If it’s true that the only source of knowledge is experience, then there’s little wonder that Vripack continuously knows how to create some of the most sophisticated yachts in maritime history.
‘I wish Vripack a healthy future, one in which they fulfil many more dreams of their visionary clients and remain the leaders that they are today.’
MR DICK BOON, FOUNDER
So fascinated was he by boats while growing up, that he spent all his free time during his job at the Amsterdam Dry Dock Co. indulging his interest at the sailing school in Sneek. And when he judged the school’s instruction boat to be less than satisfactory, he simply designed a new one.
Boon soon worked at one of the region’s oldest shipyards. However, despite its long heritage, it failed to offer the level of craft and ambition he sought. On October 2nd 1961, when he decided to set up his own practice, his wife supportively replied “Well, you’d better get to work then.”
A selection of the most memorable moments from more than 7,000 projects by Vripack.
DESIGN NO. 1 – A 21-FOOT WOODEN SAILING BOAT
Dick Boon’s very first design, a 21-foot open dayboat intended as the first in a new series of training vessels for the First Frisian Sailing school. Many were built, at least five of which during his lifetime, all at the Abele de Jong yard in Joure.
OUR FIRST APPEARANCE AT A BOAT SHOW, HISWA, AMSTERDAM
Vripack’s first appearance at a boat show, where it exhibited two steel-hulled boats. The 23-footer was designed for Mr. De Vries (then Boon’s business partner), and the traditional flat-bottomed boat, measuring nearly 32 feet, was designed and built for Jaap Gaastra, who would later achieve global fame as a sailmaker
AN INNOVATION IN YACHT DESIGN, THE DOGGERSBANK 1525 MY
The first Doggersbank waS designed in 1968 and built from steel until 1977. This Doggersbank 1525 was the first to be built from composite materials, as well as the first round-bilge motor yacht to be designed according to the Low Displacement Length principle (LDL).
EXPEDITION SAILING YACHT, THE STORMYBANK CLIPPER 68’
Designed and built for an English lord, Ashly St. Mary was equipped with a kits-wishbone rig. In January 1983, she set sail for the north of Greenland, on an expedition that would take her within 580 nautical miles of the North Pole, earning her a place in the record books as the first recorded sailing yacht in history to sail that far north.
SPORT FISHING VESSEL, THE 65-FOOT ALL-ALUMINIUM FIRST LIGHT
During one of his many trips to the United States, Dick Boon received a commission to design and build a 65-foot all-aluminium Sport-fishing vessel. First Light was built at the Kuipers yard in the Netherlands, and sailed on her own keel to the US.
FIRST TIME ‘IN THE TANK’, TESTING THE HIGH-SPEED SEAHUNTER 70’
Computer software was still a distant dream, so the hull of the high-speed Seahunder 70’ had to be resistance-tested at the TU Delft towing tank facility, with the test conducted by the internationally renowned marine hydrodynamics expert, Professor Gerritsma. The test confirmed Vripack’s calculations, but indicated a need for additional trim wedges.
AN INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH: THE DOGGERSBANK OFFSHORE NO. 1
Designed and built for an American family, the steel-aluminium Doggersbank Offshore marked Vripack’s international breakthrough. Vripack would go on to create a whole series of the Offshore, all of which would be renowned for their sturdy appearance, exceptional seakeeping performance and comprehensive technical specifications.
THE FIRST CNC CUTTING FILES, PRODUCING BETTER BOATS IN LESS TIME
Vripack was the first to work with CAD/CAM software, which allowed it to digitally loft a vessel’s shape in 3D and subsequently produce the code that allowed robots to cut the physical metal sheets. Turmoil’s CNC files were sent by 9600 baud modem to the American shipyard where the yacht was to be built, allowing construction to begin the very same day.
MR BOON’S VERY OWN MOTOR YACHT, THE TRADITIONALLY-STYLED MARE-N
Design No. 4750: Dick Boon’s very own yacht, a traditional white motor yacht with a classic yellow funnel. Boon named Mare-N after his grandchild, and he sailed her via one of the French canal routes to the Mediterranean Sea, and all the way to his beloved Turkey.
A SIGNATURE MODEL. THE DOGGERSBANK EXPLORER 185, NORTHERN STAR
Vripack designed this 185 foot-long Doggersbank Explorer, basing its design on the tried-and-tested blueprint from 1996. This base design had become the studio’s signature model, and was tendered for construction at numerous yards around the world, before its 2000 incarnation as the Polar Star.
EXTENDING THE BRAND. THE VOYAGER DOGGERSBANK EXPLORER, JASMIN
The studio had grown immensely by this point, and continued to amaze its clients with endlessly fresh takes on the rugged voyager. The first Doggersbank Explorer, a scaled-down version of a 280’ concept, represented an extension of the Doggersbank brand.
ONE DESIGN SOLAR RACER. DISCOVERING SOLAR FUEL AND POWER
At Vripack, we believe the best way for the studio to quickly learn something new is for us to challenge a small team under very tight constraints. And once again it worked, resulting in the design and in-house creation of a handful of prototype solar racing boats. The knowledge gained from the experience was subsequently poured into the creation of the first One Design Solar Racer, the V20.
Some of the studio’s yachts have even been honoured multiple times, owing to refits or rebuilds. The prestigious Voyager’s Award, awarded to the yacht that, in the judges’ opinion, completed the most inspirational cruise in the preceding year, has been won more times by Vripack’s yachts than by those of any other yacht-designer.
Gratifying as these awards may be for both designer and builder, each is also an acknowledgement of the respective owner’s ambition, and of their contribution both to the craft of yacht-building and to the rich history of yachting. Each yacht is the result of two or three years of dedication on the part of the team, builders and owner, united for a common goal: the creation of yet another world-beating yacht on which both owner and crew can feel at home at sea.
The book showcases a mix of our studio’s most sensational yachts uniquely pictured in their natural habitat. Simply flipping through the stunning photography or reading it in great detail, you will certainly notice our design philosophy that is informed by a creative, holistic and collaborative approach that enables us to conceive yachts that offer their owners the most enriching experience possible on water, while allowing them to immerse themselves in this experience with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you enjoy unparalleled levels of safety and comfort.
| PUBLISHER | TERRA |
| LANGUAGE | ENGLISH |
| NO. OF PAGES | 240 |
| COST | € 50,-* |
* Cost includes VAT and excludes shipping costs. When you have submitted your purchase via info@vripack.com you will receive a payment request incl. shipping costs and VAT. After payment we will send your package to the postal address you have provided.
Books ordered via info@vripack.com are personally signed by Vripack’s Creative Directors Bart Bouwhuis and Marnix Hoekstra – limited edition!
With these series we would like to take you on an expedition through our Holistic Design Approach by presenting the realization of four diverse projects: Rossomare, NED70, Gamma and MY Star. During the series you will experience how our team is working together with the owners in a journey towards creating their yacht.
Enjoy watching our series.
