The tiny Hakvoort shipyard in Monnickendam is to build a massive 63 motor yacht. Quite how it will achieve this has not been disclosed but building bigger and better yachts has never bothered the Hakvoort family in the past and the fact that such a yacht will not fit into their existing complex is hardly likely to bother them this time either.
The renderings of the new yacht are refreshingly different. The designer René van der Velden has a longstanding relationship the owner and told us: He asked me to draw a modern classic with a difference. He was very keen that the yacht should not be a repeat of anything else that is currently afloat but something genuinely fresh and bold.
To be christened Zeusthe new yacht follows a type of styling called streamlining, which was especially popular in the 1930s and 40s
A streamliner is a vehicle or vessel given a specific shape that reduces air resistance: Examples include the famous ferry Kalakala and the record-breaking car Bluebird.
This is the first time streamlining has been so clearly integrated into the design of a superyacht.”
Slated for delivery in the spring of 2017, Zeus has a unique contemporary profile to some very specific requirements from the owner.
Diana Yacht Design is responsible for the naval architecture and the interior will come from the boards of Sinot Yacht Design
The sale was arranged in close cooperation with Moran Yacht & Ship.
This second major new order for Hakvoort within the space of a few months justifies the significant investments the yard has made in recent years to expand its facilities.
Zeus will undoubtedly require a further extension of the yard, to cope with the building of motor yachts up to 65 metres in length.
A crucial part of the layout brief was the location of the tenders. The owner has a lot of experience and knows how difficult large tenders can be to launch.
Van der Velden told us, “Seeking a very practical solution we chose to place two nine-metre tenders on the main deck. As this eats into a lot of prime real estate, we have skipped the traditional saloon, dedicating the main deck to the owner’s quarters, galley and captain’s cabin. This has freed space on the deck above for pure socialising.”
This ‘upper deck’ includes a spacious saloon forward and sky lounge aft. The latter has sliding doors that open up to create a giant inside-out zone. The bridge deck includes the wheelhouse and a large area is set aside for the gymnasium. This too can be opened up for the ultimate in al fresco fitness. Zeus also features a beach club with lots of storage and a sauna.
Twin Caterpillar 3512Cs will give her a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 12.5 knots.