Coventry University student Oliver Weaver has won the 2026 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition after an intensive live challenge to create a 50-metre explorer yacht at the Southampton International Boat Show.
Oliver Weaver, an Automotive and Transport Design student at Coventry University, has been named winner of the 2026 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition following one and a half days of live design work at the Southampton International Boat Show.
The competition formed part of the ten-day event at Mayflower Park, where more than 500 boats and watercraft are featuring at the 2026 Southampton International Boat Show, as previously reported by Afloat.ie.
Weaver wins a four-week internship with Sunseeker and, in conjunction with RAI Amsterdam, an invitation to attend Metstrade 2026 in Amsterdam.
Roman Aime, who studies Yacht and Powercraft Design at Solent University, took second place and a two-week Sunseeker internship. Charlotte Redfearn, an Automotive and Transport Design student at the University of Staffordshire, was third and receives a one-week internship with Cockwells.
50-Metre Explorer Yacht Challenge
Organised by Superyacht UK, the annual competition gives emerging designers the opportunity to respond to a professional brief and present their work to leading figures from the superyacht design sector.
This year's eight finalists were challenged to design a 50-metre explorer-style yacht that would serve as its owners' principal residence in the Norwegian fjords while remaining capable of travelling worldwide.
The yacht was required to operate using energy sources producing no direct carbon dioxide or methane emissions while within the UNESCO World Heritage fjords, without compromising the comfort and character expected of a luxury vessel.
The brief called for accommodation for ten people in an owner's cabin and four guest cabins, space for tenders and toys, and a beach club designed to strengthen the owners' connection with the sea.
Finalists were required to produce an exterior profile, block general arrangement, interior and exterior designs for the beach club, and their approach to meeting the yacht's environmental requirements.
Eight Finalists at Southampton
After receiving the live brief at 16:00 on Saturday, 19 September, the eight finalists began work at the Coffee Station in the show's New Wave Hall on Sunday morning.
Visitors were able to watch as the students developed their initial ideas into yacht concepts before presenting them to an industry judging panel.
The finalists were Roman Aime, Solent University; Yuan Qi and Maya Kim, Kingston University London; Adam Platt, Sam McMann, James Horrocks and Charlotte Redfearn, University of Staffordshire; and Oliver Weaver, Coventry University.
The competition also provides another dimension to Afloat's continuing coverage of the Southampton International Boat Show, which runs at Mayflower Park until Sunday, 27 September.
Judges Praise Weaver's All-Round Design
Explaining the decision, James Shakespeare of Princess Yachts said the standard was "extremely strong" and that every finalist had engaged closely with the brief.
"Oliver stood out for his all-round ability. He produced stylish drawings, a well-thought-out design with strong original ideas, and presented his concept extremely well," Shakespeare said.
"Ultimately, his entry ticked every box for us."
Weaver described the competition as "a brilliant experience" and welcomed the freedom provided by the design brief.
"As a stylist, that gave me the opportunity to experiment with different forms, shapes, surfaces and layouts," he said.
"It was a brilliant experience, with lovely people, and a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to the industry and meet everyone involved. I am delighted to have won."
Superyacht UK manager Michael Beattie said the competition was intended to create "meaningful routes into the superyacht industry", adding that Weaver's invitation to Metstrade extended that opportunity.
The competition was supported by Sunseeker, Princess Yachts, RWD, Cockwells and Winch Design.
