The operation, referred to by Van der Valk as the yacht’s “marriage,” gives Project Zen her complete structural profile for the first time. Work continued at the yard while Van der Valk’s sales team attended the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival earlier this month, with the milestone completed by the shipyard’s in-house craftsmen.
With the main sections now in place, attention will shift further toward systems installation, interior work and finishing. Project Zen remains scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2028 and, at 47.83m, will become the largest yacht delivered by Van der Valk.
Project Zen's 48m Profile Takes Shape
Project Zen, yard number WV0149, is being built entirely in aluminum on a new platform developed specifically around the requirements of an experienced owner. Guido de Groot Design is responsible for the exterior and interior, while Van Oossanen Naval Architects developed the naval architecture.
The yacht began life as a considerably smaller proposal. As YachtBuyer reported when construction started in 2025, the initial concept measured around 36m before the design increased first to 38m, then 40m and 42m as the owner's requirements were developed. The final length settled at 47.83m.
Despite the increase in length, the exterior has retained a low, streamlined character influenced by the owner's interest in high-performance cars. The finished yacht will have a gross tonnage of 499 GT, an 8.5m beam and a draft of 2.15m.
Long-Range Engineering Behind Van der Valk's New Flagship
Range was given greater priority than outright speed during the development of Project Zen.
Van Oossanen Naval Architects developed a Fast Displacement Hull Form supported by an aft-mounted Hull Vane, with the platform intended to reduce resistance and allow the motor yacht to operate with relatively modest engine power for her size. Van der Valk quotes a range of more than 4,400 nautical miles at 10 knots, giving Project Zen transpacific cruising capability.
Power will come from two MAN D2862LE489 engines rated at 1,066kW each. The yard lists a cruising speed of 16 knots and a maximum speed of 17.5 knots.
We build for owners who are not prepared to settle for an off-the-shelf product, and for ZEN that meant an entirely new platform."
Van der Valk
The engineering brief reflects the owner's intention to use the yacht for extended cruising rather than prioritize maximum speed, while the 499 GT volume leaves substantial space for guest areas, wellness facilities and equipment.
Inside the Owner-Led Brief Behind Project Zen
Project Zen has been designed heavily around how her owner and family intend to spend time on board. A large sea terrace at the stern will feature fold-down bulwarks on three sides, with retractable self-leveling stairs providing direct access to the water. Sliding doors lead forward into a dedicated watersports area intended to carry equipment including eFoils, Seabobs and wakeboards.
A large sea terrace at the stern will feature fold-down bulwarks on three sides, with retractable self-leveling stairs providing direct access to the water. Sliding doors lead forward into a dedicated watersports area intended to carry equipment including eFoils, Seabobs and wakeboards.
Forward, the full-beam owner's suite sits alongside a wellness area with separate gym and yoga spaces. Large opening glass doors allow airflow through the area, while the arrangement can operate either as part of the owner's private accommodation or remain accessible to other guests.
Exterior living continues across a split-level sundeck with areas for dining and socializing, while the bow carries another lounge and a spa pool. A lower-deck garage has been developed for a larger tender and Jet Ski, with access through a side-opening ramp.
Van der Valk's Custom Yacht Pipeline Moves Forward
In July, Van der Valk delivered the 40m superyacht Shine following her March launch and subsequent sea trials. At 370 GT, Shine is currently the largest yacht delivered by the yard, a record Project Zen is set to take when she is completed in 2028.
Elsewhere in the build hall, the 31m Project Berlin reached its own structural milestone earlier this year when the wheelhouse was installed onto its aluminum superstructure. The custom raised pilothouse yacht, designed with Guido de Groot Design and naval architecture by Diana Yacht Design, is now moving through outfitting ahead of a planned summer 2027 delivery.
The yard’s pipeline also includes the 33m Project May, an aluminum semi-displacement yacht designed by Guido de Groot with naval architecture by Diana Yacht Design, while Evan Kortmann’s appointment as CEO in July 2026 came as Van der Valk advanced a growing program of larger custom projects. Project Zen now leads that program, moving the yard closer to its first delivery approaching the 50m mark.
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