The 11th edition of the Boat Builder Awards, held annually at Metstrade in Amsterdam, saw Targa Boats’ founders Johan and Britt-Marie Carpelan honoured for lifetime achievement and Brunswick’s Vittorio Bichurcher and Kevin Fehrenbach named as this year’s rising stars, during an awards ceremony held last night (19 November 2025).
In total, 31 companies from around the globe were highlighted for their successes in innovation, design, sustainability and partnership collaboration.
This year, 68 nominations were accepted for final consideration across six categories across innovation, customer growth, sustainability and people.
This year’s event, which welcomed around 250 guests, was relocated closer to the action at Metstrade, in the Harbour 8 event space, to be closer to the event’s 1,700 exhibitors than in previous years.
Metstrade exhibition manager, Patricia Becker, comments: “The Boat Builder Awards is a very important part of our week here in Amsterdam. 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 are jointly organised by Metstrade and IBI and are held in association with Raymarine.
Boat Builder Awards 2025 results
Breakthrough launch of the year: X-Yachts – XR 41
Judges’ comments: “All our finalists in this category bring something different to the market with the potential to have a disruptive influence in their niches. But one stood out as already making great waves. Despite its 2025 launch date, the versatile XR 41, with its switchable sport and racing configurations, has already assumed near cult status with its rapidly growing number of owners. A brilliant blend of boundary-stretching innovation with commercial success.”
Finalists
- Evene Tenders – Origin Series
- Lazzara Yachts – LPC 300
- MODX Catamarans – MODX 70
- Omaya Yachts – Omaya 50
Innovative design solution: MODX Catamarans – MODX 70
Judges’ comments: “There’s lots of great design present within each of our finalists, but for this category we’re really focused on trying to identify an incredible standout single feature. On that basis, it was hard to look past the MODX 70’s twin Aeroforce inflatable wings, which transform this hugely accommodating boat from a sailing cat to power catamaran at the touch of a button. The industry needs impetus to open the sustainability benefits of wind power to a wider set of users and we hope the MODX70 serves as a pioneer for more creativity in this area.”
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: Starcraft with Uflex USA, Axium Group, Rollie Williams and Williamsburg Marine – Starcraft ’57 Ski Champ
Judges’ comments: “Against such a commendable field of finalists in this category with technologically advanced collaborations, the judges chose arguably the simplest boat entered. To understand why, look at the number of bespoke parts created by Starcraft’s suppliers to recreate this top-selling model from the 1950s, in a pitch to mirror the upsurge of interest in all things vintage. Thanks to tight collaboration and cost controls, the 57 Ski Champ was resurrected for the 21st century with a price tag under $20,000.”
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
Judges’ comments: “The finalists in this category each demonstrate encouraging and inspiring examples of how the whole industry can authentically drive sustainability objectives forward. However, the judges decided to name the latest evolution of Groupe Beneteau’s composite recycling initiative as this year’s winner.
We already recognised one element of this circular economy model in the 2023 awards, but the ecosystem has now been completed by harnessing powerhouses in the worlds of composites and material recycling. Arguably one of the most important sustainability projects we have seen in the history of the awards.”
Special commendation: TU Delft Hydro Motion Team – Mira hydrogen-powered boat
Judges’ comments: “The judges were very impressed with the progress made with this project and hope that many of the contributing team members will soon be bringing all of their hard-won knowledge to bear across global boat builders and superyacht constructors by taking up careers within our friendly and progressive industry.”
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; and Vittorio Bichurcher, General Manager, Navan Boats
Judges’ comments: “In a first for the Boat Builder Awards, both Rising Stars this year work for the same company and have been key contributors to the same project.”
Vittorio Bichurcher serves as general manager of Navan Boats, an up-and-coming brand within Brunswick. Qualified in naval architecture and marine engineering, Vittorio has driven the launch of a completely new range of boats across EMEA and North American markets. He also serves as senior director of strategy for the parent company’s global boat business.
Kevin Fehrenbach is a young entry-level industrial designer with a fast-growing reputation. He has made important contributions across Brunswick’s boat brands and his designs for the S30 and C30 NAVAN models have significantly assisted this young brand’s launch success.
Lifetime achievement: Johan and Britt-Marie Carpelan, co-founders, Targa Boats
Judges’ comments: “Our lifetime achievement hall of fame includes illustrious individuals and, in one case, a pair of brothers. But this is the first time that we have named a husband-and-wife team. This is a long overdue recognition not only for our recipients this evening, but also for the many partners of big industry names who often silently play such a significant part in the running and development of boat builders and other marine businesses.”
Founded in 1976 by Johan and Britt-Marie Carpelan, the Finnish boatbuilder began with its successful H-Boat keelboat before shifting to fast cabin cruisers in 1984, introducing the Targa 25 – a precursor to today’s adventure-boat segment. Its distinctive, robust wheelhouse design established a strong brand identity and helped grow the company to nearly 300 employees across two sites.
The current Targa range comprises eight models up to 46ft, including the Targa 41, which has sold more than 50 units since its 2024 debut, and now includes outboard options alongside diesel. The founders remain active at the yard, supporting the next generation as they lead the internationally recognised business.
The lifetime achievement award has been running for over a decade. Previous recipients include Mohammed Hussein AlShaali – Gulf Craft (2024), Massimo Perotti – Sanlorenzo (2023), John Lu – Horizon Yachts (2022), Leon Slikkers – Slickcraft, S2, Tiara and Pursuit (2021), and Christoph Rassy – Hallberg-Rassy (2020).
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