FLCN | Van der Valk Shipyard Magazine

FLCN

2021 / 2022

VAN DER VALK SHIPYARD MAGAZINE

Y O U R W O R L D // Y O U R Y A C H T

VA N D E R VA L K E X P LO R E R

VENERA LOA 28.50m // Delivered 2020

// WELCOME

THANK YOU A warm welcome to the first issue of Van der Valk Magazine. As the world has moved increasingly online, a process that has accelerated since early 2020 for obvious reasons, we thought the time was right to reach out to you in paper form.

Don’t get me wrong, our yard continues to have a presence online, with a website that is constantly updated with the latest news and photography. But if you share my enjoyment of having something tangible to hold, a publication you can peruse at the coffee table or leave onboard for others to read, this magazine is for you.

It’s also a way for us to reach out more personally at a time when physical meetings have been difficult, and boat shows on hold. We hope by the time you read this we'll be able to start planning face-to-face meetings without clicking Zoom. In the meantime, this magazine offers an insight into who Van der Valk is as a yard and the exceptional fleet of motoryachts we’ve been creating in recent times.

Our yard is growing in size and stature, and for that I’d like to express my gratitude to the clients who embrace our unique custom offering in the 20 to 45-metre range. Your ideas for how best to relax at sea and explore the world are what drive us forward.

Thank you.

Wim van der Valk

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40 CONTENTS 2 Venera 5 A warm welcome 8 Heritage that breeds ­innovation 14 Next generation luxury gadgets 16 Enjoying the BeachClub side of life 26 Hotel Post Lech 32 Valimare Luxury Swimwear 34 Discover MY Blue Jeans 38 Amaury Guichon - The Pastry Academy 40 The Superyacht Cup Palma

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44 The designers 49 LeVen Yachts 50 Dutch water management 54 Van der Valk Shipyard fleet 56 A pilgrimage to the Hermitage 60 Jangada 62 Handmade carpets for yachts 64 The 1160 legacy lives on 68 Harley-Davidson & Van der Valk Shipyard 72 Van der Valk Explorer - A world of exploration 80 New Zealand adventure 86 Profile Robert Allen 88 In-house aluminium 92 Before the Big Apple - A brief history of New Amsterdam

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94 Taittinger Champagne 98 California 52 - A dream on the water 100 Stipt Polish Point makes your dream car ‘factory new’ 102 Growing master­pieces - Dutch Lily Masters 104 Lady Lene - Unpacking the ultimate Explorer 112 Column Paul Flannery 114 Alvaro

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HE RITAG E TH AT BREE D S ­I N N OVATI ON

By Isla McKechnie

When a company holds your name, your work becomes personal.

This is amply demonstrated at Van der Valk Shipyard where founder Wim van der Valk has not only imbued the business with values of integrity, reliability and a pleasant working environment, he also still heads the enterprise today to ensure it stays true to its DNA.

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DNA

The yachts built here are striking, and the culture is one which treats clients as part of an extended family and as valued connections who are welcomed for life. The team at Van der Valk enjoy seeing owners return to the yard – a regular occurrence – where they’re greeted as important parts of the wider Van der Valk pedigree, and have been since Wim started the ­company in the 1960s.

Heritage

Names like Valkkruiser will be familiar to boat aficionados, with this 1970s steel river cruiser – the first of the Van der Valk models to build a cult following, creating a lasting reputation based on its sea kindliness. The Valkkruiser’s success was followed by cabin and aft-cabin cruiser designs in the 1980s and 1990s.

Models like Comfort, Royal, Falcon and Super Falcon

came before the introduction of the Vitesse series of steel and aluminium semi-displacement motor yachts, which marked a further progression to the higher end segments of the market. This shift was reinforced through the ’90s as Van der Valk introduced the yacht range which was to become its signature line for many years; the Continental motor yacht.

A key transformative factor during this period of the shipyard’s history was its partnership with yacht designer, Guido de Groot. This step, and the growth in vessel length and capability which came with it, marked the breakthrough of Van der Valk into the superyacht sector. In the years following, Van der Valk has cemented its place on the superyacht scene and extended its work including a number of designers renowned for their superyacht design, like Vripack, Cor D. Rover and Ginton Naval Architects.

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‘VAN DER VALK BUILDS APPROXIMATELY 95 PER CENT OF ITS YACHTS IN ALUMINIUM, LEADING TO IT BEING CONSIDERED A SPECIALIST IN THE METAL WITHIN THE NETHERLANDS’

Innovation

A common theme in the shipyard’s pedigree is a desire to innovate and a willingness to push the boundaries.

It was the first yard to feature a two axis fin antiroll ­damping system on a motor yacht – on 37 metre Santa Maria T – and a leader in installing Volvo Penta IPS ­propulsion, developing a special hull and new models to take advantage of this revolutionary drive system.

Having launched over a thousand vessels which are spread across Europe and the world, it has finessed the art of yacht building in direct response to how people experience being in close proximity to the water. Van der Valk has pushed the envelope with what’s possible across its Raised Pilothouse, Flybridge, Explorer, Pilot and BeachClub series, and pioneered engine room placement in recent models to sit beneath the swim platform, creating more space on the lower deck and increasing interior volume.

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The Team

As a family-run business it has always been important to Wim van der Valk that his company presents a pleasant working environment, with close client relationships at the forefront. Van der Valk is now a multi-generational family company with a large team based in ­Waal­wijk and supported by a strong network of designers, engineers and suppliers of systems, components and materials.

“I’ve always ensured that our financial situation and future prospects are stable by maintaining good ­solvability and a well-filled order portfolio,” Van der Valk added.

“We consider our partners and buyers as family ­members – and this is reflected in our excellent relationships and many repeat clients. Our after-sales service is also second-to-none.”

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© Tom van Oossanen

Facilities

As the team and production have increased, Van der Valk’s facilities have grown to match. In keeping with the shipyard’s dedication to professional development, the Waalwijk-based facilities have expanded over the years, with two (respectively 1600m2, and 1200m2) aluminium construction facilities, a 1000m2 carpentry facility, an assembly facility of nearly the same size, a spacious warehouse and a paint booth of 625m2. Van der Valk builds approximately 95 per cent of its yachts in aluminium, leading to it being considered a specialist in the metal within the Netherlands.

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The location, just an hour from Amsterdam, close to the cities of Tilburg and ’s-Hertogenbosch, and sited on a river, allows for easy access to the ocean via a 120 ­metre dock.

The resulting combination of heritage, team, facilities and innovation has resulted in yachts which perform as seamlessly as they appear, and which have ventured out from the Netherlands yard to create an extended Van der Valk family around the world.

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Next generation

LUXURY GADGETS The next generation of luxury gadgets has arrived. Designed to improve life’s function with elevated design form, and a personalised approach to style, these new wonder products will be on most-wanted lists near and far as we round out 2021. By Isla McKechnie

SAMSUNG BALLIE

This personalised companion puts the cute factor into highly-functional robot tech, with a human-centric approach to personal care. The rolling ball is designed to help both you and your pets around the house using AI which brings your smart home together. From opening your blinds to gently wake you with morning light, to keeping your pup company while you’re out of the house, to setting the Roomba to work, and helping you perfect your yoga pose, Ballie is the companion robot we’ve been waiting on since the Jetsons.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Emerge Bang & Olufsen’s introduction earlier in the year of a slim, powerful home speaker, has perfected the balance between high sound quality and a speaker you’ll visually enjoy having in your home. Bibliophiles will appreciate the design of the Beosound Emerge, reminiscent of a book spine, with an elegantly-tapered, slender shape resulting in wide sound dispersion broad enough to fill a room. The sound is big and rich and the aesthetic has been crafted so you don’t feel obliged to hide your speakers. Available in a range of finishes including oak wood, or a high-grade aluminium Black Anthracite finish with a pearl-blasted grill, the Beosound Emerge is sure to become a fixture in many a stylish interior this year.

// GADGETS

BOSCH VIRTUAL VISOR

Bosch’s engineers have taken on the 95-year-old design of the sun visor, adding a driver-facing camera, AI facial detection, and analysis and tracking software. Its new Virtual Visor changes the way drivers experience the road and, with the sun causing twice as many accidents as other weather conditions combined, brings a weighty safety component with it. The Virtual Visor uses intelligent algorithms to block the sun’s glare while leaving the view of the road clear ahead.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Sur Mesure Powered by Perso Bespoke lipstick has entered the ring. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Sur Mesure Powered

by Perso - that’s its full name - is a bathroom counter-sized device which will whip up custom shades of lipstick designed to match the wearer’s skin tone, wardrobe, or mood of the day. Users download an app to use in conjunction with the device and can employ their phone camera to shade match to their outfit. Alternatively they can tap into advice from shade stylists on coordinating shades for them, and then press the button to dispense their custom match and apply with the accompanying brush.

(Photos © Yves Saint Laurent Beauté)

NORM GLASSES

Norm Glasses are the stuff of technology fantasy made-good.

Sleek, comfortable eyewear that bring a fully-functioning computer to your glasses, Norm Glasses are designed for everyday, easy use. Features like making phone calls, taking photos and videos, navigation and watching and listening to media are brought to you in a hands-free, head-up display compatible with both Android and IOS phones. Norm Glasses are rain, splash and sweat resistant and respond to commands in variety of ways, including through voice, touch and head gestures. Available in clear or tinted, and with or without a prescription, this next generation technology is set to become a game-changer.

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‘Why has no-one thought of this before?’ Was the most common reaction in the yachting world after we unveiled the BeachClub concept, closely followed by ‘wow’ and ‘what a great idea’. With three of these beauties now launched and another ‘in build’, more owners are enjoying this all-new take on spaciousness.

By Andrew Rogers

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E N J OY I N G T H E

B E AC H C LU B SIDE OF LIFE

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© Stuart Pearce

The genuinely innovative Van der Valk BeachClub was the product of several years of research and development and many years’ experience of working with clients to maximise their pleasure on the water. ­Developed in partnership with Ginton Naval Architects

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and designer Cor D. Rover, the goal was to not only give an unprecedented feeling of space but to offer owners and their guests far more space in r­ eality. This was achieved by thinking outside the box to optimise both the exterior and interior volume.

/ / YAC H T S Our key to unlocking the beach side of life was to dispense with the engine room and install the propulsion system in the swimming platform area. This arrangement makes the most of the aft area of the vessel that is rarely used, freeing up a great deal of room for interior, and al fresco activities.

The all-aluminium Van der Valk BeachClub therefore offers an amount of living space normally reserved for far bigger yachts, with all the options for customisation and personal finish preferences.

