The Dutch shipyard Van der Valk has shared an update on the 23.56-metre yacht Capella, currently in-build and due for a 2023 delivery. The construction of the yacht is slightly ahead of schedule, and the yard have suggested it could even foresee an earlier launch than the expected Spring 2023 date.

The pocket explorer yacht was sold this past June and work began quickly on the vessel whose naval architecture has been collaboratively designed by Ginton Naval Architects and Diana Yacht Design B.V.. Her round bilge design has been specifically pioneered to create a sturdy and comfortable vessel for long distance cruising, and her owner's, who are experienced yachtsmen, intend to extensively travel aboard their yacht.

In addition to the in-build update, the shipyard has shared interior renders of the yacht for the first time, which have been penned by Dutch designer, Guido de Groot Design who also pioneered her exterior lines. He commented, "We used a lot of light materials on board, so that it felt airy and fresh. But we also included some darker accents, including walnut, integrating some wooden strips into the flat panels of the walls. The bookshelves and niches are designed to make the boat feel more ‘home like’, and these can be used to store works of art. All in all, we were looking to create a rustic, homely atmosphere that isn’t too busy or overwhelming."

Noting that the owner's have been heavily involved in the design and layout of the vessel, de Groot commented that it is there intention to sail the vessel themselves for long periods and so the central hub of the interior has been focused around the galley. This bright and spacious area features both a table and island, ideal for cooking and entertaining simultaneously.

This galley-focused design is one of the designers favourite things about the vessel; "I like how well the boat is laid out. There is nothing you miss on board, which is impressive for a boat of this size. Everything fits really well together, and there were no unpleasant surprises during construction that any element of didn’t fit with everything else. We designed the layout first and then designed the exterior around it."

superyachttimes.com