A real All-rounder Having cut his design teeth in the car world, Guido de Groot has devoted himself to yachts in all their incarnations since 1997, penning everything from futuristic fast cruisers to leisurely displacement craft by Mary Hegarty- ph. courtesy of Guido de Groot
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The two extremes of the De Groot design spectrum. Above, the futuristic Vanquish V80 sport fishing boat is in build as the chase boat for the 60m Skyfall. Below, the classic 110m Oceanco concept opens up the sides as well as the stern and bow areas to guests
G
uido de Groot barely has time to catch his breath these
says, crediting his seven years with car giant Citroen not merely for
days. “I’m very surprised, to be honest,” he says of the
his project management skills but his design approach. “It gave me a
flood of orders over the last six months. While the Dutch
good background in understanding shapes and proportions. A lot of
designer attributes the influx in part to the impending Tier
yachts are only designed in terms of their side view. Ours are all desi-
3 emissions regulations, he also maintains that despite the Covid-19
gned all around,” he points out. “Everything we do has to still please
global crisis, owners are confident a semblance of normality will have
the eye in 20 years’ time too.” The current extremes of the De Groot
returned by the time their new beauties launch.
design spectrum are epitomised by the VQ80, in build as the chase
Heading a team of eight designers, De Groot is a serious international
boat for the 60m Project Skyfall, and a 110m concept for Oceanco.
contender, working with both individual owners, and yards like Van-
“We were asked if we could turn a Vanquish into a sport fishing boat.
quish, Oceanco, Fincantieri Yachts, Mulder, AB Yachts and De Vries.
We rethought everything about the way a fisherman should look.
His studio has literally penned it all. “We are extremely versatile in
Form does follow function but the result is a very exciting design. As
both exterior and interior design: sailing yachts, displacement yachts,
the chase boat for Skyfall, it also has a lot of amenities too, including
fast cruisers, futuristic craft. We take on projects of all kinds so long
space for four guests plus a really nice master cabin. Very large Cat
as we have the freedom to do something special,” he says. “It is im-
engines give a speed of over 50 knots too,” he tells us. The timeless
portant we enjoy what we are doing”. De Groot also relishes working
110m Oceanco concept is a complete contrast, effortlessly mixing
with yards to shape their identity, citing Vanquish, Van der Valk and
classic round shapes and stretched lines. “We did a lot of work on
Mulder. “We help them present themselves better to the market.
the exterior decks with wide walkarounds and extra entertaining
When you see them becoming very successful, it is very rewarding,”
areas on the sides, including balconies,” says De Groot. The beach
he smiles. “We started out working mostly in Italy. This attracted
club runs from the engine room to the transom with a sunken seating
clients – they knew that if a Dutch designer was working there, they
area under the large main deck whirlpool tub to optimise space. T-
must be good!” De Groot shops around for the right yard on behalf
wo very different yachts united by a uniquely De Groot harmony of
of owners too: “Vanadis was built at CCN, now part of Baglietto,” he
proportion and design.
www.guidodegroot.com
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