Proven in practice

This was the philosophy but like any revolution, proof was required in ­practice. That duly came with the line’s launch model, the BeachClub 600 Lucy Penguin. Winner of the prestigious World Yachts Trophies award at the 2019 Cannes show for ‘Most Innovative Yacht’ in the 45ft to 64 ft category, and a finalist in the European Powerboat of the Year Awards, Lucy Penguin now has her home port in Lake Michigan.

The second BeachClub was the 660 Flybridge Alvaro. Based in P ­ alma, her outdoor spaces include a 17m² beach deck and sun lounge, a 17m² aft deck and a vast 25m² foredeck. As promised, these facilities did not come at the expense of Alvaro’s interior which has a main deck salon/wheelhouse spanning some 21m², and a lower deck lounge with a ­galley/dinette of 27m². Accommodations covering 44m² include a ­luxurious owners’ suite, two guest cabins and a crew cabin.

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‘THE GENUINELY INNOVATIVE VAN DER VALK BEACHCLUB WAS THE PRODUCT OF SEVERAL YEARS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND MANY YEARS’ EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH CLIENTS TO MAXIMISE THEIR PLEASURE ON THE WATER.’ FLCN M AGAZINE

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Prime real estate

Next up was Dutch Falcon, another BeachClub 660 Flybridge that showcases the many choices clients have to create

a unique yacht within the concept. The interior layout places a larger owner’s suite in a prime central location instead of the foreship, making even greater use of the

available volume. The guests also have bigger cabins on the third BeachClub while the lounge offers panoramic views through giant slabs of glass.

Van der Valk’s craftsmen created a beach-style interior for Dutch Falcon where whitewashed oak is offset by high-gloss ‘piano black’ elements. All BeachClub owners get to choose these kinds of features along with the upholstery and other interior parts. Chic is the word here, and the same can be said for the yacht’s hard-shine planing hull which is finished in a standout Dolphin Blue metallic paint system.

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Convertible options

The hull of the fourth BeachClub (a third 660 Flybridge) is now under construction, with Van der Valk also now offering the option of building a convertible model. You can choose between three or four roomy cabins (with six to eight berths) and two or three bathrooms. We certainly suggest placing a king-size bed in the owner’s suite, which benefits from panoramic views in the bathroom (as does one of the guest cabins).

Other interior highlights include a crew cabin, a large galley with an American fridge and a day head for guests. You can opt for a garage for a five-person tender and, depending on your choice of propulsion, the yacht will have a top speed of around 37 knots. The special patented hull shape makes the BeachClub 660 Convertible a highly-seaworthy boat with superior levels of comfort even in high waves.

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CHARMED AT THE

H OT EL P OS T L ECH

By Gemma Fottles

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// HOTEL POST LECH

Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and breathtaking mountain views, few destinations in the world are as charming as Lech. A picture-perfect village nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, despite the immense popularity of the world-famous Arlberg ski area, Lech has managed to remain exclusive, elegant, and something altogether unique. The key to retaining such distinction? As Florian Moosbrugger, third-generation family owner of Lech’s iconic Hotel Post Lech, says, it’s all a matter of personality.

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“The character of the Arlberg is what makes the whole region special,” Florian explains as he fondly describes the appeal of Lech.

“The personality is found in every aspect of life in the Arlberg: from the people to the restaurants, businesses, luxury hotels, chalets and stores that reside here. Lech has in her personality a combination of sportive, elegant and discreet charm.

She’s not a loud personality; she’s elegant, refined and exclusive. The Arlberg includes five villages: St Anton, St Christoph, Lech, Zürs and Stuben. Each of our five villages has a different charm, and each personality complements the other.”

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The Post Lech

Elegant, refined and exclusive are also words that can accurately describe the personality of the historic Hotel Post Lech. In the Moosbrugger family since 1937 and a member of the elite circle of renowned Relais & Châteaux hotels for more than four decades, over the years, much has changed for the hotel. However, the family’s passion for winter sports and dedication to creating a refined guest experience has always remained. “We as a family are really honoured that we can have this space to cultivate personal contact with our clients,” says Florian.

“That’s what keeps us going. It’s also one

of the reasons we always want to stay small and special.”

Featuring 46 exquisitely appointed rooms, guests are treated to a wealth of facilities to ensure that every element of the Post Lech experience is as special as promised. In addition to a tastefully furnished selection of spacious living spaces for guests to enjoy throughout the hotel, the beauty and spa area is complete with a spectacular outdoor pool, two saunas, a fitness room and several wellness suites for the ultimate massage or revitalising treatment after a long day’s skiing.

But the real pièce de résistance of a stay at the Gasthof Post Hotel is the access to Alpine gastronomical wonders, with a total of four on-site restaurants. The spectacular panoramic restaurant, Postblick, is the latest at the Post. Built in 2017 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Moosbrugger’s ownership of the hotel, the restaurant affords unbeatable mountain views from sunrise to sunset. Bemelmans Bar is another firm favourite with guests for a touch of après-ski; as well as for enjoying a more refined cocktail or glass of champagne later in the evening.

The whole family takes a hands-on approach to operations. Florian runs the restaurants to ensure service is like clockwork: his wife, Sandra, takes care of the decor and hosts the whole guest experience from start to finish. This is not necessarily unique in the area, however.

“Most five-star hotels and chalets in Lech are family-owned,” says Florian. “This is also part of Lech’s strong and unique character. From the very first moment that you enter this property, you know that it’s not only designed by an architect, but the lady of the establishment does the

decoration and that the owner of the hotel is sitting behind the reception desk and is making sure that everything is arranged personally. That makes a big difference.”

With impeccable skiing and unbeatable charm, for an altogether more elegant winter ski experience, the Gasthof Post Hotel Lech is the place to be.

©Lech Zürs Tourismus

A perfect day in Alpine paradise

Owner Florian Moosbrugger takes us through his tips for the ideal day on a family ski holiday at the Hotel Post Lech.

“Even on vacation, the morning begins before the sun comes out! At the Post Lech, we have a wonderful outdoor swimming pool in the middle of the garden. It’s truly a hidden paradise behind the hotel. Take a swim outside in between the snow and below the mountains for a fantastic way to wake up.

Next is the restaurant for breakfast. Our panoramic restaurant offers a beautiful view of the slopes - the perfect place to sit and enjoy a fresh coffee and traditional breakfast.

Go skiing early - before everyone is on the mountain! There is truly something for all levels of skiing on the Arlberg, from absolute beginners to seasoned experts, and I think that’s the remarkable thing about this area. After a few hours on the slopes, have a late lunch somewhere up in the mountains and either continue or break with skiing for the day. Once you return to the hotel in the afternoon, go and sit in the spa area for a while. Then relax in the bar with a book, enjoying a good glass of white wine before finding yourself together again with family and friends in the dining room, having an entertaining evening full of fantastic cuisine, flowing conversation and entertaining stories from the slopes.”

Lech: the details

* December - April season * 1,444 metres above sea level * 14 five-star hotels * 300+ km of slopes * 15 cable cars * 45 chairlifts * 28 drag lifts

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DARE TO DREAM

with Valimare Luxury Swimwear

By Georgia Tindale

As we look toward the upcoming summer and the reopening of the world with cautious anticipation, there is a feeling that every moment matters. The ordeals of the past year have encouraged us as consumers to sit back and ruminate on our choices, to make intelligent purchases from companies backed up by genuinely sustainable practices and, above all, to make the most of all of life’s frissons and joys when they appear.

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// FASHION

If you were looking for a company to step boldly into this moment of change, you need to look no further than London-based Valimare luxury swimwear. Sashaying their way into the fashion scene back in 2014 after first surfacing at Miami Swim Week, Valimare was founded by couple Paula Fernandez and Ankit Jain and now stands as one of the world’s foremost luxury swim and resort wear brands, appearing at premium retailers and department stores in more than 20 countries, as well at boutiques and hotels in exclusive resort locations around the world.

The reason for its success today? There are a few. It certainly helps that Valimare’s swimsuits have graced the bodies of some of the world’s top celebrities, including Katy Perry, Kate Moss and Lupita Nyong’o.

They’ve also made appearances in top fashion magazines from ELLE to VOGUE to Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Curie, and been featured on the social media accounts of leading global influencers, including Caro Daur, Wethepeoplestyle, Jen Meyer and Carolina Vazzana.

Crafted in Italy from the highest quality fabrics which fit your body like a glove, Valimare’s bikinis and one-pieces strike the ideal balance between bold and chic, bringing together striking, elegant colour and texture combinations in styles that are wearable above all. This makes the swimwear perfect for those of us who might be feeling a little anxious about venturing out onto the beach after so long spent indoors.

But enduring success needs to be more than skin deep in 2021, and here Valimare delivers too. Sustainability is key: the company has committed to planting trees

to compensate for every Valimare piece sold and works exclusively with an Italian mill on the production of its fabrics, closely monitoring its production cycles to ensure they are as eco-friendly as possible with minimal wastage.

And, after recently launching its new Resortwear line of elegant, easy to wear, day-to-evening summer dresses (delivering the brand’s distinctive colours and textures in high-quality fabrics and versatile styles), Valimare luxury swimwear is perfectly placed to help you take on the summer season ahead. See you at the beach!

BEH IN D SH E D D OO R S : TRYING

By Georgia Tindale

OUT BLUE JEANS

Ahead of her hotly-anticipated 2022 delivery, we take a sneak peek at the fully custom 33-metre allaluminium superyacht, Blue Jeans, currently under construction at Van der Valk shipyard and discover why she’s the perfect fit for her Far Eastern owner.

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Sporty lines

As the latest raised pilothouse model to come from the Dutch builder, Blue Jeans showcases both exterior and interior design from the drawing boards of Leiden-based studio Guido de Groot. Her exterior styling is sleek and sporty, with her glass bulwarks providing panoramic ocean views from every angle.

A sociable boat

Designed with entertaining in mind, Blue Jeans packs a huge amount of sociable space into her 33 metres, whilst still maintaining a sense of volume onboard. This is thanks, in part, to the high ceilings that can be found throughout the vessel.

Blue Jeans boasts a generous main salon ideal for kicking back and relaxing which comes complete with a bar, three seating areas and a forward

dining area. With flexibility built into the heart of the yacht’s design, her capstan table can double in size in a matter of seconds to accommodate more formal dining experiences or be kept compact for use as a games table.

When the sun begins to set and it’s time to retire for the night, accommodation is provided for eight guests across four beautifully-styled staterooms, comprising a master suite, two VIP cabins and one twin, as well as an additional area for her dedicated crew of four.

