kmy yachtbuilders

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Bestevaer 53 II: the icon that started it all

When legendary high latitude sailor and naval architect Gerard Dijkstra set out to design his own dream yacht, he had a crystal clear vision: a yacht offering excellent […]

Spiegel der Zeilvaart over de Bestevaer 66ST

Spiegel der Zeilvaart, het magazine voor liefhebbers van klassieke schepen, vaarde mee met de Bestevaer 66ST Anabel en schreef daarover een artikel. De door Gerard Dijkstra getekende Bestevaers […]

Bestevaer 45ST: dame met opgestroopte mouwen

Zeilen Magazine schreef een artikel over de Bestevaer 45 Pure. Met een diepgang van 2,95 meter het Wad op om droog te vallen? De aluminium Bestevaer 45ST Pure […]

Home › News

Visit our Open Day 2024

March 10, 2024

20 April 2024, 10:00 – 17:00 hours ‘From workshop to water: discover adventure at the KM Yachtbuilder’s Open House.’ The KM Yachtbuilders annual Open Day is always a […]

Tom Waes signs contract for construction of Bestevaer 53 SY

January 23, 2024

Düsseldorf, 22 January 2024 – Belgian TV presenter and actor Tom Waes has signed a contract with KM Yachtbuilders for the construction of his new Bestevaer 53 SY. […]

Altena 53 Happy Hours – A Successful Refit by KM Yachtbuilders

December 12, 2023

Over a year after the start of the refit of Happy Hours at KM Yachtbuilders, we reflect with Sabina, the owner of the Altena 50 Happy Hours, on […]

KM Yachtbuilders has begun construction of a new OCD sailing yacht

June 8, 2023

We have begun the construction of the OCD 60. The 18m yacht has been designed as a live aboard blue water cruiser for operation in tropical climates but […]

Bestevaer 36 nominated for three awards

Exciting news! We are absolutely excited to share that the Bestevaer 36 has not just been nominated, but triple-nominated for prestigious awards! Our newest vessel is/has been competing […]

Turning dreams into reality: a yacht refit

The world of sailing is one of dreams, adventure, and personal connections with the seas. For sailing enthusiast, William, this led to a journey with KM Yachtbuilders, transforming […]

Decades of experience, expertise and many specialized eyes for detail.

Event calendar, hiswa in-water boat show.

August 28 - September 1, 2024

April 20, 2024

KM Custom Yachts

Every yacht we built is unique, and built specifically for its owner. No two yachts are the same, as each owner has his own wishes and demands.

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

First look: 18m Explorer Yacht OC188

• Toby Hodges
• November 16, 2023

The new OC188 from KM Yachtbuilders and designed by Owen Clarke, is built as a go-anywhere bluewater cruiser, that is capable of circumnavigations

Product Overview

Designed for extended remote cruising including a circumnavigation, OC188 is six months into its aluminium construction at alloy experts KM Yachtbuilders in Makkum. Its experienced owner wanted an easily handled yacht with good performance together with the volume that could accommodate an owner’s cabin and three double guest cabins.

A low aspect ballasted keel with lifting centreboard helps provide the desired shoal draught of 1.4m while giving sailing performance and pointing abilities when lowered to 3.8m. Meanwhile twin rudders help allow for the yacht to lay up safely. The decision between this and a full lifting keel such as aboard Lynx – also designed my Owen Clark – comes down to the added performance benefits of a deeper keel and whether you can live with the keel case in the interior, says Clarke. In this case it was not deemed necessary to impact the interior to that extent, especially as the owners plan to spend long periods of time aboard.

Where Qilak was designed with a tall rig to sail quickly between the far north and south, here that is not so relevant and cruising ease and comfort take priority. The carbon mast has triple headstays to make it easy to move through the gears and set reaching sails.

The OC 188 is a distinctive, purposeful looking design. Standouts include the amount of covered and protected space and the solar capacity on the pilothouse and fixed bimini. The aft cockpit and transom design also looks innovative as it includes a large lower deck to store a solid tender (the owner did not want a garage such as aboard Qilak). Instead the dinghy is launched via an Atlas heavy lift carbon davit, which can mount in several locations. This then leaves an expansive aft terrace for lounging at anchor.

Another key difference over the 15m is to be found in the pilothouse which is large enough to act as the primary saloon for eight guests plus a navstation. The galley to starboard is then split on two levels. A workshop or multifunctional hold with space for a trail bike can be accessed through the interior or a central cockpit hatch, and there’s dedicated sports equipment stowage plus a large foc’sle that can house a second inflatable tender.

18m Explorer Yacht OC188 specifications

Hull length: 18.35m 60ft 2in Beam: 5.57m 18ft 3in Draught: 1.4m-3.82m 4ft 7in-12ft 6in Diesel: 2,840lt 625gal Fresh water: 1,520lt 334gal Waste (black and grey): 1,140lt 251gal Builder: owenclarkedesign.com

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Tom Waes Chooses KM Yachtbuilders for Bestevaer 53 SY Construction

Belgian television presenter and actor Tom Waes has recently formalized a contract with KM Yachtbuilders for the construction of his upcoming Bestevaer 53 SY. The official signing took place at the Boot Düsseldorf 2024.

