Van der Valk
Shipyard
What we mean by custom
ABOUT
Van der Valk is one of a handful of yards in the world with the capacity and flexibility to build fully bespoke superyachts above the waterline between 25 and 45 metres. And if you’re keen to go Dutch to be assured of premium quality, we really do offer you a unique proposition. You can partner with Van der Valk and the exterior team of your choice without needing to reinvent the wheel with a new hull, knowing your yacht will excel in terms of performance, speed and stability.
How we do this
This niche offering and flexibility is made possible because of our volume of one-off builds. Because we’ve welcomed full-custom clients for well over a decade our technical experts and in-house craftsmen have a mentality that embraces change and makes meeting one-off requirements feasible. And we also know the unrivalled value of close client relations. Your journey with us begins with the initial discussion of requirements and continues long after delivery with a first-class support network of local representatives.
A bright future
All this and more allows Van der Valk to apply advanced solutions, systems and materials that meet your budget. Staff are encouraged to follow training courses and research new possibilities and applications. This ensures that their know-how remains up to date, and fully at your service as a client. So, as you contemplate investing in your pleasure by creating a yacht that is rooted in how you and your family & friends spend time at sea, rest assured they and you are in the safest of hands with Van der Valk.
A RICH HERITAGE
From humble roots in the 1960s, Van der Valk today has a global fleet of over 1000 motoryachts. We build our first-class aluminium hulls in the 18 to 45-metre range in-house, and take care of all outfitting and finishing. This gives Van der Valk complete control over the price-quality ratio as we ensure our rich heritage is translated into a beacon of innovation in the 2020s. Here’s our story to date…
Driving force
A passionate yachtsman and watersport enthusiast, Dutchman Wim van der Valk founded the company that bears his name in 1967. Over the next five decades he has overseen an incredible rise to prominence for Van der Valk with a range of striking steel and aluminium motoryachts. The initial success came with cabin and aft-cabin design cruisers from seven to ten metres, which quickly attracted the attention of the yachting public.
A growing reputation
The models which marked the 1970s – the Valkkruiser, Comfort, Royal, Falcon and Super Falcon – swiftly became shorthand for quality. Thanks to constant quality improvements, Van der Valk established an excellent reputation and took its place among the well-respected Dutch shipyards..
Progressive design
In the mid-1980s, we launched the Vitesse series – steel and aluminium semi-displacement motoryachts for the high-end segment. This proved to be another international success, thanks to its progressive design, great sailing characteristics and high resale value.
Continental quality
The late 1990s saw the introduction of the elegant Continental I series, which became our signature product for many years. Hundreds were built for proud owners around the world as the Continental series evolved. A key aspect of Van der Valk’s breakthrough into the superyacht sector in terms of both length and quality in the 2000s was our partnership with Guido de Groot on these various upgrades and extensions.
Forward thinking
Van der Valk has also become famous for its ability to constantly innovate. The 2013 launch of the 37-metre Santa Maria T, the world’s first motoryacht to feature a two-axis fin antiroll damping system, was a great example of our forward-thinking philosophy. Van der Valk was also one of the first yards to see the potential of the revolutionary Volvo Penta IPS propulsion when it was introduced, developing a special hull and new models for this drive system.
Series thinking
This kind of innovation characterised an impressively diverse range of premium motoryachts that were developed throughout the 2010s, including the Raised Pilothouse, Flybridge, Explorer and BeachClub lines. All benefitted from a keen desire to push the window of the possible, while international recognition in the form of awards and repeat-client appreciation led to further growth. Many of these projects also saw extensive owner involvement as they leveraged on the flexibility to make bespoke changes. Semi-custom lines increasingly evolved into fully custom builds and that saw Van der Valk enter a new era leading the way in a niche all of her won.
Award winners
In 2023 alone, Van der Valk won three major industry awards for three very different projects. These achievements reinforced our role as one of the only yards with the flexibility to build all-custom superyachts up to 45 metres. The same year saw a new hall open, bringing our total facilities to over 9000 m². Clients can order entirely bespoke superstructures and interiors, and access options from propulsion and swim platforms to balconies and bars. Van der Valk partners with top names such as Guido de Groot, Carla Guilhem, Ginton Naval Architects, Cor D Rover and Van Oossanen. You are welcome to bring in your own designers too as we create a motoryacht that is yours and yours alone.
