This New Custom 48-Foot Yacht Is Bentley on the Outside, Hermès on the Inside
Sometimes big luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary comes in small packages.
The 48-foot Zeelander 5, which the Dutch yard just delivered to her Turkish owner, takes design inspiration from two of the most formidable names in the luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary sector: Bentley and Hermès.
Unveiled in 2021, the vessel is currently the smallest model in the four-strong lineup, behind the 56-foot Zeelander 6, the 67-foot Zeelander 7, and the 79-foot Zeelander 8. The semi-custom yacht is built on a standardized hull, but offers extensive personalization options that make it feel almost fully bespoke.
“Although our Zeelander 5 is a platform that has been well proven around the world, no two yachts are alike,” Zeelander founder and chairman Sietse Koopmans said in a statement.
This particular unit was designed specifically to match the owner’s cars and aircraft. Created by Zeelander’s in-house design team in collaboration with the owner’s chosen studio, the yacht features Bentley-inspired metallic paintwork on the hull and superstructure. The shimmery “Light Gazelle” finish shifts between gray and bronze, creating a striking contrast against the dark, tinted glass on the large wraparound window.
The interior, meanwhile, tips a hat to Hermès, with pops of the French fashion house’s famous orange playing against an otherwise very subtle palette. The bold hue appears on furniture in the owner’s suite, the Corian countertop in the salon, the cockpit seating, and the sun loungers. Even the Bentley-style diamond stitching on the leather throughout is orange. Hermès blankets and pillows are also strewn about.
“This latest project called for careful color and material matching with the owner’s favorite supercars and luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary brands to create a powerful yet coherent interior,” adds Koopmans.
To top it off, quite literally, the salon features a Rolls-Royce-style starlight ceiling, putting a stellar scene above you by night. By day, the expansive windows invite the surrounding outdoor environment in. Other unique elements include a built-in humidor for the owner’s cigar collection and a pop-up TV on the aft deck for movie nights.
The owner, who Koopmans says has a much bigger yacht and is tremendously experienced on the water, plans to operate the Zeelander 5 without a crew. The accommodation, therefore, includes a full-beam owner’s suite amidships and a twin guest cabin forward.
Powered by Volvo IPS engines, the yacht can hit a top speed of 40 knots yet is whisper quiet. In fact, Zeelander says that even at full throttle, you can have a conversation anywhere on board without raising your voice. The joystick ensures easy and intuitive handling, too.
The yacht is the first new-generation Zeelander 5 to be based in the Mediterranean, according to the yard.
Click here to see more photos of the Zeelander 5.
This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.
FAQs
The Zeelander 5 is a 48-foot semi-custom motor yacht and the smallest model in Zeelander’s current four-yacht lineup.
Its exterior uses Bentley-inspired metallic paint, while the interior features Hermès-style orange accents, luxury textiles, and matching diamond-stitched leather.
Highlights include a Rolls-Royce-style starlight ceiling, a built-in cigar humidor, a pop-up TV on the aft deck, and extensive bespoke color and material treatments.
Powered by Volvo IPS engines, the yacht can reach a top speed of 40 knots while remaining quiet enough for normal conversation even at high speeds.
Yes. This particular yacht was configured for owner operation, with joystick controls designed to make handling easier and more intuitive.