Van der Valk Continental Yachts in the Netherlands has received an order for a new 27-metre Continental Two motoryacht. The naval architecture brief will be met by Jaron Ginton, while Guido de Groot is responsible for both the exterior and interior design.
The involved broker and owners representative is Nautimar Marine. Construction of the hull will start in January and the yacht is slated for delivery in the spring of 2017. The owner of the new vessel is a very experienced yachtsman with some very clear requirements. Van der Valk was the natural choice to take on the project as a yard with a proven track record in accommodating such wide-ranging wishes.
The all-aluminium, round-bilged fast displacement hull will feature a bulb on the submerged section, extending the waterline. This will set the yacht apart from vessels with a traditional hull and improve performance. The 6.72-metre beam will be exceptionally wide and the yacht will have Lloyd’s approval for the construction and welding plan, as well as full MCA-MGN-280 Vessel operating Category 2 certification.
Fun and games
In a significant departure from previous Continental Two builds, the flybridge will not be home to the tender but instead be entirely devoted to fun and leisure. It will feature a U-shaped dining area and a wet bar as well as a grill and sunbathing area with plenty of sunbeds. The foredeck will comprise a huge U-shaped settee and sunbed integrated in the superstructure fender storage.
The pleasures to be found in the water will be the focus of the large lazarette which will house diving equipment and toys, including Seabobs, as well as a wet space and technical area. An exceptionally large bathing platform was specifically requested by the owner based on his previous experiences, and will also be the resting place for the tender when not in use. The yacht will also feature an Opacmare transformer platform, a multifunctional gangway, a tender lift, and a fold-down platform reaching down to the water.
The spacious interior layout will comprise a U-shaped settee on the aft deck, an owners’ stateroom, a VIP suite and two guest cabins, as well as a V-shaped cabin for two crew members in the forepeak. The finish of the new yacht’s interior is still under discussion, with the owner leaning towards a minimalist style.
A propulsion first
This Continental Two will be the first aluminium yacht in the entire world to be fitted with MAN 1900 V12 engines, which have an impressive maximum capacity of 1900 hp at 2300 rpm. “These are the heaviest, most powerful engines ever supplied by MAN Rollo for a yacht, and have only been available on the market since September 2015,” explains Karel Schuurman, sales manager for marine and industrial application at MAN Rollo.
“This is the first time we are selling engines of this calibre.” The MAN range of light duty engines have a favourable power to weight ratio and compact dimensions, making them extraordinarily well suited for Van der Valk’s fast aluminium motoryachts.
The new Continental Two will also feature a VG120 gyro stabilizer by VEEM, which represents the state of the art in roll stabilization and ensures optimal comfort. It deploys multiple smart control algorithms to ensure optimal stabilization in a wide range of conditions, as well as safe operation in choppy seas and at high speeds. An innovative economical mode of operation automatically reduces flywheel rpm when less stabilization is required, saving on power and decreasing noise.
