This article originally appeared in the July 2019 issue, Cruising Odyssey

The all-new, easy-to-use and easy-to-enjoy DutchCraft 56 will be launched at the Cannes Yachting Festival, starting Sept. 10. The minimalist-styled, aggressively designed DutchCraft 56 is nothing if not versatile. It can be used as an expedition boat, a dive boat, a fishing boat, a family cruising boat, a party boat (it has seats for 44 people), or just about anything else you can think of. Indeed, Sietse Koopmans, the head and founder of DutchCraft, calls it “the ultimate all-purpose yacht.”

Koopmans is also the head and founder of Zeelander Yachts, and his family has been in the boating business in the Netherlands for generations. When I was with him earlier this summer on his new Zeelander 72 in Newport, Rhode Island, he said he loved to cruise (he cruised around the world on his 127-foot Vripack motoryacht from 2009-2010), and he wants to make boats that make cruising a pleasant experience.

In a statement announcing the new DutchCraft, he said that his own cruising experience made him realize what he wanted was “to be able to invite all my friends, take them onboard to explore the world, have maximum recreational value and spend a minimal amount on maintenance. This becomes a pain in the neck after a while.” He said that with the DutchCraft 56, “We purposefully tried to keep the design minimal and simplistic. The boat is hassle-free and has low running costs. It’s the perfect vessel to facilitate all your pleasures.”

With its clean lines, plumb bow and low profile, the DutchCraft 56 is designed for what the company calls an “easy boating” experience. The decks are composite, for example, instead of teak, for easy maintenance.

The large, open flybridge has a large dining table, a wet bar, seating aft that converts to a large sun pad, and a two-seat helm station. The salon has another dining table and wet bar, and a similar two-person helm seat. Large sun pads on the foredeck offer another relaxing and social area.

The aft deck is unusually large, and can be used as a fishing platform, a socializing area, or a watersports and dive center. Indeed, large side benches have storage areas underneath that can hold up to 16 full diving sets. The aft deck can hold the usual SUPs and kayaks, but it also can hold a submersible, if you have one.

Below, the accommodations deck has four cabins and three heads. The master stateroom is full beam, and comes with a 70-inch TV. On this deck there’s also a large fridge and freezer and room to put in a washer and dryer.

For power, owners can choose from Volvo IPS600 to IPS950 pod drives, or John Deere diesels paired with waterjet drives. Depending on engines, top speed is estimated at 40 knots.

LOA: 56’0”; Beam: 16’7”; Draft: 2’5”; Disp.: 34,000 lbs.; Fuel: 793 gals.: Water: 225 gals.; Power: 2xVolvo Penta IPS 600/950 or John Deere diesels and water jet drives.

This article originally appeared in the July 2019 issue, Cruising Odyssey