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October 2026 cover of Power & Motoryacht magazine
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Alpha Z

Alpha Z is a purely custom build designed by Michael Peters from Van Dam Custom Boats.
  • By Jason Y. Wood
  • October 1, 2015

Alpha Z

Alpha Z is a purely custom build designed by Michael Peters from Van Dam Custom Boats.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

Alpha Z sits in the tasting room at Boatique Winery, treated as the objet d’art she is.
Photo courtesy of Kim Berger/Boatique Winery

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

Her custom design extends all the way to her propulsion system, including an 800-horsepower custom engine matched to an custom-made aircraft-grade-aluminum surface drive.
Photo courtesy of Van Dam Custom Boats.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

With a top speed of better than 80 knots, Alpha Z is not a ski boat.
Photo courtesy of Van Dam Custom Boats.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

“What ensued was a venture into the ultimate and absurd lengths that could be applied to boat design and construction.” —Michael Peters, Sightlines, Power & Motoryacht, November 2015
Photo courtesy of Van Dam Custom Boats.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

She’s a sportscar for the water, but, like the best sportscars, Alpha Z harkens back
to the traditions that went before as she smashes them all.
Photo courtesy of Van Dam Custom Boats.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

The artful juxtaposition of beautifully finished wood and finely crafted metal gets the heart racing.
Photo courtesy of Van Dam Custom Boats.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

Her shape is evocative of racing powerboats, so who better to draw her lines than Michael Peters

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

Dooney & Bourke waterproof leather upholstery is set off by sole panels of perforated stainless steel.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

An engine with 800 horses needs plenty of exhaust volume, but the pipes don’t always look this good.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

While few have taken the driver’s seat of Alpha Z, the opportunity doesn’t seem very likely
to come up again in light of her position as a museum piece.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

Alpha Z

Get a look at her stepped bottom, surface drive, and rudder—
Alpha Z looks like she’s going fast even while she’s on the hard.

Michael Peters writes about his masterpiece Alpha Z in his Sightlines column
in the November 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht
▶

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Picture of Jason Y. Wood

Jason Y. Wood

  • Boats, Photo Gallery

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Classico Moderno

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An aerial view of an Aquila 45 Sport power catamaran anchored near a shoreline at sunset, featuring blue hull LED accent lights, yellow underwater lights, twin Mercury outboards, and paddleboards secured to its hardtop roof rack.

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