Beautiful design, high performance, excellent seakeeping and popularity: all these motor boats have stood the test of the time. Take a look at the best motor boats ever made
Fletcher Arrow series – A British icon
Like the original Mini the Fletcher Arrow range of speedboats is the people’s classic . From the diminutive 14ft Arrowflyte to the more recent Arrowbolt 21, they introduced an entire generation to the joys of boating. Fast, fun, affordable and loved by all.
Riva Aquarama motor boat – A classic beauty
Launched in 1962, the Riva Aquarama has always epitomised glamour. Arguably the most beautiful motor boat ever made, and certainly the most photographed, it is the one classic boat everyone recognizes.
Axopar 28 sportsboat – A future icon
This modern day sportsboat might be a controversial choice but having sold over 1,000 examples since its 2014 launch, thanks to striking looks, exhilarating handling and keen pricing, it has done more to reignite the European sportsboat market than any other craft. Take our word for it, the Axopar 28 is an icon in the making!
Christina O – The most iconic superyacht
Formerly known as Christina, this former Canadian anti-submarine River-class frigate was famously owned by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. He purchased her for only $34,000 and spent $4m to turn it into a stunning 99 metre superyacht. Christina, named after Onassis’s daughter, was later bought by family friend John-Paul Papanicolaou who spent a further $50million restoring her. It can now be chartered for private use.
Motor Yacht A – The most striking superyacht
The striking 119m Motor Yacht A was built by Blohm and Voss and designed by Philip Starck for Russian industrialist Andrey Melnichenko. It cost a cool $300 million and took four years to complete. Motor Yacht A sleeps 14 guests and 42 crew and remains one of the longest motor yachts in the world. Starck also designed the even more bizarre looking Sailing Yacht A for the same owner.
Fairey Huntsman 28 sportscruiser – the Jaguar E-Type of the sea
The brainchild of Fairey’s chief designer Alan Burnard, the Fairey Huntsman used a deep vee Ray Hunt hull allied to Fairey’s light but strong hot-moulded wooden construction to extract impressive performance from relatively modest engines during its production run from 1961 to 1972. Notable for its fine seakeeping capabilities as well as its handsome looks, this classic sportscruiser is often regarded as the Jaguar E-Type of the sea.
Sunseeker Superhawk 50 motor yacht – The biggest and best of the Superhawk range
The biggest and the best of the iconic Hawk range, the Sunseeker Superhawk 50 is a proper old school sportscruiser that puts performance ahead of accommodation. A joy to drive and a pleasure to behold, it still stands the test of time today. Nobody makes them like this any more.
Bluebird K7 – The legendary world record breaker
Donald Campbell’s jet-powered Bluebird K7 broke the world water-speed record seven times between 1955 and 1964 reaching a top speed of 276mph. In a bid to push the record past 300mph, Donald Campbell made a final ill-fated attempt on Coniston Water in 1967. Having topped 300mph in one direction he was mid-way through the return run when Bluebird K7 flipped, instantly killing Campbell before sinking into the depths. It was eventually recovered in 2001 and is now being restored to working order.
Wally 118 Power motor yacht – The epitome of individualism
This futuristic motor boat was built way back in 2002 but still looks cutting edge today thanks to its angular styling, awesome performance and carbon fibre construction . Wally Yachts may be better known for its sleek sailing yachts but the Wally 118 Power is still one of the most recogniseable motor yachts ever made.
Bertram Moppie motor boat – The classic Ray Hunt hull that changed boat design forever
Based on Ray Hunt’s original race-winning deep-vee hull, the Bertram Moppie was launched in 1961 and survived with only minor changes right through until the mid 80s. Not many made it to the UK but its influence on hull design cannot be overestimated.
10 Celebrity motor yachts and superyachts
From David Geffen's 138m, $200m Lürssen yacht Rising Sun, to Nicole Kidman's Sunseeker Manhattan 74, all these celebrities can't do
Motor Boat Awards 2024
The Motor Boat Awards are the only marine awards with the motor boat buyers’ best interests at heart
Motor Boat Awards 2016: This year’s winners revealed
Last night saw the tenth anniversary of our prestigious awards ceremony and now we can reveal all 10 winners of
