It’s no surprise that superyachts measuring from 262-feet to well over 300-feet long take thousands of skilled workers years to design and build. You know what is surprising? The fact that Feadship has unveiled three new superyachts (with a combined length of over 700 feet) in nearly as many weeks this spring.
The 235-foot-long Project 827 was announced first. But that was only the beginning. Feadship’s latest launch is an explorer yacht featuring a distinctive bow and paint scheme.
Previously known as Project 715, the just launched Valor features styling that was requested by a repeat American owner and includes a battleship’s distinctive dreadnaught bow and a modern guided missile frigate’s silhouette along with the requisite amount of luxury you’d expect of yacht of this size.
Such a bold exterior look is the result of designer Chris Bottoms at Studio De Voogt listening to the owner’s ideas. “The owner requested something that ‘would be recognizable from outer space’ as a unique design and eschewed the both the wedding cake and common curvaceous designs found on so many yachts,” Bottoms said.
I say, “mission accomplished.”
Meanwhile, the Bannenberg & Rowell Design interior is elegant featuring highest quality wood, metal, glass and stonework. The interior also features a mix of vintage, mid-century and custom new furnishings from the some of the worlds most best furniture builders including George Nakashima, Linley, Pollaro, and Silver Lining. Linley made the bespoke billet titanium directors chairs for some of the exterior dining spaces. The interior stone was personally selected in Italy. Even the main salon features unique, American-made McIntosh stereo equipment, including one of their famous record players with a selection of reference albums.
The owners’ deck has a forward-facing stateroom offering views out over the helideck, al fresco lounging with a private hot tub, a large ensuite dressing room, and an office. The owners deck also has a sky lounge and a large formal dining area.
Accommodations are for fourteen including the owner’s suite. There are six guest suites on the main deck, along with the main lounge, covered outdoor dining and the spacious deck surrounding the large pool heated with latent and recycled energy.
The beach club features oversized doors that fold down to the water and provide easy access to the water toys, exercise equipment and dive gear.
Meanwhile, the hybrid-diesel-electric propulsion system developed through the Feadship Advanced Electrical Drive (FAED) program is state of the art. Instead of main engines and auxiliary generators, the yacht draws propulsion energy and power for her household systems from four variable speed, ultra-efficient generators linked to a DC power grid and a water-cooled 5.34-megawatt hour lithium-ion battery bank.
A high efficiency solar cell array on the mast augments this highly efficient system with extra carbon-free energy. Valor can operate for up to 48 hours on battery power alone, with a zero-carbon footprint and ultra quiet operation, allows visits to sensitive marine areas in zero emission mode. Valor will also be trialed using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil BioFuel (HVO), that’s reported to be able to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent.
Valor is now in the final stages of outfitting, will soon begin sea trials and will attend the Monaco Yacht Show in 2025 in September.
The other yacht to emerge from a large shed at Feadship’s Kaag location is simply called Project 824. And while information is limited, I can say the exterior was designed by Jamsen. The interior was designed by Liaigre. And oh yeah, it’s 328-feet-long.
Watch this space.