Van der Valk Explorer
Felis
A charming explorer
The beautifully bespoke 23.56-metre Felis benefits from the rich expertise of clients who truly know how to enjoy life on the water all year round. Her sturdy yet charming exterior profile, drawn by Guido de Groot, was inspired by the no-nonsense lines of our explorer range and success stories such as Dutch Falcon, Seawolf and Venera. The rest of Felis is custom designed inside and out, revolving around the specific length required. She has impressive interior volume for a relatively compact size, with comfort assured by a round-bilged steel hull with bulbous bow and the low centre of gravity that comes with an aluminium superstructure.
Specifications
Year
2023
Hull no
WV0138
LWL
22.33m
Draft
1.60m
Displacement
99t
Hull material
Steel Grade A
Superstructure material
Aluminium (AlMg4.5Mn – H321)
Hull Shape
Round bilge – Full Displacement
Certification
CE Class A (ocean)
Engine brand & type
2x MAN D2676LE474 368kW (500hp) @ 1.800 RPM
Cruising speed
12.5 knots
Shaft & Propeller
T.b.d.
Gearbox
Reduction 2,500:1
Bow/stern Thruster
45hp hydraulic proportional bow and stern thruster
Generators
35 kW Kohler 35EFKOZD 230/400 Volts 0.8PF 1500 RPM 50 Hertz.
28 kW Kohler 28EFKOZD 230/400 Volts 0.8PF 1500 RPM 50 Hertz.
Holding tank capacity
1000l
Cabins
1 owner, 2 twin cabins, 1 VIP
Crew
2 person crew, 2 cabins
Naval architect
Diana Yacht Design
Exterior design
Guido de Groot Design
Interior design
Guido de Groot Design
Owner’s repr.
N/a
General Arrangement
Year-round pleasures
It was a true pleasure for us to partner with owner-operator clients who knew exactly what they required having experienced life on a motoryacht in all its many facets before. Felis is meticulously thought out and planned to the smallest detail, as you would expect from a boat designed to be used all year round. Lots of attention was paid to noise & vibration attenuation and self-sufficiency, with low fuel consumption and a range that facilitates lengthy spells away from busy ports. Heavy-duty 1800 rpm MAN industrial engines with RCD 2 approval add to the exceptional degree of autonomy. The engine room is easily accessible because the owners mostly drive Felis themselves.
Style and comfort
The light and airy interior – another fine achievement by Guido & his team and the Van der Valk craftsmen – is stylish and cosy in equal measure. Felis features a wealth of small details, exquisite joinery work, and integrated lighting and handrails within a superb layout that optimises all available space. Light materials make for a fresh and airy atmosphere, with darker accents such as walnut adding a rustic feel. Bookshelves and niches are designed to make the boat feel ‘home like’, as do the wooden strips blended into the flat panels of the walls.
Interaction for all
The galley is the social hub on Felis with the rest of the interior designed around it. The owners love cooking for and with the family, which is why this ‘country kitchen’ is seamlessly merged with the open-plan lounge and dining areas in a unified inviting whole. Further interaction is enabled by a skylight that opens up to the flybridge so the chefs can talk food with those a deck above. The wheelhouse is another place to gather with an extra settee enabling people to join the helm action when underway. From smart drawers to handy pockets, the owners have again utilised every inch.
Space master
The same applies to the impressive accommodations on the lower deck, where every space is optimised for storage. The generous master suite is full beam, with a bedroom to starboard and bathroom to port; sliding doors open up to form one large area. Style meets function in a three-berth cabin, with a bunk bed and pullman incorporated in such a way that each has its own cupboard area. Felis also has a twin suite, plus a fourth guest cabin located forward that makes the very most of the limited bow volume and extra height of the foredeck. With an additional skylight, this is a layout puzzle superbly solved and a further sign of the exceptional custom effort for a 24-metre yacht.
