Having celebrated the best designs among new motoryachts and sailing yachts for two decades, the International Superyacht Society (ISS) is now recognizing the best megayachts that have received top-to-bottom makeovers.
As part of its annual International Awards for Design and Leadership, the ISS has added a Best Yacht Refit Award category. Like the longstanding categories for new builds, the entries for the refit recognition will be judged on a peer-review basis. This sets the ISS awards apart from other presentations, some of which permit popular vote. (Full disclosure: I’m on the board of directors for ISS.)
The ISS board decided to add the refit category because of current events. Even with this recession being far longer and broader than others in the past, some owners are still following the tendency to invest in their present yachts rather than purchase new ones. For their refit project to be eligible for the new award, the yacht must reflect “a complete design update with substantial changes to interior and exterior structure, outfit and finish that enhance yacht function, performance, and aesthetic appeal.”
In addition, the refit must have been completed between May 1, 2010 and April 30 of this year. To submit an entry, visit the ISS award nomination page.
The refit award is actually one of two new awards this year. The other, the Fabien Cousteau Blue Award, will recognize environmental stewardship. More details to come on that award in a few weeks. Regardless, both new awards will be given at a gala during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
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