Sea trials of the all-aluminium Mulder 98 Flybridge have been successfully concluded. The 30-metre custom-built Mulder with its stunning round-bilged hull achieved a maximum speed of 22 knots; two knots more than expected.
The Mulder 98 Flybridge had its global launch in September during the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show. In addition to being the largest yacht at the show, it is also the largest Mulder Flybridge ever built. The sea trials of the 30-metre Mulder with its beam of 6.90 metres were started immediately after the HISWA Boat Show; initially in Rotterdam and later on the North Sea from the port of Scheveningen (close to The Hague).
The Mulder 98 Flybridge features a round-bilged hull and is powered by two Caterpillar C32 engines with a capacity of 1685hp each. This results in a maximum speed of 22 knots; two knots faster than expected. The yacht has a fuel capacity of 17,000 litres. At a speed of ten knots, this gives a Trans-Atlantic range of approximately 3,300 nm. Due to a special insulation method and her ‘floating’ interior, the sound and vibration levels of the Mulder 98 Flybridge are extremely low. In consultation with the owner, the yacht was built fully in accordance with RINA certification.
The exterior of the Mulder 98 Flybridge was designed by Guido de Groot Design, the naval architecture was realised by Ginton Naval Architects. The design is the next stage in the successful evolution of the Mulder range of semi displacement Flybridge motoryachts. She will appeal to an owner who appreciates timeless style over current fashion trends. Her dynamic lines and anthracite-coloured bimini emphasise her length while the softness of the yacht’s surfaces adds an extra air of class. Thanks to the generous length of 98 feet, the yacht’s proportions have been optimised and combined with maximum indoor and outdoor living space.
Omega Architects was responsible for the timeless, so called contemporary chic interior with a personal touch, where luxury and elegance can be found in every detail. Mulder’s craftsmanship abounds throughout the main joinery, where brushed nickel lines are the main theme, resulting in beautiful and elegantly designed cabinets and walls. Luxurious fabrics of silk, wool and linen like Dedar, Pierre Frei, Elitis and Spinneybeck leather and wool-silk carpets of Tai Ping were used to bring about a sophisticated ambience of comfort and style. The entire custom-built interior consists of stained walnut. The dining area in the spacious saloon with its stunning Onyx Honey window columns accommodates eight people. The professional galley on the port side is fully equipped, including a 12 kW steam oven, and offers a direct connection to the gangway. The main deck also features a day head. The owner’s suite on the lower deck offers a spacious walk-in-closet and large oval portholes on both sides. Additionally, the lower deck features a VIP suite and two guest cabins. All four cabins have their own shower and toilet.
The crew accommodations are located aft and include two cabins for four crew members. The crew quarters are accessible from the swimming platform and the gangway on the main deck, and also offer access to the engine room. The tender can be placed either on the swimming platform or on the wide flybridge. The flybridge also includes two lounge chairs, two large U-shaped sofas and a wet bar with grill, ice machine and refrigerator.
Initially the Russian owner of the Mulder 98 Flybridge requested a design for a 26-metre model. This was soon extended to 28 metres, and in 2010, a contract was signed for a 30-metre Mulder Flybridge. The naval architecture of the yacht was started in early 2011, and the construction of the hull got underway at the end of that year. In late 2012 it was the first hull to arrive at the new location of Mulder Shipyard in Zoeterwoude-Rijndijk. The Mulder 98 Flybridge is likely to go sailing in the south of France in the spring of 2015.
Mulder Shipyard’s Flybridge models have been an international success for years. In 2007 a Mulder 76 Flybridge was delivered to a client in New Zealand, and in 2010, Mulder Shipyard sold a 92 Flybridge to an Egyptian client. In 2013 a Mulder 73 Flybridge was delivered to Australia. Mulder Shipyard has built a total of eleven Flybridge models so far.
