Royal Huisman has declared that its exceptional 59.7m / 196ft high-performance sloop Sarissa has garnered three prestigious awards at the International Superyacht Society (ISS) Awards Gala, which took place in Fort Lauderdale. The winners were chosen and honored by esteemed peers within the superyacht industry, making this recognition a significant honor for the team.
Sarissa is renowned for its cutting-edge technology, exceptional naval architecture, stunning exterior and interior design, and unparalleled craftsmanship, showcasing Royal Huisman’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Constructed with state-of-the-art lightweight Alustar® aluminum and carbon composites, Sarissa minimizes fuel consumption while boosting speed and maneuverability.
© Ugo Fonollá
The forward-facing retractable propulsion system enhances performance, redundancy, and comfort, in line with the industry’s shift towards sustainability. Designed and built by Royal Huisman in collaboration with Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design, interior designer Liaigre, and owners’ representative Gregory Monks, Sarissa combines sleek elegance with remarkable functionality, fulfilling the owner’s vision of an environmentally friendly yet high-performance superyacht.
© Ugo Fonollá
Congratulations to the owners of Sarissa and heartfelt thanks from her design and build team. Jan Timmerman, CEO of Royal Huisman, states: “On behalf of our team, I want to express our happiness and honor in receiving these awards. However, even though we have enjoyed considerable recognition, we do not intend to rest on our laurels; we will always remember that a shipyard is measured by its next boat.”
© Ugo Fonollá
Sarissa
This high-performance sloop with retractable propulsion marks the next step in the owners’ passion for sailing and their love for family adventures and exploration. Their first 43m / 140ft Sarissa opened their eyes to new possibilities. In 2012, the owners began dreaming about today’s Sarissa (Royal Huisman, 2023), which has grown by 17 meters / 55 feet. The challenge was to create a yacht that built upon the love they had for their previous vessel. The owners devoted many years to its development, and it is no coincidence that the shipyard and designers achieved such remarkable results.
Malcolm McKeon is among the top naval architects in the world. Throughout numerous engaging discussions and design sessions, the owners collaborated on their vision for Sarissa to be both fast and a joy to sail. Although they were designing a global cruising yacht just under 500GT, they were determined not to compromise on the special sailing spirit and responsiveness they cherished in their previous yachts.
© Crew
The owners of Sarissa aimed for the yacht to compete at the highest levels on the racecourse while maintaining the lowest noise and vibration levels among large sailing yachts. She also needed to be comfortable in rough seas, capable of safely undertaking ocean voyages. The steering mechanism had to be manual as the owners wanted to feel the power in their hands. Despite the requirement for a blend of performance and luxury, the owners had a distinct vision of the balance between the two.
©Guillaume-Plisson
From its inception, the focus was on environmentally friendly solutions that would also enhance the yacht’s performance, elevate the onboard experience, and minimize the impact on the environment. Consequently, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the owners and their team explored the most efficient ways to generate, store, and utilize energy. Whether sailing or at anchor, they often take delight in explaining to guests that their yacht operates entirely on battery-stored energy without any exhaust emissions. They also placed a strong emphasis on improving water access, accomplished through a large transom opening, which features a carbon-fiber door that creates an impressive platform.
©Guillaume-Plisson
They were fortunate to collaborate with Guillaume Rolland from Liaigre, a talented interior designer who shares their enthusiasm for sailing. The design brief called for a light and open interior featuring large windows and portlights, creating a relaxed ambiance. Sarissa was intended to be comfortable and welcoming. The design had to be innovative and thoughtful, balancing exquisite aesthetics with functional operation and maximizing guest space, while also featuring smart and efficient storage solutions for both guests and crew operations.
©Guillaume-Plisson
Quality was paramount; the new Sarissa had to be constructed by the world’s finest yacht builders and artisans: Royal Huisman. Sarissa is the ultimate world performance cruising sloop for the owners, seamlessly blending all the sailing characteristics they are passionate about and cherish while on the water.
©Guillaume-Plisson
Ten Prestigious Awards for Sarissa in 2024
Sarissa was honored as the overall winner of “Yacht of the Year” and “Best Interior” at the International Superyacht Society Awards. Additionally, she was recognized as “Best in Sail 40m+.” Earlier this year, Sarissa won “Sailing Yacht of the Year” and “Best Sailing Yacht of 40m and Above” at the World Superyacht Awards 2024, along with five other major accolades at Boat International’s Design & Innovation Awards, including “Innovation of the Year.”