A night that began with legacy
The Boat Builder Awards 2025 began on a poignant note. The room at Harbour 8 in Amsterdam fell into warm applause as Johan and Britt Marie Carpelan, the husband and wife behind Targa Boats, were named the recipients of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. It was the first time the honour had been presented to a couple, and it set the tone for an evening that celebrated not only innovation but the deeper craft and long-term dedication that shape marine culture.
The Carpelans’ story is central to modern Nordic boatbuilding. After producing more than a thousand H-Boats from the mid 1970s, they pivoted during a market downturn and made a brave decision: to build fast cabin cruisers that defied the conventions of their time. The Targa 25, launched in 1984, was decades ahead of the adventure boat movement that now dominates coasts worldwide. Its rugged wheelhouse, flared bow and go anywhere ethos became the blueprint for a brand that still resonates with owners in Europe, North America and far beyond.
Targa has grown into a company of almost 300 employees with eight models up to 46 feet. Their latest release, the Targa 41, sold more than 50 units after its 2024 debut. The founders remain deeply involved, turning up at the yard daily, offering guidance rooted in decades of experience.
This year’s finalists for the Lifetime Achievement honour formed an impressive line of past recipients. They included some of the world’s most respected marine leaders, but Johan and Britt Marie stood out for their shared vision and the longevity of their influence. Their recognition signalled that the Boat Builder Awards 2025 was a reminder that the industry’s future is always grounded in the people who have carried it forward.
Industry innovation in focus as Boat Builder Awards 2025 approach
Breakthrough Launch of the Year: X-Yachts XR 41
From legacy to reinvention, the Breakthrough Launch category highlighted boats rewriting expectations for performance and versatility. X-Yachts’ XR 41 emerged as the winner, praised for its ability to shift smoothly between sport and racing configurations. Owners have already embraced the design since its 2025 debut, and the judges saw it as a model that stretches boundaries while retaining commercial appeal.
X-Yachts unveils the XR-41: A cutting-edge sports performance boat
The finalists illustrated the wide spectrum of new launches shaping the global market. Evene Tenders’ Origin Series explored a fresh tender approach. Lazzara’s LPC 300 brought strong styling to the growing premium dayboat segment. The MODX 70 pushed hybrid propulsion ideas further, while the Omaya 50 offered a new take on volume and modern cruising lines. The field carried a sense of experimentation and ambition that speaks well for the decade ahead.
Innovative Design Solution: MODX 70 and the Aeroforce wings
The MODX 70 claimed the Innovative Design Solution Award for a feature that captured the industry’s imagination: inflatable Aeroforce wings that shift the boat from sail-driven cruising to efficient powered running at the touch of a button. Judges saw the idea as a glimpse of how wind power might become more accessible for a wider group of boaters.
The finalists showed a rich range of possibilities. Amare Group’s AMY 330e, De Antonio Yachts’ D60, Highfield’s ADV7, and Lazzara’s LPC 300 all pushed into new territory with materials, styling, ergonomics and hybrid propulsion. The MODX 70 stood out for its boldness, but the field as a whole underscored the pace of design creativity at this year’s awards.
Collaboration Award: Starcraft revives a classic
In a category usually dominated by advanced electronics and integrated systems, the winner was a throwback that proved collaboration does not always require complexity. The Starcraft ’57 Ski Champ, recreated with input from Uflex USA, Axium Group, Rollie Williams and Williamsburg Marine, took the title for its precise balance of heritage, craftsmanship and cost control. The project required dozens of bespoke components fashioned to match the original 1950s design, yet still launched with a price under USD 20,000.
The other finalists charted the opposite end of the spectrum. Azimut with WATCHIT presented a modern marine safety system. Frauscher and Porsche blended German performance with Austrian boatbuilding. Sanlorenzo and Volvo Penta showcased the IPS Professional Platform, and Sirena Yachts with Vanemar and Garmin delivered an owner experience enhanced by voice control and AI support. While impressive, the judges ultimately leaned towards the simplicity and charm of Starcraft’s revival.
Sustainability Project of the Year: Beneteau closes the loop
The sustainability category produced one of the defining results of the night. Groupe Beneteau, together with partners Veolia, Composite Recycling, Arkema, Owens Corning and Chomarat, presented a fully functioning circular economy system for composite manufacturing. What began as a pilot project recognised in 2023 has now matured into a complete recycling ecosystem. The judges described it as one of the most important sustainability initiatives in the history of the awards.
Closing the loop: Groupe Beneteau leads industry-wide push for sustainable boatbuilding
The finalists each addressed significant challenges within the sustainability landscape. Evene Tenders presented a complete sustainability programme woven into its operations. Ferretti Group advanced environmental management at its Ravenna shipyard. Thunderjet, working with Supersede, introduced a recycled plastic composite board to replace plywood. A special commendation went to the TU Delft Hydro Motion Team for its Mira hydrogen powered project, highlighting the impact of student led research on the wider industry.
Rising Stars: two leaders from the NAVAN project
The Rising Star Award broke new ground this year by naming two winners from the same company. Vittorio Bichurcher, general manager of NAVAN Boats, and Kevin Fehrenbach, industrial designer with Brunswick Boat Group, were recognised jointly for their work building NAVAN’s presence across Europe and North America. Vittorio’s leadership and Kevin’s design influence were central to the brand’s rapid momentum.
While the focus fell on these two emerging leaders, the wider field of finalists showed impressive depth in engineering, strategy and design. New talent is entering the industry with confidence and technical insight, ready to reshape global brands and bring new ideas to production.
What the 2025 awards revealed about the state of boatbuilding
Beginning the night with the Lifetime Achievement Award proved fitting. It reminded the industry that new ideas flourish on foundations laid by decades of dedication. Across the categories, the Boat Builder Awards 2025 captured the essence of a global sector moving quickly while still anchored in strong traditions.
Designers are embracing hybrid thinking. Builders are working in deeper partnership with suppliers. Sustainability is no longer a marketing line; it is becoming a complete system. And the next wave of leaders shows all the signs of an industry prepared to step confidently into its future.
For Kiwi readers, these themes feel close to home. New Zealand’s boatbuilding culture has always prized practical innovation, clean execution and long lasting craft. The direction signalled in Amsterdam suggests a global industry shifting into the same rhythm.
The awards closed with applause for the Carpelans, but the night belonged just as much to the emerging leaders, the fresh designs and the collaborative projects that shaped this year’s field. If the 2025 edition is any guide, boatbuilding is entering one of its most dynamic and inventive periods in decades.
