Built in aluminum and developed under the project name EVO, Shine marks a significant step for the Waalwijk-based shipyard, both in length and in technical ambition. The yacht was designed in close collaboration with her owners, with exterior styling, general arrangement, and interior design by Cristiano Gatto Design.
The latest milestone follows her March launch and her subsequent departure from Van der Valk’s Waalwijk facility, where she navigated the Dutch canal network before entering sea trials.
Built Around an Owner-Operator Brief
Shine was shaped around a clear owner brief: a near-40m yacht with the finish and comfort of a custom yacht, while remaining manageable for an experienced owner who enjoys taking the helm.
That requirement influenced much of the yacht’s development. Her 8.5m beam was determined by Dutch canal lock restrictions, giving the yacht the proportions needed to leave the shipyard through inland waterways. At the same time, the design team had to preserve volume, deck space, and technical access within those limits.
Cristiano Gatto Design developed the exterior from an original concept by SFG Yacht Design and Fancy by Dada. Gatto’s team also shaped the interior of the motor yacht, using around 78 materials throughout the yacht, including ebony wood, fine leather, and custom furniture.
Engineering Behind the Milestone
Shine features a round-bilge fast-displacement hull by Ginton Naval Architects, with structural engineering by Diana Yacht Design. Extensive computational fluid dynamics studies supported the hull development, while outboard-positioned rudders were used to create a shallower shaft angle, helping reduce vibration and improve comfort underway.
Power comes from twin MTU engines, giving Shine a reported top speed of 24 knots at half load and a cruising speed of 19 knots. At 10 knots, she has a range of around 2,200 nautical miles.
The aft section is one of the yacht’s most complex areas. It includes a transformer swim platform, transom access, twin staircases to the water, and drop-down balconies, creating a beach club arrangement that extends the yacht’s usable space at anchor.
A 370GT Layout Designed for Private Cruising
With a gross tonnage of 370GT, Shine accommodates up to 10 guests across five staterooms. The full-beam owner’s suite is positioned forward on the main deck and includes his-and-hers bathrooms and a walk-in wardrobe. Four additional guest cabins are arranged on the lower deck, with two doubles and two twins. One suite can be converted into a double, while another can also serve as a gym.
Exterior areas include a sheltered main-deck seating zone beneath a hardtop, an alfresco dining area on the bridge deck, and a sundeck arranged with lounge seating, sunpads, and a bar.
Recent Deliveries and New Builds at Van der Valk
Shine’s sea-trial completion comes during an active period for Van der Valk. According to YachtBuyer MarketWatch, the largest yacht database in the world, the yard currently has four yachts in its order book, including Shine.
The milestone follows the delivery of the 36m custom superyacht Jangada, a repeat-owner project designed for long-stay family cruising. The yard is also progressing the 31m Project Berlin, an aluminum raised-pilothouse yacht due for delivery in 2027.
Looking further ahead, Van der Valk has begun construction on the 48m Project Zen, a new flagship scheduled for delivery in 2028. Designed with Guido de Groot Design and Van Oossanen Naval Architects, Project Zen will take the yard into a larger custom category with a 499GT aluminum platform and long-range cruising brief.
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With Shine now through final sea trials, Van der Valk is preparing to deliver its largest yacht to date, closing a technically demanding build and opening a new chapter for its custom program.
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