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Discover MY Blue Jeans
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It is now several decades since a new 1160 was launched from the Waalwijk yard but walk into any marina in the Netherlands and the chances are high that you will find at least one of these famous vessels lying proudly in a berth and attracting admiring glances. The yard’s founder Wim Van der Valk started out building river cruisers in 1967 but by the mid-1970s he had really found his groove with the designs for the 1160s, more than 400 of which would eventually be built.
They were offered to clients in three different formats – a bare steel hull, a hull with the drive train and tanks installed or a completely finished yacht inside and out. Like many other Van der Valks at the time – the yard also made its name in these early decades for its Comfort, Royal and Falcon brands – the 1160s were fitted with overhauled DAF DD-575 120hp six-cylinder engines. The full displacement hard chine hull had a moderate V shape, topped off with an elegant steel superstructure.
Delivered to her owners in the early eighties, Bernadette is a fine example of the 1160 philosophy in action. With a length of 11.60-metres and 3.70-metre beam, she continues to make an instant impression on connoisseurs of smooth looks and easy living. Her design concept is based on a split-level arrangement. Entering via the cockpit deck with its smart outdoor helm, the main salon is a couple of steps lower and the same applies again with the seamless transition down to the galley.
Forward is a guest cabin and everything feels super comfortable and safe. It is very easy to imagine turning in for the night after a day on the water and sleeping in the cosy full-beam lower deck owner’s cabin with its ensuite bathroom. And with so many 1160s like Bernadette standing the test of time so well, there are lots of fortunate owners still experiencing such pleasures for themselves today.
VAN DER VALK SHIPYARD & HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAVE
MORE IN COMMON THAN YOU MIGHT THINK
At first glance, a Dutch yacht builder and an American motorcycle brand have little in common. But if you look closer, there are clear parallels to be drawn. Both share a rich legacy based on craftsmanship and exclusivity. Both brands revolve around emotion and freedom. But above all, both brands have been reinventing themselves for many decades, based on innovation and future orientation.
Cultural wildfire
Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 by four young men in a shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By fitting a 116cc motor into a standard bicycle frame, they set the stage for a cultural wildfire that would grow and spread across continents and generations. In 118 years, the company has grown into one of the most recognizable and iconic brands in the world, with some 5,000 employees all over the globe.
Innovation and progress
While the nostalgically-styled touring and cruiser models might suggest otherwise, Harley-Davidson has been cultivating innovation and progress for 118 years. The company's vision is to build their legend in the motorcycle industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. And the Americans put their words into action. For example, Harley-Davidson was the first of the major motorcycle builders to dare to build an all-electric model. In 2019, the launch of the LiveWire gave riders worldwide a glimpse into the future of motorcycling and to date no traditional motorcycle brand has dared to back it up.
By Ralph Edelstein Harley Davidson
Breaking new ground
The recent launch of the Pan America, the first Harley-Davidson Adventure Touring model, also proves that the brand is not afraid of daring actions. This multi-tool on wheels is a significant break from the traditional segments in which Harley-Davidson operates, while at the same time capturing and carrying out the pure Harley DNA. Both press and public are thrilled, and the company must pull out all the stops to meet the overwhelming demand. With the new Icons Collection Harley-Davidson celebrates classic American product design and the Americana it is part of. This new limitededition, serialized model line annually releases one or two models that present a new take on a classic design. The Electra Glide Revival, the first in the Icons Collection, has the nostalgic looks of the past, with the technology of tomorrow.
But research and development and progression are also central to the existing product lines. The CVO line-up in particular is a breeding ground for innovation. CVO stands for Custom Vehicle Operations. It is Harley-Davidson’s most exclusive product line, annually presenting a limited-edition custom version of some of the mainstream Harley-Davidson models. CVO is for the rider that wants it all, and more. Expect more displacement, exclusive paint options and CVO-only options and features.
Towards a sustainable future
As a future-oriented motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson has sustainability high on its list of priorities. In addition to leading the way in the electrification of the motorcycle industry, the brand is also working on making its combustion engine lines significantly more fuel efficient. Since they will still run side by side with the electric motors for some time, this development will receive all the attention it deserves in the coming years. In addition, the brand focuses strongly on taking actions to improve energy conservation and to reduce energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. They are on their way to zero waste to landfill, by reducing waste generation and improving reuse and recycle.
Solid foundation
Many of the themes pointed out in this article will be familiar to followers of Van der Valk Shipyard. The yard's yachts and HarleyDavidson motorcycles are built on the same principles. Pride, passion, freedom, exclusivity, emotion, and innovation are not just marketing terms, they form the solid foundation under both Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Van der Valk Yachts. For many decades both companies have been proving that quality, authenticity, and future-facing product development outlast any hype; both on the open sea and on the open road.
A WORLD OF EXPLORATION
Construction started in summer 2021 on the fifth model in an Explorer line which is much appreciated by clients who enjoy travelling long distance in Van der Valk standards of comfort and customisation. We talked had a Q&A with designer Guido de Groot, who has created a blend of the classic and timeless, with the bold and original, while ensuring top sailing and seakeeping qualities.
By Andrew Rogers
