Boat of the Week: This 118-Foot Superyacht Is Designed for Luxe Mediterranean Cruising
For the past 85 years, Mulder has built aluminum yachts from its family-owned facility in Zoeterwoude in the Netherlands. When the owners of Seaflower went to the yard for a new build, they were greeted with an offer they couldn’t refuse: a 12-month build time for the 118-footer, with the option to customize and, resale value in mind, instant pedigree from a Dutch shipyard.
Their previous yachts included A-list brands: Heesens, Lürssens, and their current 217-foot Feadship Lady Christine. Keen to acquire a smaller yacht for summer cruising in the Mediterranean, the build, which was already on the production line, seemed like the obvious choice.
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“We receive a lot of requests from owners who have yachts between 160 and 270 feet who want to downsize without compromising on quality or comfort,” Nick Mulder, Mulder’s managing director, told Robb Report during a tour of the yacht at the Monaco Yacht Show. “The ThirtySix [series] is popular as it’s large yet easily manageable.”
The exterior was designed by British studio Claydon Reeves with an interior by John Vickers and naval architecture by Van Oossanen. Seaflower is the sixth unit in the ThirtySix series, but the first hull to be built to IMO Tier-III requirements.
“We’re not the biggest shipyard, but we produce one yacht every eight months, and it has our full attention,” says Mulder. “Clients can personalize the materials and layout and still only have to wait a year before taking delivery.”
One of the largest custom requests made by Seaflower’s owners was the inclusion of a light-oak interior. When they stepped into the build last September, much of the interior was already constructed in walnut. “That was quite a challenge, but it didn’t feel right to compromise on their wishes, so we redid everything across the main and lower decks,” says Mulder.
The clients also mandated a green-and-red color scheme with polished-brass trim, paired with a range of Italian marbles. Palisandro Classico features in the owner’s en suite, along with a large rain shower, a triple skylight above the bed and the deliberate omission of a TV. Bespoke loose furniture—including tailored wardrobe space—contemporary fabrics and deep-cut coral-patterned silk carpets, designed by Vickers, add a personalized touch.
Four more cabins—two VIPs and two twins that convert to doubles—are located on the lower deck, each with oversized windows and the option to add a Pullman berth, allowing Seaflower to sleep 10 guests.
The main salon leads into a formal dining area set against a backdrop of bamboo backlit artwork, inspired by works the owners viewed aboard the Lurssen superyacht, formerly known as Ahpo. (That 377-foot vessel was renamed Lady Jorgia in what is considered the largest superyacht brokerage sale in yachting history.) Sliding doors open onto a fold-down balcony allowing alfresco dining to drift outside.
The galley features custom-made fridges with adjustable temperatures and a restaurant-caliber steam oven. The wheelhouse, which accommodated 20 people during sea trials in July, includes plenty of seating for guests. It’s enhanced by a second exterior steering position, portside for maneuvering into slips or around other vessels.
The owners left out the sundeck Jacuzzi. “The flybridge is a large open-plan space where they wanted to simply relax, so we dressed it with outdoor furniture from Neil Jones and prioritized comfort,” says designer Vickers.
The yacht’s layout has an interior volume comparable to a 148-footer, according to the shipyard, with a crew of six. It’s twinned with a shallow draft for cruising in shallow waters.
A cozy forward area with a bimini and cushions is found at the bow. Aft is a drop-down transom that “folds open like a book.” The enclosed beach club doubles as a “high transportation area” for when guests arrive with luggage, kids, and pets. When it’s time to explore, a 21-foot Williams—the largest tender that could fit aboard—is supported by a dedicated fuel station for the yacht’s tenders and toys.
The owners have carried the name Seaflower across many of their previous yachts, yet the Mulder ThirtySix may be their most comfortable sub-300 GT cruiser yet.
Click here for more images of Seaflower.
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