Feadship Redefines Exploration with Launch of Superyacht VALOR
Aalsmeer, The Netherlands – The world of luxury yachting witnessed a significant event today as renowned Dutch shipyard Feadship launched Project 715, an almost 80-metre explorer superyacht, now christened VALOR. Slipping into the waters at the Aalsmeer facility, VALOR is not just another addition to the global superyacht fleet; she is a bold statement of purpose-built adventure, designed to conquer the most remote and challenging waters on Earth, including the owner's dream of transiting the Northwest Passage.
Built for a discerning repeat Feadship owner, VALOR’s robust steel hull is engineered for resilience. A crucial feature for her ambitious itineraries is a two-meter ice belt that encircles the hull above and below the waterline. This reinforcement allows VALOR to achieve a Bureau Veritas Young Ice 2 notation, signifying her capability to navigate through young, first-year ice conditions. This classification underscores the yacht's serious expeditionary credentials.
A Striking Profile: Design Meets Purpose
The exterior styling of VALOR, masterfully executed by Chris Bottoms at Studio De Voogt, is a direct reflection of the American owner's unique vision. The owner issued three key directives to the design team: the yacht had to be instantly recognizable, even "from outer space," and avoid conventional "wedding cake" or overly curvaceous aesthetics common in many contemporary yacht designs. The result is a powerful and distinctive silhouette, blending the imposing dreadnought bow of a battleship with the sleek lines of a modern guided missile frigate, all while exuding an undeniable sense of luxury.
Functionality is seamlessly integrated into this striking design. The generous upper decks feature walk-around capabilities. Both the owner's deck and the bridge deck incorporate sections with artfully widened bulwarks. On the bridge deck, this design enhances the utility of the wing stations, while on the owner's deck, it carves out additional private outdoor lounge space. Thoughtfully, this area also includes a grass-filled relief station and shower, catering to the owner's three Golden Retrievers – a testament to the bespoke nature of Feadship builds.
While VALOR is thoroughly equipped for cold climates, featuring heat exchangers capable of recycling and capturing latent energy to manage severe Arctic conditions, she also boasts numerous expansive areas designed for large-scale outdoor entertaining in more temperate zones.
Interior Sophistication: Bannenberg & Rowell's Touch of Natural Elegance
The interior design, entrusted to the esteemed firm Bannenberg & Rowell (B&R), fulfills the owner's desire for an uncompromising space crafted from natural materials. Wood, stone, metal, and glass are harmoniously blended throughout the yacht, creating an atmosphere of sophisticated yet understated luxury.
A standout feature is the main staircase, a complex work of art designed by B&R, comprising an astonishing 48,001 individual parts, including solid bronze and stone elements. The interior styling, while appearing deceptively simple at first glance, follows the clean lines and chamfers of the exterior. This minimalist approach is layered with the highest quality finishes and a curated mix of vintage, mid-century, and custom-new furnishings from world-renowned builders such as George Nakashima, Linley, Pollaro, and Silver Lining. Linley even contributed bespoke billet titanium director's chairs for some exterior dining spaces. The interior stone, personally selected by the owner at Italian yards, is described as exceptional, unique, and spectacular. In a nod to classic audio fidelity, the main salon features two vertical stacks of high-end American-made McIntosh stereo equipment, complete with a turntable and a selection of reference albums – a perfect marriage of old-school charm and world-class yachting.
Accommodations and Amenities: A Realm of Comfort
VALOR offers luxurious accommodations for fourteen in the owner's party. The owner’s deck is a private sanctuary, featuring a forward-facing stateroom that gazes out onto the helideck. This exclusive area also includes al fresco lounging spaces with a private Jacuzzi, a large ensuite dressing room, and an office.
Six guest suites are located on the main deck. This deck also hosts the main lounge, covered outdoor dining facilities, and a spacious deck area surrounding an impressive $8.35 \times 2.55$-metre contra-flow infinity pool – one of the largest Feadship has ever installed on an 80-metre yacht. The pool is cleverly heated using latent and recycled energy.
