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Feadship Unveils 49.5m Project 717 at Aalsmeer
Feadship has revealed the latest addition to its fleet of custom yachts, the 49.50-metre PROJECT 717, which made her first public appearance this week as she rolled out of the builder’s Aalsmeer facility.
At first glance, PROJECT 717 strikes a balance between refined proportion and confident presence, the kind of restraint that defines Feadship’s design language. Conceived by Studio De Voogt, with interiors by Marty Lowe, Inc., the yacht blends technical precision with the understated elegance typical of the Dutch shipyard.
According to Feadship Senior Designer Jan Schaffers, achieving the yacht’s visual harmony required a series of subtle yet deliberate refinements:
'In the exterior design, we extended the lines without allowing the yacht to feel stretched,' explains Schaffers. 'The widened shoulders along the sides of the sun deck play a key role in achieving this balance. On the main deck, we focused on creating a strong beach atmosphere. When the fold-down bulwarks are open, the deck space and uninterrupted views are comparable to those of a yacht nearly twice this size.'
The main deck aft sets the stage for the yacht’s relaxed, sociable character, featuring a glass-fronted Jacuzzi and fold-down bulwarks that dissolve the boundary between deck and sea. Forward, a lounge and dining area maintain privacy while allowing sunlight to pour through oversized windows, a balance between intimacy and openness.
Up on the sun deck,PROJECT 717 delivers the kind of spatial generosity more typical of a much larger yacht. Multiple social zones invite guests to linger: seating around a secondary helm station forward, a shaded dining area with ceiling fans at the centre, and a bar and lounge aft that frame sweeping views astern. The foredeck, fitted with sunpads and wraparound seating, continues the theme of informal, outdoor living.
Beneath her polished aluminium exterior, Marty Lowe, Inc. has crafted a calm, contemporary interior tailored to the owner’s lifestyle. Five guest suites welcome up to ten guests, with a full-beam owner’s cabin offering a private study, dressing room, and panoramic sea views.
Measuring 49.50 metres in length with an 8.90-metre beam, PROJECT 717 is equipped with Feadship’s Advanced Electrical Drive propulsion system, a configuration known for reducing drag and enhancing manoeuvrability. She reaches a top speed of 15 knots and cruises comfortably at 10, with a 4,000-nautical-mile range.
Earlier in 2025, Feadship announced the successful resale of PROJECT 717. The yacht now readies for sea trials in the North Sea ahead of delivery to her new owner this spring, marking yet another milestone in Feadship’s continuous evolution of craft and concept