YachtBuyer - Hall of Fame 2022 Winners

Only a small number of yachts reached a YachtBuyer 5-star rating in 2022. Out of 24 full reviews, just eight models achieved the standard needed to enter the YachtBuyer Hall of Fame, a reminder of how selective the process is and how high the scoring threshold remains. 

In total, YachtBuyer worked across three countries that year, travelling through the United Kingdom, France, and the United States to test boats in varied conditions. Reviews took place at Southampton, Plymouth, Cannes, La Napoule, and Fort Lauderdale, giving us a wide range of sizes and styles to judge so the final list stayed relevant to both owner-operators and long-range superyacht buyers.

Here's what made each model stand out among the 2022 YachtBuyer Award winners.

  1. Azimut Grande Trideck (Mk1) - Azimut’s flagship impressed with its bold three-plus-one deck layout and a beach club that set new standards under 40m. The relaxed, sculptural interior created a sense of space few yachts match, while the zero-emission hotel mode added a meaningful technical step forward.
  2. Benetti Motopanfilo 37M - The Motopanfilo delivered one of the most refined design packages of the year. Its long-range capability, ribbed interior architecture, and stainless-framed glazing created a calm and distinctive atmosphere, supported by strong deck design and excellent five-cabin balance.
  3. Sunseeker 116 Yacht - The 116 impressed through its large-yacht presence, versatile five-cabin layout, and two standout outdoor areas on the foredeck and flybridge. Strong performance at 20 to 24 knots and wide use of deep glass sections marked it as one of Sunseeker’s best all-round designs.
  4. Azimut S10 - The S10 provided sports-yacht performance with multiple outdoor zones, a detailed interior, and a standout forward lounge. The split dining and salon arrangement created useful flexibility, and the fold-out terrace and sportsbridge added rare headroom and deck variety at this size.
  5. Pearl 80 - The Pearl 80 impressed with its semi-custom interior by Kelly Hoppen, a large flybridge, and a forward VIP that felt closer to a stateroom. The yacht’s specification was generous as standard, and the fast, stable hull delivered strong speeds without compromising comfort.
  6. Pearl 62 - The 62 redefined space in the sub-20m flybridge market, delivering four proper cabins, a private owner’s suite aft, and a flybridge more in line with larger yachts. The bright, open companionway and galley-aft layout gave it a clear advantage over its competitors.
  7. Sunseeker Manhattan 55 (Mk2) - The Manhattan 55 gained its place through a wide, well-finished interior, a strong galley-aft layout, and a flybridge that led the class for size and usability. The owner’s cabin stood out for its volume and glass, and the yacht delivered a solid 25-26 knot cruise.
  8. Princess F45 - The F45 delivered one of the most effective uses of space in the 45ft bracket, centred on a full-beam owner’s cabin and a bright raised salon. The flybridge layout, extendable cockpit, and balanced proportions allowed it to offer a complete cruising package at this length.
YachtBuyer Hall of Fame award for Sunseeker Manhattan 55 handover by Kevin Bondington

The Brits and Italians swept the board in 2022, and it's a year that demonstrates the breadth of boats that are inducted into YB Hall of Fame, from the 14m Princess F45 to 40m superyachts."

Jack Haines

Reviews Director

YachtBuyer

These Hall of Fame models were the ones that consistently delivered across their layouts, performance, and day-to-day usability. They sit within a much broader year of testing, and the full picture is best seen in context. Browse the full YachtBuyer review collection to explore every yacht assessed.

Other award years

Winners of the 2022 YachtBuyer Awards

Azimut

Grande Trideck (Mk1)

Exterior Design: Alberto Mancini

Naval Architecture: Azimut , Pier Luigi Ausonio

Interior Design: Achille Salvagni Architetti

Read Our Review

Benetti

Motopanfilo 37M

Exterior Design: Benetti , Francesco Struglia

Naval Architecture: Pierluigi Ausonio

Interior Design: Lazzarini Pickering

Read Our Review

Sunseeker

116 Yacht

Exterior Design: Sunseeker

Naval Architecture: Sunseeker

Interior Design: Design Unlimited

Read Our Review

Azimut

S10

Exterior Design: Alberto Mancini

Naval Architecture: Azimut , Pierluigi Ausonio

Interior Design: Guida Design

Read Our Review

Pearl Yachts

Pearl 80

Exterior Design: Dixon Yacht Design

Naval Architecture: Dixon Yacht Design

Interior Design: Kelly Hoppen

Read Our Review

Pearl Yachts

Pearl 62

Exterior Design: Dixon Yacht Design

Naval Architecture: Dixon Yacht Design

Interior Design: Kelly Hoppen Interiors

Read Our Review

Sunseeker

Manhattan 55 (Mk2)

Exterior Design: Sunseeker

Naval Architecture: Sunseeker

Interior Design: Design Unlimited

Read Our Review

Princess

F45

Exterior Design: Olesinski Design

Naval Architecture: Princess

Interior Design: Princess

Read Our Review