Steeler Yachts Quality Challenge
Market research
Steeler Yachts has undergone rapid growth since its foundation in 2010. Custom-made design and innovative 'comfort' solutions have played an important role in this.
Design & Development
Delivering top quality in all respects is the number one priority in the company's efforts to become a significant A-brand and achieve continuity for steel and aluminium motor yachts in Europe. As far back as in 2012 Steeler Yachts adapted its entire development and production process to that ambition in order to achieve unparalleled quality standards in all of the sectors in which we compete. A Quality Challenge that sets quality standards that are objective and measurable at each stage of the process.
Since each target group, each country and each navigation area has its own requirements and competitors, each new Steeler is based on market research. Product development doesn't start with what we can already do but with what we have to be able to do to be successful in each individual market sector. This is what underlies our slogan 'Yachts with Ambition'. An ambition not only to follow the future of motor yachts, but also to contribute to shaping it.
Steeler Yachts continuously has new models under development. It usually takes about a year to develop a new model. That might seem like a lot of time, but it is needed to completely work out every aspect of the yacht. Our architects are closely involved in the design and development process. Before the first cutting package is cut the boat already 'exists' for all those involved, and all of the decisions on design, engineering, speed, fuel consumption and the navigation area are clearly laid down in a general plan, technical analyses, 3D drawings and detailed renderings of the final result. 'Look before you leap' is the approach taken to constantly surprising the market with innovative, sophisticated and unique products.
The final result of this phase is a cutting package in which not only the hull but also the technical systems are detailed. Each rounded hull section is set or pressed in the desired form before construction starts, so that the package as a whole fits seamlessly and there is no need to fit parts into the hull or carry out welding under heavy tension.
Hull building A Steeler hull consists of 800 to 1200 parts, many more than an average motor yacht. This is because of the many rounded forms and details that characterise the Steeler design. It is not unusual for people to ask whether steel has really been used to produce this design. The answer is 'yes', and this is the result of experienced and driven hull builders who are able to push the limits of their ability to deliver a 'streamlined' product with minimum tolerances of well under 3mm to our painters.
Vripack: "We don't just design yachts..." With Steeler Yachts we have a client where there is no shortage of Fantasies. This Shipyard encourages their clients to fantasize about the motor yacht of their dreams. To look beyond ‘what is’ and to create new, exciting and most of all individual boating experiences. We are often involved from the first client meeting onwards to visualize what is going to be their next boat. Last year one of these fantasies resulted in the European Powerboat of the Year award, AND I am sure there is more to come.. Our team at Vripack is ready to fulfill your dreams !
Preservation & coating The unprecedented gloss level of at least 92 Gloss Units of the Steelers is the result of a perfect hull, thorough sand blasting and a coating system built up in the way that has been customary in mega yacht building for years: 5 layers of filler, repeatedly sanded down to eliminate all uneven areas and to create a perfectly smooth base, whereas many shipyards make do with just two layers. At Steeler Yachts this entire process is kept under the constant supervision of external building inspectors in order to guarantee consistent quality of the highest level. These inspection reports give Steeler buyers the confidence that quality is monitored down to the finest detail even where it is not visible, and that their yacht will be able to withstand the ravages of time and come out shining.
Mark Houkes, Houkes Yacht Coating Consultancy: Most of my work involves the supervision of mega yachts. Steeler Yachts stands out from the crowd and as far as I know is unique for the fact that it engages us from its smallest model upwards in order to achieve the best possible quality for every Steeler together with the painters. The saying ‘It's not how good you are, but how good you want to be’ certainly applies to this shipyard, which bursts with the ambition to constantly achieve the best possible final result. Each Steeler is sand blasted in accordance with ISO 8501-1 standards with a cleanliness of SA2.5. This is the right base for a good preservation system. The ISO standards for coating thicknesses (> 50 microns) are amply met, which is vital to the yacht's life span and provides protection against corrosion and UV radiation.
Interior design & construct The interior builders of Steeler Yachts are among the best and most experienced in the Netherlands. The Steeler interiors often have a more 'spacious' appearance than the yacht's dimensions would suggest, and they generally offer more functionality and comfort than other yachts of a similar size. All of the interiors are manufactured using the best materials and are always traditionally processed. The modern interiors also exude class and craftsmanship. The interior builders are specialised in CAD/CAM and draw the layouts in consultation with and according to the requirements of the future owners. That ultimately makes each and every Steeler a unique model that clearly bears the signature of the future owner.
Technology Technical developments move at a fast rate and constantly offer new alternatives. For that reason Steeler Yachts doesn't just press the 'repeat' button for the propulsion and technical systems but constantly establishes which products are taking the lead and can add value. Our engineers and buyers attend workshops, factories and courses to closely monitor and identify developments in order to give our customers the best possible advice. The entire technical and propulsion system is included in the set of drawings as early as during the development process so that the installation of the technical systems is fully prepared for the hull building by installing engineering frames and the pipe system.
The Steeler Yachts ‘Quality Challenge’: Steeler's challenge to be the best... and the challenge for others to equal this. For each and every Steeler motor yacht the Steeler Yachts Quality Challenge adds a rational dimension to the raw emotion of design and comfort... The knowledge and confidence that the intrinsic quality of each Steeler sets the trend and broadens the horizons. We're ready for the challenge! Steeler Yachts... Yachts with Ambition