Damen Yachting’s 80-metre Netto II has entered the North Sea for sea trials, marking the final countdown to its summer delivery.
Damen Yachting has announced that the latest Amels 80 has begun her sea trials programme in the North Sea, marking a key phase in the final stages of construction ahead of delivery to her owner this summer. This 79.8-metre vessel is slated for delivery to a client described as a highly experienced owner. The project’s timeline began with speculative construction at the yard’s Romanian facility in Galati, but the yacht was swiftly acquired by its current owner in late 2022, shortly after the flagship series was officially introduced to the market. Following the initial structural work, the yacht was transported to Vlissingen in the Netherlands for its final outfitting and technical completion.
Performance in Practice
Finished in a striking “dolphin blue” metallic hull with a platinum bootstripe and white superstructure, the yacht is now being put to the test in the environment she was designed for. Having departed Vlissingen, she is currently in open water where performance is being tested under controlled conditions and measured against rigorous design parameters. This transition from the shipyard to the sea represents a critical moment for the engineering team to ensure every component works in harmony.
“Sea trials are where the project comes together as a complete yacht,” comments Stefan Regtvoort, Project Manager. “It is the first time we see how everything performs in real conditions at sea, not as separate elements but as one system. For the team, this phase is about verification, but also about fine-tuning performance in practice.”
Design and Bespoke Interiors
Renowned designer Espen Øino is responsible for the exterior lines, while the naval architecture was managed in-house by Damen Yachting. For the interior, the owner enlisted Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design to create a custom environment, with further collaborative efforts from the American studio JQB Design. This partnership is a nod to the owner’s previous vessel, a 34.9-metre Nordlund yacht also named Netto, which shared a similar blue hull and was also styled by JQB. While many details remain confidential, the yacht is known to feature unique bespoke elements, such as a private speakeasy bar designed with a retro 1960s casino aesthetic.
On the larger Netto II, several architectural highlights stand out, including a massive 200-square-metre sundeck equipped with a large jacuzzi and a dedicated deck reserved entirely for the owner’s use. The foredeck serves a dual purpose, functioning as a helicopter landing pad that can be converted into a sports court for onboard activities. At the water level, the yacht offers an expansive beach club featuring fold-down terraces on three sides to create an immersive maritime experience.
Wellness and Accommodations
The beach club area houses a wellness suite including a sauna, hammam, and gym, all benefiting from natural light filtering through the glass bottom of the 6.5-metre swimming pool located on the main deck above. With a total volume of 2,175 GT, Netto II provides space for up to 14 guests across seven cabins and a professional crew of 21, along with significant storage capacity for various water toys and tenders.
