This year’s edition of the Boat Builder Awards saw Targa Boats’ founders Johan and Britt-Marie Carpelan honoured for their Lifetime Achievement and Brunswick’s Vittorio Bichurcher and Kevin Fehrenbach named as this year’s Rising Stars.
In addition, 31 companies from around the world were recognised for their successes in innovation, design, sustainability and partnership collaboration.
This year 68 nominations were accepted for final consideration across six categories that reflect key industry priorities – innovation, customer growth, sustainability and people.
“It’s clear from this year’s entries that there is an industry-wide acceleration towards greater levels of product development,” said IBI editor in chief and chair of the Boat Builder Awards judges, Ed Slack.
Complex approaches
“Start-up manufacturers are entering the arena, while major players are innovating current and new ranges to address emerging market trends.
“In parallel, we’re seeing evidence of much more complex approaches to sustainability now involving new technologies and partners.
“This is enabling companies to move beyond easier initial improvements in environmental impact.”
Metstrade exhibition manager, Patricia Becker, continued: “The health of the whole marine industry depends on a successful yacht construction and refit sector.
The teams from all the different boat builders come to Metstrade each year to discover and buy new products that will make their next launches great.”
The Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement is jointly organised by IBI and Metstrade and held in association with Raymarine.
Boat Builder Awards 2025 results
Breakthrough Launch of the Year
Winner
X-Yachts – XR 41
Finalists
Evene Tenders – Origin Series
Lazzara Yachts – LPC 300
MODX Catamarans – MODX 70
Omaya Yachts – Omaya 50
Innovative Design Solution
Winner
MODX Catamarans – MODX 70
Finalists
Amare Group – AMY 330e
De Antonio Yachts – D60
Highfield Boats – ADV7
Lazzara Yachts – LPC 300
Collaborative Solution between a Builder and its Supply Chain Partner
Winner
Starcraft with Uflex USA, Axium Group, Rollie Williams, and Williamsburg Marine – Starcraft ’57 Ski Champ
Finalists
Azimut Yachts and WATCHIT – WATCHIT EYE marine safety
Frauscher × Porsche 850 Fantom
Sanlorenzo and Volvo Penta – SX Line integration of IPS Professional Platform
Sirena Yachts, Vanemar, EmpirBus by Garmin – voice-controlled automation and AI-assisted owner experience
Sustainability Project of the Year
Groupe Beneteau with Veolia, Composite Recycling, Arkema, Owens Corning and Chomarat – circular economy model for composite manufacturing
Special commendation
TU Delft Hydro Motion Team – Mira hydrogen powered boat
Finalists
Evene Tenders – integrated sustainability programme
Ferretti Group – Ravenna Shipyard environmental management
Thunderjet with Supersede – adoption of Supersede plywood replacement recycled plastic board
Rising Star
Kevin Fehrenbach, Industrial Designer, Brunswick Boat Group
Vittorio Bichurcher, General Manager, NAVAN Boats
Lifetime Achievement
Johan and Britt-Marie Carpelan, co-founders, Targa Boats
