Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw has launched the 65.00m (213’3”) Feadship hull 680 in the presence of hundreds of invited guests and yard employees. She has been built for an experienced owner who was looking to upgrade from his current yacht. At the time of the launch the hull was covered in a grey coating that will protect the superb high gloss color that awaits final delivery after sea trials are completed.
The project was required by the owners to take only three years from initial contact to completion, which entailed very close cooperation between the other main parties involved: De Voogt Naval Architects, Clifford Denn (exterior styling), François Zuretti (interior design), the owner’s team Neil Cheston and John Bilesky, and project manager Rob de Vries. She provides superlative accommodation for eight guests, who will be served by no less than 24 crewmembers.
“It is fantastic that we can produce such a masterpiece of a yacht in these challenging economic times,” said Henk de Vries at the launch ceremony. “The yacht has enormous volume for her length, which makes her a genuine world class ‘big boat’. The owner and his wife appreciate beautiful things and have commissioned people whom they know and trust to bring their tastes to the fore.”
The interior harks back to the glory days of yachting with a 21st-century execution. Unusually, it was the starting point for the entire project.
“Normally we start a project with some general specifications, then draw the lines, make a GA and design the interior. In this case we received a very detailed specification and interior design from François Zuretti and our challenge was to create a hull around this while incorporating all the elements that one expects from a Feadship. All had to be achieved within the parameters of Clifford’s sophisticated styling profile, and we are delighted with the well balanced result of this innovative process.”
The final word before hull 680 was christened went to her captain, George Overend. “The success of a project of this magnitude and in this time scale involves teams not individuals. Once again, Feadship has set the standard to which the rest of the industry can only strive.”
Technical specifications Builder: Feadship – Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw Type: Twin screw motor yacht, steel hull and aluminum superstructure Length overall: 65.00m Beam overall: 12.30m Draft (loaded): 3.65m Fuel capacity (approx.): 160,000 l Fresh water capacity (approx.): 47,500 l
Design: Naval Architect: De Voogt Naval Architects Exterior styling: Clifford Denn Interior design: François Zuretti
Propulsion Main engines: 2x MTU engines, 16V4000M60, 1760 kW / 2360 bhp @ 1800 rpm Propellers: Wärtsilä, 2 x 5 blades fixed Propeller shaft: Akerboom Reduction gears: Reintjes Stabilizers: Quantum zero speed Max. speed appr.: 16 knots Range: 5.000 NM at approx. 12 knots Classification: LROS 100A1, SSC, Yacht, (P), Mono G6-LMC, UMS Air conditioning: Heinen & Hopman Entertainment system: Van Berge Henegouwen
Electric system Generators: 3x Caterpillar C9 + 1 x Caterpillar 3056 emergency generator Main electric system: Imtech
Accommodation Owner: Stateroom, bathroom, dressing room, study Guests: 8 in 4 guest rooms Crew: 24 in 13 cabins