IJMUIDEN – Dutch builders increasingly cater to clients with a big appetite for speed. In recent years, the list of companies marketing superfast, high-end motor yachts is growing steadily.
There are now at least eight makers of very luxurious superyacht tenders in the Netherlands. The latest is Qnautic which has enrolled Vripack, the legacy design studio, into a 16m (52.8ft) tender project with wide, comfy helm seats, stylish decking, an ergonomic exterior and packing fierce speeds.
QNautic faces stiff competition from well-established Dutch brands as Wajer, Vanquish, Zeelander and Waterdream. The first two, especially, turn out luxury tender yachts in many lengths.
Qnautic founder Robbert van Rijk, says “the interest and passion for boatbuilding originated at our family shipyard in Amsterdam. After many years of working in shipping, including the offshore industry, fish industry, tugboats and wind farm vessels, a love for building high-quality boats has arisen.” Enter Qnautic, run by Robbert’s son Marnix, meaning the Van Rijk family boasts four generations of boatbuilders.
Qnautic is not exactly entering the market with a bang. Its maiden Q52 tender is due for delivery in the summer. The only other model is Qnautic’s second collaboration with Vripack. Their first speedster, a ‘Q39 super-RIB, was launched in 2020.
The idea for the Q39 originated from a need for a fast and safe RIB suitable for offshore use,” says Marnix Hoekstra, co-creative director at Vripack. The Q39 can do 60 knots and is based on a GRP monohull crew boat for offshore wind farms and was developed with a simple brief: be capable of safely transporting 12 people to and from offshore wind farms at high speeds in all conditions.
“By combining existing RIB designs with contemporary techniques and styling, the Q39 super RIB was born,” said Hoekstra. The Q52 features roomy sunbeds, a wet bar with a sink and fridge. Qnautic will market it as a superyacht tender enabling “guests to enjoy time spent traveling to and from the mothership in style.”
