Vanquish VQ50
With aggressive styling and aluminum construction, this 50-footer isn’t for everyone. And that’s how the builder likes it.
The first glimpse of the Vanquish VQ50 Mk2 at the Miami Marina seemed so appropriately South Florida, cutting a sharp powder blue profile against similarly colored water and sky. The bright orange boot stripe and upholstery popped from the background, seeming close to Miami Dolphin colors. However, the Vanquish has racing heritage, taking its paint scheme not from the NFL but from the livery of Steve McQueen, Porsche GT and Gulf Racing.
Plumb bows are striking, their stark lines depicting artistry and seaworthiness. While this sense of styling has been around for centuries, recently there has been an overwhelming shift toward it. VanDutch, Pardo and Axopar made a name for themselves by being different. Vanquish Yachts has sold over 40 boats from 16 to 58 feet in just six years by marketing themselves as: “Not for Everyone.”
As its name indicates, Vanquish plans to capture the custom market with its unique and sturdy construction—cut and welded aluminum, painted with Awlgrip—“Like a Feadship,” explains Founder Tom Steentjes. After selling his sheet metal business that served the fast food industry, Steentjes, a master welder, turned his attention to boating.
The builder doesn’t use molds—just welded aluminum, imagination, engineering and creativity. Steentjes collaborated with Guido deGroot Design to create boats ranging from a 16-foot personal watercraft to a 58-foot hardtop cruiser. A 65- and a 90-footer are in the design process.
A Star-Trek-esque, port-side helm has a single Raymarine screen, joystick and a custom aluminum wheel. The glass windshield artistically angles along the transom and above it, a removable bimini top provides a break from the sun. The starboard cabin door reveals a berth and a head with wood floors and matching cabinetry.
Rectangular, anodized aluminum Versari cleats match the “Black Pack” décor package of treated stainless trim that looks like black chrome—an automotive slant that offsets the pastel paint. Everything about this boat is angular and clean.
Twin 600-hp Cummins engines power the VQ50 to top speeds of 40 knots with an optimum cruise of 32 knots.
With a price point of $1.4 million, the goal is to make the semi-custom VQ50 Mk2 as competitive as possible. “Bespoke boats do not have to be prohibitively expensive, but they can be responsive to client needs,” says Steentjes. “We are eager to hear what our customers want in their boats so we can deliver just that.”
Vanquish VQ50 Specifications:
LOA: 49’6″
Beam: 15’9″
Draft: 3′
Displ.: 35,000 lbs.
Fuel: 396 gal.
Water: 106 gal.
Standard Power: 2/600-hp Cummins Zeus drives
Cruise Speed: 32 knots
Top Speed: 40 knots
Price: Starting at $1.4 million
