The first flagship Zeelander 8 motor yacht, Silver Dawn, has been unveiled at its Netherlands shipyard Zeelander Yachts. Not only is this 23.9-metre offshore jewel the largest yacht ever built by Zeelander, but it is also the culmination of its craftsmanship and relentless pursuit, with the first Zeelander 8 officially launched, named and set to unveil its extraordinary charm under the lights of the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.
This is an important moment for this boutique yacht builder, which builds only a handful of unrivalled yachts each year for discerning clients. From its refined beginnings at 14.7 metres (48 feet), the Zeelander collection has progressed steadily to the launch of the Zeelander 8, marking the brand's in-depth exploration and perfect leap into the world of mini superyachts. It's not just the birth of a yacht, it's a statement of the limits of performance, speed and comfort.
Sietse Koopmans, Founder and Owner of Zeelander, commented: "Our latest model, the Zeelander 8, exceeds its expectations on paper and blooms with breathtaking magnificence in reality. Its timeless design remains exclusive to Zeelander, blending classic elegance with modern innovation. ”
Each Zeelander is a work of art carved by time, transformed by inheritance and innovation, and the Zeelander 8 is a shining star in this evolutionary journey. Thus, despite its family similarities, the new Zeelander 8 has significant streamlined lines. The elegantly sloping stern and wrap-around windshield design is as ingrained as the brand's totem, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a simple straight line anywhere on the exterior that reflects its philosophy of simplicity but not simplicity.
Despite its impressive length, the Zeelander 8 has the same perfect proportions as its smaller sister yacht, which is a testament to the design team, with the exterior of the Zeelander 8 designed by Cor D. Rover and the interior conceived by Zeelander's in-house designers. The Silver Dawn is painted in Porsche rhodium silver with orange waterstripes and incorporates the brand's signature curved windows and skylights for a naturally lit interior.
On deck level, the extra space means more space for a dedicated relaxation area and a large dining table with wrap-around seating. Then, below deck, there is a stunning full-width master's cabin in the center of the boat, alongside two double cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms. In addition, up to three crew members are housed in the cabins at the bow of the yacht with a separate entrance, ensuring privacy for guests and owners. The Zeelander 8 is designed to combine the soul of a superyacht with a hull of less than 24 meters (79 feet).
Designer Cor D. Rover explains, "When designing the Zeelander, I was greatly inspired by the timeless beauty of New England and its lobster boats, as well as the classic fast commuter yachts that business tycoons make every morning from their Long Island estate to their Wall Street offices. "This inspiration, combined with state-of-the-art technology and a higher level of luxury standards, has resulted in the epitome of Zeelander's beauty and style today and for years to come."
No description of the Zeelander 8 would be complete without mentioning the curvaceous charm of its aft deck. Places to socialize or relax can be found on the aft deck of the Silver Dawn, where upholstered leatherette seats surround a high-gloss table, which opens at the touch of a button to reveal a 12-square-metre bathing platform, essentially a private beach club suspended from the water, while a supply boat can be stored in a dedicated garage in the center of the boat.
The annex does not dilute the pleasure of this space, as it has its own dedicated garage in the center of the boat, which runs through the entire width of the yacht. Experience has shown that most shipowners go ashore to eat, but there is still a powerful modern galley in the long sideboard on the starboard side of the saloon.
When it comes to the details of life on board, the owners know exactly what they think, and the owners of Zeelander are some of the most discerning in the world. That's why Zeelander takes a flexible approach to the details of the yacht. The layout of key areas, such as the aft deck, saloon, and cabin, as well as other customizations, can be designed to personal preference. Many shipowners also want to shine in their styling. From favourite leathers to specific fixture accessories or carpet patterns, Zeelander is responsive to customisation requests.
The second Zeelander 8 yacht was sold to the owner this summer and is currently under construction with a delivery date of 2025.
The Netherlands yacht builder has once again incorporated its industry-leading noise and vibration attenuation experience into the new design. At full speed, the noise level on the yacht does not exceed 65 decibels. This is particularly impressive, as the normal threshold for normal conversations is around 72 decibels. In other words, the Zeelander 8 will always be an oasis of calm and comfort – even if it has a top speed of up to 40 knots.
Koopmans concludes: "The Zeelander 8 is a powerful statement about the attractiveness and collectibility of our yachts. "But more importantly, it's a testament to our approach to creating extraordinary experiences on the water, whether it's reveling in the manoeuvres at the helm or indulging in the fun of a new anchorage." I believe the Zeelander 8 represents the pinnacle of performance and comfort for the world's most demanding owners. We have already begun the construction of the second hull, which confirms the success of this model. ”