Commencing its construction in March 2024, the Bestevaer 53 SY project has garnered attention for Tom Waes’ deliberate selection of KM Yachtbuilders to bring his maritime aspirations to fruition.

Waes expressed his sentiments, stating, “ For me, there has always been something magical about Bestevaer. The adventure, the quality, robustness and the years of expertise have always appealed to me. ” He continues: “ The close contact with KM Yachtbuilders employees and being able to customise my ship was the deciding factor. I won’t reveal what I’ll do with it yet, but rest assured, I will be gliding to new adventures. Quite literally. ”

KM Yachtbuilders takes great pride in its involvement in this project, foreseeing a collaborative effort that not only upholds the highest standards of craftsmanship but also aligns seamlessly with the environmentally conscious ethos shared by both Tom Waes and the yacht manufacturer.

Remarkably, the construction materials underscore a commitment to sustainability, with the ship’s aluminum components being sourced from 70% recycled materials. In a departure from conventional diesel engines, the Bestevaer 53 SY will boast an electric drive complemented by a regenerating propeller. The interior, characterized by its environmentally friendly choice of bamboo, contributes to a conscientious approach.

Featuring three cabins and ample storage in the forward section, the vessel’s ballasted centerboard design enables navigation in shallow harbors, rivers, and even allows it to run dry.

Unveiled the new Lagoon 43 catamaran with side access

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KM Yachtbuilders

• Netherlands

company History

a Modern history of brand KM Yachtbuilders began in 1999, when the Ave Koi (Eeuwe Kooi) bought the shipyard Damstra in the town of Makkum, on lake Iseasier in the Netherlands . The production already had a 30-year experience building aluminum hulls. Ave made a bet on the creation of sailing yachts by individual orders in cooperation with the leading architectural bureaus in the Netherlands. Thus, from the outset, the company began to work in the premium segment.

Manufacturing

KM Yachtbuilders specializiruetsya on the construction and decoration >aluminum sailing yachts of any of the author's design, length up to 30 meters. The technology of working with aluminum used in the shipyard are among the most advanced in the world.

the Company also supplies aluminum body for sailing and motor yachts for other shipyards and individuals.

the Philosophy of creation of yachts of KM focused on the maximum satisfaction of the ideas and desires of each individual client. Shipyard gives you the opportunity to ask any professional design and bring it to life. However, historically, KM works closely with defined design, producing several series of buildings United by similar characteristics.

the Main partners are the Dykstra Naval Architects (model series "Bestevaer" and "Bestewind") and Van de Stadt Design (line "Stadtship"). Among the new partners announced Satellite Yacht Design (line "Axonite") and Opus Yachten ("Opus").

size range built yacht within the range 37-100 feet, which is determined by the technological capabilities of the shipyard. In 2005 the company moved away from its concept of individual design and has released the production model Bestewind 50 . In it the company has pioneered composite GRP technology in the production of buildings. Despite the relative success Bestewind, the company has remained true to its business model individual construction.

the technology of working with aluminum allow housing with variable thickness of plating subject to the conditions of the intended operation.

for Example, a standard 5-7 mm housing can be reinforced up to 10 mm in the bow for the Arctic versions.

Hydraulically operated keel and rudder allows you to safely "drained" during low tide on the bottom, reinforced up to 15 mm in models of tidal regions.

A yacht (for example, serial Bestewind 50) have >glazed wheelhouse (pilot house), which increases safety and comfort in long journeys.

Yacht models

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Op de werf van KM Yachtbuilders, bouwer van het expeditieschip van Tom Waes

Wie een zeilboot wil die ijsschotsen, rotsen en eeuwen kan trotseren, moet bij KM Yachtbuilders in Friesland zijn. Ook Tom Waes ging overstag. Een bezoek aan de scheepswerf waar de droomboot - vanaf 1 miljoen euro - van de avonturiers van morgen wordt gebouwd.

Bestevaer Sailing Yachts

Bestevaer sailing yachts are the finest aluminium yachts in the world offering single-handed sailing in both the hottest and coldest of climates. From the Arctic to the tropics - explore the world seas without limitations.

Bestevaer 45 S/Y

Bestevaer 49 S/Y

Bestevaer 53 S/Y

Bestevaer Motor Yachts

Great comfort in all weather conditions. Explore the Norwegian fjörds, fall dry on the Wadden Sea, or dock your Bestevaer in Venice. Our range of Bestevaer motoryachts offers yachting to all your favourite destinations.

Bestevaer 49 M/Y

Bestevaer 53 M/Y

Bestevaer 63 M/Y

Bestevaer Custom

Dreaming of your own custom Bestevaer yacht? A yacht built completely to your personal likings? KM Yachtbuilders has over thirty years experience in building and finishing one-off editions for customers all over the world.

• The Journey