World Superyacht Awards 2010: Best Displacement Motor Yacht below 500GT is won by Motor Yacht Blind Date.
Length: 47.00m
Builder: Heesen Yachts
Naval Architect: Heesen Yachts
Exterior Stylist: Omega Architects
Interior Designer: Keech Green
Yacht NAme: Blind Date
Judges’ Comments:
This class contained seven finalists, five aluminium-built yachts and two constructed from composite, that were built by leading yards in three continents. As such, it was sure to present the judges with some difficult decisions. After much discussion, the secret ballot revealed the judges’ preference for the Heesen-built Blind Date (one of two yachts in this event to bear the same name) that blended high quality construction and excellent engineering with uncluttered deck spaces and an attractive, well laid out ‘modern deco’ interior offering a neutral pallet of colours by Keech Green, an interior design company new to yachting. While the general arrangement of the vessel in general followed traditional lines, the division of space, the circulation plan and other practical features for both crew and guests was also considered to be extremely well thought out. The judges could also see from the very clear Owner’s Statement that his requirements and original design objectives had all been met.
The judges also felt that Sycara IV, one of the finalists in this class, warranted a special mention in view of the detailed manner in which her builders, the Burger Boat Company, and her designer, Ken Freivokh faithfully created the owner’s vision of a classic motor yacht from the 1920s to remarkably high standards of design, construction and engineering, without the necessities of modern life impacting on her true-to-period atmosphere. The judges considered the result to be a vessel of the highest quality and agreed to present a Judges’ Special Award in recognition of this notable achievement.