It is increasingly rare to see a fully custom 112-footer (34-meter). Nevertheless, some shipyards still provide owners the ability. Repeat customers of Van der Valk Shipyard are taking about as much advantage of “custom” as possible. Their explorer-style megayacht Lady Lene comes with a challenging design brief, encompassing a variety of musts from aesthetic enhancements to usability requirements. The musts further range from sound reduction to much better than average fuel savings.
The owners have commissioned and cruised aboard a number of yachts over the years. Additionally, they cruise with multiple family members, of different ages and abilities. Therefore, big social areas—especially with high headroom—and a wheelchair-friendly design were imperative. They were so important, in fact, that Guido de Groot says the entire design, including styling, could only proceed once these requirements were just right on the general arrangement. So, while Lady Lene will have a VIP on the bridge deck and the master joining three guest staterooms below decks, it’s more noteworthy that an elevator makes the interior of the three decks accessible. So, too, does keeping each deck absent of steps or protrusions.
As unexpected as the general arrangement is, it highlights how crucial family time is to the owners of Lady Lene. In fact, they’ll spend much of their time together outside. Throughout their exchanges with their representatives at YachtCreators, plus Guido de Groot, Ginton Naval Architects, and Diana Yacht Design, they made this requisite clear. It explains the far more open and larger aft deck space. It’s effectively a saloon and dining area, transported alfresco. Add in the bar and swim platform, and Lady Lene’s guests will very likely be outside hours more than most cruisers.
Yet another requisite was excellent performance, to complement the explorer-like aesthetic. The fast-displacement hull from Ginton Naval Architects additionally has a Hull Vane. The studio discovered that this addition would save fuel burn upwards of 12½ percent at 11 knots. Furthermore, the Hull Vane reduces pitch in head seas, plus lowers the wake. Finally, it helps reduce engine sounds, since the powerplants operate more efficiently.
Delivery should take place in December 2021.
Van der Valk Shipyard vandervalkshipyard.com
YachtCreators yachtcreators.com
Guido de Groot Design guidodegroot.com
Ginto Naval Architects ginton.com
Diana Yacht Design dianayachtdesign.nl
Hull Vane hullvane.com
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