Super result for Kiwi builders at design awards

The Alloy Yachts Kokomo was judged the world's best sailing yacht over 40 metres. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi superyacht builders have again sailed above their weight in two of the world's leading superyacht award ceremonies.

Builders from Auckland, Tauranga and New Plymouth captured gongs in the International Superyacht Society Awards and the ShowBoats Design Awards, held during the recent Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida.

Henderson-based Alloy Yachts enhanced their already impressive reputation, winning the prestigious ISS design award for best sailing yacht over 40m for Kokomo, the 58.4m sailing yacht they launched earlier this year.

The 45m Salperton IV, from New Plymouth-based Fitzroy Yachts, won designers Dubois Naval Architects the ShowBoats design award for best exterior design and styling in a sailing yacht. Salperton IV was also a finalist in the ISS design awards for sailing yachts over 40m.

Tauranga's Southern Ocean Marine built the 32m Liara which won its designers, Dixon Yacht Design, the ShowBoats' best naval architecture award for a sailing yacht. The company also played a key role in the installation and operation of Liara's innovative keel system, which won the ShowBoats design and technology award. Further cementing the Kiwi connection, the award-winning keel was designed by Owen Clarke Design in Auckland and built by Kawarau Engineering.

The workmanship of Hobsonville-based Yachting Developments was also recognised at the design awards. Their 36.8m sailing yacht Bliss took out the best gallery design award for Design Unlimited and Dubois Naval Architects. Bliss was also a finalist in the ISS design awards for the best sailing yacht 24-40m.

Owen Rutter, chairman of the New Zealand Marine Export Group, says the awards show New Zealand companies are producing some of the finest yachts in the world.