Van der Valk signs orders for 34m and 35m custom projects [In the News]

This article was featured on boatinternational.com in June 2023 and was written by Holly Overton.

Dutch shipyard Van der Valk has signed two contracts to build a custom 34-metre and 35-metre custom model. The projects, named Project 111.11 and Project Samba, are based on the same hull design as the award-winning Lady Lene with naval architecture by long-time collaborator Guido de Groot.

Both custom yachts have been commissioned by experienced owners, each with three decks and built entirely from aluminium.

Project 111.11 is a full-displacement vessel with an explorer soul. Power comes from twin Volvo Penta 750hp engines delivering a top speed of 14.4 knots and significant attention is paid to storage and waste facilities for ocean passages. Key features include a sky lounge with an asymmetrical semi-full-beam layout to keep the vessel below the 300T threshold and allow crew to circulate without entering the saloon.

At the request of the owner, a full beam master suite will have a large walk-in wardrobe aft that includes a chute that leads directly to the laundry station on the lower deck. Carla Guilhem has been awarded the interior contact for Project 111.11.

Project Samba is a metre longer than its relative and has an extensive focus on outdoor leisure spaces, which includes a larger swimming platform. Unlike Project 111.11, the custom model will be built with a fast-displacement hull powered by twin MAN 1450hp diesel engines for top speeds of around 17 knots.

The aft deck has been configured to include a “relaxation lounge zone” with a large aft-facing sofa and a formal dining table for al fresco dining. Below is a beach club complete with a “chill-out area”, sauna, day head and washer/drier capacity for towels.

The galley on Project Samba is expected to be used regularly used by the owners and offers plenty of worktops and a cooking island, while a central staircase from the lower deck to the bridge deck will serve as “a piece of art in its own right”, according to the yard. Guido de Groot will be handling the interiors for the project together with the owners.

The clients for Project Samba were introduced to Van der Valk by Will Noftsinger from Denison Yachting.

“The proven hull design and naval architecture platform allows us to offer the choice between a full or fast displacement vessel,” says Van der Valk’s head of sales, Yoeri Bijker. “Using the engineering packages and part of the cutting files generates significant cost synergies yet allows for an entirely different look and feel. It’s a highly efficient way of building that provides clients with exceptional freedom to customize their yacht above the waterline.”

According to BOATPro, the two projects will mark the fifteenth and sixteenth superyacht collaboration between the shipyard and studio, having most recently worked together on Blue Jeans and Lady Lene.