The collaborating magazines Wave and Bootswelt will present the International Yacht Design Award for the first time in 2027. The aim of the award is to evaluate function and aesthetics in yacht design from various professional perspectives.

‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ is a phrase one often hears. Occasionally, it is even used as an excuse for design efforts that are perhaps only mediocre. Nevertheless, based on their many years of experience, the editorial teams at Bootswelt and Wave are certain: there are many beautiful boats – but there are also more beautiful and exceptionally beautiful boats. And this perception is not merely subjective; it is also linked to the function of a yacht. The functional challenges facing a yacht are manifold. However, they can be addressed with varying degrees of sophistication, with differing levels of understanding of materials, forms and colours, combinations and insights into seamanship and seaworthiness.

The award therefore focuses less on individual, fashionable solutions and more on the overall design concept of a yacht. The hull design is assessed alongside the deck layout and interior design. To this end, both editorial teams have assembled a multi-perspective expert jury comprising experienced designers, interior fitters, boatbuilders, service providers, charter operators and representatives of relevant craft businesses, as well as the editors-in-chief. This jury assesses the yachts on the basis of a comprehensive list of criteria.

All shipyards are eligible to enter with their yachts currently available for delivery – not just new models launched this year. All boats are eligible, ranging from open motorboats to yachts designed for round-the-world voyages or expeditions. You can register for a nomination at any time. A winning boat may not re-enter. The plan is to present the winners with their awards on the eve of the 2027 ancora Yacht Festival in Neustadt.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Who can take part?

All shipyards can enter their currently available boats, ranging from open motorboats to yachts designed for round-the-world voyages or expeditions. You can register for a nomination at any time.

2. Can only this year’s newest models be nominated?

No. The models must be currently available. A boat that has already won may not enter the competition again the following year.

3. What is assessed?

The yacht’s design is assessed. This applies both to its overall appearance and to the finer details. The expert jury assesses the yachts against a comprehensive list of criteria. The assessment is based on a thorough inspection of the yacht (usually at the Cannes Yachting Festival or at boot Düsseldorf) as well as on the documentation you submit.

The full application pack is available by email from the editor-in-chief of Wave, stefan.detjen@fullwave.ch, and from the editor-in-chief of Bootswelt, Thorsten Weiland, redaktion@bootswelt.eu

The editors-in-chief are also the points of contact for enquiries from shipyards and designers.