Recognizing world’s finest superyachts

The world’s finest superyachts delivered last year have been recognized as winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2026. The overall winner in the sailing category was the 65-metre Aquarius, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and built by Royal Huisman. Here’s an excerpt describing the winner:

Aquarius represents a significant evolution from her predecessor, the 56-metre yacht of the same name, delivered in 2018. While the earlier vessel was celebrated for its elegance and performance, the owners sought a larger, more powerful yacht to accommodate their growing family and enhance onboard functionality. The result is a yacht that exceeds these expectations, combining timeless aesthetics with cutting-edge performance.

Aquarius retains the classic clipper bow and overhanging stern that define her striking profile. However, she is not merely a scaled-up version of her predecessor. The design team prioritized performance, opting for a taller mast and a generous sail plan that sacrifices Panama Canal transit for superior light-air handling and speed.

The ketch rig, with a main mast of 67.5 metres and a mizzen of 61 metres, provides ample sail area, while a lifting keel enhances stability and performance. These features allow Aquarius to achieve impressive speeds of up to 16 knots with exceptional balance and responsiveness, making her a true performance-oriented cruising yacht. – Full report