Van der Valk launches first ABS-compliant superyacht

Van der Valk, the Dutch builder of pocket superyachts, has launched a 34m (112ft) motoryacht from its new custom Pilot series. The 295GT boat is the first vessel Van der Valk has built to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) rules.

“The project stems from a design concept of our firm that focused on creating maximum space,” explains Cor de Rover, who designed the interior and exterior. “The client for this custom construction asked for maximum interior space.”

The yacht’s twin MTU 12V2000M99L diesels (1,947hp each) give the Pilot a top speed of 21.5kt.

Accommodation includes an owner’s cabin, two double guest cabins and three crew cabins for six. There is a main deck balcony for the master suite and another balcony on the lower deck.

The foredeck houses a spacious sun bed and Jacuzzi. The aft platform has two fold-out balconies of 7m x 1.5m (23ft x 5ft). There is a multipurpose swim platform and a tender garage in the stern for a large Williams tender and a three-person watercraft.

“I know we’ve given the yard an enormous challenge, but now that the result can be seen, it’s clear she is very different from anything in her size range,” says De Rover.

The Pilot blends robust and masculine proportions with a wealth of curves. This three-deck yacht has a self-contained pilothouse, while her raked bridge windows hint at the sturdiness of a commercial vessel. Together with the air grills inspired by the automotive industry, these shapes create a dynamic overall feel.

Van der Valk general manager Bram Kooltjes said his staff can be proud of their achievement.

“All these exterior details and round forms required great skill,” he said. “Essentially, we had to create straight lines on a perfectly curved shape. This is the first Van der Valk that meets ABS rules.”