‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH – Moonen Yachts has a ‘passion for delivering the exceptional, one yacht at a time’. A boutique yard that delivers only two yachts a year, Moonen remains an enduring factor in the Netherlands’ crowded field of very high-end builders that make 6-star vessels of up to 100m (328ft.) and longer.
Moonen delivers yachts in the 34 to 40m (112 to 131ft.) range. “Delivering only two a year means we can guarantee an exclusive ownership experience for each customer”, says Victor Caminada, the yard’s commercial director.
The yard is no Johnny-come-lately.
Under different management teams, it has built more than 80 yachts since 1981. In 2019, the Australian power couple of Matthew and Louise Baxter (at right) acquired Moonen, a move that proved beneficial and set the yard on a course of spec building.
The yard’s website lists three Martinique projects (ca. 120ft) in build and for sale and a 110ft Mustique for sale. On-spec building – i.e. with not a client in sight — is very common in the Dutch superyacht sector. Potential clients can come to see what’s on offer and, if they buy, can customize their future yacht. On-spec building effectively shortens the wait for a yacht.
Moonen reported in late February that it has ‘completed the marriage’ of its latest 37.4m Moonen 122 Martinique’s steel hull and aluminium superstructure. The yacht, Martinique YN205, is due for completion in April 2025.”
The major construction milestone nudged Moonen’s seventh semi-custom Martinique design closer to a sale. The Martinique has a long-range, steel-hull capability. It has a 345GT volume with high ceilings and an almost continuous band of panoramic windows wrapping around both the Main and Bridge Decks.
The exterior design is by René van der Velden, the interior is by Hollander Yacht Design and Diana Yacht Design was responsible for the naval architecture.
The Martinique is a fast displacement, long-range vessel built from High Tensile Steel and aluminium, with a top speed of 17 knots and a 4000-mile transatlantic range and can accommodate 12 guests.
The maiden 36.3m (119ft.) Martinique was delivered in 2018 and ran into instant acclaim. Named Brigadoon, the yacht boasts a unique combination of Dutch quality craftsmanship and British interior design by London-based Studio Indigo. She won the World Superyachts Award for best motor yacht.
Photos: Moonen Yachts