Changing of the watch
Talking of winners, in April 2024 founding father Wim van der Valk embarked on a richly-deserved retirement after almost half a century of service. Like any great leader Wim had secured his legacy by seamlessly handing over the helm to our management team of Enrico Theuns, Bram Kooltjes and Yoeri Bijker. Leveraging on decades of combined experience in the high-end yachting industry, they also have the financial support of a family of experienced yacht owners who’ve built three bespoke Van der Valks themselves. These new primary shareholders allow us to move forward as an independent entity with options available for further expansion.
MEET THE TEAM
The Van der Valk team of talented managers and craftsmen is at your service. They love working with the inspiring family of Van der Valk clients, making the most of the countless options available on our yachts in terms of customisation. Together we are excellent.
Wim van der Valk
Founder
Enrico Theuns
Managing Director
Bram Kooltjes
Technical Director
Yoeri Bijker
Commercial director
Ron van Boven
Purchase Manager
Arno de Wit
Project Manager
Marina Bijker
Sales and Marketing
Joëlle de Nijs
Project Manager Interiors
Virginie Ninaber van Eyben
Human Resource Manager
Marjolijn Hooymans
Financial Controller
Remco van Schijndel
Quality Manager
Jeroen Maijers
Projectmanager Engineering
Wim van Hemert
Projectmanager Electric
Maarten Rijken
Constructor / Welder
Miranda Versluys
Production and Purchasing Assistant
Dennis Van der Hoeven
Mechanical Engineer
Dennis van Aspert
Interior Draftsman
Kevin van Oeveren
Mechanical Engineer
Facilities
Van der Valk’s production complex is located in Waalwijk, in the southern province of North Brabant, close to the cities of Tilburg and ‘s-Hertogenbosch and just an hour away from Amsterdam. It consists of an office and seven state-of-the-art production halls.
Aluminium construction hall
Every Van der Valk motoryacht starts its life in the aluminium construction hall, which measures 60.7 metres by 20.3. The hull, superstructure and all supporting elements – masts, hardtops and other aluminium components – are built and welded here.
Three assembly halls
We have three assembly halls, including a state-of-the-art new one opened in 2017 which measures 42 x 36 metres. A height of 16 metres enables us to build motoryachts up to 40 metres in length with up to three decks. The second hall covers 42.5 x 25.6 metres and, as well as building boats between 20 and 40 metres, contains a standalone carpentry factory and is used for the exterior painting of yachts above 25 metres. Last but not least, hall three measures 35.5 x 36.4 metres and is dedicated to the construction and outfitting of yachts ranging from 15 to 25 metres.
Painting hall
Yachts below 25 metres are painted in Van der Valk’s exterior painting facility, which measures 30.5 metres by 22.7 and houses the paint coordination office. There is also a 17.2 x 13.4 m interior spray painting hall used for smaller exterior elements and non-fixed interior components. This includes varnishing and veneering as well as complete repainting.
Warehouse
The warehouse is the main location where parts are delivered. Van der Valk practices just-in-time delivery, which means that the necessary components arrive when they are effectively needed. Just-in-time delivery eliminates excess inventory and minimises stock-related overhead costs. The warehouse is 35.5 metres by 15.6.
Sales office
The sales office accommodates most sales-related departments along with marketing & PR and accounting. The offices of the production manager and director are also found here.
Production office
The two-floor production office houses production-related departments, such as purchasing, the planning & work preparation office, and the electric/navigation developers.
Crane and Docks
Van der Valk’s premises include a paved open area of 7000 m². There is access to the river via 120 metres of dock, which includes a crane with a capacity of 30 tonnes.
If you’d like more detailed information about our yachts, from brochures to specs, from videos to media articles, the Van der Valk team is at your service. Simply click on the link below and fill in your details… We’ll get back to you shortly!