Following the announcement yesterday (18 February) from Dykstra Naval Architects, Dutch shipyard Vitters has shared further details about its new 53-metre sloop-rigged sailing yacht, now known as Project SY 07.
According to the shipyard, the new build was commissioned by an experienced yachtsman and sailing family, and has been designed for long-range worldwide cruising as well as the "occasional" superyacht regatta. Amsterdam-based Dykstra Naval Architects is responsible for the naval architecture and exterior design of the sailing yacht, while Sneek-based studio Vripack is behind the interiors, completing an all-Dutch collaboration.
Van Ineveld & Co will act as the owner’s representative and will oversee the technical specification, budget and schedule. The keel laying will take place in January 2027, with delivery slated for early February 2029.
“Our objective is to deliver a yacht that is balanced, efficient and highly responsive," explained Mark Leslie-Miller, partner and naval architect at Dykstra Naval Architects. "The naval architecture focuses on optimised hydrodynamics, refined geometry and careful weight control to ensure strong performance across a broad wind range. The design is characterised by a pilot cutter–inspired hull form with a generous aft overhang, giving the yacht a dynamic yet timeless profile under sail."
While imagery remains minimal, the initial rendering of Project SY 07 reveals a dark hull with a plumb bow and an elongated overhanging stern. The yard noted that her design draws inspiration from the early 20th century "golden age of sailing", mostly seen in her classic deck layout, woodwork and panelling.
"The client's brief was for a distinctive interior, grounded in the traditional styling of 1920s and '30s classic sailing yachts, but reimagined for today," added Marnix J. Hoekstra, co-creative director at Vripack. "To reimagine does not mean to copy. A particular highlight will be the bar in the main saloon, which promises to be a real signature piece. The interior bears a genuinely fresh and novel design with real-world executability. Our longstanding relationship with Vitters, built continuously since Project Zero, can only help us deliver another yacht that truly matches the owner's vision."
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Project SY 07 has been arranged to encourage shared sailing experiences, with a deck layout that is both functional and socially capable for the owner-cum-helmsman and his family. Accommodation is for eight guests in four cabins with further quarters for a crew of seven.
The builders have a target displacement of 230 tonnes, with a volume of 253GT. The new build will have a telescopic lifting keel to extend her draught from 4.5 metres to 6.9 metres and will feature a mast that stands just under 62.5 metres, carrying a total of 1,200 square metres of sail. The sail plan itself will host a square-top mainsail, reefed by a slab boom system.
Bas Peute, sales and marketing manager at Vitters, concluded: "Across other projects, we have had the pleasure to collaborate with both design parties and the owner’s representation before. We look forward to bringing our insight and expertise to the build of SY 07, and welcoming these owners to the Vitters family of yachts on the water.”
Project SY 07 will be built to Lloyd’s Classification with a Cayman Islands flag. Her length over hull will stand at 48 metres, with a 9.4-metre beam.
According to BOATPro, Vitters currently has four yachts on order or under construction, including the custom 63-metre sailing yacht Project Dreamer.
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