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New Boat Models

Project 406: World’s Largest Sportfish Yacht Reaches Milestone

By Gregg Mansfield

Project 406, new sportfishing yacht

When Project 406 reaches the water in 2023, it will be the largest sportfish yacht in the world.

Project 406, the world’s largest sportfish superyacht under construction, moved a step closer to completion this week when the superstructure and hull were joined at the Royal Huisman shipyard.

The owner’s team, naval architects, designers and specialist consultants watched the installation of the six-deck tower at the Royal Huisman shipyard headquarters in Vollenhove, Netherlands. Preparation of the remaining four decks is now underway for Project 406 and work continues on the board systems and other technical installations. An anticipated launch date is set for 2023.

Sportfisher on Steroids

Project 406 cockpit, sportfishing yacht cockpit

Project 406 can do double duty. Her large cockpit is designed to work well for fishing or entertaining.

Project 406 stands out even in the world of superyachts for its dual purpose for sportfishing and as a luxury motor yacht.

The 171’ yacht (52.12 m) features six decks and a large fishing cockpit positioned close to the water. The design includes a distinctive long bow and high bulwarks sweeping through a clear sheer to a low, uncluttered cockpit aft. The high tower offers outstanding views with a downward angle on the water for specialized fishing.

Apart from its practical function, the tower can be used as a viewing platform for guests.

A Sky Lounge offers views of sportfishing by day and by night the Sky Lounge provides a relaxed ambience and outlook of the skies.

Coming Together

building aluminum yacht, building Project 406 yacht

Vripack Yacht Design Studio and Norwegian shipbuilder Royal Huisman partnered on the unique Project 406.

Vripack Yacht Design Studio is responsible for the project’s naval architecture as well as the dramatic exterior and yet-to-be-revealed interior design. Royal Huisman is the superyacht builder handling the engineering and production.

The shipyard team has worked together with the owner’s representative and other team members that include Bush & Noble for expertise on sportfishing and classic yacht forms and Hampshire Marine for the day-to-day technical aspects at the shipyard.

Production Flexibility

Projet 406 hull, project 406 bottom

Royal Huisman worked with Alustar to build the aluminum superstructure for project 406.

With a shipyard team of more than 300 workers, Royal Huisman can carry out much of its engineering and production work in-house.

For the aluminum superstructure on Project 406, Royal Huisman turned to Alustar based on its engineering plans. The yacht builder said the design collaboration is an effort to get the superyacht onto the water faster. Project 406 was announced in late 2020 with the contract finalized in early 2021.

“It is well known that the Royal Huisman team likes nothing better than the opportunity to solve fresh engineering challenges,” says Royal Huisman CEO, Jan Timmerman. “The world’s first true sportfish superyacht is a very exciting order.”

The Unknowns

Project 406, six-deck yacht, world's largest sportfishing yacht

Few specifics have been released about the power and range for the sportfish superyacht under construction.

Vripack Yacht Design Studio has touted innovative features such as laser-powered exterior lighting but has offered few specifics about Project 406.

The owner and builder haven’t revealed the power, fuel capacity or potential range for the superyacht. While workers fill out the remaining four decks, Vripack has yet to show the final plans for the interior.

From the exterior renderings, there’s little double that Project 406 is one of a kind.

“Project 406 is a Sportfisher on steroids. It has the true proportions and long flaring bow of a typical American Sportfish Boat,” said Bart M. Bouwhuis, co-creative director, in a statement. “We paired this with the harmonious feel of a luxurious yacht. It’s a supersized model with super chic curves, realized on a grand scale.”