is distributing 500 cold drink koozies that contain a ticket to enter the Hamilton Marine raffle and U.S. Coast Guard boater safety information to local boaters. Distribution locations include Hamilton Marine, Brewster’s Bait and Tackle, Pierce Island Boat Launch, Portsmouth Marina (Sagamore Creek), Wentworth Marina, Rye Harbor, Portsmouth Yacht Club, Kittery Point Yacht Club, Safe Harbor Kittery Point Yacht Yard, Great Bay Marine, Great Cover Boat Club, Freedom Boat Club, Badger Island Marina and Piscataqua Marina (Badger’s Island).

Boaters have until Aug. 10 to turn in their raffle tickets at Hamilton Marine at 56 U.S. 1 Bypass in Kittery where the winning entry will be drawn.

Brewster’s Bait and Tackle is also providing 15,000 feet of colorful plastic flag garland for local boaters to decorate their boats with for the Parade of Sail and Flotilla 400. Boaters can pick up the garland at the bait shop at 121 Mechanic St., Portsmouth; at the Pierce Island Boat Ramp, at Esther’s Marina and other local marinas. After the parade, boaters can drop the garlands at Brewster’s, Esther’s or at the boat ramp and they will be recycled.

“In celebration of Portsmouth’s 400th anniversary, we wanted to create a Parade of Sail and festival weekend that are truly memorable,” Phil von Hemert, chair of Sail Portsmouth, said. “I cannot remember the last time five tall ships entered our harbor at the same time. This will be spectacular. We’ve also added one more day to tour the ships and take a tall ship day sail this year. Now I just hope everyone can be there to celebrate our city’s long maritime history.”

The two tall ships that will be open to the public for tours at the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier are the Trinidad and the Ernestina-Morrissey. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, July 28-31. Admission to the festival and tours is $12 for adults. Children under 12 are free. A family ticket is $30 and admits one adult and up to three children ages 13 to 15. Tickets for Sail Portsmouth members, active military and seniors are $10. Tickets for ship tours and the festival venue can be purchased online at sailportsmouth.org/events and at the gate if still available.

Tickets, which are good for any time on any of the four days, provides admission to the Sail Portsmouth 2023 dockside venue to tour exhibitor booths, listen to entertainers, purchase food and interact with local pirates and period re-enactors.

Day sails have sold out, but tickets are available for two-hour ocean sails on the Lynx July 27-31, leaving from and returning to the UNH Pier in New Castle. Tickets are $69 and passengers must be at least 6 years old. Parking at the pier is free. Tickets are at sailportsmouth.org/events .

All net proceeds from the festival go to the Sail Portsmouth Sea Challenge Scholarship Fund to support local high school youth who participate in experiential learning programs at sea on tall ships.

The Piscataqua Maritime Commission, now operating as Sail Portsmouth, is the nonprofit organization that presents Portsmouth’s tall ships festival each summer.

To commemorate the revival of this treasured Portsmouth tradition, Brewster’s Bait & Tackle commissioned local artist Dan Blakeslee to create a special silkscreen print depicting the Blessing of the Fleet.

The public can purchase a limited edition 11x17 silkscreen print numbered, signed and created by Blakeslee himself for $75 or a 11x17 digital reproduction for $20, printed by PNH400 in-kind sponsor AlphaGraphics. The Kennedy Gallery on Market Street is offering 25% off for anyone who would like to get this collectible art framed. Blakeslee’s artwork can be purchased at portsmouthnh400.org/portsmouth-nh-400-mercantile/p/blakeslee-botf-11x17-digital-print and at the Sail Portsmouth festival.

5 tall ships coming to Sail Portsmouth 2023: What to know about tickets, parking, more

PORTSMOUTH — Sail Portsmouth will celebrate the region’s maritime history and the city’s 400th anniversary with its annual tall ship festival July 27-31.

This year’s Sail Portsmouth festival will feature five tall ships, beginning with the Parade of Sail and Flotilla 400 on the evening of Thursday, July 27. The tall ships participating this year are the three-masted nao Trinidad, the two-masted schooner Ernestina-Morrissey, the three-masted schooner Denis Sullivan, the topsail schooner Lynx and the schooner Bowdoin.

Parade of Sail will kick off Sail Portsmouth festival

At 6:15 p.m. Thursday, July 27, the tall ships joined by the Gundalow Piscataqua, Portsmouth’s own tall ship, will begin the parade into Portsmouth Harbor from the mouth of the Piscataqua River. They will be accompanied by a flotilla of vessels, both civilian and commercial fishing boats plus military and municipal craft. The Parade of Sail and Flotilla will end at the Memorial Bridge, where the tall ships will turn around and head to their mooring sites. Two will berth at the Portsmouth Commercial Fishing Pier, which will be the festival’s headquarters for the weekend, across from Prescott Park. All boaters are invited to join in the Parade of Sail.

Gov. Chris Sununu will be the grand marshal of this year’s Parade of Sail and Flotilla.

Boaters have until Aug. 10 to turn in their raffle tickets at Hamilton Marine at 56 U.S. 1 Bypass in Kittery where the winning entry will be drawn.

A Blessing of the Fleet will feature members of local clergy located on Four Tree Island blessing the tall ships and all boats as they pass by in the Parade of Sail.

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What to know about tickets and visiting the tall ships festival

Day sail tickets have sold out, but tickets at last check were still available for two-hour ocean sails on the Lynx July 27-31, leaving from and returning to the UNH Pier in New Castle. Tickets are $69 and passengers must be at least 6 years old. Parking at the pier is free. Tickets are at sailportsmouth.org/events .

