EDGE 65 - Weekends will never be the same

The first EDGE 65 is under construction with outboard engines for experienced repeat clients (page 8). She will combine 40 knots of speed with the ability to make ocean crossings and explore shallow waters. With a fold-out platform spanning 48 square metres of deck space and a bespoke interior, this new scion of the Van der Valk range may be the ultimate weekender you’ve been seeking too.

CUTTING EDGE:

WEEKENDS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

Created with exterior designer Cor D. Rover and Studio Delta Naval Architects, the EDGE 65 features a number of firsts for Van der Valk. Her draught of under three feet opens up all but the shallowest waters, while a top speed of 40 knots hastens deep water runs and the first leg of any weekender. Power for the launch model will be provided by four Mercury V12 Verados, offering an exhilarating total of 2400 hp.

“It’s unusual for a Dutch yard to install these engines on a luxury yacht of this size and the EDGE 65 will be the heaviest possible size that could be propelled by outboards,” says Van der Valk general manager Bram Kooltjes. “Mercury Marine’s automatic gear shift technology allows us to come to just over 30 tonnes while retaining some excellent outdoor and indoor real estate. Every aspect of the yacht has been optimised to benefit speed and reduce underwater friction.”

In good step

Optimum seakeeping will also be assured as the EDGE 65 is the first of our yachts to benefit from Petestep; the hull technology. “Combining such speeds on a 65-footer with superyacht standards of comfort was an exacting brief,” says Jonas Danielsson, CEO of this Swedish company. “We worked with CFD software experts on simulations to see how the boat would behave in all kinds of water, calculating the resistance and pressure components of some five million air and water cells as they interacted with the design.

“Each of the fifty simulations took up to a day to complete and this wealth of data led to three Petestep deflectors being added to the EDGE 65 hull. Fitted in a V-shape to push water down and aft, they give a lower amount of wetted surface, a greater degree of lift and a forward thrust from the redirection of the spray. The ultimate result is a major reduction in resistance, a boost to speed and a very dry ride for those onboard.”

Comparing the base hull of the EDGE 65 with the Petestep hull, the programme predicted a 30 per cent reduction in slamming forces. “While we’ve consistently seen such numbers on smaller vessels with our technology, we’d not expected them to be so high on a 65-footer. It’s really good to work with a reputable yard like Van der Valk on a project with the potential to open up a new market for luxury boats that are relatively fast and allow for both shallow water access and ocean trips.”

Close to the water

Exterior designer Cor D. Rover is also enthusiastic about the EDGE 65. “A great deal of expertise has come together, not least from the owners with their experience of boating. Together we’ve designed a cabana on the water with an optimised amount of enclosed real estate and the ability to be as close to the water as possible on a 20-metre boat.”

The large aft deck morphs into an outdoor pleasure platform with fold-down balconies creating some eight square metres of additional space. This arrangement also makes it easy to launch and tie up watersports gear, which the outboards would otherwise make impossible in this area.

There is also room on the flybridge for a dedicated crane to enable the yacht to carry a small tender and/or jet ski. “Open the fully extending sliding doors to the interior and the entire main deck becomes one open space with accommodations below,” continues Cor. “Nothing is new here in itself but the combination of all these aspects in this size most certainly is.”

Smooth blend

The interior design is another treat as Carla Guilhem shares her unique take on an Art Deco-inspired beach style. “The EDGE 65 will primarily be used on weekenders and bustling day trips with friends,” says Guilhem. “The owners have no interest in a traditional lounge, preferring to entertain guests in a country kitchen galley with bar. We’ve created a natural style with lots of oak and sophisticated textures. Clean grey and white tones, round corners, panels with textures. The overall theme revolves around chilling in the Caribbean.”

Other options are available for the EDGE 65. You might opt for a two cabin layout with a larger master suite with bathroom in an interior that also features an impressive wheelhouse. Inboard propulsion is also available for future EDGE 65s, all of which will benefit from the huge amount of engineering and smart thinking that’s gone into this launch model.