Few settings match the elegance of Venice, and for the 20th edition of the World Superyacht Awards, there’s no backdrop more fitting. With its palazzos, gondolas, and slow-floating majesty, Venice lends a sense of old-world grandeur to an event already steeped in prestige. The World Superyacht Awards, taking place 2–3 May 2025, will celebrate the most remarkable yachts launched or refitted in the last year—those that push boundaries in design, engineering and sheer extravagance.
As usual, the awards will be judged by a panel of current and former superyacht owners, giving the results real-world weight rather than just industry back-patting. This year’s crop of nominees includes everything from classic displacement giants to sleek sailing vessels and radical rebuilds. Among the hundreds of entries, several yachts stand out for their sheer scale, unique history, or notable connections to New Zealand.
ULYSSES – Feadship, 102.6m
A familiar name for those in the Antipodean boating scene, Ulysses is one of the top contenders in the Displacement Motor Yachts over 1,500GT category. Built by Dutch powerhouse Feadship, the 102.6-metre vessel has strong New Zealand ties. It was commissioned by New Zealand billionaire Graeme Hart, known for owning a series of yachts under the Ulysses moniker. This latest iteration boasts exterior lines from Azure Yacht Design and Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, with Feadship’s in-house Studio De Voogt handling naval architecture.
Hart’s Ulysses is not just massive—it’s also meticulously engineered for global cruising. With a steel hull, expedition-style capabilities, and the kind of rugged luxury befitting a man used to pushing limits, it epitomises the blend of power and opulence these awards exist to honour.
KIBOKO 4 – Southern Wind, 35.5m
Flying the flag proudly for New Zealand design roots is Kiboko 4, a 35.5-metre sailing yacht built by Southern Wind Shipyard in Cape Town, but with a New Zealand-designed heart. Her naval architecture comes from the respected team at Farr Yacht Design, originally founded by Kiwi designer Bruce Farr. Southern Wind and Farr have enjoyed a longstanding partnership producing fast, comfortable cruising yachts, and Kiboko 4 is no exception.
With a hull optimised for long-range performance and a minimalist interior by Nauta Design, Kiboko 4 is all about understated class—contemporary, functional, marine-inspired interior with light oak and subtle touches of walnut, and handwoven Mallorcan fabrics; in other words, less glitz, more sailing pedigree. For fans of wind-powered luxury, this entry stands apart in a category still relatively niche compared to motor yachts.
SEAWOLF X – Rossinavi, 42.8m
Another head-turner is Seawolf X, not for her length (a “mere” 42.8 metres) but for her radical design. Built by Rossinavi, this diesel-electric hybrid features input from Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design and interior work by Meyer Davis. She’s not just beautiful—she’s a bold step into the future, blending sustainability and superyacht glamour.
RENAISSANCE – Freire Shipyard, 112m
If sheer size grabs headlines, then Renaissance demands attention. At 112 metres, she’s the largest yacht nominated this year. Built by Spain’s Freire Shipyard and designed by Bannenberg & Rowell, she reflects the growing trend of turning industrial-scale builds into personal sanctuaries. Her inclusion sets a new bar for what can be considered a “luxury yacht” in 2025.
RAVENGER – Baltic Yachts, 53.9m
One more worth noting is Ravenger, a standout in the refitted yachts category. Originally built by Baltic Yachts and now reimagined with input from judel/vrolijk & co and Aivan, she exemplifies how a well-executed refit can breathe new life into a vessel. With a design lineage tracing back to racing excellence and modern Scandinavian aesthetics, Ravenger is an example of functional beauty.
With Venice as the stage and a global selection of yachts vying for the coveted Neptune trophies, the World Superyacht Awards 2025 promise not only a celebration of maritime craftsmanship but also a look at where yacht design is heading. For Kiwis, the presence of Ulysses and Kiboko 4 gives us two strong reasons to take pride in our contributions to this ultra-luxury world.
