Van der Valk's Largest Custom Yacht Begins Sea Trials
Shine, the 39.9-metre superyacht that left Van der Valk's Waalwijk facilities in March as the largest vessel the Dutch yard has ever built in both length and volume, has begun sea trials. Delivery is scheduled in time for a Mediterranean debut this summer.
The yacht, built under the name Project EVO throughout its construction, arrived at sea trials as the product of one of the more layered design collaborations in recent Dutch custom building. It began, as these projects often do, with a sketch: an "exceptionally attractive" exterior profile drawn by Franco Gianni of SFG Yacht Design and Doga Naz Cebeci of Fancy by Dada that caught the owners' attention before they had settled on an interior designer. A chance meeting at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in March 2023 introduced them to Cristiano Gatto, founder of Cristiano Gatto Design, and the conversation that followed shaped the project from a preliminary 36-metre concept into the 40-metre yacht now undergoing trials.
"We started discussing furniture, including a collection I was designing at the time," Gatto has explained. "That shared interest created a strong connection, and from there we were able to shape the concept into the 40-metre yacht she is today." From that introduction, Cristiano Gatto Design was brought on to develop the general arrangement and interior design, and later to refine the deck areas and evolve the exterior lines into a coherent whole alongside the original SFG concept. Naval architecture was handled by Ginton Naval Architects and Diana Yacht Design.
The Engineering Constraints That Shaped the Build
The project presented unusual structural demands. A beam limit of 8.5 metres, imposed by Dutch canal lock dimensions, which constrain any yacht built inland that needs to reach open water, had to be maintained throughout, while still delivering an interior that felt genuinely spacious and unrestricted navigation capability at sea. Ginton Naval Architects addressed this through extensive computational fluid dynamics analysis and the decision to place the rudders outboard, a configuration that optimised performance without compromising beam. The aft section required particular ingenuity: a transformer swim platform, drop-down balconies, and an aft transom door were all integrated into the stern in a way that maintained structural integrity while keeping the functions fully usable.
The hull is all-aluminium, built on a proven platform with a round-bilge fast-displacement form. Twin MTU 16V2000 engines give Shine a cruising speed of 19 knots and a top speed in the low 20-knot range: fast enough that the owner's stated preference for captaining his own vessel becomes entirely practical at this size.
"The goal was not simply to build a boat," Gatto has said of the brief. "The owner wanted a micro-megayacht built to the same standards as a 60- or 70-metre project. The result exceeded my expectations."
Interior: 78 Materials, One Coherent Atmosphere
The interior of Shine was designed to maintain visual continuity with the exterior; the same dynamic linearity that defines the profile is reflected inside, rather than creating a tonal break between deck and saloon. The execution involves approximately 78 distinct materials, including ebony wood and fine leather finishes, with fully custom furniture integrated throughout. The effect, according to the studio, is sophisticated without being static.
Accommodation is for up to 10 guests across five staterooms: a full-beam owner's suite on the main deck, two VIP cabins, and two twin cabins on the lower deck... one of which converts to a double, and one that can serve as a gym. Crew quarters for three are in the forepeak, with the captain's cabin on the bridge deck. The crew and guest circulation is entirely separate.
"From the earliest discussions with the owners and design team, it was clear this project would push boundaries in both design, engineering and craftsmanship," said Yoeri Bijker, commercial director at Van der Valk. "Shine stands out as a refined and highly capable 40-metre yacht, combining sleek exterior lines with a carefully considered interior and versatile layout. As the largest yacht launched by Van der Valk to date, she reflects the skill and dedication of every department within our shipyard."
Van der Valk's Growing Order Book
Van der Valk currently has four yachts in build or on order. The yard's next milestone is the 47.8-metre Project Zen, a 499GT aluminium vessel with naval architecture by Van Oossanen Naval Architects and exterior design by Guido de Groot, designed for long-range cruising to 4,400 nautical miles at 16 knots; which will become the shipyard's flagship on delivery in 2028.
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