Plenty of owners feel excited, even lucky, when their new yacht launches. The owners of the new Van der Valk Helga have even more heightened emotions, fitting for the Old Norse meaning of their yacht’s name. “Helga” means “blessed.”
The 85-footer is the fifth Van der Valk 26M project. Even with that, though, she is thoroughly customized, something few yards do in this size range. The bright-blue hull is just a hint at how these owners worked closely with the Dutch yard and designer Guido de Groot. In fact, while they liked Van der Valk’s raised-pilothouse series, Helga has re-imagined traditional interior layouts. For instance, the owners and their adult children will take meals on the flying bridge, rather than having the dining area on the main deck. This, in turn, opens up more space in the saloon for the generations to gather together, especially come nighttime. (Conveniently, an open-tread stairway connects the two decks.) Even with the saloon being much larger, though, it remains an intimate space, with whitewashed oak and walnut.
Those same woods appear below decks in all of the staterooms, including the master. Helga has a total of four staterooms for the owners and their family. Interestingly, the crew cabins are not below decks—another example of rethinking traditional interior design. Rather, the two cabins are forward on the main deck.
Helga, bearing custom stainless steel transom-gate and swim-plaform rails, will embark on her maiden voyage in time for summer. If you’ll be in the Med, keep an eye out for her. Between her bright-blue hull and anticipated 27-knot top speed, she’ll be hard to miss. Furthermore, a rowboat and other toys will make her hard to miss.
Guido de Groot Design guidodegroot.com
Van der Valk Shipyard vandervalkshipyard.com
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