Capable of anything

Sitse Koopmans has taken another giant step towards the league of the super yachts. The brand is currently completing the first hull of its 24-meter flagship, the Zeelander 8. It will be the most spacious, powerful, and quietest of its kind. The challenge for designer Cora D. Rover was to maintain the brand's exterior styling, proportions, and comfortable layout in the face of its impressive size.

"We are very proud of the Zeelander 8 project," says Koopmans. "This yacht is the result of a loyal customer's wish for a bigger boat. It retains the famous Zeelander aesthetic, but the interior volume has been significantly increased. All this without any compromise in terms of her outstanding performance. This yacht can reach speeds of up to 40 knots while crossing the Bay of Cannes, and the use of advanced sound-absorbing materials means that even at full speed you can still have a quiet conversation. For designer Cora D. Rover, it was a non-trivial challenge to maintain the brand's signature exterior design, proportions, and comfortable layout in the face of her impressive size.”

The stern is rounded, like all Zeelander's. The folding swim platform is practically a square platform paneled with teak. It is a pleasant place to sunbathe and cool off in the shade in loungers under a tent stretched on four supports. Optionally, a hydraulic gangway can be added, which can be tilted up to the mooring or lowered into the water. It is fully retractable into the transom. The wide steps leading to the cockpit open when the platform is lowered.

A sofa group and a table are located in front of the platform. Here you can have an al fresco lunch in good weather. The boat can be moored on either side of the cockpit, as there are doors for disembarkation on either side of the wide cockpit.

There is a bar with three high seats under the roof overhang. It is separated from the interior by a curved glass, which slides inside the panel. If you decide to throw a big party, all you have to do is press a button, and the glass slides down and the bar becomes the center of attraction for guests both outdoors and under the roof.

Zeelander's talent lies in the efficient use of space. This is nowhere more evident than in the breathtaking saloon on the main deck. Its full length makes it possible to line up a cozy sofa, an elegant dining group, and an ergonomic control station.

The brand's signature curved windows and sunroof allow natural light to flood in, accentuating the soft natural tones of the interior. Open-plan zoning is marked by color: gray linen upholstery is replaced by cream leather with diamond stitching.

The shipyard is obsessed with detailing and leaves nothing to chance. The galley on the starboard side of the saloon is full of restrained elegance. The worktop, flush with the window sill, extends along the length of the saloon and is equipped with the essentials: a custom-made stainless-steel sink and an induction cooktop.

The lower Zeelander models have a closed, wide, flared bow, although, of course, you can put a chaise longue there and look at the sea, sipping a cocktail and stretching your legs on the sun-warmed teak foredeck. On the “Eight” models, there is a full-fledged recreation area in front of the wheelhouse windshield, which is hidden from prying eyes. When the yacht is moored in the port, it is very convenient to gather here together to have breakfast at a large table or to sunbathe on the wide transverse sunbed.

Although the yacht is furnished with luxurious, eye-catching Macassar ebony furniture, the Dutch style of the interiors is more of a business-like style and very comfortable. The wall panels and finishes are made of high-pressure laminate. This does not mean, of course, that the brand has compromised the quality in order to make the project cheaper. Zeelander has taken this step because the material is much more durable and much easier to maintain.

While the main deck is a social space, the lower deck is divided between the owner and his family or guests. A wide staircase leads downstairs. The light-filled 6.6-meter-wide master suite with high ceilings and a king-size bed is complemented by an exquisitely finished bathroom and a spacious walk-in closet.

The two guest cabins, opening into a spacious hallway, have queen-size beds and nicely appointed bathrooms. Large windows also fill them with natural light.

Even the crew zone in the foredeck offers the same advantages. The two cabins are well-lit and have private bathrooms. They are accessed through a bow hatch, leading to a comfortable companion room. The same quality of finish and style makes the yacht a one-of-a-kind experience, and the crew should be very delighted.

There is a garage space behind the master cabin. This will accommodate a Williams 395 Sportjet tender. But it is possible to order a larger model, say a 445 Sportjet, and still have room for a couple of Seabobs. The shipyard offers the most powerful model of this tug, the F5SR.

Zeelander boasts that the background noise in the cabins does not exceed 72 dB. The soundproofing means you can carry on a conversation comfortably even at top speed. When the stern hatch is closed, you can hear the water splashing against the sides of the boat.

In May, the first hull of Zeelander 8 was painted a deep "rhodium" silver-white Porsche color. Orange and blue stripes were applied at the level of waterline and the superstructure was painted pearl white. The lucky owner will receive his yacht at the height of the Mediterranean season and try it out on the French Riviera.