65m Aquarius Named Robb Report Best of the Best Sailing Yacht
By Stephen Yardley · Edited by Stephen Yardley
Image: Royal Huisman
Royal Huisman’s 65-metre performance ketch Aquarius has been named Robb Report’s 2026 Best of the Best winner for best sailing yacht.
Royal Huisman’s 65-metre performance ketch Aquarius has been named Robb Report’s Best of the Best winner for best sailing yacht. The award adds another international recognition to a project that has already collected several major design and yachting honours.
Earlier in 2026, Aquarius was named Sailing Yacht of the Year at the World Superyacht Awards and also won the category for sailing yachts of 40 metres and above. She had previously received a Design & Innovation Award for naval architecture.
The current Aquarius was created for experienced owners who previously commissioned the 56-metre Aquarius, now named Apsara. Rather than abandon the successful earlier concept, the second yacht was developed as a larger and more capable evolution of a design the owners already knew well.
The new yacht adds greater volume and accommodation while preserving the modern-classic profile and performance character of her predecessor. The programme again brought together Royal Huisman with Dykstra Naval Architects and designer Mark Whiteley.
Royal Huisman has repeatedly described the project as a case study in refinement rather than reinvention. The owners wanted more space, comfort and capability without losing the proportions and sailing qualities that made the original yacht successful.
The latest award reinforces the standing Aquarius has built since delivery. For Royal Huisman, it also underlines the value of long-term owner relationships in which operational experience from one yacht directly informs the design of the next.
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