Create a versatile and inexpensive boat
The DutchCraft 56 was born from the experience of Sietse Koopmans, owner and founder of DutchCraft, a subsidiary of the Zeelander Yachts brand, a renowned Dutch manufacturer, which has been building retro-looking sports stars since 2002, inspired by the New York shuttles, owned by SG b.v.
As he travels aboard his 37.8-m (127-foot) Zeepard exploration superyacht, the yachtsman, who comes from a long line of shipping company owners, says to himself:
"During my travels, I spend money in my boat, what do I want in retour?? I want to be able to invite my friends, make them explore the world, offer them a maximum of activity on board and spend a minimum on maintenance. So I decided to create the DutchCraft 56, the ultimate versatile yacht. On board, you can fish, dive, party, relax, explore and store an incredible amount of toys. We deliberately tried to keep the design minimal and simplistic. The boat is simple, with a low operating cost."
"The most complete 56-foot boat in the world"
The founder nicknamed him by the way "the most complete 56-foot boat in the world." With its sleek lines - the bulwark has a steep inclination to the rear to provide great wave protection - and its robust look, the DutchCraft 56 is a perfect exploration boat, but also a support boat to carry toys, a sport fishing boat, a party boat or a comfortable family cruiser.
The design is minimalist to offer a boat with high recreational value, but with minimal maintenance. The idea is to offer owners an "easy navigation" year after year. For example, the Dutch manufacturer opted for a composite deck rather than teak - requiring a lot of maintenance - or thought about installing very large storage bins in easily accessible places.
Design and engineering are done in-house in the Netherlands. The hull is made of glass-fibre reinforced vinylester composite and the superstructure is infused with PVC sandwich.
Two bridge versions and maximum space
The DutchCraft 56 is available in two bridge versions: Open or Cabin, both equipped with a spacious flybridge. In both versions as well, the very large cockpit is left free of any layout to serve as a real leisure and storage platform. On either side of the building are sun loungers, covering large storage compartments. This large space near the water can be used for many practices, from the fishing platform to the storage space for toys..
The cockpit is located below the main deck, which can be accessed via a few steps, thus freeing up space in the hull for interior fittings. In total, the boat can accommodate up to 36 people on board.
The spacious flybridge receives a large dining table, whose rear seat converts into a sunbathing area. There is also a kitchenette and a double steering bench. Access is via a staircase on the port side.
On the main deck, two facilities are proposed. The Cabin version offers a closed wheelhouse while the Open version offers a walkaround bridge, with a hard-top, to easily move around. There is another dining table, a kitchen unit, a cockpit bench for four people, and a large sunbathing area on the foredeck. On the lower deck, up to eight people can be accommodated, including in the full width main cabin at the bow.
The DutchCraft 56 offers a maximum speed of 40 knots, while offering passengers a comfortable ride thanks to a high-performance hull design that cuts waves.
With a total length of 17 metres (56.0 feet), the DutchCraft 56 has a master beam of 5 metres (16.7 feet) and a draught of less than 1 metre (3 feet) in its jet-powered version. Owners can choose between Volvo Penta IPS propulsion or Doen jet propulsion with a John Deere engine.
