Vanquish Yachts, the high-end Dutch builder, is starting work on a new 55-foot performance yacht made with composites, instead of the company’s traditional aluminum. The new VQ55, powered by up to five Mercury V-12, 600-hp outboards for the U.S. market, is expected to top out at 70 knots.
Vanquish unveiled its new Sports Line of fiberglass composite boats at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. It started with a composite 40-footer last year. The reception was positive, and many buyers said they were interested in a larger yacht. The new 55 will have much more interior space than the 40, with two large cabins capable of holding four people for a weekend, or longer, cruise.
The increased range of the 55 also will be another advantage. It will have what the company calls a smart galley on deck, with a fridge, sink and wine bar.
Over the years, Vanguard has built its business by offering the flexibility and customization possibilities of aluminum on all its yachts. But lately it has found that many owners want convenience over customizing opportunities, and they didn’t want to wait 18 months or two years for an aluminum boat.
The composite boats can be made in half the time, and they still offer owners customization in choosing their interior designs and details. Many owners, Vanquish found, did not want to customize the exterior of their yachts anyway. The Vanquish lineup now goes from 16 to 115-feet.
Designed by Guido de Groot, the VQ55 will start with twin 1,200-hp diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, producing a 55-knot-plus top speed. The waterjets mean owners can take their boats into shallow waters, or even up to a beach; waterjets also provide a measure of safety not possible in boats with propellers.
For the U.S. market, Vanquish is designing a stepped hull, outboard version of the VQ55, with either four or five of Mercury’s 600-hp outboards. The company is already working on the first orders for the boat. Stay tuned. Read more:
