Much more than a boat show, the Superyacht Digest’s private tour in The Netherlands, which started today, includes visits at 7 Dutch shipyards across the country, from North to South, and it is set to become an exclusive opportunity to gather information and details on the current production of Dutch yachts.
The tour has started today in Amsterdam, at Feadship – Royal Dutch Shipyards: the first visit took place at its address in Hoofddorp, only 10 minutes from the Amsterdam-Schiphol airport. Here the marketing office and De Voogt Naval Architects have established their new headquarters a few years ago. The legendary design studio was set up by Henri de Voogt in 1913 and with the creation of Feadship, it started to exclusively design for the brand, cooperating with the De Vries and Van Lent yards, representing the creative center of the organization. As well as designing yachts in the classic Feadship tradition, De Voogt is increasingly asked to develop revolutionary new concepts. Thanks to generations of resourceful interaction between De Voogt and the Feadship yards, the final results are always spectacular.
Our tour at all the Feadship facilities was excellently organized by Francis Vermeer, Feadship PR & Communication Manager: we started with a conversation with the design team of De Voogt Naval Architects, headed by senior designer Tanno Weeda, who told me about the ongoing projects and, as this is only the first quarter of the year, introduced some of the new goals for 2025, increasingly aimed at continuously improving the clients’ design experience.
Together with senior designer Ruud Bakker, we took a look at the latest concept presented at the Monaco Yacht Show last September, Concept C: I was shown one of the interior design versions, developed by OS Designs & Partners, to meet the stylistic preferences of those potential clients not so close to the most widespread Western taste. The version designed for the Middle East market, which received good feedback at the recent Dubai Boat Show, is truly sophisticated, playing on light and refined shades with research into sustainable materials and stones.
Taking a look at the projects and 3D models on display in the studio, it is very clear how the shipyard has always been projected towards the future, thinking, drawing and planning future trends of high taste with creativity and rationality, projects in which every shape and line are in dialogue with each other and find explanation with the surrounding environment. Also projects conceived 13-14 years ago, if they were re-presented today, would still be highly avant-garde.
According to one of the meaning of the shipyard’s mottos at the De Voogt studio spaces states that the Feadship’s standard is not to have or reflect any standard. Each Feadship has its own authenticity and identity, this is probably the secret of a very successful production that sees projects sold and currently under construction for approximately 1.5 km. It is not possible to reveal the number of units that would cover such a long distance, but the advice is to keep an eye at the Dutch canals around the Feadship’s facilities because they will make a lot of news before summer.
Our visit then continued to the De Vries facility in Aalsmeer, whose offices next to the construction area are housed in truly enchanting typical Dutch architecture, surrounded by a small and very picturesque canal. Here, in addition to the visit to the sheds, we met Marsha van Buitenen, Sales Director. During our lunch together we talked about the market in general and the profile of a Feadship Client, who belongs to the highest market niche. I was interested in the relationship that clients usually have with the budget and Marsha explained to me that this is always inspired by the idea that every choice and decision is made with respect for value, that means that not because Feadships are among the most sought after and therefore also most expensive boats, it means there are no cost limits for the client, the purchase must always be worth it, even when a yacht costs a lot.
Feadship works very well with brokers and as Marsha says “Working with brokers is precious but even more so is the value of word of mouth from clients. Working well with a client and satisfying every need, in terms of product and experience, means guaranteeing a good image even among his/her friends”.
Feadship has many repeat clients, but how do you become a Feadship owner? We asked Masha and she explained that a typical Feadship owner – when buying his first Feadship, is usually at his second, third or fourth yacht, because Feadship builds yachts of a certain type, for the most demanding clients, and being demanding means having precise requests, in terms of design and yacht experience. So, before buying a first Feadship yacht, the yard usually suggest to have a charter experience before, on board a Feadship, of course, to gain as much experience as possible, also in terms of services and relationship with the crew.
