Aquarius is 'Sailing Yacht of the Year'
Royal Huisman is proud to announce that the 65m / 212ft performance ketch Aquarius has received two honours at the World Superyacht Awards 2026, held in Venice, Italy: winner of the ‘Sailing Yachts, 40m and above’ category and the overall title ´Sailing Yacht of the Year´.
The World Superyacht Awards recognise the ingenuity, craftsmanship and quality of the most remarkable yachts from across the globe. For Aquarius to receive both her class award and the overall sailing yacht award is a particularly meaningful recognition of her design, engineering, performance and craftsmanship.
“A yacht that blends elegance, innovation and functionality, setting a new benchmark among superyachts.“
The judges
Aquarius is the successor to the acclaimed 56m / 184ft world cruising ketch of the same name, delivered by Royal Huisman in 2018. The new Aquarius was delivered in 2024 for experienced repeat clients who wished to retain the timeless elegance, family comfort and rewarding sailing performance of their first Aquarius, while adding greater space, volume and capability. The 65m “big sister” was created by the same core team: owners’ project manager Godfrey Cray, Dykstra Naval Architects, Mark Whiteley Design and Royal Huisman.
The result is a modern classic performance ketch that combines graceful lines with advanced technology and refined craftsmanship, built in lightweight Alustar® aluminum. She features a carbon Rondal rig with integrated sail-handling systems. The ketch offers a 45% increase in volume compared with her predecessor, with larger social and crew areas, improved integrated sail-handling systems and a lifting fin keel for optimal performance.
“The result is a yacht that exceeds these expectations, combining timeless aesthetics with cutting-edge performance.“
The judges
Royal Huisman CEO Peter Naeyé comments: “Winning both ‘Sailing Yachts, 40m and above’ and the overall ‘Sailing Yacht of the Year’ award is a wonderful recognition for Aquarius and for everyone involved in her creation. We are especially grateful to the owners for their continued trust in Royal Huisman. Aquarius reflects what can be achieved when experienced clients, designers, naval architects, project management and shipyard work together with a shared ambition: to create a truly individual yacht, built around the owners’ vision and realised without compromise.”
These two World Superyacht Awards follow further recognition for Aquarius earlier this year, when she received the Design & Innovation Award for ‘Best Naval Architecture, Sailing Yachts’.
Aquarius stands as a testament to Royal Huisman’s dedication to custom yacht building: combining innovation, experience and meticulous craftsmanship to create exceptional sailing superyachts for owners who know precisely what they want.
“...not only a testament to the owners’ vision but also to the expertise of Royal Huisman and the project’s design partners. Her combination of timeless beauty, advanced performance and meticulous craftsmanship makes her a deserving winner of this prestigious award.“
The judges
Learn more about Aquarius: www.royalhuisman.com/aquarius | More information and an extensive range of photography can be expected in the near future.
An overview of many Royal Huisman awards in recent years can be found at this website: Yachts > Awards [link].
