Zeelander 8 Yacht Series Blends Lobster Boat Looks & Commuter Style

Seventy-eight feet (24 meters) may not sound like a lot in the superyacht sector. But, it’s a big deal for Zeelander Yachts. The Zeelander 8 yacht series, with hull number one finishing sea trials, tops the Dutch builder’s dayboat series. She’s for owners who love taking the wheel themselves as much as those who’d rather a captain take over while they entertain. Additionally, she’s for those who appreciate time-honored looks and super-quiet operations.

With design by Cor D. Rover, the Zeelander 8 yacht series resembles the builder’s smaller boats. Especially similar are the raked transom and wrap-around windscreen. Simultaneously, the project has quintessentially American features. “I was heavily inspired by the timeless beauty of New England and its lobster boats as well as the classic fast commuter yachts that business tycoons used every morning to commute from their Long Island estates to their Wall Street offices,” he says. It’s why you’ll find, for example, deeply padded aft-deck seating, curving around a glossy table.

tender garage on the Zeelander 8 yacht series

Of course, modern amenities characterize the new yacht, too. A 129-square-foot (12-square-meter) swim platform forms when the transom swings open (at the touch of a button). Despite her “small” size, the superyacht can tote a tender, too. A garage amidships spans the full 21-foot (6.4-meter) beam. Even though Zeelander’s customers traditionally head ashore for dinner, the shipyard chose to include a galley inside, conveniently. It’s along the starboard side of the saloon. Additionally convenient, owners and guests have three staterooms, including a full-beam master. All include en suite heads, naturally. Finally, if owners do decide to hire a captain and crew, the bow can accommodate two cabins for three people. They have a separate entrance as well. Regardless, each Zeelander 8 is semi-custom, and therefore for tailoring to your liking. Some customers have even changed styling elements on the smaller boats.

Speaking of which, Zeelander’s smaller projects have earned a reputation for being quiet when running. The Zeelander 8 yacht series originated no differently. According to the shipyard, at her 40-knot full throttle, hull number one never exceeded 65 dBa, which is the level of normal conversation. It adds that usually, sound levels at this speed would be closer to 72—closer to that of a vacuum cleaner.

Sietse Koopmans, founder and owner of Zeelander Yachts, says the new mini megayacht “surpasses its on-paper expectations.” Already, he adds, hull number two is under construction. “It is proof of our approach to creating exceptional experiences on water, whether reveling in the handling at the helm or soaking up the delights of a new anchorage.”

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

Zeelander Yachts zeelander.com