Today, even more than in the past, many yacht owners take advice from their family offices on major purchases, including yachts, be they business decisions or emotional choices, in both cases they pay close attention to ensuring that the boat maintains its value over time for when they eventually have to resell it.
In the afternoon we moved to the Van Lent Shipyard in Amsterdam, where, guided by Lucia van Schie, we could see other units under construction.
From our tour today it is worth mentioning two particularly noteworthy boats, Project 714 and Project 825.
Project 714 emerged from the shed at the Aalsmeer facility last month. At 79.95 metres in length, this striking vessel is now ready to undergo final outfitting and sea trials, setting the stage for an exceptional addition to the Feadship fleet.
Project 714 features an exterior design by RWD. Her sculpted curves and striking blue hull capture the essence of sophistication and style. True to Feadship’s reputation, every detail has been meticulously crafted to ensure unparalleled aesthetic appeal and performance. Naval architecture by Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects further ensures her performance matches her graceful aesthetics.
The yacht is also a showcase of cutting-edge technology with a propulsion system developed through the Feadship Advanced Electrical Drive (FAED) program. Sharing innovations with the groundbreaking Obsidian, her diesel-electric hybrid power system has 4.5 times more electrical storage capacity than Feadship’s first hybrid yacht, Savannah. The propulsion and steering are delivered by two contra-rotating thrusters, which eliminate the need for traditional drive shafts and rudders, significantly reducing drag and enhancing efficiency.
Optimal efficiency through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis resulted in finely tuned pods and propellers that minimise vibration and maximize comfort on board. This forward-thinking approach to engineering aligns seamlessly with Feadship’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Spanning 75.75 metres across four decks, Project 825, now named ONE, is a yacht designed for both private ownership and charter appeal. With a striking exterior by Studio De Voogt and refined interiors by Gilles & Boissier, she balances strength with sophistication.
“The brief was for a masculine design that was also timeless and elegant,” says Thijs Orth, designer at Studio De Voogt. “The predominantly straight lines and bold forms are combined with subtly nuanced surfaces that catch the light and make the whole yacht interesting to look at. As always, we collaborated very closely with the engineers to make sure everything worked as it should.”
By way of example, Orth points out the chamfered edge to the bulwark in the bow that gradually flattens out as the sheer line moves aft. The same chamfer is repeated at the leading edge of the widebody windows on main deck and along the white-painted superstructure.
“To soften the predominantly horizontal lines and add a more sensual feel we also added quite a pronounced tumblehome when viewed from the stern,” says Orth. “This curvature is continued on the sides of the sundeck roof.”
Facing forward on main deck is a lavish full-beam VIP stateroom with a private lounge and an integrated balcony that can be enjoyed while under way – a retreat within the retreat. The expansive suite can comfortably function as a second master stateroom when chartering.
The master stateroom on the deck above has access to terrace with a large Jacuzzi and adaptable lounge area. The raised foredeck can serve as a touch and go helipad, while there is room in the garage below for a 9.50-metre limo tender, crew tender and a variety of water toys.
There is a large pool on the main deck aft and a hot tub on the sundeck aft. The bridge deck includes an aft-facing gym with wrap-around glazing and opening glass doors on three sides. The diagonal teak decking is a first for Feadship that adds visual interest.
Eschewing the trend for a terraced main deck aft, the transom is of a more traditional design with graceful, sweeping staircases either side that lead down to an exceptionally vast swim platform with an integrated swim stair. Two inward-folding transom doors access the beach club, illuminated by sunlight due to the glass bottom of the pool.
With versatile accommodation for twelve guests in a master stateroom, VIP suite and four double staterooms on the lower deck, as well as eighteen crew members, ONE is powered by twin MTU main engines with conventional shafts and propellers for a top speed of over 15 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.
“We had a lot of fun designing this yacht,” concludes Orth. “Masculine elegance is not an easy look to achieve, but ONE is robust yet sleek and chic at the same time.”
Scheduled for delivery early 2025, Arjen van Elk is representing her for sale on behalf of Feadship, in close collaboration with Edmiston.