Every Bekkers yacht is designed by René van der Velden, an award-winning superyacht designer. He draws the lines, the proportions and the details; the yard turns them into an aluminium yacht built to superyacht standards. The goal is the same on every boat: a timeless design, superyacht detailing and a hull that balances speed with seaworthiness.

René van der Velden

René has known he wanted to design boats since he was twelve. As a boy he drew constantly and read every book about ships he could find in his local library. Today his superyacht designs have been awarded many prizes, and his eye for proportion is what defines a Bekkers.

The brief

A Bekkers yacht starts with a clear brief from Leon Bekkers: build something unique, comfortable and timeless, at a superyacht standard. For the AZUR 45 the principles were modern and distinctive, with a clear focus on comfort. "The most important vision with regard to the yacht's design was creating enough room in every part of the boat for enjoyment and relaxation," René explains. "With the AZUR 45, the focus truly is on offering optimal comfort for those on board, combined with a very respectable speed of around thirty knots."

The S-sheerline

An important inspiration for the AZUR 45 is the S-shaped sheerline that René used in some of his earlier designs. On the AZUR 45, this line was made even bolder. It is the first thing many people notice when they see the yacht from the side.

A hardtop integrated from the start

Many boats receive a hardtop late in the process. On the AZUR 45, the hardtop was considered from the very beginning. That made it possible to integrate every element into the overall design, rather than adding it on top. The result is the AZUR 45HT: shade, an XL glass roof and an aluminium design mast that follow the same lines as the hull.

Clean lines with room for stainless steel

Apart from the S-line, the design was kept as clean as possible, with plenty of room for high-polished stainless-steel elements. These are made by Inoferro craftsmen: the side skirt and airflow grille, bow plate, mooring chocks, bollards, flagpole, handrails and dining table. A stainless contour line runs from the rear grille to the bow and gives the yacht its signature.

"The stainless-steel elements enrich the design and make it more unique. Leon's craftsmanship has allowed us to attain that exclusive superyacht standard," says René. Read more on Craftsmanship and Superyacht heritage.

Timeless by intention

René takes inspiration from classic ships of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, and from architecture and automotive design. He designs with the future in mind. "It takes at least three years to bring a larger boat to market. That means you have to think ahead and build what people will want to own in three years' time."

He expects a shift towards sleeker, smoother lines. "For the AZUR 45, our goal was to create a timeless design to ensure the yacht will lose none of its value from an aesthetic point of view as time goes on." His verdict on the project: "Together, we created a timeless design full of character."

From lines to hull

Because our yachts are built in aluminium without moulds, René's design is not limited by an existing tool. The length and width ratios that matter for comfort and performance stay fixed; beyond those, there are virtually no restrictions. Read more about the material on Aluminium yachts.

The hull is engineered to keep the design intact while balancing speed and seaworthiness. The AZUR 45 has a hard chine hull and is certified CE / RCD category B; our article CE category B explained sets out what that typically means for where you can cruise. Every system has its own place below deck, which leaves two metres of standing headroom in the cabin and bathroom of a 45 ft yacht.

Superyacht technology below the surface

Good engineering is often invisible. On the AZUR 45, the engine room is vibration-dampened and noise-isolated. Bondal insulation material isolates noise and vibration, not only heat. A clear wake system drains exhaust above the water when the yacht is stationary, so there is no constant bubbling at anchor. These are solutions usually reserved for superyachts. Engine choices are explained in Volvo Penta IPS engine choice.

The Carib 64HT

René also designed the Carib 64HT, with naval architecture by Wijk Yacht Design. "Adjusting the design to a second, larger version of the AZUR 45 is a logical step as the comfort and quality evoked by the AZUR 45 translates seamlessly to larger models," René says.

The Carib 64HT is 18.7 m long, with a 5.4 m beam and 1.0 m draught. Different layouts are possible within the developed hull. Additional guest cabin windows set it apart from its smaller sister. "The design of the Carib 64 is unique in its class. It combines the look and functionality of a day boat with accommodation that lends itself perfectly to longer trips," says René.