Aquarius wins “Best naval architecture – sailing yachts”
The performance ketch Aquarius wins the “Best naval architecture – sailing yachts” award at the BOAT Design & Innovation Awards in Kitzbühel, Austria. Warmest congratulations to the owners, architects, and designers. In addition, there is obviously excitement at the engineering and build team at Royal Huisman, who turned the design into reality.
There is no finer complement to a team than when yacht owners ask for a new vessel just like the last one, only bigger and more powerful performance. This is precisely the story behind the new Aquarius. She stands out with a design brief that blends timeless modern-classic elegance with genuinely thrilling performance.
On first glance, it is hard to tell their previous Aquarius, now Apsara, and new 65m / 212ft Aquarius apart: the 56m / 186ft version launched in 2018 and the new replacement look identical from a distance — by request. As their family grew and longer voyages beckoned, the owners reassembled the original team — Royal Huisman, owners’ project manager Godfrey Cray, Dykstra Naval Architects and interior designer Mark Whiteley — with one goal: achieving perfection.
The result is a performance ketch that is unmistakably Aquarius, yet decisively advanced. Her carbon rig and state-of-the-art sail-handling systems by Rondal deliver thrilling power with effortless handling — a yacht conceived to be sailed, and enjoyed. With a nine-metre increase in overall length, and more hull depth and beam, the new Aquarius has 50% more volume than her predecessor — scaling up comfort, social spaces and onboard capability without compromising the spirit that made the original “close to perfect.”
The judges' report: "Aquarius stood out to the judges with her impressive performance numbers. The owner’s brief was to create a vessel that would sail at least as well as his previous boat, while providing more volume."
“She’s very much a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” one judge remarked, alluding to the classic exterior and cruising boat interior that belie Aquarius’s serious sailing performance.
The report continues: "The design underwent significant refinements to enhance functionality, performance and comfort. Volume distribution was assessed, resulting in larger owner and guest cabins, expanded crew and galley spaces and improved system serviceability. High-strength aluminium was used in the internal structure to minimise weight while maximising volume. To offset any unavoidable weight increase, the sail area was expanded, with the main mast air draught extended to 67.5 metres, purposefully forgoing Panamax limitations. A lifting keel with a 4.8- to 7.6-metre draught was chosen to improve stability and reduce displacement increase. Sailing systems were redefined with full roach mainsails, removable inner headstay and Code sails for flexibility. These features maximise efficiency and ensure excellent performance with reduced crew during ocean crossings."
Receiving this award is a particular tribute to the clarity of the owners’ brief and the engineering discipline required to translate it into a yacht that is balanced, fast and confidence-inspiring across conditions. Erik Wassen of Dykstra Naval Architects notes how the key elements work together to deliver performance with control: “The slender hull shape, lifting keel and extra mast height means the yacht will be quick around the race course, but also responsive in the light airs typical of the Med…”
And, as the owner puts it: “She sails beautifully, with perfect balance, speed and stability. I love being at the wheel when we are sailing between 12 and 16 knots!” Asked what they would do differently if they were to begin a new yacht, the owner’s answer is simple:
“Nothing.”
Learn more about Aquarius (Royal Huisman Project 408): www.royalhuisman.com/aquarius More information and an extensive range of pretty photos can be expected in the near future.
An overview of many awards in recent years can be found at this website: yachts > awards [link].
