Zeelander 8’s bespoke interior fuses timeless design with contemporary soul

• Zeelander’s largest yacht to date at 80ft (24m)
• Timeless design with a contemporary soul
• Customization is made possible through dedicated Zeelander engineering team

Zeelander Yachts has just released the first images showcasing the immaculate interior of its brand new Zeelander 8 flagship. The yacht is nothing short of a masterpiece – with the breathtaking finish of its carefully tuned social spaces evident in the photographs, which portray a shipyard at the very top of its game. Along with fantastic volumes and noble materials, it all contributes to the sense of timeless luxury that makes Zeelander yachts so sought after by those in the know.

Launched late last year, the yacht became an instant icon for its voluptuous lines and smooth exterior curves. The interior amplifies these seductive characteristics, with elegant curves wherever the eye comes to rest. Every hull is uniquely tailored to the owner’s wishes, but number one is a blend of fine leathers, rich woods and deep upholstery. It is a seamless combination of sophistication, innovation, and craftsmanship that sets a new standard on the water.

Large social spaces

In layout terms, the interior of the Zeelander 8 is recognisable from the smaller boats in the range, although this owner introduced significant custom features in the first hull. The main deck offers very generous lounging and dining areas and a well-equipped galley. An inviting helm station lies behind the vast curved expanse of the forward windows, while the three cabins on the lower deck epitomize effortless comfort. Like all Zeelanders, a huge targa sunroof overhead and the retractable aft doors enable owners to create the climate that suits them best – fully open to the cooling breeze or well insulated for heat or aircon.

Bespoke features in this first hull include moving the galley from the bar area to the starboard side of the salon, while the bar was moved further back to be part of the cockpit. This in turn made space for a new lounging area. This owner chose a finish in profoundly calming neutral colours. Perforated white Alcantara headlining matches the high-polish white cabinetry in the galley and the diamond-stitched leather seating. The long counter in the galley is in a pale, delicately patterned Corian, and even the dining table is trimmed with stain-resistant white leather.

Vibrant woody detailing is used strategically to highlight edges and shapes. It is evident around the huge opening for the sunroof, and it is laid into the table, delineating the removable centre panels that cover a beautiful bottle store. The aft door frame is also in the same finish, communicating all the effortless luxury of macassar ebony. But there is artistry at work here, because this ‘wood’ is in fact composite which has been masterfully painted. So realistic is this painstakingly hand-finished surface that it invites comparisons with the Dutch masters!

“Uppermost in my mind when we design and build a new yacht is its useability and the ownership experience,” says Zeelander founder and owner Sietse Koopmans. “Real wood looks fantastic for a month or two, but it is easy to damage, time-consuming to repair and requires regular varnishing to remain in its prime. Our composite is indistinguishable from the real thing – every joint and bevel faithfully painted in – but it requires zero maintenance and always looks its best. That equates to more time on the water and less time in the yard.”

Imperious stateroom

It is the same story in the three plush, quiet cabins below deck. The owner’s stateroom is positioned amidships, where it benefits from the huge windows and impressive headroom in excess of 2.10m. Uncaulked teak flooring contrasts with the white leather panelling and a strip of elegant ‘macassar’ running around the walls. Padded velvet panels in a muted earthy tone make a calming headboard for the king-size double bed, and a mixture of spots and indirect lighting has been employed to great effect. Hidden speakers, a TV-lift, and sound-dampening ceiling panels further enhance the serene atmosphere, ensuring an immersive and tranquil experience.

The owner’s bathroom fills the portside of the cabin, where light floods in through the two large stainless-steel framed windows. His and hers basins in glass are set on a beautiful slab of composite marble – again maximising the visual impact while minimising the maintenance. There’s a large separate shower with a rainforest shower head and the whole space can be closed off with twin sliding glass doors. Frosted for privacy, they nevertheless transmit diffuse light even when closed. The Zeelander team can even put a steam cabin into this space.

On the other side of the owner’s stateroom are two surreptitiously curved chests of drawers under a vanity table. The dimensions and materials pleasingly echo the form of the bathroom cabinetry that lie opposite. There is additional hanging space with his and hers storage set into the cabinetry walls. In fact, invisible storage was a key design brief throughout the yacht. From the seating on deck to the bathroom cabinets, the layout is conceived to maximize functionality and efficiency, ensuring no space is wasted while smoothly blending into the yacht’s look and feel.

Two more guest cabins lie forward of the master, all conveniently served by a broad central corridor. On the first hull, they are both configured as doubles, although Zeelander’s flexible approach to customisation means that twins, bunks – or just about any other use could also be fitted. The beds enjoy fantastic sea views through the two large windows that form such a distinctive part of the Zeelander look from outside. Generous headroom, plenty of storage and ensuite bathrooms make them effortlessly comfortable for overnight stays. Zeelander has even received inquiries about converting one of these cabins into a gym, highlighting a wide range of customization choices.

There is also the possibility to customise two further cabins in the forepeak, which are conceived as crew accommodation. They lie on either side of a cosy bow seating area, which works well as a high-end crew mess. This area includes a separate crew entrance, a small kitchen, and a full-size washer-drier. Alternatively, the space can be integrated into the guest accommodation or at least given the same finish, so that it can serve for occasional guest use.

“We take every customisation request seriously, often incorporating custom elements inspired by the owner’s private jet or other personal preferences,” added Koopmans. “And this is a key part of the Zeelander appeal. While the exterior lines are part of what sets our boats apart, every client makes the interior their own by personalizing materials, finishes, colours, and other design elements, ensuring their Zeelander reflects their unique tastes and lifestyle.”

Peerless behind the wheel

Back up on the main deck, the forward part of the saloon is dedicated to the pilot station. Zeelander has invested its considerable know-how in developing a fast, stable, seaworthy hull, which makes for fantastic driving experiences and a surprisingly long cruising range of 510nm. Consequently, the pilot area is designed from the ground up for owner use. Two deeply padded, adjustable leather seats mean that the driver can enjoy company, while the triple Garmin navigation displays put every system at the fingertips. If the owner wishes to operate the boat, as so many in the Zeelander family do, they will find it perfectly adapted.

The vast double-curved windscreen is a single piece of glass, giving crystal-clear sightlines ahead, while the narrow mullions of the saloon windows make it simple to keep an all-round lookout. The ergonomic wheel has a non-slip finish and is expertly painted to resemble walnut wood. And on those occasions when the owner wants to leave the driving to the captain, it is possible to activate a hidden panel behind the pilot seats which rises to ensure discretion.

“Our owners are among the most successful businesspeople in the world, and they are exacting in their requirements,” adds Koopmans. “They demand a superyacht finish and the sort of features that come from many decades of yachting experience. Our yachts take many tens of thousands of man-hours to complete to our standards, and we consequently build just a handful of exceptional examples every year. The Zealander 8 brings new scale and volume to the range and is timelessly styled using the very finest materials.”