Although every custom yacht represents a singular vision, the Feadship yacht Valor represents an even more particular one. Her American owner wanted to reach some of the world’s most remote and ice-laden waters, where traditional superyachts simply don’t go. More specifically, the owner wanted to accomplish a long-held ambition of navigating the notorious Northwest Passage.
Even the first glance, which you can get at this month’s Monaco Yacht Show, had to make this ambition clear. “He requested something that ‘would be recognizable from outer space’ as a unique design,” notes Chris Bottom of De Voogt Naval Architects. Although some people don’t like the reference, many yachts have what’s called “wedding-cake” designs, with tier upon tier of white. This 216-footer (nearly 80-meter) is therefore deliberately bold in her aesthetic, with a battleship-inspired bow and military-style hull numbers. Together, they communicate her expedition capabilities and her owner’s confidence in tackling demanding waters.
Of course, the technical specifications needed to reflect the expedition focus. The yacht Valor complies with Bureau Veritas’ Young Ice 2 classification. She therefore can safely operate in ice up to 30 centimeters (about 1-foot) thick, thanks to an ice belt around her hull above and below the waterline. Additionally, areas like the Northwest Passage simply don’t have shoreside services. Therefore, the diesel-electric propulsion system, from Feadship’s engineering team, has high-capacity batteries. In fact, the capacity is five times that of Feadship’s 2015 hybrid yacht Savannah. Solar panels in the mast supplement the power system as well, permitting up to 48 hours of battery operations alone at anchor. Should the owner choose biofuel, the yacht further reduces impact on the icy environment, along with other waters.
Wherever she roams, the owner and guests can wake up to extraordinary views—quite literally from the moment they open their eyes. All six guest staterooms are on the main deck, while the owner has a private deck above. (Fun fact: The owner’s deck includes an area with artificial grass for his three treasured golden retrievers.) Throughout the yacht Valor, the Bannenberg & Rowell design studio imparts comforting, welcoming luxury so that family and friends treasure the extended voyages even more.
Even with a 27-by-8-foot contra-flow infinity pool—among the largest Feadship has installed on a yacht this size—Valor ultimately is more than another large yacht. She’s the fulfillment of one person’s yearning to see some of the world’s most remote marine frontiers. Bucket lists come with ambitious requirements, and the technical capabilities of this project should rise to the occasion.
Bannenberg & Rowell bannenbergandrowell.com
Feadship feadship.nl
More About the Yacht Valor
LOA: 260’10” (79.5 meters)
Beam: 44’0” (13.4 meters)
Draft: 12’2” (3.7 meters)
Guests: 14 guests in 7 staterooms
Engines: diesel-electric system with 2/1,470-kW Caterpillar gensets and 2/354-kW John Deere gensets, 1/5.34-kWh battery bank
Range: 5,000 nautical miles at 10 knots (approx.)
Builder: Feadship
Stylist: De Voogt Naval Architects
Naval Architect: De Voogt Naval Architects
Interior Designer: Bannenberg & Rowell