“Best of the Best” honors for the mighty Aquarius
Royal Huisman is proud to announce that the 65m / 212ft performance ketch Aquarius has been named Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” winner for best sailing yacht.
The recognition adds to an exceptional series of international honors. Earlier this year, Aquarius was named “Sailing Yacht of the Year” at the World Superyacht Awards, where she also won the category “Sailing Yachts, 40m and Above”. She had previously received the Design & Innovation Award for “Best Naval Architecture, Sailing Yachts”.
Aquarius, delivered in 2025, is the successor to the acclaimed 56m / 184ft world cruising ketch of the same name (nowadays renamed Apsara), delivered by Royal Huisman in 2018. Created for experienced repeat clients, the new Aquarius retains the timeless elegance, family comfort and rewarding sailing performance of the original, while adding greater space, volume and capability.
The editors of Robb Report: “…the owners wanted a stretched version that preserved the original look while adding a larger cabin, a fourth stateroom, a gym, and an expanded galley. One important caveat came with the extra size: enhance its racing prowess. Aquarius’s extra 26 feet of length translate into 45 percent more interior volume, allowing for larger social spaces and a bigger engine room. But the higher volumes required technical advances, including a retractable 25-foot-long keel, a hybrid power-management system, and a towering 221-foot main mast and 199-foot mizzen to handle enormous sail areas.“
The editors continue: “Operational control is first-rate, thanks to Rondal’s high-tech carbon rig and integrated sailing system, along with Doyle’s sails and Royal Huisman’s internal build expertise. The beauty of this technology is its versatility. Aquarius can race any superyacht regatta with a crew of 30 or cruise under the command of the captain and a handful of crew.”
Peter Naeyé, CEO of Royal Huisman, comments: “We are honored to receive this recognition from Robb Report. Aquarius is the result of an ambitious vision, a deeply committed owner and an outstanding collaboration between all members of the design, engineering and build team.”
Aquarius at the 2026 St. Barths Bucket Regatta
Peter adds: “To see Aquarius join the distinguished line of Royal Huisman yachts previously recognized by Robb Report’s Best of the Best, including our Nilaya and Special One, is a proud moment for our shipyard and for everyone involved. Recognition of this kind is both a reward for the team’s dedication and an encouragement to keep moving forward.”
With her powerful rig by our sister company Rondal, 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.
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].
