A New Series: The Shipyards That Actually Matter

This blog has always been about cutting through noise and marketing gloss and focusing on substance. The same approach applies here.

I’m starting a new series dedicated to shipyards that matter — not because they spend the most on branding, but because they consistently deliver well-engineered yachts, stand behind their product, and earn repeat owners. These are yards I respect, follow closely, and am comfortable putting my name behind as a broker.

This series is not a ranking. It’s not sponsored. It’s not a press release rewrite.

Each entry will explain:

• Why the yard exists in its specific niche

• What they do better than most competitors

• Where they compromise — and where they don’t

• Who the yard is actually right for, and who it isn’t

Some yards build fewer boats and get it right. Others build more and lose discipline. Some are exceptional at structure and systems but average on interiors. Those distinctions matter when you’re spending real money and planning years of ownership.

I’ll start with Van der Valk, a Dutch shipyard that has quietly built a reputation for precision, flexibility, and owner-driven engineering in the custom motor yacht space. It’s a good baseline for what this series is meant to be: informed, practical, and grounded in reality.

No fluff. No brand worship. Just informed appreciation backed by experience and facts.