Charter yachts take honors at World Superyachts Awards 2020

Flying Fox

As the largest yacht delivered in 2019, judges agreed it was clear that German yard, Lurssen, had striven for perfection in all aspects of her build.

Due to her extensive length and with an interior volume three times greater than the largest yacht in the next class, the 136m (446’) motor yacht 'Flying Fox' was the only vessel to qualify for this category. The judges were left in no doubt that due to her exceptional quality she more than deserved a Neptune award.

As the largest yacht delivered in 2019, judges agreed it was clear that German yard, Lurssen, had striven for perfection in all aspects of her build. Everything from her owner and guest facilities to interior layout to high quality of construction was recognised as being of the finest standards.

Her elegant and sinuous exteriors were penned by Espen Oeino and her beautiful interiors, featuring a double-height saloon and the first cryo-sauna ever seen on a yacht, were designed by Mark Berryman.

The panel praised the technical achievements and attention to detail in many areas. They highlighted in particular the 12-metre-long pool set from side-to-side of the main deck aft, and how Lurssen had devised a detailed program of computer modelling to ensure that the pool didn’t empty with the slightest roll.

With a world-beating spa facility covering 400 square-meters over two floors, a huge watersports center, twin helipads and an enormous Owner’s suite with private spa pool and mammoth en-suite, Flying Fox added the award to add to her numerous other wins and nominations since her delivery in 2019.

Lady S

Judges loved the innovation and radical shapes of her exterior.

The 93m (305’) superyacht ‘Lady S’ fought off competition from some of the world’s largest and most luxurious yachts to scoop the award in one of the most prestigious categories of the evening.

Having already picked up two awards at the Boat International Design & Innovation Awards in February, the Feadship built motor yacht drew extensive praise from the judges for both her harmonious exterior lines and her elegant interior.

Penned by Michael Leach, judges loved the innovation and radical shapes of her exterior, paying particular attention to her sliding glass doors, which are the largest seen on any yacht, fire-pits on two levels and a fully certified helipad deck isolated from the bridge deck by a walkway.

Her interiors, designed by Reymond Langton, were equally well appraised, with the judges in particular taking note of the huge windows and ‘cool elegance’. 

Lady S has been billed as the best equipped yacht in the world, and the judges were quick to agree that features such as the large gym with 180 degree views, 3D IMAX cinema (the only ever installed on a superyacht) and a basketball court made Lady S a special yacht and a worthy winner of this category.

The Beast

The judges were particularly impressed by the way The Beast met a detailed specification set out by its owner.

The ‘Displacement Motor Yachts Below 499GT - 30m to 39.9m’ saw a diverse group of yachts competing for the title, with three explorer yachts, a composite production yacht and a hybrid diesel-powered yacht all nominated. It was the New Zealand built, 39.5m (130’) explorer yacht 'The Beast', that took home the award.

Delivered in 2019 by Profab Central Engineering, an experienced builder of custom fishing boats and yachts, the judges were particularly impressed by the way The Beast met a detailed specification set out by its owner.

The grey camouflage paintwork, which gives The Beast her distinctive look, was just one element of the owner’s specification, which also included the ability to carry and safely launch a 13m (42.5’), 19-tonne sport fishing vessel, whilst keeping her below 500GT and 40m LOA to avoid local restrictions in New Zealand.

Mixing outstanding seagoing capabilities alongside comfort and style, the launching system for the sport fishing boat and her exterior deck spaces for leisure use and luxurious fully-featured interior, also set The Beast from the other entries in this category.

Overall Feadship enjoyed a successful night, winning four of the 16 categories. In addition to Lady S taking home the Displacement Motor Yachts Between 2,000GT and 4,999GT category, the 77.3m (253’) motor yacht PI won both the much vaunted Motor Yacht of the Year category and the Displacement Motor Yachts Between 1,500GT and 1,999GT category and 58m (190') motor yacht NAJIBA took home the Displacement Motor Yachts Between 500GT and 999GT category. 

Feadship Director Jan-Bart Verkuyl was delighted with the recognition its yachts had received from their peers, saying: "The fact that the winners are chosen by their fellow owners, men and women who know at first hand the meaning of quality, makes these trophies all the more special."

The 43.3m (142’) sailing yacht CANOVA was named Best Sailing Yacht of the Year, whilst Lurssen added to Flying Fox’s award with the 59.4m superyacht OASIS winning the award for Refitted Yachts, with the panel commending not just ‘its detailed planning and execution’ but also ‘the excellence of the result’.