The Boat Builder Awards is a uniquely focused partnership between IBI and Metstrade, in association with founder headline sponsor Raymarine. The awards focus attention on developments in key priorities across the worldwide leisure boat and superyacht sector including innovation, collaboration, sustainability and skills.

This year an international panel of seven highly experienced judges assessed 68 entries across six categories to reach its decisions. Winners will be revealed on Wednesday 19 November 2025 during a dinner hosted just a few steps away from Metstrade’s expanded show floors. Those present will experience a menu expertly delivered by Dutch cuisine pioneer Luc Kusters, the owner of a renowned Michelin starred restaurant in Amsterdam. This year’s change of venue from its traditional city centre location to the heart of the world’s marine leisure marine industry will create valuable extra time for boat builders and their allies to network and enjoy a relaxed celebration of all that is great in the industry, bringing the event back to the source, which is also the theme of the evening.

Chair of the judging panel and IBI Editor, Ed Slack, commented: “I’m pleased to report that the IBI Metstrade Boat Builder Awards is entering its second decade with strong nominations spanning a wide range of development and production activity from small tenders to the largest superyachts. Although we reduced the choice of categories this year, the number of entries increased in ratio, posing positive challenges for our judges when assessing the shortlist. It’s clear that there is an industry-wide acceleration towards greater levels of new product development, with new manufacturers entering the arena, major players innovating to address new market trends and talented people rising through to become the industry’s leaders of the future. The Boat Builder Awards plays an important role in highlighting these often otherwise unheralded business achievements and we look forward to announcing the winners in November.”

Metstrade Exhibition Manager Patricia Becker adds: “Our goal is to evolve the Boat Builder Awards from a purely awards-focused event to one that enhances the opportunities for networking and collaboration between boat builders and suppliers. We are creating a more impactful and valuable experience for the boatbuilding community – fostering connections, celebrating excellence, and driving innovation. By hosting the event at our new dedicated Harbour 8 restaurant facility, we will further extend Metstrade’s unrivalled ability to bring the entire leisure marine industry together under one roof. Everyone attending will enjoy an easy transition from the research and purchasing activities of the day to the valuable sociable interaction and reflection of achievements provided by the Boat Builder Awards. The back to the source theme highlighting the sustainability and attractiveness of the event will be further boosted by working with Amsterdam’s Green Michelin star chef Luc Kusters, in collaboration with local suppliers, to provide a memorable dinner to mark the occasion.”

 

Boat Builder Awards 2025 Shortlist

Breakthrough Launch of the Year

Sponsored by HP Watermaker

Evene Tenders – Origin Series
Lazzara Yachts – LPC 300
MODX Catamarans – MODX 70
Omaya Yachts – Omaya 50
X-Yachts – XR 41

Innovative Design Solution

Sponsored by Fusion

Amare Group – AMY 330e
De Antonio Yachts – D60
Highfield Boats – ADV7
Lazzara Yachts – LPC 300
MODX Catamarans – MODX 70

Collaborative Solution between a Builder and its Supply Chain Partner

Azimut Yachts and WATCHIT – WATCHIT EYE marine safety
Sanlorenzo and Volvo Penta – Sanlorenzo SX Line integration of IPS Professional Platform
Sirena Yachts, Vanemar, EmpirBus by Garmin – voice-controlled automation and AI-assisted owner experience
Frauscher × Porsche 850 Fantom
Starcraft with Uflex USA, Axium Group, Rollie Williams, and Williamsburg Marine –Starcraft Ski Champ

Sustainability Project of the Year

Sponsored by ePropulsion

Evene Tenders – integrated sustainability programme
Ferretti Group – Ravenna Shipyard environmental management
TU Delft Hydro Motion Team – Mira hydrogen powered boat
Thunderjet with Supersede – adoption of Supersede plywood replacement recycled plastic board
Groupe Beneteau with Veolia, Composite Recycling, Arkema, Owens Corning and Chomarat – circular economy model for composite manufacturing

Rising Star

Sponsored by Lumishore

This important award celebrates the achievements of the industry’s and coming talent across all boat building and yacht construction disciplines. Previous recipients feature an impressive array of key people in the industry today:

Dan Bloice-Smith – Williams Jet Tenders
Angela Pernsteiner – Dominator Yachts
Kyle Davison – Riviera Australia
Jack Fenlon – Gulf Craft (now Windy Boats)
Marko Škrbin – Elan Yachts
Hayley Spencer – Princess Yachts
Garrett Koschak – Manitou Pontoon Boats
Josie Maher-Eastman – Edencraft
Žiga Jarc – EJETMarieke de Boer – IMPACD Yachts

Lifetime Achievement

Sponsored by Sleipner

The awards evening culminates with the much-anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in the previous decade to:
Paolo Vitelli ­– Azimut Benetti
Robert Braithwaite, CBE – Sunseeker International
David King ­­­– Princess Yachts
Annette Roux – Beneteau Group
Robert T Healey Sr and William J Healey – Viking Yachts
Christoph Rassy – Hallberg-Rassy
Leon Slikkers – Slickcraft, S2, Tiara and Pursuit
John Lu – Horizon Yachts
Massimo Perotti – Sanlorenzo
Mohammed Hussein AlShaali – Gulf Craft
 

Book the best dinner date in Amsterdam

Wednesday 19 November is the date to reserve for the 2025 edition of the Boat Builder Awards. This fine celebration of achievement will be held in Harbour 8, a dedicated restaurant built especially for Metstrade, just steps away from the nearly 1,700 exhibitors on the expanded showfloor this year.

The Boat Builder Awards dinner will be created by Chef Luc Kusters, the owner and founder of Bolenius, a renowned, Michelin-starred restaurant in Amsterdam known for its dedication to sustainable gastronomy and the modern Dutch Cuisine movement that prioritises cooking with local, seasonal ingredients, prioritising vegetables and fruits, and maintaining an ecologically responsible approach. Bolenius holds both a regular Michelin Star and the Green Michelin Star. The Green Star specifically recognises restaurants that are role models for sustainable gastronomy and ethical practices. Bolenius was one of the first restaurants in the Netherlands to receive this honour.

Individual and group tickets are available now. To secure your date for the best night in Amsterdam, visit ibinews.com/bba2025/tickets.