Zeelander Yachts has unveiled keenly awaited interior renderings of its new flagship Zeelander 8 yacht, which is currently in build. The yacht’s voluptuous exterior lines called for an exquisite interior, and the design from Zeelander has more than met the challenge.
Blending timeless styling with natural light and noble dimensions, the interior offers a living space unmatched in the segment. Across its full 24m, the Zeelander 8 combines superyacht finish with the elegant simplicity of open-plan entertaining and staterooms that provide a luxurious private sanctuary.
Part of the genius of the Zeelander marque is its effective use of the great volume its designs generate. Nowhere is this clearer than in the breathtaking main-deck salon, whose full length permits an inviting sofa area, elegant dining and an ergonomic helm station. Zeelander’s trademark curved windows and sunroof allow natural light to flood in and illuminate the subtle natural tones which differentiate the zones in this open-plan social area – grey linen upholstery here; diamond stitched cream leather there.
Zeelander is obsessive about detail and has left nothing to chance. The galley on the starboard side of the salon is, like everything Zeelander, a masterpiece of elegant understatement. A flush work surface runs the length of the salon, studded with only the absolute necessities – a custom built stainless-steel sink with matching tap and an induction cooktop. There is nothing superfluous here.
Rich Macassar ebony cabinetry appears throughout the yacht, but in typical Zeelander style, there is much more here than meets the eye. Even minute inspection doesn’t reveal the fact that every strip and panel of the wood is high pressure laminate – a step taken by Zeelander to eliminate wear and maintenance without sacrificing the warm aesthetic of real wood. When it is used externally, the same effect is created by meticulously hand-painted GRP.
“The ownership experience of a Zeelander yacht is every bit as important as the lifestyle it enables,” says Zeelander founder Sietse Koopmans. “Just as the choice of the finest leathers and laboriously polished stainless steel pleases the senses, the low maintenance requirements ensure that the boat spends more time in use and less time on the dock. It is a philosophy that Zeelander also extends to its rigorous engineering.”]
If the main deck is about shared social space, the lower deck is a series of cocoons for the owner and their family or guests. A broad staircase leads below to a deck dominated by the magnificent, bright master stateroom. Magisterial dimensions translate into a full king-size double bed and fabulous headroom, with the cabin and its elegant bathroom filling the full 6.6m / 22ft beam of the boat. Plenty of room here to hang crisp, fresh clothes and ensure that you’re always looking your absolute best.
Positioned off the spacious hallway, two guest staterooms offer queen-size beds and immaculately equipped ensuite bathrooms. Headroom is just as generous here, and the large windows also elevate these cabins with natural light. Even the crew area in the bow benefits from these same considerations, with two bright ensuite cabins and its own dedicated access via a forward hatch above the convenient crew mess. Identical finish quality and styling makes the yacht one coherent whole and should deliver a very contented crew.
Those same impressive dimensions allow for a large tender garage aft of the master stateroom. There is space here to drive in and store a Williams 345 Sportjet. Not to mention the optional racks for twin Seabobs, which can accommodate the most powerful ever F5SR model. From the bathing platform aft to the foredeck lounge with its seats and sunbeds, the main salon to the master cabin, this is a yacht built around superlatives.
“Timeless yet contemporary; elegant but restrained, the interior of the new Zeelander 8 is the ultimate expression of sophistication,” says Koopmans. “At 24m length overall, she is a large yacht, naturally offering greater volumes and possibilities than her smaller sisters. And yet, the yacht is every inch a Zeelander, displaying all the hallmarks that have made the brand the object of such desire among owners worldwide. Whisper-quiet despite bursting with power, the Zeelander 8 really is the ultimate connoisseur’s yacht.”