Making a splash

Located on either side of the vessel, Blue Jeans’ two drop-down balconies double up as diving platforms for guests brave enough to take the plunge, with a third retractable diving board integrated into the flybridge bulwark above.

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Guest comfort is paramount to Blue Jeans’ layout, as is clear from the additional bathroom and shower on the upper level for those who want to take a quick dip but do not wish to return to their cabins to change.

On deck relaxation

In addition, her deck spaces are perfect for casual socialising: a quality which is enhanced by the addition of a ‘chill-out zone’ which is concealed in the forepeak. Blue Jeans also comes equipped with an exceptional sound system to enhance the onboard ambience.

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Performance is everything

Finally, when it comes to yachting, performance is key, and, here too, Blue Jeans delivers this in spades. She can reach a top speed of approximately 28 knots and cruises effortlessly at 22.4 knots, with her power provided by twin 2,600 hp diesel MTU engines.

Blue Jeans will offer the ultimate home-awayfrom-home upon delivery to her new owner next summer, thanks to her combination of style, flexible layout and top performance. Watch this space as she comes together!

‘DESIGNED WITH ENTERTAINING IN MIND, BLUE JEANS PACKS A HUGE AMOUNT OF SOCIABLE SPACE INTO HER 33 METRES, WHILST STILL MAINTAINING A SENSE OF VOLUME ONBOARD.’

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Too good to eat (almost)

By Andrew Rogers

Amaury Guichon is one of the leading lights in a new generation of ­passionate pastry chefs, constantly reinventing their craft and sharing ideas. His truly remarkable pastry creations combine the very best in taste and v­isual effects. Amaury shares his knowledge with students at his Pastry Academy in Las Vegas and has taught all over the world. He also showcases his creations on social media and has 3.2 million followers on Instagram.

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// ART & FOOD

Thirty years of age, the Swiss/French pastry chef Amaury Guichon grew up in the Haute-Savoie region of France. After two years studying cooking in Thonon-lesBains, France, Amaury felt drawn to pastry and served a two-year apprenticeship in Geneva, during which time he won a number of local showpiece contests. He went on to study advanced pastry skills at the prestigious Maison Lenôtre in Paris, France, and in 2010 was named one of the best apprentices in the Paris region.

Amaury first came to the attention of the French public in 2013, when he took third place in a nationwide TV reality show competition between talented young pastry chefs. This led to an invitation to join some of the most high-end pastry shops in the Las Vegas casinos. Once there, Amaury helped renew the whole pastry offering and worked on numerous of his now trademark showpieces. In 2016, he started publishing his creations on social media in the form of images and ‘how to’ videos.

These proved so popular that in 2017 he started his own company to consult and teach classes to p ­ rofessionals all over the world.

In 2019, Amaury launched The Pastry Academy in Las Vegas, which hosts 10week courses four times a year. Sixteen students from all over the world attend these classes, which are the only teaching Amaury does currently having previously travelled the world to run masterclasses.

“It was amazing to see first-hand on these trips how popular quality baking inspired

by French pastry-making has become,” he says. “But the greatest thing for me is to discover and explore fresh ­ingredients and tastes which open up a host of new oppor­tunities and creative possibilities.

I learn as much as I teach and my greatest satisfaction and pleasure come from sharing knowledge so that we can create better tasting and healthier products all round. Although I absolutely love working on complex designs in order to show my students various techniques, my current mantra is ‘never compromise on taste!’.”

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J Class: Hanuman, Ranger, Lionheart, Rainbow © Stuart Pearce

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/ / PA L M A D E M A L L O R C A

THE SUPERYACHT CUP PALMA

By Isla McKechnie

With its roots in an end-of-season gathering for yacht captains, the Superyacht Cup Palma is one part regatta and plenty of parts fun. We sat down with event director, Kate Branagh, to learn about the Cup’s pedigree, competitiveness and inimitable panache.

With 2021 marking the 25th ­anniversary of the ­Superyacht Cup Palma, how has the Cup changed over the years?

KB: It started out as an end-of-season gathering for yacht captains which often owners didn’t attend. Soon, the popularity grew and more boats came especially to Palma to participate. The rules and ratings processes were improved enormously over the years and in the last seven to eight years it has become much more competitive. There are still boats that come for the fun of sailing in company but more

now are interested in the competitive nature of racing.

Can you tell us about your involvement in the Cup?

KB: I have been involved since 2000, initially bringing in the idea of sponsorship and media coverage and then helping build the event into a more internationallyfocused and professional organisation.

I acquired the event from Informa PLC in 2013 and have continued to focus on developing the racing, while providing an international platform for sponsors.

43m Royal Huisman, Ravenger ©️ Sailing Energy / The Superyacht Cup

SY Firefly © Stuart Pearce

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34 metre Abeking & Rasmussen, Baiurdo VI

SY Missy, Nilaya, Shamanna

What gives the Cup its special ­flavour?

Which highlights of the Cup stand out to you over the years?

What does this year's edition mean to you in light of recent world events?

Which class do you most looking forward to seeing on the water?

What do you feel the Superyacht Cup adds to the global superyacht ­community?

“I am very grateful to everyone who has stuck by us in the past 12 months; the sponsors and yacht owners who committed to participating - it would have been a great shame to miss the 25th anniversary event!”

KB: It has a very unique, informal atmosphere. Palma perfectly lends itself to helping with the fun, friendly and informal environment.

KB: COVID has made planning very difficult with so much uncertainty, but we committed to go ahead in a simplified format and with a focus on racing. It’s very satisfying we have been able to pull off an event.

KB: SYC and other superyacht regattas are an important part of the superyacht community. The media coverage reaches a wide audience, and we hope it introduces superyacht racing to people who would not otherwise have known about it. It is really important to maintain the profile of the event, as it helps position Palma as the hub for superyacht refit and repair and as a base for yachts and the yachting ­community.

SY Firefly © Stuart Pearce

KB: The 2007 Superyacht Cup - with 52 yachts entered - was an incredible achievement, one which has never been matched.

KB: We had two classes of superyachts this year, but next year we could have a large performance fleet to add to it all, and even a few Corinthian entries coming with friends and family.

The 25th Superyacht Cup Palma ran from 23-26 June 2021 and was won by 43m Ravenger. The 26th edition of the Cup will run from 22-25 June 2022.

© Stuart Pearce

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A WELL-DESIGNED TEAM Meet the team takes on a different meaning when it comes to the build of a yacht. Not only does our in-yard workforce spread across an extensive number of disciplines, there are many other key personnel which contribute to the DNA of each Van Der Valk yacht. Central to the pedigree of each yacht is its designer. The designers we work with have become an integral part of the Van Der Valk team; here, we flipped the script and asked some of our design partners what they enjoyed about working with us.

By Isla McKechnie

Which Van der Valk projects are highlights for you?

GdG: I have great memories of our first project which started the ball rolling. I was brought in by the owner’s representative, and wasn’t too familiar with the shipyard, but it was so successful that we moved on to do more projects together.

From there, we immediately went to one of Van der Valk’s largest yachts, it was a big step because of size, and the elaborate interior design.

What innovation are you proud of?

DESIGNER:

GUIDO DE GROOT DESIGN. As the designer with the most-extensive body of work with Van der Valk, what do you think makes your combination special?

GdG I think we both benefit from each other. I turn Van der Valk’s clients’ special requests into reality, they bring me into contact with clients, so it’s good for us all round. Our very short design and build phase is special - almost within two years for some big boats - so if clients are interested they can design and have their boat built within a short period of time.

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GdG: We worked to create a specialised, wheelchairaccessible yacht, with elevators and no seals in the flooring throughout, so it’s great seeing the shipyard grow in that way. It’s also been great seeing Van der Valk’s facilities grow bigger in order to make those bigger yachts.

What has changed and what has stayed the same during your work with Van der Valk?

GdG: At Van der Valk they do everything in-house; they don’t sub-contract, which makes it very easy to oversee everything. This keeps things fast, streamlined and efficient. The numbers of carpenters, engineers, welders, and technical people have grown during the years I’ve been involved, but there’s the same great relationship between client, shipyard and designers, and the clients enjoy watching the process.

DESIGNER:

COR D. ROVER DESIGN. You’ve collaborated with Van der Valk on a number of projects; what aspects stand out as highlights for you?

CdR: Each project we’ve worked on at Van der Valk has been unique but the beach series is becoming a very exciting one. It was Wim Van der Valk himself who saw the potential of the concept within five minutes of us presenting it to him.

He was brave enough to start building a couple of hulls on speculation and the rest is history. We are very excited the build received the YACHTS innovation award at the Cannes Yachting Festival, and are designing several variations over different lengths of the concept.

What was your inspiration behind your beach club, and behind your pilot ­concepts?

CdR: The Beach club concept was conceived in pursuit of our never-ending quest for better quality-of-life onboard our yachts. What better place is there than being close to the water?

The beach club would not have been possible without the compactness of the Volvo IPS drives, because by using them, we were able to install a full-height engine room resulting in one connected accommodation deck

from stern to bow. Many competitors are copying us now, which we see as flattering.

The pilot concept is another development with maximum real estate volume and value at a certain length. Spoiler alert: a contract has been signed so soon you will see a combination of Beach club and pilot concepts in one.

What was the highlight for you when working with Van der Valk?

CdR: Van der Valk is a great mid-size shipyard with unlimited possibilities for customisation; something which will definitely achieve much-deserved appreciation in the years to come. It delivers great value for money and is a wonderful team to work with.

DESIGNER :

NICK TOP. What was the highlight for you when working with Van der Valk?

NT: The highlight was the satisfaction I could detect on the face of the craftsmen when seeing the end result of the collaboration.

There was true pleasure in delivering high-end craftsmanship.

What aspects of the project you collaborated on with Van der Valk stand out to you?

NT: As work progressed, I felt I effectively became more a part of Van der Valk, not only for the sake of efficiency, but also to deliver a better end result for our client. Bram (General Manager, Van der Valk) brought the external and internal parties together, creating a bond and the captain, owner, contractors, internal craftsman, worked impressively together in a strict time frame.

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DESIGNER:

HOT LAB, ENRICO LUMINI. What was the highlight for you when working with Van der Valk?

EL: The passion you feel when talking with anybody in the yard, their commitment, and their pride in what they have achieved. Those feelings and the sense of excitement are contagious.

The Van der Valk approach is to consider a problem a possibility to get something done better the next time, which demonstrates an incredibly positive attitude. This approach isn’t the (industry) norm and it is what makes working with Van der Valk so enjoyable.

What aspects stand out as memorable?

