Shipyard Wim van der Valk

Dutch Traditions of Custom Yacht Building

Van der Valk was founded in 1967 by Wim van der Valk in the Netherlands. Its first steel cabin cruisers, measuring between 7 and 10 metres, were followed by the successful Valkkruiser, Royal and Falcon series, establishing the shipyard’s reputation for craftsmanship. Today, the company operates from Waalwijk and specialises in fully custom aluminium motor yachts up to 48 metres.

Design and Individuality

The Continental series brought Van der Valk international recognition and marked the beginning of its collaboration with designer Guido de Groot. Today, the shipyard has largely moved away from conventional production ranges in favour of fully bespoke projects. Notable yachts include Lady Lene, Blue Jeans, ONE and the 35-metre LALABE, which received three awards at the 2026 BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards for exterior design, interior design and naval architecture. The shipyard collaborates with Guido de Groot, Cor D. Rover, Carla Guilhem, Ginton Naval Architects and Van Oossanen. Its defining advantage is the ability to create entirely individual superyachts based on proven engineering platforms.

Production and Technology

Van der Valk’s production complex in Waalwijk covers more than 9,000 square metres and comprises seven specialised construction halls. The shipyard builds aluminium hulls and superstructures in-house and manages assembly, technical outfitting and interior finishing. More than 1,000 vessels have been built throughout its history, although production now focuses on a limited number of sophisticated custom projects. Future developments include the 48-metre Project ZEN, incorporating Hull Vane technology and offering a range exceeding 4,400 nautical miles, alongside the 30-metre NEXO concept. Particular attention is given to hull efficiency, stability and bespoke engineering.