Damen Yachting has introduced a new model to its Yacht Support range, the YS 53, which the builder claims will have the “most seriously fun set-up you can dream of”.
The first 53m (175ft) YS 53, is now in build following a two-year design and development phase and will replace the original model from Damen’s Yacht Support range, the YS 5009. The YS 53 will also signal a significant shift in Damen Yachting’s strategy as Rob Luijendijk, Director Sales and Product Management, explains:
“Over the last decade we’ve helped Owners to realise an amazing variety of very challenging dreams,” he says. “Each dream requires an innovative solution for something that has never been done before. So we have a very experienced team and a deep understanding of how to support our clients. We realised that our new series needed to be both highly flexible and customisable, but also designed from scratch for the yachting market. That’s how the YS 53 began.”
It’s playful, muscular and emboldening, you believe anything is possible.
Design Manager
Damen Yachting
Damen Yachting has sold almost 20 Yacht Support vessels since the YS 5009 was introduced in 2009, but for the YS 53 the yard went back to the drawing board. A completely new hull form was developed in collaboration with the Damen Research Laboratory in the Netherlands, and a strong focus was placed on performance, efficiency and comfort with a wide range of upgraded features for the yachting lifestyle.
“The YS 53 exterior design starts with a familiar functionality, but there is more than meets the eye,” says Wouter Kleijpoel, the Design Manager who led the team of Damen Yachting designers who created the concept. “It’s playful, muscular and emboldening, you believe anything is possible. I think it’s an exciting design.”
Coming in at 499 GT, the YS 53 will be able to accommodate up to 12 guests and features a huge 15-tonne deck crane and two Rolls Royce MTU main engines delivering a total of 4,480 kW (6,000 horsepower) for a top speed of 19 knots.
According to YachtBuyer intelligence, the YS 53 looks like being even more popular than the YS 5009 model it is replacing, there are already six models in construction with the first set to be delivered in 2023.
Most notable amongst the YS 5009 hulls on the waters is 55.5m (182ft) ‘Gene Chaser’, which will be acting as a support vessel for Amels 54.86m (180ft) ‘Gene Machine’. The pair are the star turns at the Miami International Boat Show, which opens today, and are working in tandem to research and explore global warming and clean up the oceans and air.
Damen Yachting was created in 2019 by Damen Shipyard Group to cover the various strands of its operations in the yachting sector of the marine industry. As well as the Yacht Support series of utility vessels it also encompasses the Amels marque, the SeaXplorer brand of expedition yachts and Damen's superyacht refitting business.
If you are interested in finding out more about its fleet you can view all Damen Yachting yachts for sale.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a vessel to support a superyacht you can view all support vessels for sale.
