Motor Yacht of the Year was awarded to the 75-meter Admiral superyacht Kensh at the World Superyacht Awards.
The independent panel of judges used a secret ballot to determine that the flagship of the Italian Sea Group was the victor by a substantial margin, out of the eight individual winners of the Semi-Displacement and Displacement Motor Yacht classes.
Kensh — a Japanese word that means “seeing one’s true nature” — was constructed over the course of six years, from 2016 when the initial foundations were laid until her delivery and debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2022. Her swooping lines and metallic green-blue paint are reminiscent of a 1960s Ford Mustang, but it was her owner-driven characteristics that tilted the scales for the judges.
The owner visited approximately one hundred of the world’s most iconic yachts to compile a wish list for his vessel, which included high deckheads and minimal side decks, efficient interaction between personnel and guests, large, calming volumes, and the absence of a main saloon. Azure Yacht Design and Naval Architecture of the Netherlands and Archives Berlin of Germany devised the naval architecture and exterior design.
Nature is a recurring motif throughout the entirety of Kensh. The exterior is said to resemble the contours of a pebble-shaped by natural forces over time, while the pool deck’s stairs have been designed to appear as if they were carved by the sea. It was the first yachting project for the Parisian design studio Jouin Manku, who devised a palette of soft natural tones in leather, teak, metal, and glass to capture the same ambiance.
The exact power requirements of Kensh’s diesel-electric propulsion system with twin Veth azimuth drives powered by Danfoss electric motors are met by five variable-speed generators in order to reduce her carbon footprint.
Since her inception, this is not the first piece of silverware the vessel has acquired. The 2023 BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards presented her with the Neptune for Best Interior Design in the Motor Yachts 500GT and Above category.