Superyacht technology on a weekender
Bekkers Yachts brings technology normally found on superyachts to a weekender of 13.5 m (44.29 ft). On the AZUR 45 that means Bondal noise and vibration insulation, an isolated engine room, a clear wake exhaust system, superyacht-grade interior suppliers and a smartphone-based Smart Control Yachting System. The aim is simple: from the moment you step aboard, you should be able to enjoy the yacht safely, quietly and without hindrance.
Why superyacht standards on a smaller yacht
Founder Leon Bekkers spent years at Inoferro, a supplier of high-polished stainless-steel components to superyacht yards around the world. When he looked at smaller boats, he found that comfort and quality often fell short of what he was used to seeing on superyachts. Bekkers Yachts was set up to close that gap. The yard builds in aluminium, without moulds, and applies the same thinking about sound, vibration, materials and systems that a superyacht owner would expect.
Advisor Emile Bilterijst, who ran superyacht builder Moonen Shipyards from 1998, and exterior designer René van der Velden, an award-winning superyacht designer, bring the same background to the team. You can read more about the founder on Leon Bekkers, founder of Bekkers Yachts.
Quiet on board: noise and vibration
Bondal insulation
Most yachts in this size class use insulation mainly for heat. On the AZUR 45, the yard isolates noise and vibration using Bondal insulation material. The result is a low noise level in the cabins and lounge, which matters most on a weekender where you sleep, eat and talk on board for days at a time.
An isolated engine room
The engine room itself is vibration-dampened and noise-isolated. Engine vibrations are kept to a minimum, so the hum of twin Volvo Penta IPS engines stays in the engine room rather than travelling through the hull into the accommodation.
Clear wake exhaust
Many boats exhaust through the water. At anchor or alongside, that can mean a constant bubbling sound while the generator or engines run. The clear wake system on the AZUR 45 drains all exhaust gases above the water when the yacht is stationary, so that sound disappears. According to the yard, this technique is usually reserved for superyachts.
Interior suppliers from the superyacht world
The AZUR 45 offers two cabins, a bathroom with shower cabin, toilet and washbasin, and 2 m of standing headroom. The interior was planned with a styling consultant so every inch is used well. The suppliers behind it are names from the superyacht industry.
| Element | What is fitted | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mattresses | Hespera, a pioneer of circular mattresses and beds for superyachts | Sleeping comfort on multi-day trips |
| Bathroom | Corian with a mosaic finish | Seamless, durable surfaces that are easy to keep clean |
| Upholstery | Developed with superyacht upholsterer Vosco | Thousands of fabrics, from UV- and salt-resistant outdoor fabrics to soft interior materials |
| Joinery | Highest-quality wood with marine leather | Any other material on request |
Vosco also advises on the technical choices, so the fabric you fall in love with is also the right one for its place on board. Everything can be adjusted to your taste. See Bespoke for how the yard handles personal wishes.
High-polished stainless details
Stainless steel is where Bekkers Yachts started, and it shows. A stainless contour line runs from the rear grille to the bow, a nod to the Inoferro roots and the yacht's signature. The yard calls the high-polished parts the "jewels of the yacht": the side skirt and airflow grille, bow plate, mooring chocks, bollards, flagpole, handrails and dining table, all made by Inoferro craftsmen.
Other details include foldable stainless handrails, stainless cleats, bollards integrated into the gunwale, cup and phone holders, a stainless superyacht flagpole and a stainless outdoor shower with hot and cold water. Motor Boat & Yachting noted in its first look that there were no visible weld marks and called the fit and finish exceptional for a 45-footer. More on the build is on Superyacht heritage: from Inoferro stainless steel to Bekkers Yachts.
The Smart Control Yachting System
All Bekkers yachts are equipped with the Smart Control Yachting System. It lets you operate a wide range of equipment from your smartphone, wherever you are: air conditioning, gyro stabiliser, generator, anchor system, blinds, exterior and interior lights, fridge, ice maker and audio system. The system is built around five functions.
1. Energy efficiency
Smart control of lighting, heating and cooling helps you manage energy use on board, which reduces waste and supports longer time on the water.
2. Personalisation
One command adjusts lighting and temperature to change the mood on board. Routes and settings from recent trips are stored and can be called up again for the next one.
3. Remote access
You can check the anchor position and fuel level from a restaurant ashore, or switch on the air conditioning, music and gyro stabiliser before you step aboard.
4. Safety
GPS tracking shows the yacht's position at any time. Integrated security measures can be operated remotely, and if anything happens an alert is sent straight to your smartphone.
5. System status
Real-time information covers engine performance, fuel level, battery charge, fresh water supply and more. Spotting an issue early helps prevent malfunctions and costly repairs.
Technology that serves the experience
None of this is technology for its own sake. Quiet cabins mean better sleep. No exhaust bubbling means a calm anchorage. Good mattresses, durable surfaces and the right fabrics mean the yacht still feels new after many seasons. Smart control means less time managing systems and more time on the water. Combined with an aluminium hull that is hand-built in Holland, it is how the yard interprets its tagline: built for the exceptional.
The same approach carries through to the Carib 64HT, the 18.7 m flagship now in build, which also features smart control. Compare the range on Compare the Bekkers yachts, or experience the quiet for yourself on a sea trial at the yard in Heusden.
Frequently asked questions
What superyacht technology does the AZUR 45 have?
The AZUR 45 uses Bondal insulation to isolate noise and vibration, a vibration-dampened and noise-isolated engine room, and a clear wake system that drains exhaust above the water when stationary. Inside, it has Hespera mattresses, a Corian bathroom and upholstery developed with Vosco. Every Bekkers yacht also has the Smart Control Yachting System.
What is a clear wake system?
It is an exhaust arrangement that drains exhaust gases above the water when the yacht is stationary. That removes the constant bubbling sound you often hear at anchor. The yard notes it is usually reserved for superyachts.
What can I control with the Smart Control Yachting System?
From your smartphone you can operate the air conditioning, gyro stabiliser, generator, anchor system, blinds, lights, fridge, ice maker and audio. You can also check anchor position, fuel and system status remotely, and receive security alerts via GPS tracking.
Is the gyro stabiliser standard?
The Smart Control Yachting System can operate a gyro stabiliser where one is fitted. Which equipment is standard or optional on your yacht is confirmed in your quote, so ask the yard for the specification that suits your plans.
Can I choose my own fabrics and materials?
Yes. With superyacht upholsterer Vosco you can choose from thousands of fabrics, and wood and marine leather can be replaced by any material on request. A stylist works with you to realise your wishes.
How quiet is the AZUR 45 underway?
The yard describes a low noise level, achieved through Bondal insulation and an isolated engine room. The best way to judge it is on a sea trial.