The owner's deck also features a sky lounge and a formal dining area for fourteen. This dining space boasts innovative sliding glass walls, allowing for seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor dining experiences. Further entertaining space is found aft of the well-equipped gym on the bridge deck. A second Jacuzzi, surrounded by sun pads, dominates the forward section of the sundeck, complemented by an additional informal outdoor dining area aft.
An elevator conveniently connects all six of the yacht's decks, ensuring easy access from the sundeck down to the beach club and the adjacent massage and beauty room on the lower deck. The beach club itself is a highlight, with oversized doors that fold down to open the space to breathtaking views and sea breezes. To port, a well-organized display of water toys, exercise equipment, and dive gear awaits guest use. Another significant feature is the starboard side tender door, also noted as one of the largest Feadship has built for a yacht of this size, hinting at VALOR's capacity for substantial tenders and exploration gear.
Powering the Future: Groundbreaking Propulsion and Eco-Conscious Technology
VALOR is at the forefront of sustainable yachting technology, featuring a sophisticated Hybrid Diesel-Electric, Solar, and Battery powered propulsion system. This system was developed through the Feadship Advanced Electrical Drive (FAED) program. Instead of conventional main engines and auxiliary generators, VALOR draws her propulsion energy and power for household systems from four variable-speed, ultra-efficient generators linked to a DC power grid. This is complemented by a substantial water-cooled 5.34-megawatt hour lithium-ion battery bank sourced from Norway. This battery capacity is more than five times the electrical power supply of Feadship’s groundbreaking 83.50m Savannah, launched in 2015.
Further enhancing this efficient system, a high-efficiency solar cell array mounted on the mast provides additional carbon-free energy. Remarkably, VALOR can operate for up to 48 hours on battery power alone, achieving a zero-carbon footprint and ultra-quiet operation. This capability allows for visits to sensitive marine areas in a zero-emission mode, minimizing environmental impact.
In a significant step towards reducing her carbon footprint, VALOR will be trialled using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil BioFuel (HVO), which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 percent. Propulsion is delivered by twin Schottel EcoPeller azimuthing thrusters, driving the yacht to a cruising speed of 11 knots and a maximum speed of over 15 knots. The uncompromising technical specifications extend to a symmetrical-thrust, Schottel Rim-Drive bow thruster for enhanced maneuverability.
To ensure exceptional comfort in all conditions, VALOR is equipped with complementing stabilization systems from Quantum Marine Stabilizers, including their XT Fin stabilizers and MAGlift stabilizers, promising one of the most stable and comfortable rides in the world.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
- Length Overall: 79.50 m / 260’10”
- Beam Overall: 13.40 m / 44’
- Draught (loaded): 3.70 m / 12’2”
- Hull: Ice Class Steel Hull with aluminium superstructure
- Naval Architect: Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects
- Exterior Design: Studio De Voogt
- Interior Design: Bannenberg & Rowell Design
- Propulsion: Hybrid diesel-electric, solar, battery powered
- Main Power Generation: 2x Cat custom variable speed C32B 1470 kWe; 2x John Deere custom variable speed 354 kWe
- Fuel Type: HVO BioFuel or Low Sulfur marine diesel
- Fuel Capacity: 166 m³ / 43,852 USG
- Range at Cruising Speed: > 5,000 nm
- Maximum Battery Capacity: 5,343 kilowatt-hours (kWh)
A New Benchmark in Exploration
The launch of VALOR signifies another leap forward in Feadship's dedication to energy-efficient and eco-friendly yachting. She stands as a technological tour-de-force, meticulously built to the owner's specific, uncompromising requirements for a pure custom yacht. With her advanced propulsion, robust construction, and luxurious amenities, VALOR is poised to become a benchmark in the explorer yacht category.
The yacht is now entering her final outfitting stages and will soon commence sea trials. Industry professionals and yachting enthusiasts will have the opportunity to witness VALOR firsthand, as she is scheduled to attend the Monaco Yacht Show in 2025 and will be a strong contender for the World Superyacht Awards.
Stay tuned to NAVIS for more updates on this evolving story and VALOR's journey towards her maiden voyage.
