Amsterdam— Royal Huisman’s latest achievement, the 65-meter ketch Aquarius II, is now making waves ahead of her official launch. This exquisite superyacht, crafted with Royal Huisman’s signature precision and timeless style, recently completed the outfitting and rigorous testing phases at the yard’s state-of-the-art facility. After over a year of meticulous work, Aquarius II has been transported to Amsterdam, where she will undergo her final preparations, including stepping her advanced carbon Rondal masts and booms, before her highly anticipated sea trials and delivery.
A New Chapter for Aquarius: Larger, Stronger, More Sophisticated
The latest Aquarius—dubbed Aquarius II—represents an evolution of her predecessor, the 56-meter Aquarius (now known as Apsara), launched in 2018. When her original owners, an experienced husband-and-wife team, envisioned a larger vessel with enhanced capabilities, they once again turned to Royal Huisman, renowned for its commitment to precision engineering and client-focused solutions. The larger and more technically advanced successor maintains all the charm of the original Aquarius, while boasting a significant 45% increase in volume.
CEO Jan Timmerman highlighted the impact of the owners’ decision to return to Royal Huisman, stating, “We are grateful the owners entrusted us with the realization of their dream, which has become an exceptional and magnificent yacht. Aquarius showcases our dedication to innovation and custom solutions for every project.”
Assembling the Aquarius II team was carefully orchestrated, bringing together a roster of top professionals from across the superyacht world. Royal Huisman worked alongside Dykstra Naval Architects for the yacht’s advanced hull and sail-handling systems. At the same time, interior designer Mark Whiteley crafted an ambiance that blends understated elegance with refined comfort.
Industry experts describe the collaborative design and construction team as “some of the most experienced and talented minds in the superyacht world. " The team has ensured that Aquarius II captures the spirit of high-performance cruising while meeting contemporary demands for space, efficiency, and environmental awareness. Additionally, the owner’s project manager, Godfrey Cray, has overseen the fine-tuning of every aspect, ensuring exceptional detail and functionality.
Crafted for Performance and Comfort
With a design focused on speed and elegance, Aquarius II’s lightweight Alustar® aluminum construction balances high-performance sailing capabilities with superior comfort at sea. The yacht’s lifting fin keel is a standout feature, allowing for optimized sailing performance without compromising stability. Advanced integrated sail-handling systems also enhance her maneuverability, enabling a smooth and enjoyable experience on the water, whether the owners are on an extended ocean voyage or navigating closer to shore.
Beyond her technical prowess, Aquarius II’s increased size has allowed spacious living quarters that benefit guests and crew. Larger social areas and expansive crew accommodations underscore Royal Huisman’s attention to the owners’ needs, reflecting lessons learned from previous projects, particularly the original Aquarius. The shipyard’s ability to anticipate and improve upon the design elements that mattered most to the owners has created a vessel that feels both familiar and refreshingly innovative.
Royal Huisman has woven a modern, eco-conscious approach into the very fabric of Aquarius II. Equipped with semi-hybrid propulsion, the superyacht offers a sustainable edge through increased energy efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint. This propulsion system complements her sailing abilities and enhances the yacht’s operational flexibility, allowing for a quieter and more eco-friendly journey, whether on a high-seas adventure or cruising in more sensitive marine environments.
Through this advanced setup, Royal Huisman reinforces its commitment to sustainable yacht building—a quality increasingly valued by owners who wish to minimize their ecological impact while enjoying the luxury and freedom of the open sea.
The Journey Ahead: Launch, Sea Trials, and Delivery
Having completed extensive outfitting and testing, Aquarius II is entering her final preparatory phase in Amsterdam. Here, Royal Huisman will install her robust carbon masts and booms, custom-designed by the experts at Rondal. These components are critical to the yacht’s performance-driven design. Once in place, they will enable Aquarius II to undergo a series of sea trials, where every facet of her engineering will be rigorously tested.
These trials mark the final steps before Aquarius II’s official delivery to her owners. This extended testing phase ensures that the yacht’s systems, handling, and comfort levels meet the highest standards, reflecting Royal Huisman’s dedication to excellence. Once complete, Aquarius II will join the ranks of the world’s most distinguished superyachts, ready to offer her owners unparalleled experiences on the open sea.
Royal Huisman’s reputation for building world-class custom yachts has been further cemented with the creation of Aquarius II. Known for its dedication to technological innovation and bespoke craftsmanship, the Dutch shipyard combines decades of experience with cutting-edge advancements. Each Royal Huisman vessel is explicitly tailored to its owners, and the yard’s longstanding relationships with naval architects, designers, and project managers illustrate its collaborative approach to realizing ambitious yacht projects.
As CEO Jan Timmerman observed, Aquarius II “exemplifies our commitment to innovation and client-focused solutions for both sailing and motor yacht projects.” The shipyard’s unwavering pursuit of excellence is evident in every aspect of Aquarius II, from her meticulously engineered hull to her luxurious and spacious interiors.
As Royal Huisman transports Aquarius II through the final stages toward launch and delivery, the yachting world eagerly anticipates her presence on international waters. This modern classic ketch will soon not only uphold but also elevate the legacy of her predecessor, proving that when it comes to luxury yachting, Royal Huisman remains at the pinnacle of the industry.
