SW108 Kiboko 4: Sailing Yacht of the Year 2025 – A Fusion of Performance and Elegance

The SW108 Kiboko 4, a 35.5-metre sailing yacht from Southern Wind, has been named 2025 Sailing Yacht of the Year at the World Superyacht Awards, hosted by BOAT International in Venice on 3 May 2025. This prestigious accolade celebrates not only the yacht’s cutting-edge design and outstanding sailing performance, but also the seamless integration of functionality and luxury — a hallmark of the Southern Wind shipyard.

Chosen by a panel of seasoned superyacht owners and judges, Kiboko 4 stood out in a highly competitive field for its versatility, innovative use of materials, and customisation. It’s a yacht equally suited to high-performance regattas and comfortable long-distance family cruising — a dual-purpose platform that exemplifies modern superyacht design.

A performance cruiser with superyacht elegance

Designed by Farr Yacht Design and Nauta Design, and constructed in Cape Town by Southern Wind, Kiboko 4 represents a bold step forward in bluewater performance cruisers. Built in full carbon composite with a lifting keel, twin rudders, and twin diesel-electric propulsion, it blends technological sophistication with sleek, minimalist aesthetics. The deck layout features a flush, uncluttered design, while the aft beach club, tender garage, and open cockpit create elegant social zones for relaxed life on board.

Interior volumes are generous yet refined, and entirely tailored to the owner’s needs — from the layout and materials to the lighting and detailing. This commitment to personalisation flows through every aspect of the vessel.

Jo Fensham’s role in the detail

Jo Fensham was proud to play a part in this award-winning project, by designing and crafting the full exterior cushion set for Kiboko 4. The exterior upholstery was a technically demanding and design-sensitive element, requiring precision in both form and finish to match the yacht’s striking dark hull and crisp detailing.

Crafted using durable, weather-resistant materials with a refined feel, the cushions were built to perform in both racing and leisure contexts. Great care was taken to echo the yacht’s aesthetic — clean lines, monochrome accents, and an emphasis on understated elegance. Each element was custom fit to its respective area, combining comfort, functionality, and long-term resilience.

“Projects like this are where we thrive — where performance and luxury meet. Working alongside the incredible teams at Southern Wind and with such a visionary client was a privilege,” says Tariq Fensham, lead designer at Jo Fensham.

A South African success story

That Kiboko 4 was built and fitted out in Cape Town is a source of pride for the South African maritime industry. This award reflects the talent and collaboration found across the region’s boatbuilders, naval architects, composite specialists, and design teams.

From the high-tech hull construction to the handcrafted interiors and exterior finishes, Kiboko 4 is a global showcase of what South African yacht building can achieve — and Jo Fensham is honoured to have contributed to this benchmark in sailing excellence.

Explore more of our custom yacht upholstery work, and see how we bring design precision and comfort to every vessel we touch.

Images courtesy of Southern Wind Shipyard