Van der Valk has built more than 1,000 yachts over the past 60-odd years, but it is still creating vessels that are bigger and better than before.
The Dutch yard has just started construction on a custom superyacht that will be its largest in history. Dubbed Project Evo, the new 131-footer not only trumps all other fleet members in terms of length and volume but also showcases a fresh design
“It is clear that Van der Valk is one of the few yards with the capacity and flexibility to build fully custom superyachts in this size range,” head of sales Yoeri Bijker said in a statement.
A bird’s-eye view of Evo.
Van der Valk
Evo was commissioned by experienced seafarers, who, after owning several high-performance yachts, decided it was time to create a bespoke blue-water cruise for their family. The owners enlisted Van der Valk for the build to ensure premium quality, the Dutch yard says. SFG Yacht Design and Fancy by Dada penned EVO’s sleek exterior, after which Cristiano Gatto Design added more length and angles to the profile. The Italian film also designed the interior. The naval architects at Diana Yacht Design and Ginton Naval Architects also helped refine the design.
The aluminum hull.
Van der Valk
Made entirely from aluminum, Evo features a round-bilge, fast-displacement hull that promotes planing. Powered by two MTU engines, the vessel is expected to have a top speed of 24 knots, a cruising speed of 19 knots, and a range of 2,200 nautical miles. Built to ABS class, the yacht will also meet the latest IMO Tier III emissions regulations, meaning it can cruise in protected waters.
“Project Evo is a fine example of how clients can come to Van der Valk with their own exterior designers without having to reinvent the wheel with a new hull, safe in the knowledge that their yacht will excel in terms of performance, speed, and stability,” Bijker adds.
The stern.
Van der Valk
With a beam of 28 feet, Evo offers an interior volume of 370 GT. The yard says the yacht will include “first-class accommodations for 10,” with an owner’s suite on the main deck and four guest cabins on the lower deck. Three double crew cabins will also sit on the lower deck, while the captain’s cabin lies on the bridge deck. Details regarding the interior decor are being kept under wraps for now, but Gatto says the owners are delighted. “The process from first renders to interior concept took around 10 months, an exceptional timeframe for a 40-meter project that will truly deserve to be called a mini-megayacht.”
Bigger and better, indeed.
