Few industry gatherings offer as clear a view of where global boating is headed as the Yacht Style Awards, and the 2026 edition is shaping up to be the most expansive to date. The provisional nominee list covers more than 130 vessels across 17 size and type categories, while the gala dinner on 22 April at the Constellation Ballroom of ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove in Singapore is set to draw over 300 industry VIPs and yacht owners on the eve of the Singapore Yachting Festival. The evening has firmly established itself as a landmark on the Asia-Pacific yachting calendar.
Nominations are evaluated across criteria including innovation, design, build quality, environmental responsibility, and owner experience, with the specific demands of the Asia market given close weight throughout. For most boat categories, eligible models must have made their world premiere at a major show held after the 2025 Singapore Yachting Festival.
*Beneteau sets the pace*
No single manufacturer casts a longer shadow over this year's nominations than Beneteau. Combining entries under the Beneteau, Jeanneau, and Excess nameplates, the French group accounts for at least 14 nominations, roughly one in every ten across the full field. One of those entries is the Gran Turismo 35, among the more widely discussed new launches of the past year.
The GT35 carries exterior design by Andreani Design and naval architecture from Michael Peters Yacht Design. At 11.2 metres LOA with a beam of 4.65 metres, it embodies what Beneteau calls a Sport-Lux philosophy. Standard power comes from twin Mercury Verado 300hp outboards capable of pushing the boat past 41 knots, with a 350hp option also on offer. Fold-out cockpit balconies on both sides mark a first at this size for the brand, and a convertible V-berth forward alongside a mid-cabin berth makes overnight stays entirely practical. An Alpine Edition finished in Signal Grey with navy detailing rounds out the personalisation options. In New Zealand, the GT35 is represented by 36 Degrees Brokers.
*Axopar chases adventure*
Finnish builder Axopar makes its case in the 10-12m category with the 38 Cross Cabin, which had its world debut at boot Düsseldorf in January 2026. The 38 XC stretches to 11.84 metres with a beam of 3.56 metres, constructed around the brand's twin-stepped 22-degree V hull. Twin outboards of 300 or 350hp each drive it to a top speed north of 45 knots from an 830-litre fuel tank. Inside the wheelhouse, up to six people are seated around a U-shaped layout with an optional hi-lo table that converts to a berth. The modular rear deck can be configured with wet bars, leaning posts, and folding swim platforms to suit the owner's preferred setup. Axopar's New Zealand representative is eYachts.
*Maritimo stakes its ground*
Australia's Maritimo appears across two separate categories, reflecting both the builder's consistent output and its standing as a constructor of serious bluewater cruisers. The M50 contests the 16-18m class, having already earned a score of 4.2 out of 5 from Boating New Zealand during a test earlier this year. Measuring 15.69 metres LOA with a 5.22-metre beam, it is powered by twin Volvo Penta D13 engines rated at 800hp each, delivering a top speed of 28 knots from 3,700 litres of fuel. The design brief was precise: occupy a 50-foot pen while offering the interior volume of something considerably larger. Both cabins run the full beam, minimum headroom is held at 1.9 metres throughout, and a patented fold-down swim platform extends to nearly four metres wide. Seakeeper Ride compatibility is incoming. The M50's stablemate, the S60, contests the 18-20m category.
*Pearl 63: the British wildcard*
Pearl Yachts holds the distinction of being the only British builder nominated in any motoryacht category this year. The Pearl 63 steps into the fiercely contested 18-20m class alongside seven rivals drawn from Italian, French, and Australian manufacturers, making its presence on the list genuinely significant at a global level.
The Pearl 63 made its world debut at boot Düsseldorf 2025, building on the foundations of the well-regarded Pearl 62. A reworked aft cockpit features twin opening side balconies, bi-fold stainless-framed patio doors, and a four-cabin layout sleeping up to eight guests. Dixon Yacht Design is responsible for the exterior lines, while Kelly Hoppen Interiors brings a philosophy of clean lines and relaxed luxury to the accommodation, with owner-customisable finishes throughout. Volvo Penta IPS drive options run from the standard IPS 1050s up to the IPS 1350 for those seeking greater pace, with a top speed of around 33 knots and a cruising range of approximately 260 nautical miles. At 18.61 metres with a draft of 1.59 metres, the 63 suits a wide range of marinas and anchorages.
*Excess 13: sailing cats go green*
The sailing catamaran under-14m class applies hull length rather than overall length as its measure, which brings the Excess 13 into contention despite its 15.3-metre overall length. Developed under the Beneteau Group's Excess brand in collaboration with VPLP Design and naval architect Eric Levet from Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, the 13 makes a performance case through its asymmetric hulls, fold-down sugar-scoops at the stern, and a high-aspect rig in the Pulse Line version. Its sustainability credentials are equally considered: a coachroof rainwater recovery system, ventilation optimised to reduce air conditioning demand, and dual-function doors that save both weight and space all feature in the specification. Three and four-cabin configurations are available, and in New Zealand the Excess 13 is represented by 36 Degrees Brokers.
*The broader picture*
The 2026 Yacht Style Awards is a substantial undertaking. With 131 boats across 17 categories and a further 14 industry awards covering dealers, marinas, yacht clubs, and sailing events, it amounts to a thorough audit of the global industry's current state. Ferretti Group matches Beneteau for breadth of representation, fielding Ferretti Yachts, Riva, and Pershing entries across multiple classes. Sanlorenzo, Azimut, and Benetti carry the flag for Italian craftsmanship at the upper end of the market, while the superyacht categories spanning 30 to 80 metres include names such as Feadship, Lürssen, and a Giorgio Armani-branded Admiral.
The most numerically competitive bracket is the 18-20m motoryacht category, where Pearl, Absolute, Beneteau, De Antonio, Galeon, Maritimo, and Sirena all line up against one another. By most assessments it represents the sweet spot of the contemporary market: capable enough for serious extended cruising, yet compact enough to be owner-operated without a full crew. Winners across all categories will be announced at the 22 April gala in Singapore.
The full provisional nominee list across all 31 categories is published at .
