Vanquish VQ45 Video Review: An Anchor Hidden Under the Hull
By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough7 min read
The Vanquish VQ45 is a 45 ft aluminium dayboat built in the Netherlands, and this one runs twin Volvo Penta IPS 650 pods. We walked her out of the water at boot Düsseldorf 2025, which let us show things you never normally see, like the anchor that drops from under the hull and the 10 underwater lights. The aft sunbed lifts over a huge storage locker, the helm is built like one piece of metal, and below there is a galley, a lounge bed and a head.
Details you can only see out of the water
Vanquish makes almost everything in-house, from the speaker grilles and the anchor to the latches on the side gate. With the boat on stands at the show, we could finally show how the hidden anchor works. The aluminium hull lets owners change the layout, and the welds are so clean they look 3D printed. Sound insulation lines the engine room so the cockpit stays quiet.
What stood out on board
- An anchor under the hullIt drops from underneath the bow, made in-house by Vanquish. Above deck you only see the windlass.
- A locker you can stand inThe aft sunbed lifts at a button over a lined storage room for toys, poles and the ladder.
- 10 underwater lightsFour on each side and two facing aft.
- Hidden drainsAC and generator outlets sit in an angled wall, so they never splash the boat next door.
- A helm that looks 3D printedThe aluminium welds around the helm are almost perfect.
- A fridge that becomes a freezerA deep drawer that holds open bottles upright, or ice cream.
Spec sheet at a glance
| Feature | What you get | The benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m) | A big dayboat that still feels nimble |
| Beam | 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) | A wide, stable deck |
| Draft | 2 ft 11 in (0.88 m) | Shallow enough for most coves |
| Dry weight | 10 t (22,046 lb) | Light for an aluminium boat |
| Fuel | 211 gal (800 L) | A full day out |
| Power (as filmed) | 2x Volvo Penta IPS 650 pods | Joystick control and Skyhook |
| Quoted top speed | About 40 kn (as quoted on board) | Not measured, we did not sea trial her |
| Outboard option | 4x Mercury Verado 600, over 70 mph quoted | A passerelle sits between them |
| Hull | Aluminium, with sound insulation | Stiff and quiet |
| Helm | Two 16 in Garmin screens, joystick, Skyhook | Holds position while you wait |
| Layout | Galley, lounge bed, head with shower | Good for a day or a night for two |
| Lighting | 10 underwater lights, deck pin lights | Looks great at night |
Swim platform and aft storage
The swim platform is fixed, with a ladder that extends into the water or rises to become a passerelle. Pop-up cleats fold flush at the push of a button.
- Shower.A carbon rain shower screws in on the port side.
- Locker.Lifts at a button, lined so wet gear does no damage.
- Stored inside.The ladder, the passerelle rail, Bimini poles and the flag pole.
- Audio.Subwoofers set flush into the sides.
Engine room
Behind the storage locker sits the engine room, with twin IPS 650 pods. Padding on every wall keeps engine and generator noise out of the cockpit.
- Pods.Volvo Penta IPS 650.
- Batteries.On their own tray, away from other gear.
- Panels.Clearly labelled and easy to reach.
- Outboard version.Four Mercury 600s with a passerelle between them.
Cockpit and helm
The hardtop is all glass, with spotlights in the beam between the panels. A taller windshield and side glass keep wind off in cooler weather.
- Dining.Four cup holders and slots for phones.
- Fridge.A deep drawer that can work as a freezer.
- Seats.A sporty captain's seat that slides, with a footrest.
- Controls.Joystick with Skyhook, two 16 in Garmin screens and a bow thruster.
- Fender locker.Fenders stand upright, on synthetic teak.
Bow
A three-person sunbed sits between the walkways, with a curved bench facing aft and a coffee table that can be removed.
- Cup holders.Three on each side, with carbon plates.
- Charging.USB sockets on both sides.
- Shade.Sockets for carbon Bimini poles.
- Water.A freshwater outlet under your feet.
Hidden anchor and hull
The anchor comes out from under the bow, not from a locker on deck. Its housing acts as a weight, and the flukes fold down to dig in.
- Chain.Colour-marked at 10 m and 50 m.
- Control.A remote to raise and lower it.
- Mooring.A holder keeps the mooring line off the paint.
- Drains.Moulded into the hull, so no rust stains.
- Lights.10 underwater lights.
Below deck
A side gate with a jewellery-like latch leads to a sliding door, then three curved steps down. There is room to stand for a 6 ft 1 in adult.
Galley
- Appliances.A microwave, a coffee machine on a slide and an ice maker.
- Counter.A scratch-proof top and a deep sink.
- Storage.Foam inserts for cups, flutes and plates.
- Controls.A Volvo panel and JL Audio.
Lounge and head
- Lounge bed.Can be changed to a dinette if you prefer.
- Closet.Tall enough for long dresses.
- Head.Waterproof walls, a shower wand and hidden toilet roll.
The VQ45 hides its cleverness well. The anchor under the hull, the drains built into an angled wall and the storage room under the sunbed all keep the deck clean and simple. Everything from the welds to the latches feels made to last, and much of it is made by Vanquish itself. Below there is a proper galley, a lounge bed and a head. We did not sea trial her, so we cannot speak to the ride on IPS 650s.
Found your Vanquish Yachts VQ45? Insure it in minutes with MasterCover by YachtWay, our in-house cover built for owners of boats like this one.
Other reviews you might like
20:39Vanquish Yachts VQ115 Veloce ReviewSame brand · A first look inside the new Vanquish VQ115, with a transformer swim platform, a garage for its own tender, blacked-out details, a huge helm, iPads in every room and a full-beam owner's cabin.
14:37Vanquish Yachts VQ40 Sports Line Outboard ReviewSame brand · A Dutch-built 40 ft dayboat on three Mercury V10 400 outboards, with a carbon hardtop that seems to float, a fold-away passerelle, a Seakeeper and a stepped hull that tracks.
26:53Vanquish Yachts VQ55 Sports Line Outboard ReviewSame brand · A 55 ft Dutch dayboat on five Mercury 600 V12 outboards, filmed in Miami, with a toy garage under the sunbed, a bar with a Hoshizaki ice maker and a cabin below.In this video
- 00:00 Introduction to vq45
- 00:45 Aft deck and swim platform
- 01:44 Aft storage and amenities
- 03:40 Engine room and performance
- 04:43 Main deck seating and hardtop
- 06:51 Deck audio and lighting
- 07:56 Helm station features
- 11:36 Walkaround and bow lounge
- 13:07 Bow amenities and table
- 14:40 Anchor system walkthrough
- 17:31 Underwater lights and drains
- 18:29 Boarding gate and cabin entry
- 20:04 Interior cabin galley
- 23:13 Cabin storage and lounge
- 25:46 Bathroom and conclusion
- Presented by
- Heigo Paartalu
- YachtWay Spotlight host
- Filmed by
- YachtWay Studios