The results have been announced for the Boat International Design & Innovation Awards 2019, highlighting the work of up and coming designers as well as established names, and the incredible new designs available from shipyards across the globe. One superyacht, in particular, grabbed the judging panel’s attention – read on to find out which.

RIVA motor yacht DOLCE VITA

Best Exterior Styling – Motor Yachts Below 39m: Riva 110′ Dolcevita

The Judges were most impressed with the 33.5m/109ft RIVA 110′ DOLCEVITA open yacht for its practical and functional design that incorporated several features while producing a clean, uncluttered appearance true to her speed-oriented purpose. Built by Ferretti Group with exterior styling in collaboration with Officina Italiana Design, strong vertical lines flow from the bow to the stern, where the swim platform has the practical application of lowering into the water for ease of access for the tender as well as for guests.

Broad windows are incorporated into the hull and the main deck, and their tinted exterior matches perfectly with the flybridge hardtop that also fits with the profile.

51m superyacht IRISHA

Best Exterior Styling – Motor Yachts 40m – 59m: Irisha

Harrison Eidsgaard styled the 51m/167ft Heesen superyacht IRISHA, which beat close competitor LATONA by only four points. The massive chemically hardened glass panels that cover the raised pilothouse between the upper deck and sundeck are the largest ever built in Europe, and this innovative design feature won over the judges. Yet there are more creative features on board that enhance guest enjoyment and ease of access, such as the large sliding door and a drop-down window between the upper deck and sundeck.

Luxury yacht IRISHA is very capable of entertaining large groups while dockside, but more intimate seating arrangements such as the foredeck sofa and concealed privacy canopy has not been neglected in the layout.

Mega yacht ELANDESS

Best Exterior Styling – Motor Yachts 60m and Above: Elandess

Best Interior Design – Motor Yachts 500GT and Above: Elandess

Best General Arrangement & Deck Design: Elandess

Best Lifestyle Feature Design: Elandess

Another two awards for Harrison Eidsgaard came from the styling of 74.5m/244ft superyacht ELANDESS, where a simple exterior belied the complex engineering that created her strong performance. The Abeking & Rasmussen vessel is an update on timeless styling, giving the on-trend plumb bow with a slight angle and the curves in the superstructure become apparent as the sun changes the angle.

The wing stations are concealed when not in use to preserve her svelte appearance, and the bridge deck is designed in such a way so as not to impose on the magnificent sundeck, the highlight of the design. Broadside decks and recessed lighting were a feature beneficial to the crew as well as guests, and one that also received the judges’ approval.

Formal dining area aboard mega yacht ELANDESS

For the interiors, the Owners requested spaces to suit three generations of a family, displays for an eclectic art collection and unique furnishings. To add to the challenge, ELANDESS would see extensive use as a second home and the spaces would need to adapt to various activities.

Neutral interiors in charcoal grey and ivory white manipulate texture for contemporary elegance to suit any occasion, and bespoke touches such as the bathroom mosaics and hand plastered atrium staircase with mother-of-pearl made a statement without overpowering the other design elements or the Owner’s intended purpose. Furthermore, the Neptune Lounge on the lower deck wowed judges with its execution, with the windows almost reaching the full 3-meter (9 foot) ceiling height and following the curve of the hull to look down as well as out. Its position just forward of the swim platform and tender garage ensures that guests have quick access to transport should they want to swim with any spotted marine life, or check out a Scuba diving location.

In terms of Best General Arrangement, M/Y ELANDESS beat her closest competition in M/Y DAR due to the ability to board at multiple points, a stern sports complex and clever touches such as separating the main foyer staircase and lift (elevator) to prevent bottlenecks. As well as curving the corridor to add more privacy to the Master suite, there is a very functional crew service layout connecting all decks providing concealed access to the mezzanine-level bridge and its crew quarters behind.

DAR mega yacht by Oceanco

Judges’ Commendation for Best Technical Achievement: DAR

Creating a greater connection between the interior and exterior spaces has been a design trend established long enough for some innovative ideas to appear, and the glass panelling covering part of the hull and much of the superstructure of 90m/295ft Oceanco superyacht DAR was worthy of the judges’ special commendation.

186 glass panels all of the same width curve and connect across several decks and all sides, resulting in extraordinary views that complement the comfortable modern interior.

Pendennis sailing yacht VIJONARA

Best Exterior Styling – Sailing Yachts: Vijonara

Due to the huge scope in size and styling for the sailing yacht category, the judges scored each vessel according to five equally weighted categories which took into account mission Owner objectives such as high performance or blue water sailing.

