VANDUTCH 40 REVIEW
Even the name seems fitting for this Dutch-made statement about pleasureboating hedonism. Slur the word after too many champagnes and you might be heard to say Vanderbilt. Actually, VanDutch is short for Vanguard Dutch Marine, a company making waves on the Euro scene.
Indeed, this is a well-bred boat, a minimalist day racer whose hull has been designed by superyacht artisan Frank Mulder
The 40-footer that recently arrived in Sydney sure looked the part as it ghosted past with carbon-fibre grey hull, stainless steel brightwork and black canvas bimini. Our heads turned. Look closer and the boat shouldn't disappoint.
The hull is built with vacuum-bagged technology, sandwich construction, and topped with a two-pack AWL-grip paintjob. Mulder's underwater design is said to be uniquely smooth riding, while power comes from twin 480hp Yanmar engines.
Elsewhere, it's all about clean, uncluttered lines, with flush deck hatches and anchor hatch, pop-up navigation lights, pop-up cleats, and LED floor lighting. The hydraulic foldout bowsprit with electric winch, 50m of stainless steel chain and stainless steel plough make the otherwise mundane duty of anchoring fun.
Meanwhile, a cool close-quarters manoeuvring system consisting of bow and stern thrusters, and joystick control, make decamping a breeze. Behind the choice of stainless steel or black aluminium-framed windscreen lives a suite of Raymarine electronics, Inceptor trim tab controllers, and a switch bank for things like underwater lights.
For the entertainer, there are two refrigerators, air-conditioning, sound system and microwave. Oh, and there is a dedicated wetbar within reach of the raft of lounges. Fridge capacity of 150lt and there's a tray for 60lt extra. With 600lt of fuel and 150lt of water, it's very much in the dayboat and overnighter realm.
A couple will sleep very comfortably in the open-plan cabin with separate bathroom featuring hot water and handheld shower. The boat is also bundled with a Nespresso coffee machine, microwave, inverter, flatscreen television and sound system with subwoofer.
A carbon gangway adds to the excitement when coming aboard. Claimed top speed is 40kts for the upgraded 480hp engines (30kts with twin 260hp base donks) with up to eight parked on the white Silvertex L-shaped cockpit seating. The rear sunbathing platform is said to lounge three comfortably at rest. But work on your tan and abs because you will be conspicuous.
"We've never had anything like it in Australia before. VanDutch is for the discerning boat lover who understands and appreciates excellence, exclusive motors and sheer sophistication on the water," says local importer Dick van Damme.
(Facts&figures)
VANDUTCH 40
PRICED FROM
The VanDutch 40 was selling from <B>$820,000</B> w/ twin 260hp Yanmar diesel engines, safety gear and registration
GENERAL
MATERIAL: Vacuum-bagged sandwich construction with painted hull
TYPE: Warped plane monohull with prop pockets
LENGTH OVERALL: 12.08m (inc. swimplatform)
BEAM: 3.5m
DEADRISE: n/a
DRAFT: 0.82m
WEIGHT: Approx 7500kg (loaded)
CAPACITIES
BERTHS: Double bed for two
FUEL: 600lt
WATER: 115lt
HOLDING TANK: 24lt
REC. MAX HP: 960
REC. MIN HP: 520
ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL: 2 x Yanmar 6LY3-ETP
TYPE: Six-cylinder common rail turbo-diesel
RATED HP: 480 at 3300rpm (max)
DISPLACEMENT: 5.83lt
WEIGHT: 640kg (dry)
DRIVES: Shaft drives with prop pockets
CONTACT
VanDutch Australia Pty Ltd,
4407/4 Daydream Street,
Warriewood, NSW, 2102
Phone: (02) 99860138
Fax: (02) 99860139
Email: info@VanDutchAustralia.com.au
Website: www.vandutchaustralia.com.au
From Trade-a-Boat Issue 422, Dec-Jan, 2012.