Measuring 42 meters in length over all, the beautiful custom Moonen yacht Sofia came within a whisker of winning the ‘Displacement motor yacht below 500 GT’ prize at the World Superyachts Award ceremony, which took place last Saturday, on May 3, 2014. In what was described by the judges as an exceptionally close call, the Neptune award went to explorer yacht CaryAli, with motor yacht Sofia receiving a Commendation prize in a field of ten impressive superyachts. Both vessels were superbly penned by Rene van der Velden.
World Superyacht Awards 2014 Commendation for Moonen Yacht SOFIA
Dutch quality
The high-status World Superyachts Awards event was held for the first time in 2014 in Amsterdam and saw various Dutch yards do very well. For superyacht Sofia to receive the judges’ commendation for displacement motoryacht below 500 GT was a considerable achievement for Moonen Shipyards, especially considering the fierce competition.
“While we would have loved to have won the award, to receive a commendation like this is still a considerable honour for the owner of Sofia and the craftsmen that built her,” comments Emile Bilterijst, managing director of Moonen Yachts. “It is also a testament to Moonen quality control and relationship between Moonen and Rene van der Velden. We would like to congratulate Alloy Yachts on its achievement and send them a friendly shot across the bows: Moonen Dutch quality has won us several awards in the past and we’ll be back for more!”
Moonen superyachtt Sofia - Photo credit to Dick Holthuis
Moonen winners
The World Superyacht Awards judges had subjected the ten final nominations to lengthy study and debate before holding a secret ballot to decide the winner. The votes between the first and second placed yacht were very close according to the jury, which described Sofia yacht in glowing terms: “In addition to being an all-round, well-conceived yacht, the ability of a yacht of this size to carry and operate a three-seat submarine was considered worthy of a Judges’ Commendation.”
Moonen luxury yacht Sofia underway - Photo by Dick Holthuis
Moonen at Asia Boating Awards
Meanwhile, superyacht Sofia – the largest custom luxury yacht built by Moonen to date – has also been nominated for the Asia Boating Awards in two categories: ‘Best worldwide custom built yacht’ and ‘Best yacht design of the year’. The ceremony takes place this coming Friday.
Below is a selection of the luxurious charter yachts built by Moonen.
Moonen Charter Yacht Images
More: Moonen Image Gallery
