You know Royal Huisman for its reputation built upon hundreds highest quality sailing yachts. Being able to handle the complexities of lightweight construction while assuring the strength needed to cross oceans is taking this 140-year Dutch shipyard on a new tack – bespoke motoryachts by Royal Huisman.
In 2021 and again in 2024, Royal Huisman delivered groundbreaking aluminum motoryachts that other builders said could not be built. That kind of challenge has always been in the shipyard’s wheelhouse. Phi was engineered and delivered in 2021. Measuring a 58.5m / 192ft overall, she is the world’s longest motoryacht below 500GT, based on current classification rules. The spectacular Special One, a record-breaking 52m / 171ft sportfish yacht making her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show, is the largest of its kind in the world and capable of 30+ knots. The individual construction challenges of both of these recent Royal Huisman projects were well outside the comfort zone of many other yards.
Why did their owners bring their distinctive visions to Royal Huisman? For yachts with demanding speed profiles, Royal Huisman’s 60 years of aluminum construction expertise was one key. Building in aluminum allows for the creation of lightweight yachts without compromising on strength or safety. Royal Huisman’s dedication to quality, innovation and bespoke craftsmanship was another. It takes a shipyard skilled at squeezing the most out of the confines of a sleek sailing yacht hull to meet the challenge of keeping full-featured motoryachts under 500GT.
Examine the shipyard’s portfolio and you’ll find a stunning fleet of tailor-made yachts, each successful in their missions and each delivering on their owner’s dreams. And not just the commissioning owner either. The renowned durability of Royal Huisman yachts justifies the investment in quality. Among the shipyard’s recent accomplishments are the multi-award-winning and innovative 60m / 196ft Sarissa, the featherlight 47m / 154ft Nilaya, and the super-sized schooner, 81m / 266ft Sea Eagle. Currently under construction is Project 408, a 65m / 212ft performance ketch, 85m / 280ft Project 410, the world’s largest sloop, and Project 411, the world’s tallest sloop. Four of the Top Ten largest sailing yachts are either built by or currently under construction at the shipyard.
Royal Huisman is known for its ability to tackle complex and innovative projects such as those with restricted hull volumes and those pushing the boundaries of traditional yacht design. These are skills polished through decades of experience delivering sailing yachts where weights and balance were critical for race-winning performance as well as safe circumnavigation. For motoryacht clients, this expertise means more net space for amenities and increased efficiency. By incorporating advanced technologies and creative solutions, the shipyard team deliver yachts combining functionality, performance, and cutting-edge aesthetics in a package with utmost reliability.
Listen to the client. Think outside the box. Push every boundary.
Rather than try to persuade the owners of Phi and Special One to scale back on their demands, Royal Huisman worked closely with the designers and architects, its own engineering team ensuring that every aspect of the yacht met their exact specifications and class requirements.
Phi is a high-spec, custom tri-deck motoryacht with the distinction of being the longest yacht to measure below 500 GT. Obviously the design enabling this is intricate. Owner’s representative Guy Booth said, “We spoke with most of the pedigree shipyards. We were frustrated to be told, ‘You can’t do that,’ and so the idea of [talking to] a sailboat builder came up. The response we got from Royal Huisman the very first day was, ‘We’ve never done something like this before. But we are absolutely certain that we can.’”
Special One, the world’s largest sportfishing yacht, was designed inside and out including naval architecture by Vripack Yacht Design. She features six decks finished to the highest standard of luxury, yet the performance and equipment of a top tournament sportsfisherman – on steroids. “If someone had told us in five years there will be a 52m sportfisherman that goes 30-plus knots, our feedback would be, ‘Impossible’,” said Bart Bouwhuis of Vripack Yacht Design. “But it is possible, in fact she goes from 0 to 30 knots in 46 seconds. Several other shipyards could not have built this yacht because it's extremely complex from a technological point of view, extremely dense, and with a very strict weight target. Also, a sailboat builder understands how to build in tight spaces. A sportfish yacht has pronounced hull shapes in the forward section, not unlike a sailing yacht.“
Royal Huisman CEO Jan Timmerman is confident about the company’s motoryacht prospects. “Each Royal Huisman project reflects a client-focused approach and starts as a blank canvas. This approach ensures that every yacht is a reflection of an owner's personal style and vision, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind vessels, regardless if they are sail or power,” he said. “Fresh opportunities for creative problem-solving with unique motoryachts are enthusiastically welcomed and will be realized, showcasing Royal Huisman’s versatility and commitment to excellence in aluminum yacht building. Royal Huisman superyachts – either power or sail - are beyond compare: the ultimate expression of personal freedom.”
The reasons
Why the owners of Phi and Special One took their highly distinctive visions to Royal Huisman:
Builder of pedigree sailing yachts - The shipyard’s reputation is largely built on a large portfolio of over innovative low-profile sailing superyachts. From classic to contemporary in a wide range of lengths, every single beauty is unique and tailor-made. This legendary passion for perfection, expertise, quality, flexibility and continuous innovation behind these projects is not limited to sailing yachts and can be applied in bespoke motoryacht projects too.
Client-focused approach - The shipyard is dedicated to understanding and fulfilling the ambitious dreams of its clients, rather than trying to persuade them to scale back their ambitions or platforms to what yards are accustomed to delivering. A can-do mentality, seeking to optimize and enhance the ideas of the owner by working closely with the designers and architects, Royal Huisman ensures that every aspect of the yacht reflects the client’s aspirations and meets their exact specifications.
Each project is unique - The shipyard team engineers and builds custom-built motoryachts, which will be unique and bespoke: designed specifically to meet the unique preferences and requirements of each client. This approach ensures that every yacht is a reflection of the owner's personal style and vision, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind vessels.
Expertise and experience - Royal Huisman has a longstanding reputation for their expertise in aluminum construction, with over 60 years of experience. Using aluminum allows for the creation of lightweight yet durable yachts, enhancing both speed and fuel efficiency, without compromising on strength or safety. Royal Huisman’s versatility and commitment to excellence in aluminum yacht building is based on the expertise and experience of the team all sharing the same passion for perfection and innovation.