EL: The idea of letting the designer express himself without too many limitations. They want to understand what really makes a design firm different from another and you may do this only by letting it do what it is best at. This is what we felt. Freedom and respect.

DESIGNER:

CARLA GUILHEM. What was the highlight for you when working with Van der Valk?

CG: I appreciated Van der Valk’s receptiveness and trust in my designs, and they were fantastic collaborators with our team. They were incredibly understanding and met all of our needs, showing great care and attention to detail in their construction.

What aspects of the project stand out as things that excited you?

CG: Working on the interior design of a yacht is a uniquely challenging project. There's a lot of moving parts to juggle, and working with Van der Valk made it a much more smooth and enjoyable process. To see our design concepts and collaborative efforts brought to reality was a surreal experience and a deeply gratifying moment for me. The quality of Van der Valk’s work and smooth execution is of the highest calibre of performance; a professional designer's dream come true.

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DESIGNER:

DIANA YACHT DESIGN, HANS-MAARTEN BAIS. What has been a highlight for you when working with Van der Valk?

HM: Diana Yacht Design started working with Van der Valk, building hull number 122 for the first time.

Jaron Ginton did the naval architecture and we were responsible for the construction and engineering.

HM: After the 122 we did some smaller projects together like a bimini and concept study. The next new design was the BN127. The same companies teamed up and in record time the design was finished and the building time was also reduced by some months. For us this was a real challenge but a great achievement for the whole team. Short lines, not wasting time and communication were key to this success.

With Guido de Groot the designer of the exterior and interior, the design team was all Dutch, making the communication very easy. What we particularly liked was the enthusiasm and experience at the yard.

We really like working with the Van der Valk team as we speak the same language. Not only literally but we have the same work ethic. We want to go ahead, challenge ourselves and do what we like most; designing and building beautiful yachts. I hope we are able to raise the bar together and work even more efficient and faster by reducing hours and increasing quality.

Like our office, the team is relatively small, but very hands-on and experienced comparable to our team.

Decisions are made quickly and ‘half a word’ is needed to come to a workable solution for a problem. This speeds up the process of the engineering and the build time of the aluminium hull and superstructure.

At the moment we are responsible for the engineering of five projects at the yard. This requires organisation and planning to get all the information to the yard and sub-contractors to be able to deliver in time. It is a real pleasure to work together and I hope we can for many more projects to come.

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DESIGNER:

GINTON NAVAL ARCHITECTS, JARON GINTON. What has been a highlight for you when working with Van der Valk?

JG: The wave piercing bow. For ships sailing at speeds around the hull speed, a traditional bulb-ous bow is a very effective way to reduce wavemaking resistance. However, for ships sailing at semi planing speed - which is a speed at which the ship is not yet planing - the traditional bulb-ous bow is mostly counterproductive and may increase resistance.

For these ships, wave making resistance is predominant and can account for about three quar-ters of the total resistance.

For semi planing ships, the length of the water line and the displacement are the most significant parameters affecting the resistance.

JG: When Van de Valk shipyard assigned us for the design of the hull of MY Anemely, they asked us to implement whatever necessary to reduce resistance.

On the computer, we ‘cut the hull’ horizontally just below the waterline, and then scaled the submerged hull in the length as to increase the effective submerged length. The results were very positive as we realised ship’s speed was beyond the predictions.

We call it wave piercing bow.

Now it has been fitted to several fast yachts and has been a repeat success. Whenever we design a new hull, we examine the suitability of this wave piercing bow, and if suitable, we fit it.

DESIGNER:

VRIPACK YACHT DESIGN, BART BOUWHUIS. What was the highlight for you when working with Van der Valk?

BB: We appreciate the can-do approach of the team of Van der Valk. As designers we aim for the best, which might not always seem to the benefit of the shipyard. What we experienced with Van der Valk was a pleasant cooperative approach which was more ‘how can we?’ rather than ‘no we can’t’, or there’s ‘no budget for that’.

What aspects of the projects you've collaborated on with Van der Valk stand out to you?

BB: The two projects we recently developed with the Van der Valk team both had an extremely ambitious time schedule which they succeeded to accomplish within 99 per cent of the anticipated quality parameters. Job well done! We all know time is ultimately the most precious element for all our clients. ⊳

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Marnix J. Hoekstra and Bart M. Bouwhuis (right)

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© Jim Raycroft

© Jim Raycroft

U LTIM AT E E X U MAS SU PE RYACH T Celebrate the Exumas yachting lifestyle with LeVen Yachts, a revolutionary Dutch superyacht line designed by Vripack. With its shallow draft, LeVen goes where other superyachts cannot follow.

Taking a cue from luxury beach home designs, LeVen’s main deck is open, bright, and features a massive Chef’s Table-style galley forward. In essence a Great Room at Sea, the main deck is ideally suited for entertaining friends and family, and the perfect venue for guests to gather & socialize with breathtaking 360-degree ocean views. www.levenyachts.com FLCN M AGAZINE

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F R O M WAT ERY WASTELAN D TO EN GI N E E RI N G

MA RV ELS

By Andrew Rogers

Did you know that when you land at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport you are some 4.5 metres below sea level?

Fear not: from fingers in dikes to the most advanced feats of engineering, the ability of the Dutch to manage water and hold back the seas is second-to-none.

Leeuwarden

Groningen

Assen

Lelystad

Zwolle

Amsterdam

’s-Gravenhage

Utrecht

Waalwijk Maasdriel ’s-Hertogenbosch

Middelburg

Brugge

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Antwerpen

Arnhem

“Twice in every 24 hours, the ocean's vast tide sweeps in a flood over a large stretch of land and hides Nature's everlasting controversy about whether this region belongs to the land or to the sea.”

These were the words of Roman author, Pliny in the first century at a time when most of what we now call the Netherlands was covered by peat swamps. Waalwijk, home to the Van der Valk yard, would actually be a coastal town if the Netherlands was left to the mercy of the water (see map).

Logging on

There were people living in the Netherlands in Roman times, descendants of the first intrepid travelers who floated down the Rhine on hollowed-out logs 10,000 years before. They mostly lived on artificial dwelling hills called terpen, the remains of which still fascinate us today. The first small dikes and dams were built by the Romans and by the turn of the first millennium AD, connected the terps to create villages.

/ / D U T C H WAT E R M A N AG E M E N T

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‘WAALWIJK, HOME TO THE VAN DER VALK YARD, WOULD ACTUALLY BE A COASTAL TOWN IF THE NETHERLANDS WAS LEFT TO THE MERCY OF THE WATER’ 52

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The will to survive in a waterlogged landscape meant the Dutch also saw the water as a means of trade.

This led to the Golden Age of the 1600s when half the world’s cargo was shipped on vessels from the Netherlands. Vast profits poured in, and while a considerable amount went on the canal houses of Amsterdam, the wealthy merchants also invested heavily on hydraulic engineering works such as land reclamation and polders.

Worm attack

The humble naval shipworm prompted the Dutch to further modernise water management after it ate away

the wooden dikes and sea defences in the 1700s. First stone and, after 1900, concrete blocks were deployed in an ongoing revolution of knowledge and technology.

The unique 32-kilometre Afsluitdijk was completed in 1932 and an even more amazing series of construc­ tions called the Delta works arose in the south-west following the disastrous North Sea flood of 1953. Today countries around the world have Dutch engineers on speed-dial when it comes to water management and the Netherlands leads the way in an industry that’s more relevant than ever as sea levels rise due to global warming.

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VA N D E R VA L K S H I P YA R D

FLEET

CAPELLA

EXPLOR ER / / 23. 55 M

VENERA

BLUE JEANS

RA ISE D P ILOTH O U SE // 3 3 . 00 M

LADY LENE

EXPLOR ER / / 28. 50 M

E X P LO RE R // 3 4. 00 M

JANGADA

EXPLORER CONCEPT

R AI SED PI LOTHOUSE // 32.00 M

CALIFORNIA 52 C USTOM / / 16. 0 0 M

DUTCH FALCON B EACHCLUB / / 2 0. 5 0 M

HELGA

RA ISED PI LOT HO US E / / 2 7. 3 0 M

CONVERTIBLE

E X P LO RE R // 3 0. 00 M

B EACHCLUB / / 2 0. 5 0 M

PILOT 26 M

MODERN FLYBRIDGE

C U STO M // 26 . 00 M

F LY B R I DG E / / 2 5 . 5 0 M

LEVEN

C USTOM / / 28. 00 M

1000

BEAC HC LUB / / 28 .50 M

SEAWOLF

ALVARO

B E AC H C LU B // 20. 50 M

JOY

FLY B RID GE // 24.7 5 M

VALENCIA

LUCY PENGUIN BE ACHCLUB / / 1 9. 0 5 M

NICOSTASIA

RA ISE D PI LOT HO US E / / 2 6. 0 0 M

FALCON

EXPLOR ER / / 27.15 M

FLY B RID GE // 24. 9 5 M

EX PLO R E R / / 2 5 . 0 0 M

ANEMELI

GREY FALCON

SANTA MARIA T

O NOSO UNO

SANTA KATHARINA III

F LYBR I DGE / / 27.90 M

MR MAVERICK

R AI SED PI LOTHOUSE // 2 4.99 M

FLY B RID GE // 23 . 20 M

RA ISE D P ILOTH O U SE // 27. 21 M

E X PLO R E R / / 3 6. 8 0 M

CUSTO M / / 2 1 . 0 0 M

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A PILGRIMAGE TO

T H E H E R M I TA G E The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is one of the greatest art museums in the world. Its collections hold an astonishing three million items representing the art and culture of Western Europe, Oriental countries and, of course, Russia from antiquity to our days.

By Andrew Rogers

The main museum complex of the State Hermitage occupies five buildings, which form a brilliant architectural ensemble. The most famous is the Winter Palace, a former residence of Russian emperors, designed by Bartolommeo Rastrelli and built between 1754 and 1762. It was Catherine the Great’s idea to construct the Small Hermitage (1764-75), the Big or Old Hermitage (177187) and the Hermitage Theatre (1783-87) alongside the official residence. The New Hermitage, built in 1842-51, was the last element added to the architectural ­complex which is now one of the most impressive sights in St Petersburg’s historical city centre.

The history of the Hermitage as a museum collection began in 1764 when Catherine the Great bought a large number of Western European paintings. The collection continued to grow over the subsequent 2.5 centuries and today the permanent display occupies 300 rooms. The Hermitage is now home to 17,000 paintings, about 620,000 drawings and prints, 12,000 sculptures and 350,000 works of applied art, as well as 760,000 archaeological exhibits and more than one million coins and medals.

