"We spoke with most of the pedigree shipyards: we were frustrated to be told ‘you can’t do that’...
3 MIN READ
…and so the idea of a sailing boat builder came in.” These are the words of Guy Booth, owner’s representative and project manager of Project 403, PHI. The sleek hull and low volume of this 58.5m / 192ft motoryacht project presented exceptional engineering challenges. Cor D. Rover responsible for the general concept, exterior design and interior layout of PHI adds: “Only a sailboat builder has the know-how and ambition to execute miracles on a square inch.”
“After talking
with top yards
in Europe and beyond,
Royal Huisman
emerged as the
ideal marriage
for several reasons”
“We had some disappointing meetings with yards who wanted to push their own platforms, but Royal Huisman is accustomed to building aluminium sailing yachts that are completely different from one another,” says Guy Booth, owner’s representative and project manager of PHI, in Superyachttimes. “They were also keen to build another motor yacht and most of the people who work there are passionate about sailing. When the boss visited the shipyard he knew they could build his dream boat.”
“Because one of the things that became obvious in building a 500GT boat without compromising the systems required to operate it, was the need to get ten pounds of stuff into a five pound sack. So we approached Royal Huisman and the response we got from the very first day was: We don’t understand, we don’t know what you are talking about, we’ve never done something like this before. But we’re absolutely certain we can. Considering all our ‘strange requests’ that was a refreshing approach from Royal Huisman.”
Royal Huisman Project 406: “The World’s Largest True Sportfish Yacht”
Royal Huisman’s reputation is largely built on a superlative portfolio of over thirty innovative low-profile sailing superyachts. From classic to contemporary, overall length upto 90m+ / 300ft+, every single beauty is unique, tailor-made. Yet the legendary passion for perfection, expertise, quality, flexibility and continuous innovation behind these projects is not limited to sailing yachts.
Just consider Project 403, PHI, and our motoryacht project 406, Special One, a unique 52m / 171ft sportfish yacht that is the largest of its kind in the world. The individual aspirations and challenges of both of these projects were well outside the comfort zone of many other yards. Benefitting from expert advice, both owners took their highly distinctive visions to Royal Huisman, where these fresh opportunities for creative problem-solving and innovation were enthusiastically welcomed.
Project 403 PHI: from concept to fulfilment (14min video). The client’s brief has always been focused on energy efficiency and therefore the propulsion power is by no means maximized.
The individual
aspirations
and challenges
of both of
these projects
were well outside
the comfort zone
of many
other yards
Here are two good examples of the ‘edge’ Royal Huisman has to offer. Firstly, the expertise we have acquired from our unrivalled 60 years’ of experience with aluminium constructions. This enables us to maximise performance and efficiency through compact, lightweight and high strength engineering. Second, our ability to design and install complex operational systems in restricted volume hull areas provides the owner with more net space for amenities and further increases efficiency.
Add to that a can-do mentality, seeking to optimize and enhance the ideas of the owner, their architects and designers, rather than trying to persuade them to scale back their ambitions to what the shipyard is accustomed to delivering. We think that’s a pretty good combination!
Project 406 in Vollenhove: home to the world’s finest superyacht building
The design and styling of any Royal Huisman yacht normally starts with a blank sheet on which the first lines of a new masterpiece are drafted. Partnering with your designer of choice you can start dreaming, because we can build it, we can realize your dream.
Why not experience a tour at our shipyard? You can see at first hand the unique benefits of Royal Huisman’s (and sister company Rondal’s) purpose-built facilities extending to a combined area of 42,000 sqm / 452,100 sqft to view. This rewarding “no-obligations” tour is available to existing clients who want to re-familiarise themselves, as well as to new clients keen to see the shipyard’s renowned capabilities before committing to a project. Take this opportunity to see inhouse skills, inspect the projects under construction, and speak about your yachting plans and ideas. The team of Royal Huisman is looking forward to welcome you.
