The 48-footer was custom-built for a highly experienced Turkish yachtsman

Sometimes big luxury comes in small packages.

The 48-foot Zeelander 5, which the Dutch yard just delivered to her Turkish owner, takes design inspiration from two of the most formidable names in the luxury sector: Bentley and Hermès.

Unveiled in 2021, the vessel is currently the smallest model in the four-strong lineup, behind the 56-foot Zeelander 6, the 67-foot Zeelander 7, and the 79-foot Zeelander 8. The semi-custom yacht is built on a standardised hull, but offers extensive personalisation options that make it feel almost fully bespoke.

“Although our Zeelander 5 is a platform that has been well proven around the world, no two yachts are alike,” Zeelander founder and chairman Sietse Koopmans said in a statement.

This particular unit was designed specifically to match the owner’s cars and aircraft. Created by Zeelander’s in-house design team in collaboration with the owner’s chosen studio, the yacht features Bentley-inspired metallic paintwork on the hull and superstructure. The shimmery “Light Gazelle” finish shifts between grey and bronze, creating a striking contrast against the dark, tinted glass on the large wraparound window.

The interior, meanwhile, tips a hat to Hermès, with pops of the French fashion house’s famous orange playing against an otherwise very subtle palette. The bold hue appears on furniture in the owner’s suite, the Corian countertop in the salon, the cockpit seating, and the sun loungers. Even the Bentley-style diamond stitching on the leather throughout is orange. Hermès blankets and pillows are also strewn about.

“This latest project called for careful color and material matching with the owner’s favorite supercars and luxury brands to create a powerful yet coherent interior,” adds Koopmans.

To top it off, quite literally, the salon features a Rolls-Royce-style starlight ceiling, putting a stellar scene above you by night. By day, the expansive windows invite the surrounding outdoor environment in. Other unique elements include a built-in humidor for the owner’s cigar collection and a pop-up TV on the aft deck for movie nights.

The owner, who Koopmans says has a much bigger yacht and is tremendously experienced on the water, plans to operate the Zeelander 5 without a crew. The accommodation, therefore, includes a full-beam owner’s suite amidships and a twin guest cabin forward.

Powered by Volvo IPS engines, the yacht can hit a top speed of 40 knots yet is whisper quiet. In fact, Zeelander says that even at full throttle, you can have a conversation anywhere on board without raising your voice. The joystick ensures easy and intuitive handling, too.

The yacht is the first new-generation Zeelander 5 to be based in the Mediterranean, according to the yard.

This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Rick Heikoop