Among the Hermitage’s many highlights are works by some of Europe’s most famous old masters; Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt and Rubens. It’s collection of Dutch paintings is one of the best in the world and its compilation of 19th and 20th century French paintings is unrivalled outside France. Other treasures held by the museum include exquisite Scythian gold objects and ancient Greek jewellery.

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‘THE HISTORY OF THE HERMITAGE AS A MUSEUM COLLECTION BEGAN IN 1764 WHEN CATHERINE THE GREAT BOUGHT A LARGE NUMBER OF WESTERN EUROPEAN PAINTINGS.’

The museum interiors decorated by remarkable 18th- and 19thcentury architects attract both art lovers and those interested in history and architecture. The sumptuous decor has been lovingly preserved in a number of the Winter Palace state rooms, where official ceremonies used to be held. They include the St George Hall or Large Throne Room, the Peter the Great Hall or Small Throne Room, the Nicholas and Armorial halls. The strikingly beautiful Malachite Room in the Winter Palace and the majestic Pavilion Hall in the Small Hermitage are genuine masterpieces of interior design and decoration.

And there’s more, with several other branches of the Hermitage located in St. Petersburg such as the General Staff building, which houses a collection of Impressionists, and the Menshikov Palace. The Restoration and Storage Centre has a unique open exhibition of artefacts that is now accessible to visitors. Last but not least, the Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory is well worth your time too.

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VA N D E R VA L K R A I S E D P I LOT H O U S E

JA N G A DA LOA 32.00m // Delivered 2019

FLOO R PL AY:

HANDMADE CARPETS FOR YACHTS The desire among owners to make their yachts a true home-from-home extends to all kinds of custom features, including rugs and carpets. Having initially made its name in onshore residences and luxury hotels, the Dutch company ICE International also now creates bespoke pieces for yacht interiors.

By Andrew Rogers

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/ / I C E I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Having celebrated its golden jubilee in 2020, ICE International has considerable experience in making spaces even more special with unique carpets. Like many such Dutch success stories, the business is a family concern, with the second-generation brothers Marc and Rogier Janssen now in charge. Now in their forties, both have fond memories of their formative years as their father Frits always involved them in a venture he called ‘our company’.

From kitchen table chatter at home in Holland to overseas offices in Dubai, New York and Paris, ICE has come a long way. Frits passed away five years ago and the brothers recently opened a new headquarters in Zaltbommel (NL). The in-house design team works with well-respected interior design firms around the world and enjoys creating one-off pieces for discerning yacht owners. The company has also recently unveiled a brand-new collection of hand-tufted outdoor rugs made from recycled plastic bottles. Available in 25 semi-matt or 29 shiny colours in any design or pattern, the rugs retain the luxurious feel of wool.

In addition to sustainability, social responsibility is also embedded in the DNA at ICE. It co-founded Care and Fair in 1995, a foundation offering free education, women empowerment programmes and primary health care to families in India and Pakistan. The company has also had a special partnership with its production facility in Kathmandu – another family-run business – that has lasted more than 40 years. You can read about that and much more at www.rugs.nl.

T HE 11 6 0 L E G AC Y LIVES ON

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/ / H E R I TAG E

Still one of the most popular motoryachts on Dutch waters and beyond, the 1160 range was a big hit for Van de Valk in the 1970s and 1980s. Their reputation was so high that other builders copied the look and ‘Kruiser’ nickname in order to sell their boats for a higher price. However, as time marches on, the true quality of authentic 1160’s like the beautiful Bernadette shines through.

By Andrew Rogers

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It is now several decades since a new 1160 was launched from the Waalwijk yard but walk into any marina in the Netherlands and the chances are high that you will find at least one of these famous vessels lying proudly in a berth and attracting admiring glances. The yard’s founder Wim Van der Valk started out building river cruisers in 1967 but by the mid-1970s he had really found his groove with the designs for the 1160s, more than 400 of which would eventually be built.

They were offered to clients in three different formats – a bare steel hull, a hull with the drive train and tanks installed or a completely finished yacht inside and out. Like many other Van der Valks at the time – the yard also made its name in these early decades for its Comfort, Royal and Falcon brands – the 1160s were fitted with overhauled DAF DD-575 120hp six-cylinder engines. The full displacement hard chine hull had a moderate V shape, topped off with an elegant steel superstructure.

Delivered to her owners in the early eighties, Bernadette is a fine example of the 1160 philosophy in action. With a length of 11.60-metres and 3.70-metre beam, she continues to make an instant impression on connoisseurs of smooth looks and easy living. Her design concept is based on a split-level arrangement.

Entering via the cockpit deck with its smart outdoor helm, the main salon is a couple of steps lower and the same applies again with the seamless transition down to the galley.

Forward is a guest cabin and everything feels super comfortable and safe. It is very easy to imagine turning in for the night after a day on the water and sleeping in the cosy full-beam lower deck owner’s cabin with its ensuite bathroom. And with so many 1160s like Bernadette standing the test of time so well, there are lots of fortunate owners still experiencing such pleasures for themselves today.

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VAN DER VALK SHIPYARD & ­H ARLEY-DAVIDSON HAVE MORE IN ­C OMMON THAN YOU MIGHT THINK At first glance, a Dutch yacht builder and an American motorcycle brand have little in common. But if you look closer, there are clear parallels to be drawn. Both share a rich legacy based on craftsmanship and exclusivity. Both brands revolve around emotion and freedom. But above all, both brands have been reinventing themselves for many decades, based on innovation and future orientation.

By Ralph Edelstein Harley Davidson

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/ / H A R L E Y- D A V I D S O N

Cultural wildfire

Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 by four young men in a shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By fitting a 116cc motor into a standard bicycle frame, they set the stage for a cultural wildfire that would grow and spread across continents and generations. In 118 years, the company has grown into one of the most recognizable and iconic brands in the world, with some 5,000 employees all over the globe.

Innovation and progress

While the nostalgically-styled touring and cruiser ­models might suggest otherwise, Harley-Davidson has been cultivating innovation and progress for 118 years. The company's vision is to build their legend in the motorcycle industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. And the Americans put their words into action. For example, Harley-Davidson was the first of the major motorcycle builders to dare to build an all-electric model. In 2019, the launch of the LiveWire gave riders worldwide a glimpse into the future of motorcycling and to date no traditional motorcycle brand has dared to back it up.

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‘WHILE THE NOSTALGICALLYSTYLED TOURING AND CRUISER MODELS MIGHT SUGGEST OTHERWISE, HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAS BEEN CULTIVATING INNOVATION AND PROGRESS FOR 118 YEARS.’

Breaking new ground

The recent launch of the Pan America, the first Harley-Davidson Adventure Touring model, also proves that the brand is not afraid of daring actions. This multi-tool on wheels is a significant break from the traditional segments in which Harley-Davidson operates, while at the same time capturing and carrying out the pure Harley DNA. Both press and public are thrilled, and the company must pull out all the stops to meet the overwhelming demand. With the new Icons Collection Harley-Davidson celebrates classic American product design and the Americana it is part of. This new limitededition, serialized model line annually releases one or two models that present a new take on a classic design. The Electra Glide Revival, the first in the Icons Collection, has the nostalgic looks of the past, with the technology of tomorrow.

But research and development and progression are also central to the existing product lines. The CVO line-up in particular is a

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breeding ground for innovation. CVO stands for Custom Vehicle Operations. It is Harley-Davidson’s most exclusive product line, annually presenting a limited-edition custom version of some of the mainstream Harley-Davidson models. CVO is for the rider that wants it all, and more. Expect more displacement, exclusive paint options and CVO-only options and features.

Towards a sustainable future

As a future-oriented motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson has sustainability high on its list of priorities. In addition to leading the way in the electrification of the motorcycle industry, the brand is also working on making its combustion engine lines significantly more fuel efficient. Since they will still run side by side with the electric motors for some time, this development will receive all the attention it deserves in the coming years. In addition, the brand focuses strongly on taking actions to improve energy conservation and to reduce energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions

from their operations. They are on their way to zero waste to landfill, by reducing waste generation and improving reuse and recycle.

Solid foundation

Many of the themes pointed out in this article will be familiar to followers of Van der Valk Shipyard. The yard's yachts and HarleyDavidson motorcycles are built on the same principles. Pride, passion, freedom, exclusivity, emotion, and innovation are not just marketing terms, they form the solid foundation under both Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Van der Valk Yachts. For many decades both companies have been proving that quality, authenticity, and future-facing product development outlast any hype; both on the open sea and on the open road.

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Construction started in summer 2021 on the fifth model in an Explorer line which is much appreciated by clients who enjoy travelling long distance in Van der Valk standards of comfort and customisation. We talked had a Q&A with designer Guido de Groot, who has created a blend of the classic and timeless, with the bold and original, while ensuring top sailing and seakeeping qualities.

By Andrew Rogers

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/ / YAC H T S

A WORLD OF

EXPLORATION

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What sets the Van der Valk Explorer range apart from expedition yachts from other brands?

Their distinctive round-bilged hulls mean the Explorers are designed and built to withstand the toughest environments.

They also have a large fuel capacity that makes long ocean passages easy. But the real standout of the Van der Valk Explorers is the flexibility offered by the yard and the way that opens up a whole world of choices for the client. There is no other boatbuilder offering anything like this degree of customisation, which is

nice for me as a designer as I get to work with owners to create genuinely one-off explorer vessels within a luxury yachting template that has been proven in practice.

What are the key elements that clients can influence?

Firstly, they get to choose between a steel or aluminium hull and for a fast pace or normal hull speed. We have also designed two types of Explorer, with the choice between a wheelhouse and raised pilothouse model. The latter facilitates owners who prefer to have their stateroom

on the main deck and has already been illustrated in practice with Venera.

The size of your design can range between 20 and 40 metres, with the current fleet including Explorers from the 23.50-metre ‘Project Capella’ currently in build to the 37-metre Santa Maria T. What is exceptional is that these two projects have such similar looks despite the wide size differential, showing how the concept can be stretched or shortened while retaining the same distinctive Van der Valk Explorer appearance.

How have you made them distinctive in terms of looks?

The essence of any explorer yacht revolves around what people are looking to do with their vessel. Van der Valk Explorers are designed for volume so that owners can go on long trips. Form follows function in my design so that all the facilities and comforts required when travelling afar are in place, including the toys, crew accommodations, storage space (including for compacted waste), sewage disposal units and so on. This by nature creates a look and the styling comes after we have decided with the client what is essential to have onboard.

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We are talking functional designs in general, with the wheelhouses being quite far forward to optimise the space behind.

