Superyacht TV speaks with Jan Bart Verkyul from Feadship

This is actually the first time we bring a brand new Feadship to the region, and we're making history in a way. The last time we did this was in 1952. This yacht is 45 meters and it shows everything you need in this size of yacht. What we want to show here is not only the quality but also the lifestyle. Basically, what we're bringing here is where we start as a shipyard. So 45 meters is our entry level and this is a semi-custom yacht that is ready to go. You don't have to wait the normal three years when you design and build a yacht with us. What you will see on board is quality throughout. All details are perfect, and we built it in such a way that it will last. Not only beautiful for one or two years, but it will stay beautiful for 40 years, and going out at sea is very comfortable. You won't even notice you're on a boat.

I think this lifestyle will appeal also in this region. It's such a beautiful way to relax and entertain people. To be on board with your family is really quality time. Our clients are typically very busy businessmen, and to come on board of this yacht, you can still be connected to anywhere in the world you want to be, but at the same time spend quality time with your friends or colleagues around you. Many businessmen around the world who have come to Feadship will say that you will immediately recognize the Feadship owner because they resemble the quality of the yacht.

We are always a little bit reluctant to talk about our owners because confidentiality is on our front door, but basically there are a few owners that have made themselves known in the industry. One of the early ones that is very well known is Malcolm Forbes, who used the yacht for all his business in the beginning of his years. He had so many royals and heads of state and wealthy CEOs on board that they all recognized the lifestyle and became our customers. So our client database is basically the most exclusive society in the world.

Well, obviously the market has changed. A few years ago, there was a lot of builds going on on speculation. Yachts often sold for more than what they cost when you bought them, and that attracted the type of buyers that were not in the business for pleasure and lifestyle but to make money. Now with a change in the market, we see more real clients again, and they love the boating and are passionate about their product. Actually, that's good for us. We build mostly full custom yachts, and we like the owner that is passionate about what we're doing. Then we can make a good team.

I think this is the place to be actually. There's so much wealth accumulated in this region. Of course, this is a top-end product and it's new for this area, but I'm pretty confident that there is a market for our products, as it has been in the past in other countries. So my feeling is extremely good in this area, and I think there will be some very nice customers, maybe not now but in five or ten years time, but we are here for the long term. So we build long relationships and we show that we are a trusted partner. Building trust in a relationship is one of the key mottos of the company. Our company is 164 years old, and we intend to have at least another 164 years. The only way to do that is to have trust with the people you work with and also with your clients.

Well, of course, there are a few things. People will recognize the top quality. The layout of the boat is beautiful. Everybody feels immediately at home in an environment that they probably don't have at home, even if they are very rich. So it's top level, and you can move your home around. You can wake up in the morning in Phuket and the next day be on a very beautiful island, and then the next day be somewhere else. And then secondly, I think part of this lifestyle is bringing your friends on board and enjoying yourselves on the water. That's something unique.

Well, that's our aim. We really like to leave the yacht in this region as a showcase. We brought the yacht, and I think we made a very blunt step to bring the yacht here. We want to have a new Feadship in the region, and it is extremely valuable for us to have a yacht out here. So yeah, we are pushing for a good deal for the right owner that we can step on both.