Feadship won three prestigious prizes at the 2023 BOAT International World Superyacht Awards (WSA) on Saturday 20 May. Callisto outshone her rivals in a fiercely competitive category to take home the Neptune award for ‘best semi-displacement motoryacht 42m and above’, while Shinkai received a Neptune to denote a Judges’ Special Award. And Feadship’s third nomination was also awarded with a prize: Juice received a Judges’ Commendation.

“Nowadays Feadship is known for large custom yachts of the finest quality but the two Neptunes and the Judges’ Commendation at this year’s World Superyacht Awards gala show that it is not always about size,” said Bas Nederpelt, Feadship Sales Director, who attended the 18th annual edition of the BOAT International World Superyacht Awards took place from 19-20 May 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. The World Superyachts Awards recognise the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the most remarkable luxury yachts from across the world.

Callisto: good looks and highest standards

The owners of Callisto, who also own a much-loved 65-metre Feadship of the same name that launched in 2006, wished to downsize and wanted a yacht that could replicate as many of the things they loved about their former Feadship. Her classic Feadship lines and a hint of these were retained in the new yacht, while giving her a more modern edge and personality. The judges felt that the combination of good looks, the highest standards of construction and the very evident satisfaction of the owners with their new Callisto, were very compelling reasons to award her the coveted Neptune for the largest of the semi-displacement and planing classes.

Shinkai: extraordinarily capable explorer

The judges find that many superyachts are classed by their builders as ‘expedition yachts’, but when put under scrutiny few meet the specific needs of a vessel designed to explore the oceans from tropics to high latitudes. This was certainly not the case for the 54.90-metre Shinkai. Her worldwide cruising grounds include polar and uncharted regions, as well as the depths of the ocean, and this led to the need for ice classification, FLIR night-vision cameras and the installation of forward-looking 3D sonar and seafloor-charting equipment to assist navigation in uncharted waters. Shinkai is indeed a true go-anywhere vessel, which so impressed the judges that it was unanimously decided to present her with a Neptune to denote a Judges’ Special Award.

Juice: superb build quality

The judges were impressed by Juice’s sleek exterior lines, and applauded the manner in which the exterior staircases giving access to the upper decks are separated from the superstructure to let more light in the interior. The judges agreed that such superb build quality and attention to detail should be rewarded with a Commendation.

“We are very proud of our clients’ trust to build a Feadship in case their dream is to own a swift but comfortable bespoke yacht as 42.50-metre Callisto; a true go-anywhere full custom expedition yacht such as the 54.90-metre Shinkai; or an archetypal, very refined and timeless 71.10-metre Juice”, commented Nederpelt, receiving the Neptunes on stage.