Zeelander sea-trials sensuous 5
Dutch builder Zeelander Yachts is sea-trialling its sinuous and sensual Zeelender 5 following her technical launch.
Photography by Guillaume Plisson
02 February 2023
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Zeelander’s stylish new Zeelander 5 has begun extensive sea trials following her recent technical launch, which comes after a rigorous development and build program by the Dutch shipyard. The team at Zeelander will put the new boat to the test on hundreds of small points of detail to ensure that she not only looks the part, but exceeds customer expectations in terms of comfort, performance and quietness.
Just as the Zeelander 7 evolved out of a previous model, so the new Zeelander 5 is a natural development of the successful Z44, presenting a more contemporary look. The curvaceous Zeelander silhouette is still instantly recognisable, but compared to the Z44 the shearline is more voluptuous than ever, and now follows an elongated ‘S’ shape.
As well as the new lines, the new Zeelander 5 features bigger windows in the wheelhouse and in the hull. In fact, Zeelander has succeeded in eliminating mullions altogether around the helm for true, unencumbered 360-degree vision. The beautifully sculpted wheelhouse can now be fully enclosed with a door and window, or opened up to a refreshing breeze, making her as suitable for cool climates as for warm ones.
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“We’ve learned from our owners,” offers Zeelander Founder and company owner Sietse Koopmans. “Dozens of small improvements and a few bigger strides forward have combined to give the Zeelander 5 improved functionality in the service of a refined, timeless character.”
Evolution has also come to the accommodation below deck, where the insistence on lighter wood cabinetry has introduced a more contemporary feel. White gloss, macassar and leather trim complete the effect, which is at once calming and sophisticated.
“Even the rarest and most beautiful products evolve over time, and the Zeelander 5 is a case in point,” Koopmans continues. “The brand’s timeless aesthetic remains as appealing as ever, but we have had the opportunity to reimagine what that means.
“At the end of this repositioning process we will have one exceptional product available in different sizes.”
“Our yachts will be just as recognisable in one hundred years’ time as they are now – that is the true definition of a design icon.”
Many years of experience building the Z44 have yielded a wealth of small but important improvements in functionality. The Zeelander 5 offers effortless boarding through doors in the bulwarks, a new sunpad on the foredeck, and a bathing platform that is almost twice as big as the Z44’s.
The extra 4 feet of hull length has been put to striking effect in the generous master cabin, which features a separate shower and head.
Still capable of exhilarating performance, with speeds up to 40 knots courtesy of three Volvo Penta IPS 650 drives, the Zeelander 5 nonetheless manages to be 2dBA quieter than its predecessor. Given the yard’s relentless focus on eliminating noise and vibration, that is quite an achievement. There is also the option of installing a Seakeeper 6 gyro stabiliser to ensure there is nothing to distract from the pure pleasure of ownership.
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