Van der Valk Shipyard has confirmed another new assignment in its expanding fleet of explorer motoryachts. The 23.55m Project Capella has been ordered by clients determined to create the ultimate home-at-sea for their family. 



The experienced owners are deploying all their expertise of Project Capella. A range of smart practical solutions have been specifically thought through both for how an explorer vessel might operate and the family’s knowledge of the way they like to sail. Specific requirements range from a steel hull and heavy-duty engines to an open-plan main deck and a fun flotilla of toys.

“They started out with a detailed briefing that could be fully taken into account during the design and development stage,” says Bram Kooltjes, Van der Valk’s General Manager. “The family is personally involved in the everyday decisions that can make a difference to their inner wellbeing when on the yacht. Project Capella has a distinctly masculine and rugged look while also taking inspiration from previous Van der Valk successes such as Seawolf – they loved her hardtop, now with straight windows – and the stern area of Venera.”



The exterior and interior design are made by Guido de Groot DesignDiana Yacht Design is playing a key role with its naval architecture expertise and working closely with Van der Valk. 

The owners were determined from the outset to have a round-bilged steel hull with a bulbous bow. Comfort is everything on this displacement vessel with a low centre of gravity still being assured by her aluminum superstructure. The yacht will be fitted with heavy duty industrial engines. RCD 2 approval was another requirement and twin MAN engines will provide the desired 1800 rpm. As the owners will mostly be driving the boat themselves the engine room has been made easily accessible from within the interior. To ensure privacy on the odd occasions when Project Capella is operated by crew, a separate access point to the two cabins below deck has been provided.



Ambitious plans are in place for family expeditions and the main deck social area encapsulates what a shared pleasure these will be. It features a large country kitchen around which the main salon revolves within an entirely open-plan layout. A window above the kitchen unites the occupants with the flybridge and facilitates communication between the two areas so that no-one is left out.

A custom explorer Project Capella will be launched in the spring of 2023.

Van der Valk is a family-run company building comfortable, innovative and efficient (semi) custom motoryachts from 18m to 45m. From its humble roots in the 1960s, Van der Valk today has a global fleet of over 1000 motoryachts. 

Credits: Van der Valk 

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