on 15 Apr 2019
The new luxury yacht builder brings decades of family craftsmanship with smart design and superyacht technology
Sichterman Yachts, a new Dutch boutique yacht builder, officially launched on April 15. Named after Dutch VOC merchant Jan Albert Sichterman, the luxury builder combines decades of family craftsmanship with smart design, as well as superyacht technology.
This unique blend of heritage and modernity places Sichterman at the cutting edge of yachting innovation, about to shake up the industry in its own unconventional way. Sichterman is currently developing and creating a unique aluminium fleet in a range from 15 metres (50ft) up to 26 metres (85ft), of which already four yachts have been sold. Clients are drawn to the impeccable sense of style, forward-thinking design and technological innovations of these luxury vessels.
What started as an outlandish idea back in 2015, is becoming a reality in 2019 for CEO Bart Rehe. “I visited WJH Yachtservice in Workum (Friesland) back in 2015, exploring business for the Dutch sailing yachts Lemsteraken. Talking to Jelle Douma, frontman of WJH, our conversations shifted towards the development of innovative luxury motor yachts and the rare opportunity we have if we joined forces. Today, those conversations have finally become reality.”
For yacht builder Jelle Douma, the shift towards luxury motor yachts meant he and his family company had to adjust. “We’ve been producing Dutch sailing vessels for decades. This leap we took is an incredible adventure. Building a Sichterman challenges us to increase the quality of our work continuously, creating boats that last.”
With very specific and different personal attributes, Rehe and Douma knew they had to get more experts on board to guarantee the first-class quality that Sichterman strives for. Luxury yacht designer Cor D. Rover and Van Oossanen Naval Architects completed the four pillars that Sichterman is built on.
Cor D. Rover, responsible for the aesthetic design, states: “Everything we’ve learned about superyachts over the years, we put in this exciting fleet. A Sichterman can be recognised by its modern feel, yet timeless design. The vertical bow creates a sense of robustness whilst making it one of the most efficient yachts in the market as well.”
Van Oossanen Naval Architects recognised the ambition from Sichterman, and challenged themselves to engineer comfortable yet stylish yachts. The unique combination of the Hull Vane and the Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) makes the yacht generate less waves, have a longer range at cruise speed and a lower fuel consumption.
“Our company motto is Nil Vinclis Dulcius Illis, which basically means that nothing is stronger than the bond we have with our partners – Cor D. Rover, Van Oossanen and WJS Yachtservice,” says Sichterman CCO Reginald Timmermans. “We know that individually we can all go a long way, but as a team we can conquer the world.”
Daniel Sola of Yachting Concepts, a full-service company specialised in luxury yachts in the French Riviera, states: “Passion is a great value which has guided our company since the beginning. I would say this is exactly what we have found when visiting the Sichterman Shipyard in Holland. We’re looking forward to see their boats in Mediterranean waters.” With the first Sichterman almost ready for launch, the fleet will soon set sail.