Review: Bloemsma Van Breemen 134' "Valquest"

Bloemsma Van Breemen 134' "Valquest"
An Artful Masterpiece Takes To The Sea

by YachtForums Publisher Carl Camper​

Artful. Stunning. Another new approach from this creative Dutch builder gives YF’s sail-yacht fanciers a view that is simply... enchanting. She is so pretty, yet precisely thought out; like one of those perfect, precious, glass-encased 1/50th-size models we see at a boat show. Yet, this is no untouchable toy; she’s a gorgeous, one of a kind magnum opus.
​

All grown up at 134’, sloop rigged with a high performance streamlined hull, Valquest was designed by Dubois, an award winning Naval Architect; and she is even more striking close-up in person. A high performance yacht built entirely in aluminum, cleverly equipped with dual headstays, a roll-away boom with captive winches and hydraulically operated running backstays, she ranks number 7 in the Dutch builder’s repertoire of glamorous sailing vessels; their largest so far, in this genre. Builder Nico van Breemen is quite proud of this lovely lady; as he certainly should be.

The technical excellence of BvB's yachts can be directly attributed to the background of the yard’s owners/managers, Nico and his wife Marjan Van Breemen. Having spent their early years at sea working on tankers and later converting an ex-soviet seismic ship, the couple set up their own technical installation company in 1991 and quickly gained a reputation for quality work. One of their contacts was the Bloemsma yard in Makkum, which built steel and aluminum hulls plus superstructures for other yacht builders such as Feadship. Nico and Marjan took over the yard’s operations and experienced work force in 1997 and thus was born the Bloemsma Van Breemen yard, focused on building complete custom yachts for experienced owners. Based on the yards excellence and experience, leading designers and naval architects such as Vripack, Pieter Beeldsnijder, and DeVries Lentsch immediately recommended BVB to owners for projects. Talk about references!

Home to the Bloemsma Van Breemen is Makkum, located just one hour from Schiphol, Amsterdam, as well as Groningen Eelde airport for private jets. Boat building has been a major occupation in Makkum, ensuring a constant pool of skilled craftsmen to BVB and other major yards. The fact that the town is also at the center of the Dutch maritime supply cluster, adds further value to this location.

While a relative newcomer in the Netherlands’ legendary domination of the seven seas, Jachtwerf Bloemsma’s 1974 start-up built 136 aluminum and steel hulls. After Nico & Marjan assumed operation of the company and began focusing on yachts, their ocean-mastering progeny includes fabled motoryachts 96’ Vripack “Patriot”, 60’ Vripack Dobbersbanik “Trewes”, 59’ Beeldsnijer “Maskot”; as well as sailing yachts; 82’ Hoek design “Bharlin Blue”, 80’ “Mulligan”, 74’ “Copihue” which has chalked up over 100,000 miles in sea voyaging.

Now well into Century 2,000, the yard boasts extended capacity of 20,000 square meters with 6,600 sq.ft. of covered construction sheds. Also launched is the stunning Reymond Langton designed 157’ motoryacht “Flying Eagle”, as well as a canoe stern, rough-water trawler with high-style; “Griffeon”, noted in our HISWA report! Now, rising to center stage is “Valquest”, a high performance racing sloop and long range cruiser certain to stir the hearts of the cruising sail enthusiast. Valquests’ owner intends to take long journeys to the coast of Chile and the South Pole, so the yacht was fitted for long-range cruising and has considerable displacement. Proper fuel capacity, along with a standing height engine room and comprehensive storage spaces were all protocols of the build.

From over the stern we see Valquest's sculpted staircase, complete with a passarelle that extends aft for med-mooring. A lot of thought has gone into long passages, such as a proper hardtop with a sunroof for quick boom checks and seating that wraps around each wheel, leaving no lean unwelcome. Valquest even has aft-facing seats for guests to put the past behind them. Stepping inside, the designers have taken an artful approach -- perhaps attributable to famed Dutch artist Piet Mondrian -- showing a distribution of acute balance and utilization of space, organization, with ultimate good taste. Her sail wardrobe by Northern Sails Carbon Spectra, includes a Mainsail, Foretriangle, Genoa & Blade jib.

Her streamlined superstructure fools the eye with its elongated teardrop shape, leading the impressionable to expect low headroom. Yet inside, she is quite spacious with a 360 degree view of the harbor. Designed with a theme of cool white and deep, dark mahogany, the level of quality in this build absolutely trumpets world class interior joinery, fit & finish. The luster and depth of the wood must be seen to be believed.

A long shot of the main salon illustrates the deep-seated comfort of her dining area, as well as safety measures such as polished bright stainless steel hand-holds along the wide aisle. Her low profile deckhouse registers a relatively wide beam of 29 ft. - 8.9 meters. To starboard, Valquest's communications center is home to a Thrane SatCom, V-sat; plus Intelect Cellular systems, VHF Radiotelephones and Iridium Telephone Exchange.

