Feadship Hull 696 hits the water in technical launch
by Chris Jefferies
The in-build Feadship superyacht currently known as Hull 696 has hit the water for the first time in a technical launch at the Dutch yard’s Papendrecht facility.
Currently scheduled for delivery towards the end of next year, this 69.5 metre displacement yacht features exterior styling and naval architecture by De Voogt.
Josh Lee, founder and managing director of Lee Marine, said of the technical launch: “This really has been a charming experience, viewing the launch first-hand, then following her voyage along the waterway as we bicycled nearby with the happy owner and family.”
Lee Marine not only sold the yacht, but their new technical and project management department was also retained to oversee the build from start to finish.
“The yacht will be quite distinctive with many long range features that may surprise some corners of the market,” Lee added.
Full details of Hull 696 are a closely guarded secret for now, but British design studio Redman Whiteley Dixon will be developing the interior spaces, which are believed to total around 1,600 gross tonnes. When complete she will likely be one of the top 200 largest yachts in the world.
As the images above show, the aluminium superstructure is nearly complete after more than one year of construction work. The in-build superyacht will now undergo fitting out at Feadship’s Aalsmeer facility. Hull 696 was sold earlier this year by Phuket-based Lee Marine to an owner who has ocean expedition in mind, although Hull 696 would be just as well suited to local cruising and discovering Thailand on a luxury yacht.
Other projects currently under development at the Dutch yard include the 73 metre Hull 813, the 92 metre Hull 695 and the 96.55 metre Project Vertigo, all of which are expected to launch next year.