23 March 2023
Renowned Dutch superyacht builder Feadship is considered by many to be one of the top builders in the world for bespoke superyachts, although its projects are often shrouded in mystery or hidden from view until they take to the seas for their new owners to enjoy. Occasionally, however, we get a tantalising glimpse of a project under construction – as is the case with the 67.4-metre Project 823, which saw the bold light of day for the first time in March.
The impressive new Feadship has been moved outside of the construction hall at the Kaag yard for final outfitting in advance of her sea trials later this year. She has been fully designed in-house by Feadship. The hull engineering is by Azure Naval Architects, while the exterior and interior design are by Studio De Voogt.
The exterior profile is bold with a muscular reverse sheer to the bow. Chiselled contours and dark horizontal strip windows lend the yacht a poise and grace. “The main theme of the yacht is strength,” says Jan Schaffers, Senior Designer at Studio De Voogt.
“The radii throughout are larger than usual to emphasise this. At the same time we aimed to focus on the length of the yacht by creating uninterrupted lines, for instance in the widebody windows and the superstructure. Together this creates a very unique character.”
Designed and built for an experienced owner, the interior layout was tailored to his family’s specific needs and provides ensuite accommodation for 10 guests in three lower deck cabins, one VIP suite on the bridge deck, and a master stateroom on the main deck forward.
The interior design by Studio De Voogt is simple yet sophisticated and based on natural tones, light wood veneers and organic forms for an ambience that is soberly tasteful but also informal and welcoming.
An elevator can whisk guests from the lower deck all the way to the large sundeck – a highlight of the design and a focal point for family life on board. The central lounging / conversation zone is protected from the wind by a glass windbreak and from the sun by the hardtop, but wide side windows and nine skylights in the roof ensure uninterrupted views and en plein air appeal.
The ventilation casings can be regarded as powerful legs, clad with grills that repeat the horizontal lines to create a more elegant volume, but without losing its power. The radar mast was engineered to span these glass skylights, supported by flat panel satellite hardware for broadband internet.
In order to free up space for a large wellness area and gym on the lower deck in the stern, the tenders are stowed behind the high bulwarks on the foredeck. Careful attention has been paid also to the crew quarters and service areas with additional fridge-freezer storage, a large laundry room and extra dry storage on the tank deck.
Project 823 has a beam of 11.4 metres and a draft of 3.4 metres, and features a steel hull with aluminium superstructure. Twin MTU 12V 4000 M65(R) engines will propel her to a top speed of 15 knots and a cruise speed of 12 knots; her 145,000-litre fuel tanks will deliver a projected range of 5,000 nautical miles at her cruise speed.