Her dining center sports a world map inlaid on its fine, light mahogany table suggesting there is no restriction to Valquest’s dreams of far horizons. To port, a raised wetbar presents Heinen & Hopman custom refrigeration, plus a Hoshizaki icemaker. All-in-all, a cozy but commodious salon area with leaning rails as needed for the next tack.

Easily equal to any luxury hotel or personal hideaway, Valquest's lower salon continues with brightly contrasting white carpeting for her dark chocolate mahogany tables and cabinetry. Accents of bright orange and a cerulean blue window-scape set a contemporary, but soothing background for her entertainment screen.

An alternate view of the lower salon emphasizes the unreserved openness of the design. Planned spreads of practical, clean and near formal chocolate-toned mahogany woodwork against the overhead windscreen's sloping beams, echoes against snow-white leather furniture. In addition, for those who cannot stray from business, the yacht furnishes a computer hutch nestled into the port quarter of the lower salon. The world is accessible.

This tantalizing shot of the Galley reflects five cold storage, stainless steel doors just off the prep table and sinks. Rarely has a “kitchen” scene on a sailing yacht seemed so inviting, so clear and well-arranged. Her Gaggenau induction cooking plates and grill are backed up by the a Gaggenau oven, Combi oven, plus a Tappan-Yaki grill; even a warming drawer. Also Heinen en Hopman custom refrigeration.

Here again Valquest shows off her excellent design sense with recessed condiment & utensil holders. In the background a large, leather-covered divan. There’s also a cork board for crew notes, LCD TV, and overhead shelving that provides additional storage space in a typically confined feeling space.

Large food prep areas allow plenty of space for the chef and helpers to work whatever magic they may have in store at this nicely arranged station. Note while stoves, ovens and microwaves are fitted into this compact space, every item has its place, such as the skillets nesting overhead, secured by fiddle-like stays. Making small measure of a big mess, a Broan trash compactor is also in the appliance fold.

Valquest’s full beam to beam Master Stateroom features a king-size raised berth, following the dark chocolate & cream white theme. Pure comfort prevails, with large screen entertainment, plus deeply padded comfort in seating; also a handy desk with drawers and white padded seat. Note, even though she’s a sailboat, she sports enormous head room!

Her master’s walk-in closet, shown here, backs up to the TV-Video-DVD-Stereo Music system-screen wall; and also sports a full length door mirror. Just forward, we get a peek into the Master Bath. To our right, the luxurious couch is placed just under a wide port-light.

Also beautifully designed, the Master Bath features individual basins. Set in plush, molded styrene, two polished stainless steel wash bowls are posed side by side with water closet facilities are separate. Her couple-size shower and head reside behind frosted glass doors.

A pair of VIP double staterooms reside just forward of the Master, set beam to beam. Comfortably laid out, each features a full double berth with innerspring mattress; as well as a large couch at beamside. Plus, her wide screen entertainment package.

A twin guest stateroom is set at Port side between the Master and VIP doubles. One twin side also features a Pullman berth, so the room accommodates three guests. Each single berth is raised, for storage beneath, and at its headboard offers lighting and miscellaneous storage.

All crew cabins are situated forward on the lower deck, including the Captain’s cabin with a raised double berth, and private bath/shower. Not following the deep chocolate mahogany design motif, it features light oak woods and comfortable lighting overhead. At the starboard beam, a convenient desk and computer stand; handy, with overhead bookshelf and storage.

Another view of the Captain’s cabin shows the opening port to starboard, and also the 32” TV at the foot his berth. A high pillow arrangement allows for sitting up in bed reading (if on those few rare occasions he has a few minutes to himself). In addition to the Captain’s cabin, this spacious layout provides doubles accommodations for six crew members; with separate dining facilities and a dedicated laundry facility; plus two Miele washers and dryers, and a steam iron.

Valquest’s control room, forward on the lower deck and easily accessible to Captain or Engineer, gives rise to a ceiling-high control panel, guarding power delivery and ship's diagnostics. Continually monitored are the CAT C18 main engine, a pair of Northern Lights gensets and related lighting and consumption needs.

Below, engineering excellence continues in Valquest’s engine room, where Nico's real talent presents itself in the form of access where space is at a premium. Twin Northern Lights Gensets provide 72kW @1500 rpm. Her no-wind engine is a CAT C-18, delivering 533kW – 715 hp @ 2100 rpm to a ZF 2000 gear box. A Hundested, controlled pitch, 4 blade prop delivers a cruising speed of 10 kts; max speed 12 kts. Valquest’s range at these figures deliver 3010 nm @ 10 kts; 2334 nm @12 kts. So? Thinking of Ocean crossing under sail? Med or Carib, anyone? Panama Canal? Peru and Chile? This beautiful, efficient, brazen lady is ready when you are.