WASPIK – In recent years, Van den Hoven Jachtbouw has been building smart motor yachts in aluminum. The yard is not abandoning steel construction but wants to offer a different boating experience.
“Clients say they want to travel further and faster,” says owner Van den Hoven. “But without sacrificing luxury and comfort. The Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the British coast are becoming increasingly popular. A fast-displacement aluminum yacht with a 22.5 knot top speed shortens distances.”
His latest, the 19m aluminum Voyager 61, is the work of Dutch designer René van der Velden. It is a fast craft with superyacht aspirations resulting from years of R&D and listening to clients. “Van der Velde has retained the characteristic lines of a Van den Hoven, with lots of interior space and an ability to go fast,” Van den Hoven says. The design lets owners and guests spend much time outside.
The flybridge has a second helm station, room for eight, an outside galley with a grill, a washbasin and a fridge. The high quality of the interior oozes a superyacht feel and is designed to tap into a higher market segment. It is a fast sailing (23kn) ‘pocket super yacht’ that Van den Hoven built on speculation. He is confident that an interested party will soon take the plunge.
A second aluminum yacht is already under construction, a Voyager 50. Van den Hoven hopes to appeal to a younger audience with this fast 15-meter version, although the one-level layout is also attractive to older people. In a country of boatbuilders long addicted to steel, Van den Hoven’s embrace of aluminum is something of a revolution. “Working in aluminum is specialist work,” he says. Steel and aluminum give builders wiggle room in design and construction compared to polyester mold-building.”
However, aluminum yachts weigh less than steel ones, are very maneuverable, easier to dock, and accelerate quickly and use less fuel. By building in aluminum, Van den Hoven also lures new clients.
“We recently had a client visit us who has a Princess but wanted more interior layout options,” said Van den Hoven. “People feel the Voyager has a high-quality superyacht feel. There is much stainless steel, very finished wood, a big engine room and a crew area behind it.”
mail@bvandenhovenjachtbouw.nl.
