Van der Valk Pilot Yacht Splashes

It’s rare to see a 111-footer (34-meter) having a volume just shy of 300 gross tons. That’s more akin to a 140-footer (43-meter). Yet, it’s what an experienced yacht owner is getting with the Van der Valk Pilot custom-yacht project. This megayacht will become a series, too.

It all started with a meeting between the owner and designer Cor D. Rover. “The project has its origins in a design concept from our office which was aimed at creating the maximum real estate,” Rover says. The owner, who’s had many boats, liked the concept, but wanted to see how it would work with a bit longer length. Simultaneously, Rover says, the owner wanted to up the ante on the contemporary styling.

the launch of the Van der Valk Custom Pilot yacht

Coming in at 295 gross tons, Pilot has abundant curves with sturdy, forceful lines. She even has raked pilothouse windows, much like commercial ships. Rover gave her automotive-like air grills as well. “These shapes create a dynamic overall feel,” he says. “I am hugely impressed with how the yard has managed to capture all these elements so well.”

Van der Valk Shipyard, which recently joined forces with Rover for the Dutch Falcon yacht, had a few challenges on its hands. The combination of rounded shapes with the other robust details isn’t simple to execute in aluminum, for instance. “In essence, we had to create perfect straight lines on a perfect curve shape, one where even the slightest deformation would be instantly apparent due to the different colors,” explains Bram Kooltjes, the yard’s general manager. (The colors are Castle Tan and Stark White.)

Yet another challenge was the trideck’s combination of real glass and faux glass. Specifically, the bridge deck has large windows and a glass “eye” cutout. Meanwhile, surfaces one deck below combine real glass and painted sections to mimic tinted glass. Finally, the Van der Valk Custom Pilot yacht is the yard’s first experience building to ABS classification.

Although the interior décor is apparently as complex as the exterior, no images or information is available at this time. Regardless, the yacht has four total staterooms, with balconies benefitting the main-deck master and below-deck VIP. The swim platform additionally has fold-out sections, doubling the usable space. A transformer platform within the swim platform augments watersports time, which a Williams jet tender and a three-person PWC support, too.

Sea trials should confirm a maximum speed close to 20 knots under half load. Upon delivery, the owner and guests should explore a variety of areas, including hot climates. They’ll still be able to enjoy alfresco living and dining when it’s significantly hot, thanks to air conditioning on the aft bridge deck.

Cor D. Rover Design cor-d-rover.com

Van der Valk Shipyard vandervalkshipyard.com