All net proceeds from the festival go to the Sail Portsmouth Sea Challenge Scholarship Fund to support local high school youth who participate in experiential learning programs at sea on tall ships.

Tickets for all sails should be purchased online in advance at sailportsmouth.org/events .

Parking and free shuttle service during Sail Portsmouth festival

ADA-accessible public parking is available at Portsmouth's High-Hanover and Foundry Place garages, and at Little Harbour School during the festival, city officials announced. All parking is first come, first serve. There will be no parking at Peirce Island, the boat ramp, or on Four Tree Island for the Sail Portsmouth event.

Three ADA-equipped shuttles will run a free 20-minute loop between the parking garages and the Fish Pier, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on July 28-31. There will be a 1.5-hour period each day when only two shuttles are operating to allow the drivers to take their lunch breaks. At those times, there may be a longer wait for service. C&J Bus is underwriting a significant portion of the cost of the shuttle service, according to city officials.

The history of the tall ships coming to Sail Portsmouth 2023

Trinidad : The nao Trinidad is a replica of the flagship of the Magellan-Elcano expedition, which led the first sailing expedition around the world between 1519 and 1522, considered by many the greatest maritime feat in history. It’s an example of nao ships, which were first used as cargo ships in Spain and then later as exploration vessels. This full-sized replica was built by the Nao Victoria Foundation and launched in March of 2018.

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Denis Sullivan : The Denis Sullivan is a replica three-masted, wooden, gaff rigged schooner originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was built in 2000 as a sail training classroom and was a flagship of both the state of Wisconsin and of the United Nations Environment Programme until she was sold to the World Ocean School and moved to Boston, Massachusetts in late 2022. The Denis Sullivan is not a replica of a single ship, but was inspired by the design of the Great Lakes cargo schooners of the 19th century. The year, the Seacoast teens chosen for Sail Portsmouth’s Sea Challenge program will spend a week learning to sail aboard the Denis Sullivan.

Ernestina-Morrissey : The schooner Ernestina-Morrissey was built in 1894 at the James and Tarr Shipyard for the Gloucester, Massachusetts fishing fleet. It first served as a Gloucester Grand Banks fishing vessel, then as an Arctic explorer sailing to within 600 miles of the North Pole, and as a World War II survey and supply vessel. Between 1946 and 1965, she served as the last of Cabo Verde’s transatlantic packet ships, bringing immigrants to the U.S. The Republic of Cabo Verde gave the ship back to the U.S. as a gift in 1982, and she became a maritime education and ambassador. The Ernestina-Morrissey recently underwent a full restoration at the Boothbay Harbor/ Bristol Marine Shipyard in Maine.

Bowdoin : The schooner Bowdoin is the flagship of the Maine Maritime Academy sail training fleet, and the official sailing vessel of the state of Maine. Built in 1921 for exploring the Arctic waters, she is one of the strongest wooden vessels ever constructed. Between 1921 and 1954, she made 26 voyages above the Arctic Circle under the command of explorer Donald B. MacMillian. As MMA’s flagship, the Bowdoin now trains MMS students to sail and manage traditional and modern sail vessels, and serves the state of Maine, teaching about maritime history.

Lynx : Lynx is a square topsail schooner based in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and was built to represent the design and operation of a privateer schooner of the War of 1812. The original Lynx, a privateer ship, was a “letter of marque” Baltimore Clipper commissioned at the start of the war to defend America. She completed one voyage, running the Royal Navy blockade, before the British captured her in 1813 at the start of her second voyage and took her into service as HMS Mosquidobit. The Lynx now serves as a living history museum and is operated in keeping with the maritime traditions of early 19th century America. She is also a sail training vessel, serving as a classroom for the study of historical, environmental, and ecological issues.

The Sail Portsmouth festival is sponsored by these businesses: Appledore Engineering; Beswick Engineering; Black Dog Divers, Crane and Rigging, and Barges; Cambridge Trust; Granite State Minerals; Piscataqua Savings Bank; New England Dock and Deck; Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel and Seacoast Maritime Charters; and by these organizations the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, Portsmouth NH 400 and Tall Ships America.

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Best yacht 2023: European yacht of the year winners

Best yacht 2023

Best Luxury Yacht

Best Family Yacht

Best Catamaran

Best Specialist Yacht

European Yacht of the Year Jury

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The winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2023

MOTOR YACHT OF THE YEAR: KENSHŌ

SAILING YACHT OF THE YEAR: ALEA

REBUILT YACHTS: MARALA

REFITTED YACHTS: ATHOS

SAILING YACHTS, 30M TO 49.9M: SØRVIND

SAILING YACHTS, 50M AND ABOVE: ALEA

JUDGES’ COMMENDATION: MELODY

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS, 30M TO 34.9M: BLUE JEANS

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS, 35M TO 41.9M: RUSH

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS, 42M AND ABOVE: CALLISTO

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS 499GT AND BELOW, 30M TO 39.9M: UNKNOWN

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS 499GT AND BELOW, 40M TO 44.9M: ACALA

JUDGES’ COMMENDATION: ACE

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS 499GT AND BELOW, 45M AND ABOVE: OCEAN Z

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS, 500GT TO 1,499GT: COME TOGETHER

JUDGES’ COMMENDATION: LUSINE

DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS, 1,500GT AND ABOVE: KENSHŌ

JUDGES’ COMMENDATION: JUICE

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARDS: SHINKAI

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARDS: CORAL OCEAN

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARDS: NEBULA

VOYAGER’S AWARD: V6

LEGACY AWARD: RAHMI M. KOÇ

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Oyster 495 wins European Yacht of the Year 2023

We were delighted to win the prestigious European Yacht of the Year Award in the Luxury Cruiser category, and humbled to have been nominated.

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