Dutch superyacht builder Royal Huisman has given a construction update on its next project, which at 52m will be the biggest sportsfish yacht in the world.
Designed in collaboration with Vripack, the all-aluminium Project 406 was bought at the end of 2020 for an undisclosed sum. In March 2022 the hull was turned, and earlier this week the superstructure was fitted, marking a key milestone in this mammoth superyacht project, which is due for completion late next year.
To mark the occasion, Royal Huisman also released new renderings of the project, revealing more detail about her cockpit configuration, including an impressive-looking fighting chair. They also announced that Project 406 will feature “laser-powered exterior lighting”.
With an LOA of 171ft, Project 406 trumps the 144ft Trinity Bad Company, which is currently the world’s largest sportfish yacht. The owner’s identity is being kept under wraps, all Royal Huisman will say is that they’re passionate about fishing. The beam, draft and engine installation is also confidential for now.
The design team is being led by Dutch naval architects Vripack who are aiming to marry the form and utility of an American sportsfishing boat with the very best superyacht technology and comfort in what has been described as “a boutique penthouse hotel interior”.
The helm position sits fully six decks up. Royal Huisman has a well-earned reputation for building some of the world’s best-quality super-sailers but also has a handful of equally impressive motoryachts to its credit.
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“Project 406 is a sportfisher on steroids,” says Vripack Co-Creative Director Bart M. Bouwhuis. “It has the true proportions and long flaring bow of a typical American sportfish boat paired with the harmonious feel of a luxurious superyacht. It’s a supersized model with super chic curves, realised on a grand scale.”
“The world’s first true sportfish superyacht is a very exciting order,” adds Royal Huisman CEO Jan Timmerman. “It is good to know that our reputation as the home of the world’s finest sailing superyachts is now expanding to embrace the world’s most distinctive motor yachts.”
At 52m, Project 406 may be the world’s biggest sportsfish yacht, but she is not the world’s largest superyacht by a long chalk. That honour goes to the 180m Azzam, which is soon to be surpassed by the in-build 183m REV.
The price and launch date of Project 406 are being kept under wraps, but we expect she will hit the water in 2023
Her sleek lines were developed in collaboration with top studio Vripack Yacht Design