The hulls have quite a lot of volume, we utilise all the space on the bows and the flybridges are very large, stretching all the way aft from the wheelhouse. That said, once we do start styling, we make sure that the Explorers are still very goodlooking boats and look equally at home in St Tropez as in the far north. These are yachts for all places as well as all seasons you might say – and ideal for clients

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looking to clock up some serious mileage in considerable comfort.

Is this why the first Explorer, Santa Maria T, was such an instant hit?

The owner of Santa Maria T played a big part in getting this concept off to a great start. He was determined that his yacht should not look like a toy but resemble ‘a Land Rover for the sea’. The fact that Santa Maria T was among the finalists at the World Superyacht Awards in 2017 was superb publicity for the new line and

the owner’s vision served as an inspiring theme for later models. So too did the way the yacht is used, having been designed for living onboard for lengthy periods of time six months a year. Santa Maria T is like a house on the water, with a huge owner’s suite and very large guest cabins.

She also had the first two-axis fin antiroll damping system in the world, a lovely art nouveau interior, and twin Volvo Penta D16 MH 651 hp engines that can perform 24/7 at full throttle.

The second Explorer was the 27-metre Seawolf. Built in aluminium for optimum corrosion resistance, this full displacement vessel has higher speeds and reasonably large engines to get places quicker, good interior spaces and a large aft deck and flybridge. There are again some very bespoke features on this Explorer such as the large lazarette to house the owner’s three race bicycles and two Gocycles. We also fitted an Opacmare Transformer, a multifunctional pantograph platform that serves as swim platform, tender launcher, gangway and heavy luggage lifter. This solution frees up the flybridge for leisure activities.

The third Explorer introduced a raised pilothouse. How did that come about?

Venera was created for a repeat client and I was also responsible for the interior structure, layout and décor. She has amazing volume for a 28-metre yacht with all the living spaces being on the same level.

The owner asked us to develop an industrial flavour and a loft feel complete with exposed structural components and tough design elements. I am also a big fan of the sturdy raised pilothouse trawler aesthetic and Venera is a fine example of a robust explorer that looks great and provides a nononsense, practical platform for discovering the world. Being designed as a real family boat, she is also suitable for small children.

Lady Lene, the fourth Explorer due for delivery in early 2022, is also highly customised…

Indeed, even more so in fact. This innovative 34-metre tri-deck is still a masculine boat but with more soft lines incorporated into the exterior design. Lady Lene’s fast displacement hull, wave-piercing bow and hull vane transom wing will offer a superb performance and major fuel savings. The superior stabilisation of a gyro system at zero speed is combined with a fin system for rough passages. Lady Lene has been designed to be fully wheelchair-accessible with an elevator connecting all decks

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and flush floors throughout. She has an exceptional aft entertainment area: this large open space is going to amaze people with its clean deck and dedicated zones for relaxation and dining, bar and swim platform.

Let’s end by looking at the newest member of the Explorer fleet, ‘Project Capella’

We have already laid the keel for this 23.55-metre custom Explorer which will utilise all the available space to create a great family boat and good crew area.

The boat has a rugged look while taking inspiration from Seawolf – the owners loved her hardtop, now with straight wheelhouse windows – and the stern area of Venera. Comfort is key with a low centre of gravity assured by her steel hull and aluminium superstructure. We are paying lots of attention to noise and vibration on a self-sufficient yacht with low fuel consumption and a range that allows for lengthy spells away from busy ports.

This autonomy will be further facilitated by heavy-duty 1800 rpm MAN industrial engines with RCD 2 approval.

This yacht encapsulates how well the Explorer range suits experienced clients who are looking to make long trips on the ultimate home-at-sea for their family. They are very involved in the everyday decisions that can make a difference to their inner wellbeing when on the yacht, making this a real pleasure for everyone involved in the design and build. After delivery in the spring of 2023 her home port will be in the Balearics although I expect she will be seen exploring far and wide like her sister ships!

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AD R EN A LI N

BY DAY, LU X U RY

BY N I G H T

By Isla McKechnie

Known for its beautiful landscapes, friendly welcomes, and dedication to cuisine; one pocket of New Zealand has another claim to fame; adventure. Head to the lower half of New Zealand’s South Island and you’ll find a proliferation of ways to raise your heart rate and chase adrenalin. And the best part?

There’s no need to rough it in this thrill seeker’s paradise.

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// NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE

Thrill Sling yourself from the world’s biggest human ­catapult

Live out your childhood fantasies with the Nevis Catapult as you make like a superhero and take flight. The human-sized catapult propels guests 150m out across the Nevis Valley, with up to 3Gs of force, before rebounding back.

From the inventors of the modern bungy jump, the Nevis Catapult has you reaching 100kilometres per hour within 1.5 seconds, for a high-speed, high-fun, high-adrenaline activity that doesn’t skimp on the fear factor.

Stay

Mahu Whenua is ten minutes by helicopter from Queenstown, providing easy access to the locality’s attractions, in a setting that’s a celebration of the region’s high country landscapes. Views stretch out before you encompassing the majestic surrounding mountains and Lake Wanaka, while Mahu Whenua itself brings together silver service with the ease of a traditional New Zealand homestead. https://mahuwhenua.co.nz/

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// SPORT

©Alpine Helicopters/Minaret Station

Thrill Walk inside an ancient glacier

Fly past New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook, as you make your way to 27 kilometre-long Tasman Glacier. The ­country’s longest glacier has created its own terminal lake at the foot of Aoraki, (the Cloud Piercer), where it deposits icebergs, but you’ll fly past this to its upper reaches as your guide prepares you to explore its ever-changing caves of ancient blue ice, selacs and icefalls.

The guides of Alpine Helicopters will land you amid the crevasses of the Tasman Glacier and equip you with snow shoes or crampons before you begin your adventure. Once that works up an appetite, they’ll choose a stunning spot to set up the chef-prepared picnic.

Stay

The architectural remit for The Lindis was that it melt seamlessly into the landscape with contours that mimic the rolling lines of the high-country valley floor. At the end of your day’s exploring, return to this luxury lodge, which nestles into the pristine Ahuriri Valley; itself carved over millions of years by a glacier. Sweeping floor to ceiling windows blur the bounds of interior and exterior, with an understated luxury aesthetic that invites you to soak in this wild part of the world in utter comfort. www.thelindisgroup.com/the-lindis

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BETTER TO

BUILD THAN

DESTROY

By Isla McKechnie

In an industry filled with larger than life characters, Robert Allen is a giant. Allen, and his eponymous firm, Robert Allen Law, has changed our expectation of how law firms work in yachting, bringing with him American boldness, and a style and bombast that’s all Allen’s own.

The man from Palm Beach - or who practices

there at least - has a dry sense of humour. When I ask how he’s built his reputation and such an extensive client list, he laughs that he’ll sue anyone who doesn’t hire him. That irreverent sense of fun however, belies his mission in life, which is a determination to leave the world better than he found it.

“I’d rather help build than destroy,” Allen says.

“I became a lawyer to help people. I went to law school to help people. I realised that helping people with businesses that employ people - just like when I set up my business - helps people live their lives to the fullest.”

He explains that people and businesses file suit if they think rights have been abused, which allows him the satisfaction of coming to people’s assistance.

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“If a company has problems, you can defend them and keep people employed and protect the factory, and keep the business going.”

His work has seen him help not only individuals and businesses, but the industry at large, with Allen playing a vital role in working with IYBA (formerly the Florida Yacht Brokers Association) to standardise industry documentation first across the US and then seeking to improve on European standards. His efforts saw him work on a committee to modernise the standard purchase and sale and listing agreements and being instrumental in the development of the nascent International Yacht Arbitration Council. Running in parallel to his IYBA input which was allowing the US industry to grow and prosper, his own company soon became the one of most well-regarded US-based law firms dealing with yacht sales around the world.

// PROFILE

Now the principal legal advisor in the Americas to several of the largest yachting manufacturing groups in the world and four of the eight largest brokerage houses, Robert Allen Law has a team of lawyers who handle yacht transactions and a significant practice in litigation which might see them cover everything from boat accidents to unpaid brokerage commissions.

never owned boats period are buying superyachts.

Counter-intuitively, world instability and social disruption have led more and more people to imagine themselves on the seas and act on those dreams.”

We discuss this at length, with Allen pointing out that the higher the high, the bigger the fall.

As principal of Robert Allen Law which he founded in 1993, he’s able to lead a team which works across a broad range of disciplines within the yachting industry, but Allen himself - and that focus on helping people - has been strongly influenced by a pivotal figure in his own life; his father. Responsible for both his introduction to the ocean, and the world beyond US waters, it’s clear that much of Allen’s career has been shaped by influences in his early life.

“The world is a dangerous place. Who would have thought it would be dangerous to take a ship around Yemen and Somalia again when the Barbary pirates had been put in their place, so to speak, at the end of the 18th century?”

Robert Allen Snr was a Merchant Officer in the second world war, with General MacArthur on his return to the Philippines, sailing through the North Atlantic, the Suez, South Pacific, and India ­before his twenty first birthday.

That background set the scene for a childhood of sailing and boating in remote destinations, and charters on the Chesapeake Bay, as Robert Allen Jnr grew up, and it had as much of an influence on Robert Allen Jnr’s eventual career, as his father’s post-war work did.

“The illusion is that buying a yacht is like buying a very expensive vehicle, but a yacht is more like a quarter horse. It needs to be run. If a horse isn’t run, it atrophies. All of a yacht’s systems need to run. Exercise the yacht. Maintain the yacht. In a house you can go ten years with out painting the walls, on a yacht you’ve got several more layers of complexity, everything’s integrated and sophisticated. And it needs to be run.”

He also warns that new owners to the industry need to take the time to understand the intricacies of yachting.

“Yachting is like getting married.”

“After the war, my father became a diplomat. I was born in the Dominican Republic, lived in ­Mexico, Spain, and Central America, and then studied international relations.”

When talking to Allen, it becomes clear how these themes have stuck with him through his life to inform his work. He draws on Robert Allen Snr’s experiences in WWII to foreshadow how we as an industry should prepare for the future; referring back to his determination to help people and taking an international approach to his work.

“My father told me civilisation is but a thin veneer”, says Allen. He refers to symphony orchestras playing in Austria while the world descended into war and points out that times of prosperity don’t last forever.

“Right now we’re in a profound ‘up' in the yachting sector. I don’t think we’ve seen this before, ever; people who have never owned big boats before are buying megayachts, and people who have

Through the words of caution his love for the superyacht sphere shines through. Conversation with Robert Allen is an entertaining affair. He speaks at length on the state of the market and peppers those words of caution with anecdotes; pulling out gems like the time the owner of the then most-expensive yacht in the world invited him onboard for a week, and each morning would take Allen up in the chopper to see where the boat would go next.

