There are few extra thrilling challenges for a shipyard than an proprietor telling you to impress them. This occurred in the course of the construct of Blue Denims, a modern and really blue motor yacht constructed by Van der Valk in southern Netherlands and based mostly in Hong Kong since early 2023.
At her residence in Aberdeen Marina Membership, the all-aluminium yacht is well recognisable as a result of sporty, dynamic strains and a hull in a {custom} deep-blue metallic paint developed with Alexseal, with the brand new coating named ‘Blue Denims’.
The 33.74m tailored raised pilothouse is a sexy addition to Asia’s resident superyachts and an attention grabbing testomony to Van der Valk, the Dutch shipyard that specialises in bespoke 25-40m builds and gives semi-custom ranges together with the BeachClub line.
The builder clearly rose to the Hong Kong consumer’s problem, judging by the smile on his face as he took supply in late 2022 earlier than the yacht’s maiden voyage took in Belgium, France and the UK, the place some iconic images have been captured in entrance of London’s Tower Bridge.
Nevertheless, it’s price noting that the {custom} construct is a true-blue group effort, with Van der Valk collaborating with two Dutch studios, Guido de Groot Design on the outside and inside, and Diana Yacht Design for naval structure.
Van der Valk described the undertaking as each pleasant and difficult. So difficult that it additionally billed Blue Denimsas probably the most complicated superyachts it has created to this point. Constructing the yacht in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic added an additional problem to the undertaking, because the shipyard tried to maintain the proprietor as concerned as if he was in a position to bodily go to the yard.
The proprietor required the shipyard to create a quick vessel in a position to attain 28 knots and cruise for longer intervals of time at 25 knots. To realize this, Van der Valk labored with Diana Yacht Design to develop a semi-displacement hull with a tough chine V-shape, propelled by two 2,600hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines. Two tunnels over the propellers have been designed to create space for greater props and improve effectivity with out growing the draft.
The engine girders have been strengthened to assist greater engines, whereas the gearbox and drivetrain have been modified to switch that further energy to the propellers. Utilizing larger-diameter propellers improved effectivity and enabled energy for use optimally. To assist create the area for the expansive engine room, the 4m aluminium tender is saved sideways within the aft storage. Created in-house, the fully-custom tender matches the mothership and has a 50kW Torqeedo 50 electrical outboard engine related to a 40kWh BMW i3 battery pack.
SHARP EXTERIOR
Whereas a lot of Diana Yacht Design’s spectacular work is hidden beneath the floor, Guido de Groot’s exterior work will not be solely notable however a star attraction. The Dutch design studio was tasked by the proprietor to create a sleek-looking yacht but one with loads of inside and exterior entertaining area and plenty of headroom, which required a tall flybridge and raised bow.
It’s exhausting to not stare if you’re within the presence of such a surprising superyacht, which seems to be quick and slim but homes expansive volumes that embrace ceilings that rise to virtually 2.5m within the saloon. The blue used on the hull and flybridge base is an consideration grabber, whereas the consumer’s request to not have any trace of white was achieved by a silver-grey flybridge construction and blackout surfaces on the glass.
The darkish glazing used all alongside the primary deck, in strips alongside the underside of the bulwarks and for the lengthy hull home windows even helps Blue Denims seem as a widebody yacht from some angles.
The outside areas embrace a protracted cockpit, which incorporates sq. loungers aspect by aspect and going through espresso tables and free chairs, making the lined space extra appropriate for stress-free, cocktails and nibbles than alfresco eating.
Two symmetrical aspect decks result in the foredeck, the place progressive design presents visitors with a C-shaped couch, a pop-up desk and a sunbathing space built-in into the forepeak, with Diana Yacht Design serving to create a flush floor by finding the anchoring tools beneath deck.
The naval architect’s affect prolonged to the solar deck, because it labored for the primary time on designing a retractable dive board, which is built-in close to the aft finish of the port bulwark.
ASIAN FUSION INTERIOR
On the brainstorming stage, the forward-thinking consumer requested Van der Valk and Guido de Groot Design to shock and impress him with inside ideas. The shipyard introduced a variety of choices and was thrilled when he opted for probably the most intricate and radical, which included incorporating lovely pure supplies.
With the design scheme reflecting a fusion of Northern European and Asian kinds, the inside consists of all kinds of supplies together with a number of marbles, metals and woods. Liquid steel was used for partitions and doorways, copper accents are seen on partitions, lighting fixtures and furnishings, whereas reconstituted teak is utilized in picket trims for the partitions and ceilings.
Letting pure supplies communicate for themselves was a core ethos of the undertaking, though some metals proved significantly difficult to combine. Using liquid steel was new to Van der Valk, which created bespoke panels onto which the alloy was poured and reworked right into a sample previous to solidification.
The general format of Blue Denims was designed across the want for multi-functional use and to accommodate a number of generations of the proprietor’s household, so is equally appropriate for big teams on day journeys and prolonged voyages.
From the cockpit, massive sliding doorways open to welcome visitors to an inside that begins with a hallway and counters in White Carrara marble. Ahead is a fairly gorgeous saloon, providing gorgeous views and pure gentle by way of tall home windows and sliding glass doorways on either side.
The saloon can be illuminated by one of many yacht’s signature inside highlights, a totally lit Barrisol ceiling, attractively organized in diagonal sq. panels lined by copper detailing that offers visitors one more reason to solid their eyes above.
Recessed lighting is used cleverly all through the inside, from cabinets within the day head to the eating space.
The saloon is specified by a ‘walkaround’ design, with {custom} Poltrona Frau sofas and chairs set in a protracted rectangle round marble-topped espresso tables. The seats could be moved to benefit from the outside views, akin to when the sliding doorways are opened and even positioned exterior on the drop-down balconies. The furnishings may even be rearranged or partially eliminated to create space for a dance ground.
To cater to teams of day journey visitors, having sufficient areas to bathe in the course of the day was a requirement. To satisfy that demand, the day head accessed by the starboard hallway doubles as a bathe space, whereas the big toilet on the decrease deck in-between the 2 visitor cabins can be utilized by day visitors.
On the primary deck, the starboard hallway leads ahead previous the door to the galley and onto the formal eating room. This magnificent area gives spectacular views and daylight by way of lengthy home windows on either side but in addition 4 massive, sq. skylights, that are positioned instantly above the spherical, eight-seat Fletcher Capstan eating desk that may be downsized to a smaller desk for taking part in video games.
Ahead in every nook are symmetrical doorways to full-height wine fridges that flank a protracted, darkish counter in Nero Marquina marble, with storage cupboards above and beneath. Gray Fior di Bosco marble is used for a hip-high cupboard within the aft port nook.
From the saloon, the port hallway accesses the steps right down to the decrease deck, which lead first to the full-beam main bedroom midships. The room encompasses a couch alongside the port aspect, a desk and storage on the starboard aspect, and a forward-facing mattress flanked by gray, textured liquified-metal doorways.
The port door results in the walk-in bathe that includes a striped bench, whereas the starboard door results in the twin-sink toilet and walk-in wardrobe, with each rooms that includes uncommon Lapis Lazuli Blue marble.
The visitor cabins embrace a twin and a double aft and fore of a shared toilet to starboard, whereas the VIP to port has an en-suite toilet. Ahead, accessed from the galley, is the crew space together with a crew mess and two en-suite cabins, every with twin bunks. Blue Denims has gained a number of awards, though the largest reward is an proprietor’s smile after seeing his problem met.
www.vandervalkshipyard.com
This text was first seen on YachtStyle.co.
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