During a recent visit to Belgium, I was fortunate to attend The Zoute Sale, a collector car auction held annually by Bonhams|Cars, one of the world’s preeminent auction houses. There, among new and old classics from Aston Martin, BMW, Jaguar, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and more, I gravitated to a masterwork from Modena, Italy: the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta TdF.
Of course, I was smitten with the flow and curvature of her metal. But, I was also enamored by her history. Originally designed as a GT—a grand touring road car—the 250 earned its mettle as a racer in the Tour de France endurance event. After the car took the checkered flag in 1956, the TdF moniker was unofficially added to the name, per tradition.
I thought about the 250 GT as I made my way back to Holland via a stop at Jachtwerf Vennekens, a Belgian yard that has been building custom boats since 1952. I had an idea for a concept that I figured my friend Stefan Vennekens, the third-generation naval architect and marine engineer, could help me flesh out.
One of the key things that my design house (and Ferrari) shares with Vennekens is a mélange of tradition and timeless design. And, like the Dutch, the Belgians are fond of metal boats, particularly steel craft, which we both agree offer sturdiness and great value to owners.
With some helpful input from Vennekens, we completed our concept for the V/Class 52. We gave a nod to Ferrari’s legendary Berlinetta series with the goal of creating a sporty, stylish exterior over a rugged, sturdy base, with a grand tourer’s long legs and spacious interiors.
For the V/Class, we aimed to provide a stable platform for nearly all sea conditions, so she will be constructed like a steel fishing trawler. Where a working boat would have significant room dedicated to fish holds, the V/Class would take those voluminous spaces to create a compact, full-displacement, long-range cruiser.
We wanted to have an easy flow on board, so we gave the
V/Class only one step per deck, minus the companionway that leads belowdecks. Typically, this design style would make for a high profile, but with the V/Class, we utilized this one-level living as a strength that, when combined with her range and accommodations, you cannot get out of a picnic-style dayboat.
The salon has a layout like a high-rise penthouse, with lots of glass to light the space. Her galley will be aft, opening the entire forward section for an uninterrupted living space. Comfort at sea for long periods is key, so the space is filled with settees that allow privacy or access to the captain at the starboard helm. The helm station has large multifunction displays, unobstructed 360-degree views (an after pillar has been left out for this purpose) and the ability to block out the area for overnight cruises.
Wing doors to port and starboard lead to covered, wide side decks and her foredeck, where a lounge area can be converted for tender stowage during longer passages. One can also access her aft deck, which connects to the salon via folding glass doors, creating another alfresco entertaining space. A lazarette, accessible from the swim platform, can be used for stowage or can be converted into a beach club.
Belowdecks, the full-beam, amidships master stateroom is accessed by a private companionway. The cabin has a walkaround berth to make the most use out of the space. Forward is a VIP in the bow, splitting its head access with the double-berth guest stateroom. The guest stateroom converts to an office space.
Carrying just under 800 gallons of fuel and driven by a pair of 110-hp, continuously rated diesels, her range is estimated at 1,450 nautical miles at 7 knots, with a 10 percent reserve.
At just under 50 feet of length overall, the V/Class is a three-stateroom, flush-deck, liveaboard cruiser that is ready to tick away the miles at sea in safety and comfort.
V/Class 52
LOA: 49ft.
Beam: 15ft. 3in.
Draft: 4ft. 3in.
Displacement: 55,115 lbs.
Fuel: 792 gal.
Water: 196 gal.
Engine: 2x 110-hp diesels
This article was originally published in the January/February 2024 issue.
