Bekkers Yachts is a Dutch yard that builds aluminium dayboats and weekenders to superyacht standards. We build no more than four yachts per year, by hand, at our yard in Heusden on the river Maas. Our tagline says what we stand for: built for the exceptional.

Where the story begins

Bekkers Yachts grew out of the superyacht industry, not the production boat market. Founder Leon Bekkers trained in graphic design, but soon after his studies he realised that was not the path he wanted. Through his father, who already worked there, he joined Inoferro as a holiday worker.

Inoferro makes high-polished stainless-steel components for superyacht yards all over the world. Leon moved up to engineer, working as a work planner from the age of nineteen. He was appointed to that role by Emile Bilterijst, the former director of superyacht builder Moonen, who founded Inoferro in 2007. Leon then became manager and eventually took over the entire company.

That path matters. Leon entered yachting at the top, surrounded by top-quality materials and finishes measured in fractions of a millimetre. It trained his eye. Today he can tell at a glance when something is missing. You can read more about him on Leon Bekkers and about the roots of the yard on Superyacht heritage.

The seventh boat in the row

On board smaller boats, Leon kept noticing the same thing. They were often less comfortable than they should be, and the quality did not match the price. He figured there had to be a better way.

The moment it became clear was on Ibiza. Leon had chartered a boat with a friend. Back in the harbour, he saw six identical boats lined up in a row. In his words: "If you can own a luxury product like that, surely you want something unique and distinctive, instead of merely being the seventh boat in the row?"

That question became the starting point for Bekkers Yachts.

Our philosophy

We take what superyacht yards do and scale it to the 40 to 60 ft dayboat and weekender market. Three principles guide every build.

No mass production

Each yacht is built by hand. There is no production line and no stock of identical hulls. We dedicate a lot of time to every owner, because giving you the chance to own something unique is our primary focus.

No fibreglass hull

Our yachts are built in aluminium. Without moulds, the hull and layout can be adapted far more freely than a moulded fibreglass boat. Aluminium is also strong, relatively light and 100% recyclable. Read more in Aluminium yachts and Aluminium vs GRP.

No restrictions

The length and width ratios that matter for comfort and performance stay fixed. Beyond that, there are virtually no limits. Layouts, materials and colours follow the owner. Our paint to sample process, for example, means any colour combination, tested first and then applied by hand, layer by layer.

Leon describes the market like this: "The yacht market is an incredibly addictive market. From the very beginning, it feels like you are playing in the Champions League and the sky truly is the limit."

Exclusivity by design: no more than four yachts per year

We construct no more than four yachts per year. That is a deliberate choice, not a constraint. It means each owner gets real attention from the team, and each yacht gets the hours it needs. Our yard hall is 70 ft long and fully equipped with workshops, storage and an office. We work on three yachts side by side, and the hall is ready for larger yachts in the future.

If you want to know how long your own build would take, the yard will confirm this in your quote. Our journal article on how long it takes to build a yacht explains what typically drives the timeline.

The AZUR 45: eighteen months of development

The first Bekkers yacht is the AZUR 45. Developing it took eighteen months. The result is a 13.5 m aluminium weekender with two cabins, two metres of standing headroom, 30+ knots depending on engines, and a low noise level on board.

Leon is most proud of its design. He wanted a timeless boat that was eye-catching without being futuristic. A stainless-steel contour line runs from the grille at the back to the bow. It is a reminder of where the story began at Inoferro, and it gives the yacht its own signature.

The AZUR 45 comes as the AZUR 45HT with an integrated aluminium hardtop, priced from EUR 1,359,500 excl. VAT and engines (2026). Motor Boat & Yachting praised its fit and finish as exceptional for a 45-footer, noting there were no visible weld marks.

The next step: Carib 64HT

With the Carib 64HT, we build on the foundation of the AZUR 45. Leon believes the same philosophy applies to the 50 to 70 ft segment, and sees room for change in that range.

The Carib 64HT is 18.7 m long with a 5.4 m beam. It has three large cabins and three bathrooms, an optional crew cabin, a walk-around hardtop, a hydraulic swim platform and a tender garage. Twin Volvo Penta D13 engines give a speed of 25 knots. It is designed by René van der Velden, with naval architecture by Wijk Yacht Design. The price is on request. Read more in our article on the Carib 64HT.

The team behind every yacht

We work with specialists from the superyacht world. René van der Velden, an award-winning superyacht designer, draws the exteriors. Hull engineering of the AZUR 45 is by Navyk. Emile Bilterijst advises on technical, commercial and legal matters. Read how they work together on Design and engineering.

Our yard in Heusden

Our yard sits on the river Maas, close to the fortified town of Heusden. The town is surrounded by water and has a restored 17th-century feel, with windmills, galleries, restaurants and a marina where boats can moor. From here the river lets you set off in any direction. You are welcome to visit, see a yacht in build and arrange a sea trial.

Beyond delivery

Our team stays involved from design to delivery and beyond. Through Bekkers Yachts Service and our international connections, we support owners with servicing, maintenance, winter storage, charter and resale.