The prestigious World Superyacht Awards, in association with Acquera Club, will return to Venice, Italy, in May 2025.
All yachts nominated for the 2025 awards must be at least 30 metres long (LOA). Yachts entered for the ‘new yacht’ classes must have been completed and delivered to their owners between 1 January and 31 December 2024.
The categories have been established in consultation with yacht builders and naval architects to allow yachts to be fairly judged against other vessels of a similar size and type. There are categories for displacement motor yachts, semi-displacement and planing motor yachts and sailing yachts. This distinction is made because these various types of yacht call for very different design and construction philosophies.
Three further categories are reserved for yachts that have undergone major refits or rebuilds within the qualifying year. With the agreement of the chairman, class boundaries may be redefined and classes may be amalgamated depending on the number of entries in those classes.
2025 categories
Displacement Motor Yachts
We define a displacement yacht as a vessel that always displaces its own weight of water when under power at full speed. Gross tonnage is the deciding entry qualification in the displacement classes. Because of this, the yacht’s gross tonnage as well as length overall must be given. This category will be divided into sub-categories once nominations have been received.
Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts
We define semi-displacement and planing motor yachts as vessels that displace less than their own weight of water when under power at full speed. This category will be divided into sub-categories once nominations have been received.
Sailing Yachts
We define sailing yachts as vessels primarily powered by their sails. This category will be divided into sub-categories once nominations have been received.
Refitted/Rebuilt/Converted Yachts
This class is open to all yachts - motor or sail - over 30 metres that have undergone refits or rebuilds in the qualifying year. Commercial or other vessels that have been converted into yachts and re-entered service can also be nominated. With the agreement of the chairman, class boundaries may be redefined and classes may be amalgamated depending on the number of entries in each class.
Voyager's Award
The Voyager’s Award is presented to the yacht that, in the opinion of the judges, completed the most inspirational cruise in 2024. Cruises that began in 2023 can also be nominated. The owner or a person nominated by the owner (for instance the principal of a charter party but NOT a member of the crew) must have been aboard for a significant proportion of the cruise. The Voyager’s Award will be judged not only on the voyage but also on the way it is described in text, photos and other media.
Additional Awards
Motor Yacht of the Year
The Motor Yacht of the Year is presented to a class winner in the motor yacht categories that is considered by the judges to be the most notable yacht of the qualifying year. No entry is required, or is possible, other than by entering the respective yacht category.
Sailing Yacht of the Year
The Sailing Yacht of the Year award is presented to a class winner in the sailing yacht categories that is considered by the judges to be the most notable yacht of the qualifying year. No entry is required, or is possible, other than by entering the respective yacht category.
Legacy Award
The legacy award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the superyacht industry over many years. Any individual who knows the nominee on a personal level is permitted to make a nomination. The required documentation should include a CV of the nominee which, while touching upon his business activities, should give particular emphasis to his yachting career and achievements.
Nominations for the World Superyacht Awards 2025 are now open. If you have any questions about the awards, get in touch with the events team.
NOMINATE A YACHT