Shortlist Announced for Boat Builder Awards 2022

The Boat Builder Awards are jointly organised by IBI and METSTRADE. It was created eight years ago with the objective to reward the outstanding business achievements of individuals and teams working across the worldwide leisure boat and superyacht sector. Key areas of focus include innovation, collaboration, environment, talent, and marketing.

This year’s final decisions were made by an international panel of subject matter experts from an initial selection of 100 entries. The judges shortlisted 26 nominations across eight categories and identified who would receive this year’s Lifetime Achievement and Rising Star awards during a spectacular gala dinner at Amsterdam’s historic Maritime Museum on 15 November. Details of the shortlisted entries follow below.

Chair of the judging panel and IBI Editor, Ed Slack, commented: “This year’s entries demonstrate incredible ingenuity and energy from boatbuilding, superyacht construction and allied trades operating across all six populated continents of the world as they address the key opportunities and challenges we face as an industry today. Despite post-pandemic impacts, logistics issues, geopolitical turmoil, and workforce shortages, our nominations illustrate that the sector is pushing on with key priorities including environmental impact reduction, innovation, personnel development and capturing a new generation of water users. Our gala dinner in November will mark our strongest yet celebration of these positive transformative changes happening across our industry.”

METSTRADE director Niels Klarenbeek adds: “Following a very necessary absence over the past two years to keep everyone safe, we cannot wait to welcome the Boat Builder Awards back into the incredible amphitheatre of Amsterdam’s Maritime Museum this year. Every new boat, superyacht or product launched is only as good as the many people who collaborate to make it happen. The Boat Builder Awards, supported by our long-standing partner Raymarine, provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the invaluable work undertaken by thousands in our industry as well as the perfect networking opportunity for many to meet in this grand finale to the first day of METSTRADE.”

Shortlisted Entries

Retail Marketing Initiative - sponsored by ePropulsion

Astondoa – 677 Coupe launch and social media interior design campaign
BRP – Manitou Pontoon Boats multi-channel launch
De Antonio Yachts – Partnership with Cupra

Collaborative Solution between a Production Boat Builder and its Supply Chain Partner - sponsored by Ultraflex

Aquila and Sino Yachts – Close collaboration to overcome disruptive events
Fairline Yachts and Lippert Marine Group Europe – Fairline 68 Squadron side access door
Groupe Beneteau and Sailectron / SOLBIAN Solar – Lagoon 51 photovoltaic system

Collaborative Solution between a Superyacht Builder and its Supply Chain Partner

Amer Yachts and Simrad Yachting – Green Assistant system
Benetti Yachts and Siemens Energy – Benetti B.Yond 37M hybrid solution
Numarine and Lippert Marine Group Europe – Patio doors for Numarine 37XP
Sanlorenzo and ABA Yacht – Floating door system

Innovative On-board Design Solution - sponsored by Fusion

Azimut Yachts – Grande 26M design features
Balance Catamarans – Versa-Helm
BRP – Manitou Pontoon Boats new generation design features
Sanlorenzo – SD110 design features
Sunseeker International – 100 Yacht design features

Environmental Improvement in Manufacturing Process - sponsored by High Pressure Watermakers

Baltic Yachts – Sustainability strategies
Beneteau Group – Integration of bio-sourced materials and recyclable resin at scale
Boston Whaler – Fully recyclable GRP boat R&D

Eco-focused Boat of the Year - sponsored by Marine Resources

IMPACD Boats – 3D printed sustainable boat
Northern Lights Composites – Ecoracer
Spirit Yachts – Spirit 30

Designer of the Year - sponsored by Confindustria Nautica

Carrie Fodor and Kristin McGinnis – Sea Ray
Tony Castro Yacht Design

Best Apprenticeship or Training Scheme

MAST Academy – Apprenticeship programme
Riviera Australia – Apprentice training programme
Sunseeker International – Technical apprenticeships and graduate training

Rising Star – sponsored by Lumishore

This category celebrates those aged 35 or under, working for a boat builder, who have been making a growing impact on any aspect of their business. The judges have made their selection from an encouragingly strong field of candidates. Their pick of the global industry’s young talent will be revealed on the evening.

Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by Sleipner

The awards evening culminates with the much-anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in the previous seven years to:

• Paolo Vitelli of Azimut Benetti

• Robert Braithwaite, CBE of Sunseeker International

• David King of Princess Yachts

• Annette Roux of Groupe Beneteau

• Robert T Healey Sr and William J Healey of Viking Yachts

• Christoph Rassy of Hallberg-Rassy

• Leon Slikkers of Slickcraft, S2, Tiara and Pursuit

Tickets for the Boat Builder Awards

Tickets to the Boat Builder Awards Gala Dinner are now on sale with the option to purchase individually or in tables of 10 to enjoy an unforgettable evening with colleagues and industry contacts under the starlit canopy of Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum.

The return of this event is not to be missed, tickets can be purchased here and are offered on a first come, first serve basis. 

Individual tickets are priced at just €275 plus VAT with tables of ten at €2750 plus VAT.