42.3m/138.7ft Pendennis sailing yacht VIJONARA swayed voters thanks to her strong lines, consistency to detail and the attention given to altering her original deck layout to better suit ocean cruising and occasional racing. The helm station is placed amidships, which in turn has produced space to the stern for a cockpit dedicated to the Owner and leading down into the split-level Master suite below. The raised toe-rail conceals the true height of the deck houses and fixed bimini, resulting in a sleeker silhouette.

The Owner’s choice of a sloop-rig and a bowsprit has produced a classic appearance that meets performance targets by allowing the furling of a Code Zero.

Luxury yacht MIMI LA SARDINE © Cantiere delle Marche _ Maurizio Paradisi

Best Interior Design – Motor Yachts Below 299GT: Mimì La Sardine

33m/108ft luxury yacht MIMI LA SARDINE is due to enter the Mediterranean charter market this summer, and attached to her name is the accolade of Best Interior Design for motor yachts below 299 GT. Nauta Design was given the brief of producing a space where the Owner’s family could reconnect, incorporating extra storage and refrigeration for long-term autonomy – and all within a 33m/108ft space.

Mimi La Sardine saloon © Cantiere delle Marche _ Maurizio Paradisi

The Owner’s wife was also an integral influence in the ideas which formed the lounge, such as the driftwood-like appearance of the bleached oak floors and ceiling, where gaps in the wood were purposefully created for light to shine through.

Mangusta yacht EL LEON

Best Interior Design – Motor Yachts 300GT to 499GT: EL LEON

The first of a new GranSport series, motor yacht EL LEON is constructed entirely out of aluminium and has the benefits of an open-yacht in a fast displacement hull. However, it was the interior that won Alberto Mancini and Overmarine an award, integrating an adaptable new material more typically seen in the supercar industry with American walnut and glossy ebony detailing. 

EL LEON interiors

Floor-to-ceiling windows and a ceiling height of 2.6m/8.5ft meant that systems such as air conditioning units had to be cleverly concealed elsewhere. The solution: Integrate the fan coil units etc. into the free-standing furniture, therefore creating a cleaner, uninterrupted effect along the edges and walls of the rooms.

Amels motor yacht Volpini 2

Judges’ Commendation for Best Lighting Design: Volpini 2

Best Ecological Design & Operation Innovation Award: Volpini 2

Lighting Design is a category created in recent years to highlight an important aspect of life on board that might otherwise go unrecognised, and this year’s special commendation goes to 55.7m/182ft VOLPINI 2. Amels and Reymond Langton Design chose a muted effect to complement her neutral decor, placing ambient lighting behind railings and stitched wall pockets, in the ceiling alcoves and creating a floating effect on the stairs.

Owner’s suite aboard Volpini 2

The second award for VOLPINI 2 was for her ecological achievements: She is the first yacht ever built to the IMO Tier III marine engine exhaust standards. The systems aboard M/Y VOLPINI 2 go even further with a hybrid management system developed with Alewijnse Marine that adjusts the engines and battery power for optimal efficiency, producing a projected annual saving of €100,000.

VOLPINI 2 also has a Green Passport and ECO notation from Lloyd’s due to her wastewater treatment type II, bio-friendly anti-fouling paint, insulated hull package and superstructure as well as double-glazed windows covered in a heat-reflecting film.

Azimut Grande 32 Metri

Best Naval Architecture – Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts: Azimut Grande 32 Metri

Although the judges found many excellent designs in this category, the AZIMUT GRANDE 32 METRI stood out for the attention to detail Azimut placed in development. CFD and model testing to improve trim and a nite element analysis program were used to reduce weight on a smaller model of an established hull. A carbon fibre superstructure further reduces weight allowing for greater interior volume, and a D2P (Displacement to Planing) hull with piercing bow allows the Owner to choose between an efficient cruising speed of 11-12 knots, or a fast speed of 20 knots.

SEATIUS sailing yacht

Best Interior Design – Sailing Yachts: Seatius

The contemporary interiors aboard sailing yacht SEATIUS were designed by Nauta Design for long voyages and as such place comfort and ease of use among the priorities: Beautiful but neutral-toned fabrics and suede lend with the wood veneer. Stepped surfaces and ambient lighting add to the sense of depth in the room and conceal necessities such as ventilation and air conditioning units.

