It may still be a little under the radar, but Zeelander Yachts is a name that is met with knowing nods and a degree of starry-eyed wonder to many of the most discerning connoisseurs in the yachting community.
The understated Dutch company has been quietly and diligently working away over the last two decades to develop a solid reputation for building yachts that are pieces of art on the water. Its sports cruisers are at once effortlessly stylish and exceptionally well-engineered, boasting the kind of comforts and attention to detail you would expect on a superyacht.
Current owners are passionate about their Zeelanders, loyal to the brand and extoling the warm culture of the family-owned company. Collaborations with Z44 clients have resulted in the development of Zeelander’s two largest models: the Z55 and the Z72.
A premium edge for owner-operators
With a spacious and high-spec interior, a long list of innovative features as standard, excellent performance credentials and three comfortable cabins on board, the 55-foot Z55 is the sport cruiser that has it all. With hassle-free operation in mind, Zeelander carefully chose its length to be the optimum size for cruising without a captain and easily finding a berth.
The Z55’s distinctive contemporary exterior is the result of a collaboration between the builder and renowned Dutch designer Cor D. Rover. The spectacular stern cockpit invites you to enjoy a convivial gathering at the large dining table and wraparound seating, or to sip on a cocktail from the nearby sit-up bar that connects to the interior galley when the large, curved window is lowered at the push of a button. The exterior is seamlessly connected from the bow to the stern, where an extendable swim platform multiplies your potential for fun on the water.
In the main deck’s interior, the Z55’s ample width provides a fantastic feeling of spaciousness. The open-plan, step-free layout flows from the aft galley through to the saloon and navigation station, with generous windows providing 360-degree views throughout and a skylight above the dining table giving additional natural illumination. And on the lower deck, three well-appointed cabins offer accommodation for up to six guests, including a full-beam master suite that features an outstanding amount of storage and a beautiful ensuite bathroom. Always prioritizing the guest experience, Zeelander provided an exceptional degree of insulation on board to minimize noise and vibration to the lowest in its class.
Performance is as important as comfort when it comes to building a Zeelander, and in the Z55 owners will be more than satisfied with the outstanding maneuverability and impressive speeds of up to 40 knots. The yacht’s GRP core infused vinyl ester glass fiber construction with a deep-V hull delivers a smooth, seaworthy ride that can take you up to 400 nautical miles on a single tank of fuel powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS engines. Add in joystick steering, dynamic positioning, cruise control, stabilizers and automatic trimming to the Z55’s long list of premium features and you have a distinctively deluxe driving experience.
A future icon on the water
As Zeelander’s flagship model, the builder has gone all out on the Z72. Its curvaceous lines are elegant and classically handsome, its attention to detail in all the finishing is second to none, and its performance is on a par with much more rugged yachts in its size category. You truly can have it all when it comes to this remarkable sports cruiser.
The Z72’s sinuous exterior is the result of Zeelander’s continuing creative collaboration with Cor D. Rover, with inspiration taken from the evolution of Porsche’s iconic sports cars. Its wide stern amplifies the space afforded to the yacht’s bridge and lower decks, with a beam of almost 20 feet. Appreciating the importance of offering appealing outdoor space to owners and their guests, Zeelander has given over three-quarters of the bridge deck to exterior social areas that accommodate up to 22 people, who can effortlessly move from bow to stern. Lounge on the sun pads located on the foredeck and aft deck, enjoy a meal together at the dining table with comfortable seating for eight, or enjoy a cocktail at the sit-up bar which is connected to the galley via a retractable curved window.
For some time by the water, step down to the superb, hydraulically-extending beach club platform, which makes a great base for watersports, a romantic dining location or a peaceful spot to sunbathe. A RIB tender hangar accessed via the starboard aft of the hull has additional space for toys such as a jetski.
The bridge deck’s open-plan interior is bright and spacious thanks to panoramic windows. A large dining table with comfortable C-shaped seating is positioned between the galley and navigation station, with a retractable roof above. Descend to the lower deck, where the three ensuite cabins are afforded a headroom of well over seven feet thanks to the yacht’s ingeniously designed high sides. The full-beam master cabin is one of the most generous in the Z72’s size category, with a king-size bed, ample floor space, walk-in closet and large bathroom with shower. Two further ensuite guest cabins are flooded with light through large windows, while a single crew cabin is discreetly accessed from the bridge deck’s port side aft.
The Z72 may be sumptuously finished like an elegant compact superyacht, but it is primed for action thanks to its three efficient 1,000hp Volvo Penta IPS 1350 engines that achieve speeds of more than 40 knots, driven via Zeelander’s renowned joystick control. And if you prefer to go far than fast, at an economical speed of 10 knots the Z72 has an impressive range of 1,300nm.
Offering a wide range of customization options for both the interior and exterior means that clients are encouraged to build their dream yacht by Zeelander, whichever model they decide to go for.
