The largest Mulder Flybridge ever built, the Mulder 98 Flybridge saw it’s global launch during the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show earlier this year.On a rainy, windy and cold October day, I stepped on board for a sea trial. Despite the weather, the ride was smooth, and above all, silent.
Boasting exterior designs by Guido de Groot Design, naval architecture by Ginton Naval Architects and interiors by Omega Architects, the new full aluminium 30 metre superyacht features a round-bilged hull. The shipyard comments, “She will appeal to an owner who appreciates timeless style over current fashion trends. Her dynamic lines and anthracite-coloured bimini emphasise her length while the softness of the yacht’s surfaces adds an extra air of class. Thanks to the generous length of 98 feet, the yacht’s proportions have been optimised and combined with maximum indoor and outdoor living space.”
Her contemporary chic interior comes with a personal touch, and luxury and elegance can be found in every detail. Mulder's craftsmanship can be clearly seen throughout the main joinery, where brushed nickel lines are the main theme, resulting in beautiful and elegantly designed cabinets and walls. Luxurious fabrics of silk, wool and linen such as Dedar, Pierre Frei, Elitis and Spinneybeck leather and wool-silk carpets of Tai Ping were used to bring about a sophisticated ambience of comfort and style. The entire custom-built interior consists of stained walnut. The dining area in the spacious saloon with its stunning Onyx Honey window columns accommodates up to eight people and makes for a truly elegant dining experience. The professional galley on the port side is fully equipped, including a 12 kW steam oven, and offers a direct connection to the gangway. The main deck also features a day head.
Accommodation for eight guests is provided over four sumptuously designed cabins, including the large owner’s suite on the lower deck. This dedicated space to the owner offers a spacious walk-in-closet and large oval portholes on both sides, allowing for a sense of freedom and privacy. The lower deck features a double VIP suite as well as two guest cabins, all with en suite facilities and decorated in the same elegant, sophisticated theme as is found throughout the boat.
The crew accommodations are located aft and include two cabins for four crew members. The crew quarters are accessible from the swimming platform and the gangway on the main deck, and also offer access to the engine room. The tender can be placed either on the swimming platform or on the wide flybridge. The flybridge also includes two lounge chairs, two large U-shaped sofas and a wet bar with grill, ice machine and refrigerator, providing the ideal outdoor escape to relax, entertain or to simply enjoy the spectacular views all around.
Powered by two Caterpillar C32 engines with a capacity of 1685hp each, she has a maximum speed of 22 knots, with a range of 3,300 nm at 10 knots. Due to a special insulation method and her ‘floating’ interior, the sound and vibration levels of the Mulder 98 Flybridge are extremely low. In consultation with the owner, the yacht was built fully in accordance with RINA certification.
Marking a milestone in length for the Mulder Flybridge range, the first Mulder Flybridge was built in 1992 - a 19 metre yacht with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. In 1994 the second was delivered with two Caterpillar engines of 1100 hp offering a top speed of 25 knots. Later Flybridge yachts have been built with both steel and aluminium hulls, the choice of which depends on the desired speed and range. Today, some models are built entirely in aluminium like the latest Mulder 98 Flybridge for a higher top speed while maintaining a large range and very good sailing capacities, while other models are equipped with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, which are great for transatlantic trips and long, comfortable stays at displacement speeds.
The shipyard reports that initially the Russian owner of the new Mulder 98 Flybridge requested a design for a 26 metre model. This was soon extended to 28 metres, however, and in 2010, a contract was finally signed for an even larger yacht, the 30 metre Mulder Flybridge we see today.
The naval architecture of the yacht was started in early 2011, with the construction of the hull getting underway at the end of that year. In late 2012 it was the first hull to arrive at the new location of Mulder Shipyard in Zoeterwoude-Rijndijk. After being delivered to her owner, she is expected to go sailing in the south of France from Spring 2015.