Van der Valk joins hull and superstructure of 48-metre Project ZEN
by Van der Valk Shipyard 24 Sep 15:37 BST
Van der Valk Shipyard has joined the hull and superstructure of Project ZEN, the largest member of the Van der Valk fleet.
Van der Valk Shipyard has reached a major construction milestone on Project ZEN: her hull and superstructure have been joined. Recently, while the Van der Valk sales team was at the Cannes Yachting Festival, work in the build hall in Waalwijk carried on, and the yard's own craftsmen brought together the two largest sections of the shipyard's flagship.
The marriage
The joining of hull and superstructure, known in the yard as the marriage, is one of the defining moments in any build. For a yacht of this size it is a considerable undertaking, calling for precise alignment as the two sections come together, and it is the point at which the full profile of Project ZEN takes shape for the first time. From here, her interior, systems and finishing move into their next phase inside the hall.
An entirely new platform
At 48 metres, Project ZEN (yard number WV0149) is the largest member of the Van der Valk fleet. We build for owners who are not prepared to settle for an off-the-shelf product, and for ZEN that meant an entirely new platform: a raised pilothouse design that combines the exterior and interior vision of Guido de Groot with the naval architecture of Van Oossanen Naval Architects. Her Hull Vane and a transpacific range of over 4,400 nm are drawn for owners who intend to travel far, and to travel in comfort.
"Our yard is attracting clients who love to immerse themselves in creating something special and are not prepared to settle for an off-the-shelf product. It's a lifestyle choice and they enjoy the process of developing their perfect yacht as much as they do the ultimate end result," says Yoeri Bijker, Commercial Director at Van der Valk Shipyard.
Designed around family life at sea
Project ZEN has been conceived for family moments at sea. A generous bow lounge offers a place to enjoy the breeze under way or at anchor, and a spa pool is set aside for a sunset soak. Below, a lower deck garage houses a larger tender and a jetski, reached through a side-opening ramp for easy launch and retrieval. Every space aboard has been drawn around the people who will live on her.
On course for 2028
With her hull and superstructure now united, Project ZEN remains on course for delivery in Q2 2028.
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Dicover more about Project ZEN here.