Construction has officially begun on Project Zen, Van der Valk’s new 47.83m flagship. Penned by Guido de Groot Design, the all-aluminium motoryacht is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2028.

Bram Kooltjes, Van der Valk’s Technical Director, said: “Project Zen will be the largest yacht we’ve built to date and more importantly, will exemplify everything a Van der Valk stands for.

“Crafted to the highest Dutch standards, she will showcase our ability to deliver a true custom design, developed from the ground up in close collaboration with the owners. Throughout the process, we’ve adapted every detail to reflect their vision, resulting in a truly bespoke dream yacht.”

With Van Oossanen Naval Architects working on the hull, the design and build process included lengthening the yacht from its original 36m concept to creating the biggest yacht ever built by the Dutch shipyard. “As Guido de Groot began shaping the general arrangement, it quickly became clear that we couldn’t quite fit everything in,” Kooltjes explained.

The 499GT flagship has been designed as a family-centric superyacht, with outdoor entertaining spaces including a large sea terrace with three fold-down bulwarks, a bow lounge with a spa pool, and a split-level sundeck with an alfresco saloon, wet bar and grill. Two garages at either end of the vessel will carry the collection of water toys, jetskis and tenders.

Indoors, the main saloon leads to a dining area with a show galley, which designer Guido de Groot calls “the heart” of the yacht, where the owner’s family “will regularly gather to enjoy meals”.

Project Zen will also feature a full-beam wellness area complete with a gym and yoga room, which Van der Valk Project Manager Arno de Wit described as “a standout element of the yacht “and “one of the key reasons the yacht grew in length”.

The full-metallic finish and exterior lines of Project Zen are inspired by the owner’s love of sports cars, while Van Oossanen’s fast displacement hull form contributes to a top speed of 17.5 knots and a transatlantic cruising range of 4,000nm at 10 knots.

“Project Zen is built on an entirely new platform, developed with efficiency as a top priority,” Guido de Groot stated. “The owner wanted a hull shape that would support smaller engines and maximise range. As top speed wasn’t a concern, we focused on a long, sleek form that also supports the yacht’s elegant styling.”

Project Zen is due to be the 27^th yacht launched by Van der Valk, following the 40m Project Evo set to splash in 2026.

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