YachtBuyer - Hall of Fame 2023 Winners

The YachtBuyer 5 Star Rating is kept for the yachts that meet our highest standard, and only a small number ever achieve it. In 2023, we carried out 70 full reviews and just ten yachts (that's around 14%) earned the top score, placing them among the most accomplished boats we tested that year.

Our 2023 programme took us through a wide sweep of locations across 8 countries in Europe and the United States, with assessments carried out in Germany, Slovenia, Italy, France, Montenegro, Finland, the United Kingdom, and the US. Testing in such varied waters and at major shows gave us access to a broad mix of builders and design approaches. This range helped ensure that the final choices covered multiple sizes and formats, keeping the awards useful for readers with very different priorities.

Below, we break down what defines each model in this year’s YachtBuyer Awards.

Benetti Oasis 40M - The Oasis 40M impressed with its easy flow from the beach terrace to the interior, the relaxed pool-side deck arrangement, and a hull that felt composed at all speeds. The work from RWD, Bonetti/Kozerski, and Pierluigi Ausonio created a yacht that integrates space, usability, and style in a way that few 40-metre platforms manage.
Riva 110 Dolcevita - The 110 Dolcevita provides a strong build with a low-profile superstructure and a bright, polished interior from Officina Italiana Design. Its hull behaved with confidence, and the long main deck glazing created a calm, continuous living space. It felt refined underway and thoughtfully resolved inside.
Princess X95 - The X95 earned its score through volume and range. The upper deck salon, long flybridge, and wide internal sightlines gave it an advantage over rivals. The two-deck layout worked cleanly, the accommodation was generous, and the hull delivered impressive performance for a yacht of this scale.
Princess X80 - The X80 achieved five stars by doing something extremely difficult. It reproduced the dual-deck idea of the X95 inside a smaller footprint without compromising speed or comfort. The elevated salon, the forward main deck stateroom with direct deck access, and the adaptable four- or five-cabin layout all played a part. Its 30-knot capability completed a rare package.
Riva 76 Perseo - The Perseo stood out for its strength of build, confident handling, and striking sportsbridge profile. The deep-V hull provided smooth performance, and the full-beam owner’s cabin set a new level for the segment. It was a polished, cohesive design executed to a very high standard

YachtBuyer Hall of Fame handover for Bluegame BG42 from CEO Kevin Bodington and Jack Haines

Absolute Navetta 75 - The Navetta 75 delivered volume, practicality, and long-distance ease. The layout felt carefully thought through, the internal staircase improved day-to-day movement, and the forward owner’s cabin created a private, panoramic space. IPS1350 propulsion gave it quiet, predictable handling that suited long cruising days.
Pearl 72 - The Pearl 72 impressed with its packaging. Two genuine owner’s suites, a full tender garage with space for multiple toys, and a flybridge that felt larger than expected gave it an edge. Bill Dixon’s external design and Kelly Hoppen’s interior work created a distinctive character that matched strong performance from the MTUs.
Absolute Navetta 64 - The Navetta 64 earned its place for the amount of space and flexibility it delivered inside 20 meters. The forward owner’s cabin felt unusually open, the salon windows added real scale, and the optional beach-club cabin created a standout fourth space that few rivals could match.
Bluegame BG42 - The BG42 combined sharp handling with long-range ability. Its deep-V hull, IPS setup, and raised helm created a responsive driving experience, while the open deck plan supported day boating, weekending, and sportfishing. The build quality and detailing gave it a solid, purposeful feel.
Bertram 35 Flybridge - The Bertram 35 was recognised for its heritage and capability. The Ray Hunt hull delivered confident performance to 36 knots, and the cockpit layout supported both fishing and cruising. The interior was compact but well finished, and the engineering felt built for decades of use.

The year that perfectly demonstrated the level of design ambition across different sectors of the boat and yacht building industry. A Hall of Fame year where the iconic Betram 35 rubbed shoulders with one of the most successful superyacht ranges of all time, Benetti's Oasis 40m."
Jack Haines
Reviews Director
YachtBuyer

This year’s Hall of Fame shows which models pushed ahead in space planning, usability, and real-world capability. They form a small part of the wider work carried out on the water, but each one stood out for its clarity of purpose and execution. To explore the full landscape and see how every boat performed across our test program, browse the complete set of YachtBuyer reviews.