Introducing Project EVO: Van der Valk’s Largest Custom Superyacht  

Van der Valk in the Netherlands has started construction on Project EVO, a completely custom 40 metre superyacht that will be the largest built by the yard to date in terms of length and volume.

Its sleek exterior was originally penned by SFG Yacht Design and Fancy by Dada, with Cristiano Gatto Design adding new length and angles to the profile while also creating an exceptionally detailed interior. This all-aluminium bluewater cruiser will have a round bilged fast displacement hull and a target top speed of 24 knots. 

Project EVO has been ordered by experienced clients who have previously owned a number of high-performance yachts and decided the time had come to create a bespoke yacht for their family. The owners came to Van der Valk, determined to go Dutch in order to be assured of premium quality. The team of experts involved in developing the yacht have also included the naval architects from Diana Yacht Design and Ginton Naval Architects. Built to ABS class, Project EVO will also be fully compliant with the latest IMO Tier III emissions regulations. 

Inspirational concept

Project EVO will have an impressive volume for her length, which was itself extended several metres during a design and consultation process that closely involved the clients every step of the way. The owners were inspired by an exceptionally attractive design from Franco Gianni of SFG Yacht Design and Doga Naz Cebeci from Fancy by Dada. Cristiano Gatto Design initially became involved in the project working on the layout and interior style, as Gatto explains. 

“My participation began on a micro level as we worked with the owners to leverage on some specific furniture design concepts I had previously created. They were looking to recreate a similar ambience onboard their yacht and the interior design emerged from this point. Welcoming the results, the owners asked us to add some of this aesthetic flavour to the exterior design, further evolving the DNA of the preliminary concept penned by SFG and Fancy by Dada. We changed some of the proportions and lines while extending the stern by around two metres. The overall design and profile, however, remains very much the brainchild of all who have been involved.”

Exceptional efforts

While details of the entirely bespoke interior style are being kept under wraps for now, Gatto says that the owners are delighted with how all their efforts have paid off. “The process from first renders to interior concept took around ten months, an exceptional timeframe for a 40-metre project that will truly deserve to be called a mini-megayacht.” Project EVO will include first-class accommodations for ten, including a master stateroom on the main deck and two twin guest suites and two VIPs on the lower deck. Three ensuite double crew cabins will be located in the forepeak next to the mess, while the captain’s cabin will be situated on the bridge deck. 

“It is clear that Van der Valk is one of the few yards with the capacity and flexibility to build fully custom superyachts in this size range,” concludes head of sales Yoeri Bijker. “This 40-metre beauty is based upon an existing engineered platform that is proven in terms of naval architecture. Project EVO is a fine example of how clients can come to Van der Valk with their own exterior designers without having to reinvent the wheel with a new hull, safe in the knowledge that their yacht will excel in terms of performance, speed and stability.”