His passion for - and realism about - the industry is evident, alongside that knack for good advice.

“Yachting is like getting married. You have to give, you have to make compromises. It’s tough. But it’s great when it runs like it should.”

“Yachts are not perfect, but that being said; if you commit to maintaining a yacht like it should be maintained, - you certainly won’t save money on it - but if you commit, you will enjoy it. It’s a ­relationship.”

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MA K I NG TH E MOST O F

ALUMINIUM

By Andrew Rogers

// IN-HOUSE ALUMINIUM

Van der Valk is one of the few boatbuilders in the Netherlands that actually creates all its own hulls and superstructure elements in-house. Our dedicated aluminium construction hall measures 60.7-metres by 20.3­­metres and is also responsible for building and welding each and every supporting component, including masts and hardtops.

Having the unique combination of these first-class facilities and expert craftsmen who are seasoned in working with aluminium as a material offers you a wide range of benefits as an owner. The cost synergies of being able to manufacture everything you need within the same building is obvious and the fact that everything is under our famously stringent control regime is a sure guarantee of quality. Ultimately, however, it is the flexibility that the yard offers by being able to make changes ‘on the spot’ that is most highly valued by Van der Valk clients.

Restyling a la carte

An excellent recent example is a 33-metre custom project called Blue Jeans which is due for completion in the summer of 2022.

The owner is a big fan of the 2020 World Superyacht Award finalist Jangada but requested a restyling of the lines. The result is a surprisingly sleek exterior profile for a yacht with extra high ceilings in the main deck and a raised bow. The latter reflects the concealment of the anchor windlasses within the forepeak to generate space on the foredeck for an additional chill-out zone.

A pop-up table will be receded flush into the deck here and, when raised, people can sit with their legs inside the vacated space.

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More curves please

All this is made possible by building in aluminum, of course, and the same applies to the desire by the owner of the Flybridge motoryacht Valencia for a more curved superstructure above the windshield. As the flybridge ceilings over the cockpit deck do not generally need any support posts this facilitated the cleaner look required.

Even more radical changes were made to the Explorer Seawolf which was extended by two metres after being sold to a client who wanted a larger lazarette, aft deck and swim platform.

The flybridge was lengthened by 1.25 metres as these extensions boosted the yacht to a total length of 27 metres, Technical changes and improvements included the installation of an Opacmare transformer within the swimming platform, which would not have been possible with a GRP vessel.

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Flexibility first

Moving from the specific to the general, one of the keys to the successful use of aluminium at Van der Valk is the closely spaced latticework of girders and rulers that allow the yard to initially eliminate structural bulkheads in the construction. In addition to reinforcing the strength and stiffness of the hull, and making the hulls very suitable for the most adverse weather conditions, this arrangement gives clients even more options when it comes to arranging a customised layout. Bulkheads are ultimately included as class requires them for watertight compartments, but the initial stiffness and rigidity of the hull makes the actual bulkhead locations subservient to the flexibility on offer to you as an owner.

Last but most certainly not least, aluminium is a more environmentally friendly material. It is recyclable and has a far longer product lifecycle of well over 50 years. There is less waste (with what does remain being returned to the manufacturer for reuse), and hulls can be recycled and even refitted with a brandnew interior. If future-proofing is important to you, aluminium should certainly be given the green light.

A LUMI N IUM I S… • M U CH LIG H T E R T H AN ST E E L/ GRP • A VERY STR ON G ME TAL • M ORE SU STAIN ABLE • NON-FLA M M ABLE • SIM PLER AN D C H E AP E R TO RE PAIR • EASY TO SH AP E TO S IZE • AS FLEX IBL E AS YOU R ID E AS

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BE F O R E T H E BIG A P P LE: A B R I E F H I S T O RY O F NEW AMSTERDAM

By Andrew Rogers

During the Netherlands’ Golden Age in the early 17th century, the Dutch West (and East) India Company established colonies and trading outposts around the world. One of these was New Amsterdam, which we now call Manhattan, the most prestigious borough in New York City.

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// DUTCH HISTORY

Between 1626 and 1664, the capital of the Dutch colony of New Netherland was New Amsterdam. In 1609, English seafarer Henry Hudson was hired by the Dutch for a voyage of ­exploration. He came to North ­America and sailed up the river that would carry his name. Hudson brought back news of a potentially lucrative trade in beaver furs, prompting several new expeditions to set forth from

Holland. These began trading furs with the ­indigenous peoples along the river and surroun­ding region and on their 1614 map we see the name New ­Netherland used for the first time.

Peter Minuit became director-general of the Dutch West India Company in 1626. In the same year, he met with the indigenous peoples and ­purchased Manhattan for trinkets worth around

24 dollars at the time and not much more than a thousand dollars in today’s money. The land was quickly settled and the area s­ urrounding the newly built Fort Amsterdam became known as New Amsterdam.

The Dutch were enjoying a ­Golden Age, carrying around half of the world’s trade in their ships. The downside for the new colony across the Atlantic was that few people chose to emigrate. New Amsterdam grew ­slowly from an initial 270 ­people to around 9,000 by 1664.

Peter ­Stuyvesant became director-­ general of the colony of New Nether­ land in 1647 and New Amsterdam received its city rights in 1653. The settlement expanded beyond the southern tip of Manhattan, a protective wall was built on Wall Street and a canal ­constructed that became Broad Street and Broadway.

Stuyvesant turned out to be the final director-general of the colony. On 27 August 1664 four English frigates sailed into New Amsterdam’s harbour and demanded New Netherland’s ­surrender, which was provisionally granted by Stuyvesant. On ­September 6, he sent delegates to sign the official Articles of Capitulation and in June 1665, New Amsterdam was ­reincorporated under English law as New York City. The rest as they say is history…

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TA I T T I N G E R C H A M PA G N E :

FA M I LY F I R S T

By Georgia Tindale

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With its understated label and discreet bottle style, the Comtes de Champagne 2007, from family-owned champagne house Taittinger stands as the perfect representation of the company which created it.

Despite its accolade as one of the top six Champagne brands worldwide, the owner of the second-­largest ­vineyard in the Champagne region (spanning an ­impressive 288 hectares) has always stuck firmly to its roots.

First established in 1734 by Jacques Fourneaux, under the direction of Pierre Taittinger, the wine-house relocated to the stunning Louis Quinze-style Château de la Marquetterie in 1932, in which Theobald I of Navarre (1201-1253) had his home.

Legend has it, it was Theobald, Count of

Champagne and later King of Navarre, who first brought the Chardonnay grape back from Cyprus following his crusade in the Middle Ages.

Known today for the distinctive, elegant and feminine style of its Chardonnay – the taste of which was first defined by Pierre’s son François Taittinger in 1945 – the House was bought by Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger in 2006, who remained at the helm as President until the end of 2019 when he passed on the baton to his ­daughter, Vitalie Taittinger.

Although it is not the largest producer of Champagne worldwide – the title of the best-selling brand goes to Moët & Chandon, followed by another Reims-based house, Veuve Clicquot – Taittinger’s wines have a ­reputation for high and consistent quality and have amassed numerous prizes as a consequence.

Indeed, this celebrated ‘quality’ of Taittinger’s wines is ­intrinsically linked to its heritage. Taittinger’s flagship wine, the Comtes de Champagne, is still made ­exclusively from Chardonnay grapes

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which are grown in the five grand cru villages of the Côte des Blancs and which only see daylight after a long and drawnout maturation period of 8-10 years.

As well as its famous flagship, Taittinger’s range of wines includes the delicately balanced Brut Réserve (40% ­Chardonnay, 35% Pinot noir, 25% Pinot Meunier), the fresh and elegant Comtes de Champagne Rose (70% Pinot noir and 30% Chardonnay), and the smooth, four-year matured ‘Sec’ Nocturne (40% Chardonnay, 60% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier), distinctive on the shelf on

account of its eye-catching violet bottle.

Looking ahead, Taittinger is certainly not a company to rest on its laurels. Showing its characteristic ‘touch of impertinence and audacity’, as described by President Vitalie Taittinger, the grand marque champagne house planted its first vines in Kent in the UK back in 2017 as the site for its new venture into English sparkling wine. The first bottle of its ‘Domaine Evremond’ will be ready to be drunk by 2023. Now, who’s feeling thirsty?

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/ / YAC H T S

A DREAM ON T H E W AT E R

Isla McKechnie

The sleek, stylish weekender, California 52, is a custom project designed by Vripack and built by Van der Valk, for the Dutch company Waterdream.

Crafted in aluminium to ensure sustainability and retention of value, this project gave Van der Valk’s craftsmen the ability to flex their skills. The bespoke build was competed entirely in-house, from hull to finishing details, with interior components, and hull constructed simultaneously to meet the owner’s request for a fast delivery.

The completed yacht features an owner’s suite in the bow and convertible full beam cabin aft for children. It has the ability to accommodate up to five onboard and has a fully-equipped bathroom with shower for comfortable overnight escapes.

The exterior’s design makes a feature of ultra-smooth lines and a sleek profile, while promoting the enjoyment of outdoor life. It leads its class with a capacious aft seating section for family and friends to enjoy. Further sunbeds on the foredeck provide another space to spend time relaxing in the sun and basking in each other’s company, while a custom sound system is on hand to set the ambience.

The California 52 is a head-turner which puts the helmsman in the centre of the picture. Standing at the 90 inch carbon fibre wheel, the skipper has all-around vision and easy control via a joystick. She has been designed to achieve 40 knots via Volvo Penta IPS 800 engines for an exhilarating, smooth ride and the choice to up the ante with with IPS 950s. www.waterdream.nl

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Stipt Polish Point makes your dream car

‘FACTORY NEW’ Do you own a classic (sports) car and would you like it to be in the best shape imaginable? Then you should really consider making an appointment with Stipt Polish Point in Vught, The Netherlands. By Marco Hohl

This Dutch car renovation company, run by automobile enthusiast Rick van Stippent, specialises in making your dream car ‘factory new’. It won’t just look brand-new, but it will also feel like that when you take it for a spin. Fittingly we caught up with Rick on his way to work, while driving a 30 year old, factory new Mercedes Benz W124.

Rick, what can customers expect from Stipt Polish Point?

“With us you can basically order a new car that isn’t available anymore at your

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dealer. When a customer arrives, we want to make him or her feel unburdened.

Your car will look and run the way it did when it came out of the factory. So it’s not just about giving it a fresh paintjob.

