The new Wajer 55 was built in Heeg, near Sneek
Translated by Thomas Ansell
The news of the King’s new yacht was announced by the royal house, and reported by Shownieuws, and the Omrop Fryslân. The new boat, which is slightly larger than the King’s previous Wajer craft, is likely to spend its time at the royal holiday home in Greece.
King Willem II’s new Wajer 55 is around 16 metres long, and is one of the largest and most luxurious models made by Wajer. The previous royal yacht, called ‘Aldebaran’, was 11 metres long and cost around 800,000 euros: with the new one costing a cool 2 million euros. It is supplied with several creature comforts, including an electrically operated ‘cabrio’ roof, space for four to sleep, and its own kitchen and bathroom.
The King’s previous yacht was taken from the public register of boats last week: “it seems, therefore, to have been bought by someone”, says Yvonne Zwaan of motorboot.com.
Sandra Schuurhof, a press officer for the royal house, expects that the King will use the yacht in Greece, where the royal family has a holiday home with dock. The royal family will likely use the boat to ‘island hop’ on their holidays. Indeed, Schuurhof referred to sightings of the King whizzing about in his new toy: “the Police must use their fastest boat, a RIB, to keep up”, she said.
Wajer Yachts was founded by Dorus Wajer in 1992, and moved to its current premises in Heeg in 1996. The company is currently run by Dries Wajer, son of Dorus, and has around 55 skilled craftsmen working from their workshops and headquarters.
Image by David Mark via Pixabay
