Van der Valk has launched its 35-meter aluminum superyacht Lalabe, previously known as Project Samba, ahead of its scheduled delivery this summer. The vessel entered the water in late May 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of the Cannes Film Festival, and will undergo final outfitting and sea trials before its official debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.

Lalabe represents a fully custom design based on the naval architecture of the award-winning Lady Lene, adapted with a fast-displacement hull capable of 17 knots. The exterior and interior were developed by designer Guido de Groot in collaboration with the owners, who were closely involved throughout the build process. The yacht emphasizes indoor-outdoor living, featuring sliding doors that open the bridge deck saloon on three sides and an aft cockpit designed as a beach club with a sauna, steam room, and fold-down swim platform.

"The yacht exemplifies Van der Valk's approach – combining Dutch craftsmanship with fully bespoke design," said Yoeri Bijker, Van der Valk's sales director. "This isn't a semi-custom project; every detail was tailored to the owners' requirements."
The Cannes Yachting Festival, held in September, will mark Lalabe's first public appearance. The event, which includes in-water displays and exhibitions across Cannes' ports, serves as a key platform for yacht builders to showcase new models. Van der Valk's participation underscores the company's focus on the custom superyacht market, with Lalabe positioned as a highlight of the show.

The yacht's layout prioritizes multi-generational family use, incorporating residential-style amenities such as an expansive laundry facility and flexible deck spaces. Its design follows the success of previous Van der Valk models, reinforcing the brand's reputation for high-performance, custom-built aluminum yachts.

The Cannes Yachting Festival attracts a global audience of yacht owners, brokers, and industry professionals, making it an ideal venue for Lalabe's premiere. The event runs from September 10-15, 2025, in Cannes, France.
Van der Valk is a family-run company building comfortable, innovative and efficient (semi) custom motor yachts from 18m to 45m. From its humble roots in the 1960s, Van der Valk today has a global fleet of over 1000 motor yachts.
Credits: Van der Valk