Feadship Valor: A bold expression of adventure
Feadship’s latest entry into the genre of explorer yachts has emerged from the building hall in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. At 79.50 metres, this steel hulled, high volume yacht features a two metre ice belt encircling the hull above and below the waterline, earning her Bureau Veritas Young Ice 2 notation. Built for a returning Feadship owner, this long-range yacht is designed to fulfil his ambition of transiting the Northwest Passage and venturing to the most remote parts of the globe. Forget the South of France, let’s go to Borneo and Tasmania!
Now named Valor, Feadship Project 715 features a hybrid diesel-electric, solar and battery-powered propulsion system developed through the Feadship Advanced Electrical Drive programme. Instead of traditional main engines and auxiliary generators, Valor draws energy from four ultra-efficient variable speed generators connected to a DC grid and a 5.34 megawatt hour lithium-ion battery bank. This is more than five times the electrical storage of the groundbreaking Savannah, launched in 2015. A solar array on the mast adds extra carbon-free power. Valor can operate in zero-emission mode for up to 48 hours and will be trialled with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil biofuel, potentially cutting carbon emissions by 90 per cent.
Twin Schottel EcoPeller thrusters and a symmetrical-thrust Rim-Drive bow thruster give the yacht powerful and precise propulsion. Quantum stabilisers ensure comfort in all conditions, with both XT fins and MAGlift systems installed.
The yacht’s striking exterior reflects the owner’s request for something “recognisable from outer space,” blending the silhouette of a modern guided missile frigate with a bold dreadnought bow. Designer Chris Bottoms at Studio De Voogt translated these ideas into a distinctive, confident form. Features such as a contra-flow infinity pool and one of the largest tender doors Feadship has ever built on an 80 metre yacht underline Valor’s superyacht credentials.
Walk-around decks, widened bulwarks and dedicated areas for the owner’s three Golden Retrievers, including a grass-filled relief station and shower, reinforce Valor’s balance of comfort, function and personality. Though engineered for cold climates, the yacht offers extensive outdoor spaces for entertaining in warmer zones too.
The interiors by Bannenberg & Rowell showcase an uncompromising mix of natural materials including stone, wood, metal and glass. A sculptural main staircase made from 48,001 pieces stands as a centrepiece. The forward owner’s suite on the private deck includes a large dressing area, an office, and a Jacuzzi overlooking the helideck. Other highlights include accommodation for fourteen guests in six suites on the main deck, a sky lounge, formal and informal dining for fourteen, two Jacuzzis, a gym, and a fully equipped beach club with fold-down terraces and space for dive and water sport equipment.
Even the main salon pays tribute to the owner’s love of classic audio gear, with twin stacks of American-made McIntosh stereo components, including a record player and a curated vinyl collection. Old school meets global explorer.
Valor is set to appear at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show and will compete for the World Superyacht Awards, a true showcase of Feadship’s commitment to custom craftsmanship and energy-conscious innovation.
