Royal Hakvoort Yacht YN 256 Echoes Sailing Superyacht Looks

Hoek Design is renowned especially for its sailing-yacht design and engineering. Perhaps that’s why the owners of the newly started Royal Hakvoort yacht YN 256 (her hull number) chose the studio. Despite being a motoryacht, the custom project has a number of sailing characteristics. She has several personalized characteristics, in fact, that may inspire other owners, too.

According to Hoek Design, the owners wanted a fully custom yacht that stood out from the crowd while remaining practical. Among the practical needs, the yacht needed to be wheelchair-friendly. The owners additionally informed the design studio that they wanted to build in The Netherlands. Andre Hoek, the studio’s founder, recommended Royal Hakvoort Shipyard due to its experience constructing custom yachts of this size. (Few Dutch shipyards build fully custom in this range.)

Being built to Lloyd’s commercial classification, YN 256 has a round-bilge displacement hull. Hoek Design analyzed the overall project much the same way it does sailing yachts. Namely, it evaluated weight distribution, fluid-flow patterns, and hydrodynamic resistance for best efficiencies. (Although aspects like hydrodynamic resistance impact all yachts regardless of type, every fraction of a knot of speed is crucial for sailing yachts.) Even some of the physical features are from sailing yachts, like a hydraulic side boarding platform with ladder.

All of this marries with arguably throwback styling mixed with modern flair. Specifically, the motoryacht shows off a funnel (concealing stowage) and a slightly flared bow. Far more contemporary, meanwhile, “the superstructure, all 360 degrees of it and entirely floor to ceiling, is glass,” Andre Hoek notes. Aluminum mullions do support the glass, though unobtrusively to invite guests to enjoy the views. “The bulwarks on the main and bridge deck are also in glass,” he adds.

The owners will surely enjoy the views from the main-deck suite. They’ll also have sliding glass doors leading out to a cozy seating/conversation alfresco area. Their guests, meanwhile, have more than ample staterooms below decks. In fact, just two full-beam suites are here, instead of four cabins. About as large as the master suite, each has a lounge.

Royal Hakvoort’s YN254 superyacht will make history

Among the other interior highlights, the Royal Hakvoort yacht YN 256 has an open-plan saloon and dining area. More dining, this time alfresco, takes place on the bridge deck. An elevator connects her three decks, and the side decks are navigable via wheelchair. A hydraulic transformer platform within the swim platform makes it simple for a wheelchair to go from dock to deck, too. Speaking of transforming, a saltwater pool on the main aft deck becomes a tender garage when empty. Additionally, it becomes extra party space when a cover goes over it.

With transatlantic range and diving adventures on the eventual itinerary, the Royal Hakvoort yacht YN 256 has hybrid propulsion at the owners’ request. A battery bank should allow all hotel loads to operate at anchor up to eight hours as well. Ethically sourced teak covers decks, yet another sustainable-focused feature.

Delivery is set for 2026. Interestingly, “despite being only a few kilometers from our studio, we haven’t had the privilege to work together before,” Andre Hoek says. “I just knew they’d be best suited for this project. And their expertise in this specific segment has already proven invaluable.”

“It’s been a real pleasure working with such a prolific sailing-yacht designer,” says Klaas Hakvoort, the shipyard’s owner and managing director. “The ‘outside the box’ thinking is refreshing and allows us to reflect on certain build and design principles that have become so entrenched.”

In the meantime, Royal Hakvoort is continuing construction on YN 254, which will make history. She’s its largest in terms of both length and volume, 213 feet (65 meters) and 1,534 gross tons, respectively.

Hoek Design hoekdesign.com

Royal Hakvoort Shpyard hakvoort.com