Aluminium day yachts compared: Bekkers AZUR 45, Vanquish VQ45 and Fjord 44 Open
By Leon Bekkers, founder
The Bekkers AZUR 45, the Vanquish VQ45 and the Fjord 44 Open are all day yachts of about 13.5 metres. The AZUR 45 and VQ45 are aluminium yachts from the Netherlands. The Fjord 44 Open is built in GRP and is included as a familiar benchmark. In short: the VQ45 is the lighter, faster boat on paper, while the AZUR 45 is wider and set up as a weekender with two cabins and 2 m standing headroom.
Why compare these three
Buyers looking at a premium 44 to 45 ft open or hardtop day yacht often end up with a similar shortlist. All three have a strong design identity and a reputation for quality. They differ in material, in how they are built and in what they are optimised for.
This article sticks to published figures. Competitor data comes from public listings: Vanquish VQ45 figures from itboat.com and boatsonline, Fjord 44 Open figures from yachtbuyer.com. Where a figure is not available to us, we say so rather than guess. Specifications change between model years, so always check the latest data with each builder.
Specifications side by side
| Bekkers AZUR 45 | Vanquish VQ45 | Fjord 44 Open | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull material | Aluminium | Aluminium | GRP |
| Built in | Netherlands (Heusden) | Netherlands | Not stated in our sources |
| Length overall | 13.5 m | 13.5 to 13.6 m | 13.45 m |
| Beam | 4.32 m | 4.1 m | 4.25 m |
| Draught | 0.79 m | 0.85 m | Not stated in our sources |
| Weight | 16,600 kg max displacement | approx. 9.5 t | Not stated in our sources |
| Entry engines | 2x Volvo Penta IPS 600 (2x 440 hp) | 2x Volvo Penta IPS 500 or 600 | Not stated in our sources |
| Top speed | 30+ knots, depending on engines | 40+ knots; Veloce version 50+ knots | Not stated in our sources |
| CE category | B | B | Not stated in our sources |
| Versions | 45HT hardtop | Standard and Veloce | Open |
| Price from | EUR 1,359,500 excl. VAT and engines (2026, 45HT) | Not stated in our sources | Not stated in our sources |
A note on weight. The AZUR 45 figure is maximum displacement, which includes fuel, water, people and equipment. The VQ45 figure is an approximate weight from a listing and may be measured differently. The two numbers are not a like-for-like comparison.
Material: aluminium and GRP
The clearest difference is the hull. Both Dutch yachts are aluminium. The Fjord 44 Open is GRP, the material used for most production yachts in this size range.
GRP is typically laid up in a mould. That makes it efficient for series production, and it gives consistent quality from one hull to the next. Aluminium is cut, shaped and welded. It typically gives good strength for its weight, does not suffer from osmosis and can be repaired by welding. Without a mould, the builder has more freedom to adapt the boat to an owner. For the full picture, read Aluminium vs GRP yacht.
Bekkers AZUR 45
The AZUR 45 is hand-built at the Bekkers yard in Heusden. Exterior design is by René van der Velden and hull engineering by Navyk. Founder Leon Bekkers comes from stainless steel work for leading Dutch and German superyacht builders.
The boat is set up as a weekender as much as a day yacht. It has two cabins, one bathroom with shower cabin, and 2 m standing headroom. On deck there are sun beds aft and on the bow, a shaded lounge with foldable dining table, an outdoor galley with BBQ grill, induction cooker, coolers and icemaker, and a full-size outdoor shower. The 45HT has an aluminium hardtop, with a panoramic sliding roof as an option.
Power is twin Volvo Penta IPS 600 as the entry engine package, with options up to IPS 800 (2x 600 hp), for 30+ knots. Fuel capacity is 1,240 litres. Motor Boat & Yachting praised its fit and finish as exceptional for a 45-footer, with no visible weld marks.
Vanquish VQ45
The Vanquish VQ45 is also an aluminium yacht from the Netherlands, at 13.5 to 13.6 m with a 4.1 m beam and 0.85 m draught. Its listed weight is approximately 9.5 tonnes. With twin Volvo Penta IPS 500 or 600 as the entry engine package it is listed at 40+ knots, and the Veloce version at 50+ knots. It is CE category B and is also sold as a superyacht tender.
On these figures, the VQ45 is the choice for owners who put top speed first.
Fjord 44 Open
The Fjord 44 Open is a GRP yacht of 13.45 m with a 4.25 m beam. Our sources do not list further figures we can verify, so we leave the remaining cells open. As a GRP boat it represents the series production approach, and it is a useful reference point for buyers deciding whether aluminium is worth it for them.
Which one suits you
- You want maximum speed. On published figures the Vanquish VQ45 is the fastest of the three, particularly as the Veloce version.
- You want to stay on board overnight. The AZUR 45 offers two cabins, a full bathroom and 2 m headroom, with the widest beam in this group. See Day cruiser vs weekender.
- You want a superyacht chase tender. The VQ45 is sold as a tender, and the AZUR 45 can also serve as one, painted to match the mothership. See Chase tender.
- You want a fully personal colour and finish. The AZUR 45 is painted to sample in any colour combination, with any interior material on request. See Paint to sample.
- You prefer a series built GRP boat. The Fjord 44 Open belongs in that category.
The best test is the water. The AZUR 45 can be trialled at the yard in Heusden.
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, the AZUR 45 or the Vanquish VQ45?
On published figures the Vanquish VQ45 is faster, at 40+ knots standard and 50+ knots as the Veloce version. The AZUR 45 reaches 30+ knots depending on engines, and is set up with more accommodation.
Is the Fjord 44 Open made of aluminium?
No. The Fjord 44 Open is built in GRP. It is included in this comparison as a benchmark against the two aluminium yachts.
Which of the three has the widest beam?
The Bekkers AZUR 45, at 4.32 m. The Fjord 44 Open has a beam of 4.25 m and the Vanquish VQ45 4.1 m.
Are the AZUR 45 and VQ45 both CE category B?
Yes. Both are CE category B. As a general rule, category B covers offshore use in winds up to Beaufort force 8 and significant wave heights up to 4 metres.
What does the AZUR 45 cost compared with the others?
The AZUR 45HT starts from EUR 1,359,500 excl. VAT and engines (2026). We do not publish competitor prices, as they vary by specification and market. Ask each builder or dealer for a current quote.
