Royal Huisman Special One: The Fish King
The owner of Special One had long adored his Viking 92 yacht, a vessel that fuelled his passion for deep-sea fishing and inspired his sons and grandsons to share in this love. But the time came for a bold new chapter: to commission a custom-built superyacht—larger, faster, and more powerful. A yacht that could accommodate his entire family for extended voyages, host unforgettable parties with friends, and, of course, offer the ultimate fishing experience.
To bring this ambitious dream to life, the renowned Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman was chosen. An unconventional choice, given their reputation as masters of sailing superyachts. Yet Royal Huisman is no stranger to daring projects; their motto, “If you can dream it, we can build it,” is more than just words. Their portfolio includes groundbreaking creations like the 58-meter Phi, a motor yacht with a sleek, blade-like hull—the longest in the world under 499 gross tonnes. Now, standing alongside such achievements is Special One, the largest sportfishing yacht ever built, boasting six decks and unparalleled seafaring capabilities.
According to Royal Huisman CEO Jan Timmerman, yacht owners are drawn to the shipyard’s expertise in crafting lightweight hulls optimised for speed without compromising reliability, as well as their skill in integrating complex systems on modern, large-scale sailing yachts.
“From the very beginning, the owner’s determination to build one of the coolest and most complex yachts ever to hit the water was unwavering,” recalls Bart Bouwhuis, co-creative director of Vripack. The Dutch studio designed Special One from the ground up, handling everything from naval architecture to exterior styling and interior design.
Vripack essentially zoomed in on the typical compact sportfishing yacht and stretched it to an impressive 52 meters. The result is a vessel that retains the essence of a sportfisher while incorporating features like high bulwarks, rounded bow windows, and a pyramid-like superstructure with gradually tapering decks. Some design elements, such as hull windows shaped like Japanese knives pointing aft, are likely to become iconic.
Every detail of Special One embodies a pursuit of perfection. The use of Alustar aluminium alloy for the hull reduced weight by 12% compared to standard yachts of similar size. Inspired by European Space Agency technologies, Royal Huisman adopted parallel engineering methods, orchestrating a symphony of solutions to achieve the ideal balance. Vripack meticulously selected lightweight materials for the interiors, ensuring every gram contributed to speed and comfort.
The semi-displacement hull—referred to by Vripack as "super-displacement"—features an elongated bow, wide beam, and low aft cockpit. It’s a masterpiece of hydrodynamic engineering, where every curve is designed to minimise resistance. The hull was refined to perfection, enabling cruising speeds of 14 knots and a blistering top speed exceeding 30 knots. Vripack analysed every component, from water intakes to underwater welds, to optimise efficiency. The result? Special One not only met expectations but exceeded them, achieving two extra knots over predicted speeds and reducing fuel consumption by 10%.
One particularly bold innovation was the elimination of the central skeg. “This doesn’t just reduce drag—it gives the yacht incredible manoeuvrability. You can turn the wheel hard at full speed and feel only a gentle lean of about 3.5 degrees,” Bouwhuis proudly explains.
The heart of Special One lies in its twin MAN 20V 175D-ML engines, each delivering a staggering 5,982 horsepower. To accommodate these beasts, the engine room had to be 50% larger than that of most yachts in the 50-meter range.
Imagine twin 20-litre V20 engines radiating 160 kW of heat each. Add to that the tropical humidity of fishing expeditions in the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Mexico, and the engine room becomes a sauna. To tackle this challenge, Vripack devised a clever solution: a split-channel ventilation system with fan coils that pump 18,000 cubic meters of fresh air per hour directly into each engine.
Descending into the fishing cockpit—a mere step from the water at the aft end of the main deck—you immediately grasp the exceptional level of Special One as a fishing vessel. Collaborating with Guigo Marine and Bush & Noble, the designers equipped the cockpit with an array of custom features. Its centrepiece is a bespoke fishing chair, surrounded by ample bait storage. Most impressively, anglers can monitor underwater activity live on screens connected to high-end sonar systems.
Not everyone aboard Special One dreams of battling tuna or marlin in the open ocean. Many will prefer to relax with a cocktail in hand, soaking up the sun, or dance the night away under the stars. The yacht’s designers fully embraced this dual purpose.
The expansive foredeck, a hallmark of sportfishers, has been transformed into an entertainment hub. When docked, the area becomes a private party space shielded by the towering superstructure. A giant outdoor cinema screen rises from the deck, complemented by custom DJ stations and Focal & Naim speakers. This is just one facet of Special One’s state-of-the-art sound system, which features over 150 bespoke speakers delivering crystal-clear audio.
Four deck overhangs provide stunning vantage points for guests to relax and watch the thrilling action of man versus fish. The main deck also offers a dining area for enjoying freshly caught seafood, alongside sofas facing aft toward the cockpit below. This glass-enclosed space, dubbed the "sky lounge," is a serene retreat with unobstructed views.
Above the captain’s bridge rises a 12-meter tower, inspired by classic American sportfishers. From this lofty perch, guests can take in breathtaking panoramic views and snap photos worthy of magazine covers.
The interiors of Special One are warm and inviting, reflecting the owner’s desire to blend the sporty spirit of fishing with the refined elegance of yachting. There’s no flashy opulence or over-the-top glamour—just a tasteful balance of light-painted surfaces, soft fabrics and leather, and rich walnut and stained oak finishes. The main salon features a stunning parquet floor crafted from ash, showcasing intricate wood grain patterns.
Subtle nautical themes are highlighted through art pieces, such as Lalique sculptures of graceful fighting fish in the salon and mesmerising underwater scenes by Australian artist Beatrice Prost in the dining area.
The owner’s suite, located forward on the main deck, includes a walk-in wardrobe that seamlessly transitions into the bedroom. Its bathroom is adorned with rare Panda marble, a striking white stone with bold black zigzag patterns.
In the sky lounge, a glowing bar is paired with a custom blue glass chandelier. Nearby, a display case showcases exquisite glassware, flanked by two wine fridges, each holding up to 150 bottles. A unique vacuum elevator for two shares the space with a spiral staircase that serves as the yacht’s backbone.
In May, Special One was nominated for the prestigious “Best Motor Yacht—Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 50m and Above” category at the 20th Boat International World Superyacht Awards in Venice. While competition was fierce, the jury awarded Special One a special prize, recognising its uniqueness and exceptional execution. As one judge remarked, “She truly is special! This yacht is so different, so original, and so brilliantly designed.”
Such an accolade is fitting for a yacht with such an extraordinary name.
