The new superyacht, Pilot, built by Van der Valk Shipyard in the Netherlands has finally been seen in new images and videos. The 34-metre launch model for a custom-series called Pilot has been hidden away until now. Designed by Cor D. Rover, the superyacht has hit the water in anticipation of the sea trials.
“The project has its origins in a design concept from our office which was aimed at creating the maximum real estate. The client for this bespoke build, an experienced owner of multiple boats, asked to extend the length within this maximum-interior-space principle while taking the contemporary looks to an even higher level of sophistication.
I know we’ve given the yard an enormous challenge but now the result can be seen in the water it’s clear she is very different to anything in her size range. 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. I am hugely impressed with how the yard has managed to capture all these elements so well.”
Cor D. Rover
One of the challenges for the yard was to incorporate the large windows and glass ‘eye’ on the bridge deck and combine them with the partitions and black-painted surfaces in the superstructure that look like glass. The yacht also features an owner-chosen colour palette of castle tan and stark white.
“All these exterior details and round forms required a great deal of skill from our aluminium shapers and welders in order to create the base shape. The exterior paint crew then had to ensure the robust lines would be retained within the strong profile. In essence we had to create perfect straight lines on a perfect curved shape, one where even the slightest deformation would be instantly apparent due to the different colours used. Our entire crew did a marvellous job, not least because this is the first vessel that Van der Valk has delivered under American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) rules. Our in-house design team made an enormous contribution in order to complete this project in a short timeframe.”
Bram Kooltjes, General manager of Van der Valk
No details of the intricate custom interior have been released but it is known that the yacht has two large balconies. The first of the balconies is attached to the main deck adjoined to the master suite while the other is hull side for the lower VIP deck. The platform towards the stern has two 7 x 1.5-metre foldout balconies that are utilised to double the available area close to the water. A transformer platform and a full aft lazarette for a large Williams tender and a three-person wave runner as additional watersport entertainment.
Shown in the launch videos, the Pilot offers a myriad of outside deck space. The aft deck features a large dining table and circular seating, easily accommodate ten people in each section. A large wet bar with BBQ is located on the bridge deck aft, with sacrificial air conditioning installed. The pilot will have the top speed of approximately 20-knots thanks to the twin MTUs and CMC stabilisers.
News sourced from Van der Valk.
