Van der Valk has begun construction on its largest yacht to date in terms of length and volume.
Project EVO is a custom 40m superyacht commissioned by clients who have owned various high-performance yachts and now want a bespoke yacht for all the family.
The team behind the craft includes SFG Yacht Design, Fancy by Dada, Cristiano Gatto Design, Diana Yacht Design and Ginton Naval Architects.
The yacht is an all-aluminium bluewater cruiser with a round-bilged fast displacement hull, a sleek exterior profile complemented by a detailed interior.
“The process from first renders to interior concept took us around ten months,” explained designer Cristiano Gatto. “This is an exceptional timeframe for a 40m project that will truly deserve to be called a mini-megayacht.”
Project EVO will have accommodation for ten, including a main deck master and two twin guest suites and two VIPs on the lower deck, plus eight crew.
The yacht will be built to ABS class and comply with the new IMO Tier III emissions regulations with a projected top speed of 24 knots.
“Van der Valk is one of the few yards able to build an all-custom superyacht in this size,” said head of sales Yoeri Bijker. “Project EVO shows how clients can bring their own exterior designer without requiring a new hull, knowing their yacht will excel in terms of performance.”
Cristiano Gatto added: “My participation began on a micro level as we worked with the owners to leverage on some specific furniture design concepts I had previously created.
“They were looking to recreate a similar ambience onboard their yacht and the interior design emerged from this point.
“Welcoming the results, the owners asked us to add some of this aesthetic flavour to the exterior design, further evolving the DNA of the preliminary concept penned by SFG and Fancy by Dada.
“We changed some of the proportions and lines while extending the stern by around two metres. The overall design and profile, however, remains very much the brainchild of all who have been involved.”
