Latest YachtBuyer 5 Star Trophy Winners and Hall of Fame Inductees Revealed at FLIBS 2025

Understanding the YachtBuyer Hall of Fame

Each yacht is reviewed across six core categories covering performance, construction, accommodation, helm stations, deck use, and value. Fewer than nine percent have ever achieved a perfect result, a figure that proves how selective the process is. The scoring remains fully independent, with no advertising, sponsorship, or entry fees involved.

Inducted yachts receive a permanent YachtBuyer Hall of Fame profile with their written review and recorded trials. This latest group was presented at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, giving the awards a strong platform at one of the biggest shows in the United States.

Inducted at FLIBS: The Next YachtBuyer Hall of Fame Class

The Navetta 64 stood out for its ability to balance space, practicality, and genuine long-range character within a 20-meter footprint. Its standout feature is the beach club cabin in the transom, a layout choice that reshapes how this size category uses volume. A steady displacement cruising, and a clear sense of big-yacht usability helped it rise above rivals. The helm positions are straightforward, the accommodation is generous, and the atmosphere throughout feels tailored for extended periods on board.

The Verve 48 secured its YB 5 star rating through a step-change in performance, usability, and refinement. Its triple 600hp Mercury V12s deliver a smooth 30-knot cruise and 50-knot top end, matched to a Michael Peters twin-stepped hull that grips confidently in fast turns. The new walkaround layout improves movement on board, while the expanded aft platform and port-side balcony create more practical deck space than the earlier Verve 47. With joystick control, strong helm protection, and well-crafted detailing throughout, the Verve 48 delivers fast, effortless cruising and one of the most capable dayboat platforms in its size sector.

Benetti’s Motopanfilo 37M achieved its score through design coherence and long-range capability. The interior by Lazzarini Pickering creates a calm, sculpted environment that draws from the yacht’s curved structure, while the four-deck arrangement gives the 297GT hull an unusual sense of scale. A 3800nm range supports genuine passage-making, the observation deck is a memorable feature, and the main salon and owner’s suite deliver a level of craftsmanship that puts the yacht in its own bracket. It earned its place by pairing style longevity with practical cruising value.

The Bertram 35 earned its score through purity of purpose. It retains a deep-V hull derived from the brand’s race heritage, producing a 36-knot boat that stays honest when driven hard. The cockpit is a highlight, set up for fishing yet adaptable for cruising. The flybridge is simple but effective, the engineering is robust, and the build quality has a stamped-from-solid feel. While many yachts chase interior volume, the 35 succeeds because it focuses on capability, handling, and construction.

The Pearl 72 distinguished itself through its packaging and performance. Two separate owner-grade cabins in a sub-22 meter yacht is a rare achievement, made possible by tight engineering and the V-drive arrangement. Kelly Hoppen’s interior schemes create a distinctive atmosphere, and the tender garage is large enough to carry a tender, jet-ski, and Seabob. At sea, the MTU setup provides relaxed fast cruising at 25 knots with refined handling, and the deck plan avoids wasted space. It reached a YB 5 stars by delivering ideas that work in practice rather than on paper.

The S72 earned its score through its performance, refinement, and depth of engineering. With twin MAN V12-1800 engines, it reaches close to 40 knots and holds a calm 25 to 32 knot cruise, delivering speed that feels effortless for a 50-ton yacht. The handling remains precise, with strong control at both helms and impressive quietness underway. The sportsbridge layout adds a full flybridge and a glass sunroof without compromising space, while the interior is finished to a high standard with private access to a full-beam owner’s suite. It stood out by bringing this pace and comfort together with real clarity.

The Dolcevita’s score came from its execution. Riva’s precision in metalwork, glasswork, and cabinetry is evident across every deck, and the flybridge and foredeck create two distinct outdoor areas of real scale. Inside, the salon’s long glass and stainless-steel detailing define the yacht’s character, while the main deck owner’s suite and four lower-deck cabins provide volume without losing style. With MTU power and a 26-knot top end, it stays capable underway, but the real difference is the level of finish, which remains consistent across the entire build.

The 116 Yacht reached its score through versatility and scale. Its foredeck is one of the strongest in the class, with space for lounges, sunpads, and a potential Jacuzzi. The interior is custom-friendly, delivering a five-cabin arrangement with a main deck owner’s suite and a lounge that opens on three sides. With a 2000nm range at 12 knots and a 24-knot top speed, it covers both long-distance cruising and fast passages. The flybridge, with its depth and adaptable layout, adds a second major deck. It excels by offering capability without excess complexity.

Watch the video below for a clear explanation of how each yacht is assessed:

As more yachts achieve a YB 5 star score, future handovers will continue at major shows and shipyards. The YachtBuyer Hall of Fame gives buyers a clear, independent guide to the models that have performed well in real conditions.