We transform the interior, the chassis and the engine. We work with all brands: Ferrari, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Bentley, but also Mercedes, Volkswagen and classic Peugots. Once we are done, you will have the feeling, the smell and the experience of the car you have always dreamt of.”

// NEW CLASSIC CARS

How did you start? And what ­projects are you particularly proud of?

“I started fixing cars when I was 12 years old; parallel to that I ran a car cleaning company. Because there were no schools or car renovation companies that offered a similar service, I had to learn everything myself. I’m proud of so many projects that we have worked on. Stipt has transformed dozens of Porsches, multiple Aston Martins, but the projects I’m most proud of are a Ferrari F40 and a Citroën XM, that we made factory new. The challenge for my team is to get cars in the state that they

are meant to be. We get a lot of cars that are in really bad shape, so the process can be quite challenging at times.”

Rick gets out of his Mercedes, and greets his colleague Bas, who’s checking an engine of a sportscar that is parked outside.

He continues: “Even in our lunch breaks

we marvel at the beauty of the cars we renovate! Transforming a car can take between two weeks and three months. The most beautiful moment for us is the last day that we are working on it. When we polish

the outside for the final time, clean the interior and work on the finishing touches.

It’s an emotional moment when we drive the car outside, reborn, with a new lease on life - not just for us, but also for the customer, who finally has the car he has always wanted.”

Visit Stipt Polish Point online for more info and intakes: www.stiptpolishpoint.nl. Or follow @StiptPolishPoint on Facebook and Instagram.

GROWING M A S T E R­P I E C E S

By Andrew Rogers

Dutch Lily Masters believes that lilies are living masterpieces – one of nature’s true works of art.

At least when they are properly grown and nurtured.

Their expert growers are inspired by the Dutch Masters of the past – Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer – to produce lilies of such grace and beauty, both aesthetically and in terms of scent, that they can be considered masterpieces in their own right.

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/ / D U T C H L I LY M A S T E R S

Dutch Lily Masters brings together years of dedication, knowledge and professional expertise in the combination of three family businesses, two of which date back to the 1940s. The latest generations of these three families, Klaas Wagenaar, Wim-Jan Paauw and André Imanse, are still at the helm and recently merged forces to create Dutch Lily Masters and make the company ready for the future. A future full of living masterpieces.

Dutch Lily Masters aims to grow the best, most beautiful and exclusive lilies. The company’s main production facility is a hyper-modern greenhouse complex covering 100,000 m2 in Rijnsburg, but it also has facilities in Lisserbroek and Almere. In a fast-changing market, flexibility is key and the company regularly comes up with new solutions for its customers; better and more beautiful varieties in new colours or with special features.

There are countless types of lilies, but Dutch Lily Masters selects only the very best and most unique varieties for its product range. Ten main types of lily are available all year round with a special selection of seasonal varieties available in limited editions.

The production process is largely automated. Once the bulbs have been planted in crates, no further human intervention is required until harvest time. Dutch Lily Masters uses a so-called rolling container system. The crates are wheeled through the greenhouse using a fully automated, hyper-modern internal transport system. This smart automation makes it possible to increase production, whilst guaranteeing consistent high quality.

Even with all the technology used, growing lilies remains a craft and their quality depends on people. That is why Dutch Lily Masters’ employees enjoy the same love and tender care as the lilies, offering them the chance to grow and flourish in healthy and sustainable working conditions. Another key focus area is the environment. Dutch Lily Masters has made considerable investments in energysaving measures and uses organic pest control. The company also employs a virtually closed-loop production process, which results in very limited waste products.

Perfection is a subjective term but the lilies produced by Dutch Lily Masters really are as close to perfection as the Dutch Masters’ works that inspire them.

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Could there be a more enticing prospect than travelling the world by superyacht?

Following what has undoubtedly been a complicated year where travel is concerned, the idea of setting sail aboard a luxury vessel for pastures new is bound to fire up the imagination and spark that feeling of wanderlust. Will it be the Caribbean, Croatia, Antarctica or Fiji?

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/ / YAC H T S

LADY LENE: U N PAC K I N G T H E U LT I M AT E EXPLORER

By Georgia Tindale

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And, when it comes to finding the ideal yacht to take you on your global adventures, you need not go any further than the Netherlands and Van der Valk’s 34-metre fully custom, all-aluminium tri-deck explorer, Lady Lene. Here, we outline just some of the qualities which make Lady Lene the ultimate adventurer’s yacht.

exceptional performance and significant fuel savings, with a top speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots (power is provided by twin MAN 1650hp diesel engines). In addition, the superior stabilisation of a gyro system at zero speed is combined with a fin system perfect for weathering choppy waters.

1. Technical prowess

2. Views for days

First off, for an explorer-style superyacht, performance is everything. Ordered for a repeat Van der Valk client armed with highly specific requests, Lady Lene brings together the expertise of four leading players from the Dutch superyacht sector for her design, naval architecture and technical construction, with her naval architecture a collaboration between Ginton Naval Architects and Diana Yacht Design.

With her exteriors by Leiden-based studio Guido de Groot Design and interiors from the drawing boards of Carla Guilhem, the design and layout of Lady Lene have been thoughtfully created to bring those on board effortlessly close to the water. Large windows can be found in the spacious main deck lounge and dining room, allowing guests to benefit from stunning panoramic vistas. The VIP suite also comes complete with huge windows, as well as its own terrace and balcony ideal for soaking up the ocean atmosphere as the sun sets.

She features a fast displacement hull, wave-piercing bow and hull vane transom wing to ensure both

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Whether guests are keen to hit the water or enjoy some well-earned time off, the large open space of Lady Lene’s aft deck offers the perfect area for socialising across the generations. The aft deck features dedicated zones for relaxation and dining, a bar and a swim platform offering easy access to the water.

And, when it’s finally time to retire for a nightcap and Netflix, the owner’s stateroom can be found on the lower deck, alongside two double staterooms and one single cabin: all of which offer the highest levels of style and comfort to guarantee a restful night’s sleep – ready for tomorrow’s next adventure!

Lady Lene is slated for delivery by Van der Valk in December 2021, so watch this space!

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3. Exceptional entertainment meets blissful ­relaxation Whether guests are keen to hit the water or enjoy some well-earned time off, the large open space of Lady Lene’s aft deck offers the perfect area for socialising across the generations. The aft deck features dedicated zones for relaxation and dining, a bar and a swim platform offering easy access to the water.

And, when it’s finally time to retire for a nightcap and Netflix, the owner’s stateroom can be found on the lower deck, alongside two double staterooms and one single cabin: all of which offer the highest levels of style and comfort to guarantee a restful night’s sleep – ready for tomorrow’s next adventure!

Lady Lene is slated for delivery by Van der Valk in December 2021, so watch this space!

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// COLUMN

By Paul Flannery

FROM AN OLD ­ MERICAN TO THE A NEW ONES: As an American boater, I grew up with wooden boats and was quite young when fibreglass became a popular material for boat-building.

It seemed to offer a solution to every problem we had building with wood. It was lightweight and strong, easy to mould into complex shapes, it didn’t rot and with a polyester finish, could hold any colour in the rainbow.

Over time we came to learn the life expectancy of fibreglass was greater than most of the boaters at the helm, and it continued to look good with very little ­maintenance. It seemed to present a great answer to the search for the perfect boat and yacht material, which is the way many Americans still think.

As boaters mature and gain experience, they begin to realise that there are several other options for build materials and aluminium is one of the most versatile.

When it comes to strength-to-weight ratio, it simply can’t be beaten. When it comes to the environment, it is the most eco-friendly as it is infinitely recyclable. When it comes to complex shapes, aluminium is quite malleable while retaining its strength, and can actually be stronger when bent or curved.

With today’s advanced manufacturing processes, the aluminium producers create their plate and extruded parts to resist the rigours of a seawater environment, and coatings manufacturers offer products that prepare the metal to resist corrosion better than ever before.

New technologies in cutting, shaping and welding aluminium, mean there is less need for fairing products to make a surface smooth before finishing, because the joining of pieces can be accomplished with less heat, causing less distortion. The end result in today’s aluminium yachts is a strong, light finish that rivals a moulded fibreglass surface. So why don’t Americans adopt aluminium construction?

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Because old habits die hard.

“My father’s boat was fibreglass”. “My friend’s boat is fibre­glass”. “Aluminium is for beer cans and screen doors, not boats”.

These cliches are typical of the boater who has not been educated on the virtues of aluminium boat and yacht ­building.

If I were in the market for a quality boat that was strong, safe, beautiful and enduring, there is no doubt that I would seriously investigate an aluminium build and there is no one better at it than the Dutch. Attention to detail, seaworthiness, luxury and beauty are hallmarks of the Dutch builders and their experience is second-tonone.

Do I believe in aluminium? My aeroplane is 50 years old, made of aluminium and I fly it over open water for hundreds of miles at a stretch. In fact, Boeing and Airbus seem pretty confident in it as a product as well.

Paul Flannery – Executive Director IYBA

C O LO P H O N

FLCN

2021 / 2022

VAN DER VALK SHIPYARD MAGAZINE

Published by

Special thanks to

Hermitage Museum: Ekaterina

Van der Valk Shipyard

Wim van der Valk, Post Hotel

Sharova, Dutch Lily Masters: Wim

Industrieweg 45

Lech: Helen Bitschnau & Florian

Jan Paauw, Taittinger: Carlijn Drenth,

5145 PD WAALWIJK

Moosbrugger, IYBA: Paul Flannery,

New Zealand: Mahu Whenua, The

The Netherlands

Robert Allen Law: Robert N. Allen,

Lindis, Minaret Station, Alpine

www.vandervalkshipyard.com

Harley Davidson: Niels Kleinlooh,

Helicopters, Nevis Catapult

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© VAN DER VALK - Shipyard.

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MY Mr. Maverick

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Bay of Cannes

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113

VA N D E R VA L K B E AC H C LU B

A LVA R O LOA 20.50m // Delivered 2019

EXPERIENCE

U LT I M AT E F R E E D O M Designed by Guido de Groot, our Explorer is one of the new generation of motoryachts in our yards portfolio. This range of long-range motor yachts represents a smart combination of the classic & timeless with the bold & original. Our yard has gone to great lengths to ensure the best possible sailing and seakeeping qualities for this design, including a distinctive round-bilged hull. Our Explorer yachts are designed and built to withstand the toughest environments, and boast an extensive fuel capacity that enables them to easily make long ocean passages.

Contact our experience center +31 (0)416 651 562, Waalwijk, the Netherlands | Find out more at vandervalkshipyard.com