Don’t confuse Zeelander Yachts’ Z164 with a flight of fancy. The yard’s owner and chairman, Sietse Koopmans, drew inspiration from his personal, three-year circumnavigation. The 50,000 miles and 39 countries he visited aboard Zeepaard, his 121-foot (37-meter) expedition yacht, taught him multiple lessons on what globetrotting truly requires. All of those, plus input from other proven professionals, have led to the Z164.
Zeelander Yachts tapped Vripack http://www.vripack.com for naval architecture and Cor D Rover Design for styling. As the name states, the Z164 measures about 164 feet (49.9 meters). The beam of 30’8” (9.4 meters) keeps the Z164 in line with similar-LOA megayachts. At 499 gross tons, she’s further consistent with what buyers in this size range expect.
The foundation of the Z164 includes reduced ownership and operation costs, plus environmental awareness. To the former, rather than employ traditional gensets for nighttime hotel loads, the Z164 will have lithium-ion batteries. All other systems and even lighting solutions, which employ LEDs, follow the same philosophy. Electricity draw will be reduced via heat recovery as well. No surprise, then, that Zeelander Yachts plans to build the Z164 to RINA Green Star standards. (The Z164 will further be LY3, MLC, and MCA compliant.) For comparison, Zeelander Yachts says the operational costs will be more in line with those of a 98-foot (30-meter) megayacht.
Further to this point, let’s examine the anticipated fuel consumption. Zeelander Yachts says the Z164 should burn just shy of 16 gph (60 lph) at a 10-knot cruise. (Top end should be 14 knots.) That will allow for a reported 11,500-nautical-mile range. At anchor, the figure is nearly 40 gph (150 lph). Zeelander Yachts has specified triple Volvo Penta pod propulsion, proven for upwards of 30-percent lower fuel consumption. Regardless of where the Z164 cruises, most anchorages should pose no problem, given the Z164’s 8’7” (2.65-meter) draft.
Since the Z164 is an explorer, Zeelander Yachts plans plenty of room for tenders and toys. Inflatable towables, dive and fishing gear, SeaBobs, wakeboards, surfboards, BIC sailboats… you name it, the Z164 can carry it. Two more tenders can go on the foredeck. Want even more room? No problem. Skip the aft-deck pool and turn the lazarette into a garage. Zeelander Yachts suggests a hovercraft, an amphibian SUV or aircraft, a personal sub, even a Range Rover. If you feel the Z164 is fully kitted out without all that, the lazarette can alternately serve as a beach club, a gym, or an extra stateroom.
Speaking of staterooms, Zeelander Yachts has selected Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design for the interior. The studio has a few suggested decor packages, ranging from beach chic to contemporary and to Art Deco (termed Nautical Deco, shown above). Buyers of the Z164 will, of course, have flexibility. The accommodations are flexible, too. Ten to 12 in the owner’s party are possible, for example. The larger figure comes from the use of what would typically be the captain’s cabin as a VIP instead. Eight crew plus the captain will be aboard as well.
Zeelander Yachts builds both in The Netherlands and the United States. For more information on the Z164 directly from the yard, please fill out our contact form.
BONUS IMAGES: Get an exclusive look at more of the interior and exterior design on the Megayacht News app.
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