Amsterdam-based Dykstra Naval Architects has unveiled the design of a new 53-meter loa sloop-rigged sailing yacht, created for a family of experienced sailors.
Designed for long-range blue water cruising and optimized for performance in regattas such as the St Barths Bucket, the yacht combines comfort, elegance, and agility. Her sleek lines and powerful rig reflect Dykstra's hallmark approach: blending timeless design with advanced naval architecture.
The yacht will be built at Vitters Shipyard, with interior design by Vripack Design and Project management by Van Ineveld &Co, bringing together Dutch pedigree, craftsmanship, and contemporary design expertise.
Versatile by nature, she is equally at home circumnavigating the globe in comfort or competing on the international racing stage.
With this new design, Dykstra continues its tradition of delivering yachts that balance performance, innovation, and beauty.
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SY Aquarius, Wins Best Naval Architecture Sailing Yachts at the Boat International Design & Innovation Awards 2026!
Naval Architecture and Design by Dykstra Naval Architects, Interior Design by Mark Whiteley Design, built by Royal Huisman and owners' representative by Godfrey Cray.
As stated by Boat International: " A clear winner raced ahead in this category. Aquarius stood out to the judges with her impressive performance numbers. The owner's brief was to create a vessel that would sail at least as well as his previous boat, while providing more volume. "She's very much a wolf in sheep's clothing," one judge remarked, alluding to the classic exterior and cruising boat interior that belie Aquarius's serious sailing performance.
Aquarius will be racing the St Barths Bucket Regatta 2026.
For more information about Aquarius visit this link
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Dykstra Naval Architects is proud to announce the signing of a contract for the design of a 24-meter zero-emission, autonomous, wind-powered cargo vessel for Clippership. The vessel represents a significant step forward in sustainable maritime transport and is scheduled for launch in late 2026.
The new vessel has been specifically designed for open-ocean autonomous operations and will serve pilot cargo routes across the Transatlantic, Caribbean, and South American regions. Primary propulsion is provided by twin foldable rigid wings, enabling efficient wind-powered operation with zero emissions. The vessel features a climate-controlled cargo hold with a capacity of up to 75 Euro-pallets.
Construction will take place at KM Yachtbuilders in the Netherlands. Glosten, the Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm, has completed the vessel's structural engineering. The ship will be built in accordance with RINA rules, supervised during construction, and classed as a WAPS General Cargo Ship. The vessel will sail under the Maltese flag.
Naval architecture for the project has been carried out by Dykstra Naval Architects, building on the firm's extensive experience in the design of innovative sailing vessels, including Maltese Falcon, SY Black Pearl, and Sea Eagle.
Clippership is developing the vessel's autonomy software and rigid-wing technology in-house, resulting in a fully integrated system optimized for safety, efficiency, and reliability on blue-water routes.
This project underscores Dykstra Naval Architects' continued commitment to advancing wind-assisted propulsion, zero-emission solutions, and next-generation maritime design.
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The brand new Dykstra Naval Architects designed Bestevaer 53
'Tethys', built for Belgian adventurer Tom Waes, is the latest
53-footer in the iconic Bestevaer series — where rugged
capability meets refined design. Built in aluminium and designed
for short-handed, long-range sailing, the Bestevaer 53 is at home
in both high latitudes and tropical waters. Fast, reliable, and
comfortable.
Come and see this new addition to the Bestevaer Family at the
KM Yachtbuilders berth D.02, Hiswa te Water at Batavia Haven,
Lelystad, The Netherlands
Wed 3 | Thu 4 | Fri 5 | Sun 7 September 2025
We're proud to be the naval architects behind two Tall Ships
participating in SAIL Amsterdam 2025: Clipper Stad Amsterdam and
Shabab Oman II.
With our office located just steps away from the Scheepvaart Museum in Amsterdam, it's a special moment to welcome these ships back so close to where their first lines were drawn.
Clipper Stad Amsterdam
Built in 2000 at Damen Shipyard and inspired by a
19th-century frigate, she is not a replica, but a modern
interpretation. Designed by Dykstra Naval Architects, she combines
the best of traditional clipper design with modern construction
techniques. A proven performer, she won the 2001 Cutty Sark Tall
Ships' Race and returns in 2025 as the official flagship of SAIL.
Today, she serves both as a training vessel and a charter ship.
Shabab Oman II
Following the success of Stad Amsterdam and Cisne Branco, we
collaborated again with Damen Shipyards to develop this 87-meter
full-rigged ship for the Royal Navy of Oman. Delivered in 2014, she
accommodates up to 94 crew and trainees and has since become a
valued member of the global Tall Ships fleet. We look forward to
seeing both vessels grace the waters of Amsterdam during
#SAIL2025