Interiors of SEATIUS

Best Naval Architecture – Displacement Motor Yachts: White Rabbit

One2three Naval architects were given a challenge by the Owner of motor yacht White Rabbit: Speed without noise and vibration, optimum safety and stability and generous and deck space for accommodation and entertainment. The answer was a trimaran form that places 90% of the displacement in the centre hull and the side hulls contain the generators that power quiet electric drive motors and add stability.

White Rabbit trimaran superyacht – Photo © Echo Yachts

However, a further obstacle was presented by the Owner’s home port, where there were constraints on maximum beam size. To get around this issue, trim tabs and four active lateral foils control the flow of water between the centre and side hulls. As a result, while cruising at 16 knots there is up to 60% reduction in roll and pitch. The judges, therefore, found the innovative design solutions and economical performance most deserving of the award.

Sailing yacht BLACK PEARL

Best Naval Architecture – Sailing Yachts: Black Pearl

106.7m/350ft sailing yacht BLACK PEARL was designed for a speed of 25 knots under sail with a draft of 7.23m/23ft and 2,500 tons of displacement at full load and ‘zero impact’ for cruising in environmentally sensitive regions. The hull envelope and DynaRig sail plan from Dykstra Naval Architects have gone a long way to achieving this, in addition to a collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects to create an effective diesel-electric propulsion system that is able to store carbon-free electricity in the batteries while under sail.

The technical achievement and advanced naval architecture for optimal hull efficiency, therefore, placed sailing yacht BLACK PEARL at the top of her category.

VISTA BLUE motor yacht

Best New Production Yacht Design: Vista Blue

VISTA BLUE from the Custom Line 120 series is the new flagship for Ferretti Group, who returned to the styling talents of Francesco Paszkowski and Margherita Casprini to work in collaboration with its Strategic Product Committee and engineering department. One of the highlights of the main design, which was inspired by the supercars industry for performance and design, was the main salon aft glass sliding doors, which also have the option of lifting up in one piece to be stored overhead, opening the space up to the main deck aft without hindrance.

Capable of a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 1,100 nautical miles at 11 knots, the Custom Line 120 has already attracted buyers for sisterships within the first season following her launch.

Mega yacht SOLO – Photo Credit Blueiprod

The Game Changer Award: SOLO

The frameless glass curved structural bulwarks, walls and a pool went into the design of Tankoa Yachts superyacht SOLO, on the request of the Owner who wanted seamless views without any frames in the way. Italian glass manufacturer Viraver was integral to the success of the project, which used the company’s new bending tools to create cylindrical shapes free from imperfections. Among the eye-catching elements are a 180-degree glass-walled winter garden, frameless railings and bulwarks and a laminated glass balcony with a glass-walled spa pool in addition to the seamless round-edged infinity pool on the main deck with its glass-bottom skylights.

Pascoe International luxury tenders – 8m Open Landau
Credit: Lloyd Images

Best Tender Design: Open Landau

The tender to luxury yacht AURORA BOREALIS, OPEN LANDAU from Pascoe is a 8m/26ft 10-passenger vessel that places guest comfort and boarding safety at the forefront of its design, while still offering top speeds and an array of gadgets for safe navigation.

Young Designer of the Year Award: Yihharn Liu

This year’s Young Designer of the Year competition asked competitors to produce a general arrangements plan for a modern-styled 80m/260ft motor-sailer carrying between 1,500-2,000 square metres (16,145-21,527 square feet) of sail.

Of the 42 students that submitted designs, ‘Manta’ from Taiwanese designer Yiharn Liu excelled for accurately fulfilling the brief, producing clean lines and a precisely drawn arrangement plan.

The judges also thought that the youngest entrant, 14-year-old Jens de Klerk, should be given a Special Prize, and that Eva Rossi’s design received a Special Mention.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Ron Holland

New Zealand national Ron Holland began his career as a sailing crew before becoming an apprentice boat builder that in turn led to the opportunity to design small racing yachts in the 1970s. His accomplishments led to worldwide acclaim from such yachts as IMP in the Admiral’s World Cup during the 1970s, as well as GOLDEN APPLE, his first yacht from his studio in Cork, Ireland.

Ron Holland moved into luxury yachts in the 1980s with his first yacht above 30m/98ft, motor yacht WHIRLWIND XII, which in turn led to a series of designs for Perini Navi as well as sailing yachts JULIET, ETHEREAL and MIRABELLA V, currently the largest sloop in the world. Since 2011 he has moved to Canada and continues his works designing new vessels and refits.

His third book is his memoir and was released in 2018, titled: All the Oceans: Designing by the Seat of My Pants.