HEEG – DaVinci Yachts builds retro-style weekenders that offer lots of outdoor experiences. Recently, the yard added e new flagship – the 13.4m DaVinci 44 – to its fleet of 30,32 and 35ft (9, 9,7 and 10,7m).
Yard owner Erik van Veen: “Clients asked if we could make larger models. In 2010, we built two 40ft (12.2m) boats in wood. Since we had no molds, it seemed logical to start with that size and build up. However, as we brainstormed about that, we concluded it would be better to develop a new 44ft design. My only condition was that the design would fit in the DaVinci family.”
A new flagship was developed with Vripack Design. The molds for the DaVinci 44 were made by Nedcam and Adel Polyester made the hulls. The Da Vinci yard contributed to the engineering in a way that secured easy access to technical areas.
Van Veen has kept the finishing of the yachts in his own hands. Since 2009, Da Vinci yachts have been built in Poland “to our complete satisfaction,” says Van Veen.
“It’s just that in recent years, it became more difficult to get sufficient capacity there. We began doing more in-house outfitting in the last two or three years. By now, we have built the new model entirely in the Netherlands and spread production, so I’m not dependent on a single supplier.”
By the time construction of the DaVinci 44 began, Van Veen had already sold three from drawings. The 44ft is powered by two Volvo Penta D6 diesel, 264 kW/360HP each, coupled to stern drives with duo-prop propellers.
The new flagship achieves a top speed of 30 knots.
The boat meets Vripack’s calculations and has a stable ride without trim tabs, but these can be added on request. The underwater hull has a V-shape that flattens out going aft. The hull comes easily into planing and the spray rails keep the boat dry.
The DaVinci 44 has a contemporary appearance, with flowing hull lines, and is equipped with every comfort. In the bow, the owner’s cabin has a French bed, a view of the water and a rooftop skylight that continues into the next room with seating to the port side. To starboard is a wet room with a separate shower and toilet.
Below the helm is a second cabin with two permanent berths. The accommodation in the foreship is closed by a sliding door of dark Plexiglas, which slides behind the steering position when open.
The open cockpit holds a steering position, two L-shaped benches, a galley behind the helm seat, and a stern passage access to the swimming platform. The decks and cockpit floor are made of Permateek.
So far, the boats Van Veen has sold are open, but there is a closed hard-top version. The steering position and cockpit can be covered with a tent. Van Veen has built five DaVinci 44s. DaVinci Yachts employs 12 people.
