Van der Valk in the Netherlands is making major inroads into the superyacht world with its custom approach, and the boutique yard has set another benchmark by announcing not one but two new orders for 34-metre and 35-metre projects. While both are based on the proven hull design of the multi-award-winning Lady Lene, everything from the waterline up on these all-aluminium tri-deck yachts is being custom-designed to meet the specific wishes of the clients.

From styling to layout, from facilities to engines, the 34-metre Project 111.11 and 35-metre Project Samba will be siblings only in the sense of sharing the same naval architecture and the same exquisite degree of finish. Each has a very different exterior design by Guido de Groot who will also be responsible for creating the interior of Project Samba together with her owners. Carla Guilhem has been given the interior design brief for Project 111.11. The clients for Project Samba were introduced to Van der Valk by Will Noftsinger from Denison Yachting.

Both yachts will be built for highly experienced owners who knew exactly what they were looking for – and that Van der Valk is one of the very few yards offering such a comprehensive choice in this size range. Even the hulls are being adjusted to client wishes. Project 111.11 will be a full displacement vessel with twin Volvo Penta 750 hp commercial continuous duty engines and a top speed of 14.4 knots. In contrast, Project Samba’s fast displacement hull and twin MAN 1450 hp diesels will ensure top speeds around the 17-knot mark.

“The proven hull design and naval architecture platform allows us to offer the choice between a full or fast displacement vessel,” says Van der Valk’s head of sales, Yoeri Bijker. “Using the engineering packages and part of the cutting files generates significant cost synergies yet allows for an entirely different look and feel. It’s a highly efficient way of building that provides clients with exceptional freedom to customise their yacht above the waterline. Everything you see on the renderings for Project 111.11 and Project Samba has been chosen by the owners as they implement their own style and make a statement of personal taste.”