There is a certain kind of luxury that, to a true connoisseur, feels utterly captivating yet never ostentatious. It reveals itself in the subtle gleam of the steel window frames that slide inward, in the soft, snowy white hue of the hull—muted, rather than harsh. It’s in how effortlessly the interiors blend the most renowned fabric and finish brands without striving for a total look. Even the fact that the deck is made of synthetic teak doesn’t detract from its appeal but rather enhances it—sustainability is, after all, in vogue.
The 17-meter Mulder Favourite 1700 Anniversary Edition is the epitome of understated luxury. The Dutch shipyard launched the tenth hull of its bestselling model, aptly named Summer, to celebrate its 85th anniversary. The yacht was created in collaboration with the architectural firm Vripack and designer Guido de Groot, both of whom have partnered with Mulder on many projects in recent years.
The first Favourite 1700 was built seven years ago. The new yacht comes with state-of-the-art technology and exquisite decor, making her equally good as a bon vivant's pied-à-terre or a cosy family retreat.
At first glance, the yacht’s simplicity and natural flow are captivating, with a spacious salon seamlessly integrated with the helm station. The compact salon is incredibly cosy. The roof features a sliding sunroof, and a glass door separates the salon from the cockpit. In standard configuration, the Favourite 1700 comes with heated floors in the bathrooms. The anniversary edition adds the same in the upper salon.
The central section of the swim platform is attached to the transom door, which seals the garage watertight. The garage floor is level with the waterline, below the swim platform. When the door opens, the 3.45-meter Williams Turbojet 25 RIB slides effortlessly into the water. In addition to the tender, the garage stores a pair of lightweight folding Gocycle bicycles—perfect for a leisurely ride after docking.
The yacht offers three guest cabins. The interiors of Summer, designed by Rulfien Vos, are luxurious and minimalist, cosy and airy. They feature white Calacatta Talaa marble with dark grey veining and leather accents. Together, the materials and accessories from Hermès, Pierre Frey, Thibaut, Larsen, Kravet, Elitis, Dedar, and Samuel & Sons create a symphony of luxury. Every detail on Favourite yachts is custom-made. The bathrooms are equipped with high-end tropical showers.
The yacht is powered by twin Volvo Penta D6 engines, each delivering 480 hp—an upgrade from the standard configuration. With these engines, the yacht can reach a top speed of 22 knots. Additionally, the yacht comes with two solar panels, bow and stern thrusters, Humphree zero-speed fin stabilisers, and Humphree HE1000 Professional Plus interceptors. The anchoring system has been completely updated as well.
With a draft of just 1.3 meters, Summer can easily navigate shallow bays and anchorages, typical of the Bahamas and the Caribbean. A unique feature of Dutch yachts is their keel beam, which prevents the propellers from coming into contact with rocks or underwater obstacles in shallow waters. This ensures Summer is well-protected from potential damage.
What aristocrat doesn’t have a noble lineage? The Favourite model pays homage to the rich history of the family-owned shipyard. In the 1960s, Mulder produced the Super Favourite Cruiser, which became highly popular in the Netherlands. Luxurious in quality, stylistically true to the traditions of the era, and exceptionally reliable, these yachts were a key driver of the shipyard’s rapid growth. Having become a classic and proven its remarkable longevity, the Favourite series earned its rightful “reissue” in 2010.
The anniversary model has breathed new life into the series and has become Mulder’s signature creation. Summer has spent much of its time cruising the inland waterways of the Netherlands, while during peak season, it was based in Port Vauban (Antibes) under the care of an experienced captain. It has embarked on an extensive voyage along the French and Italian Rivieras, visiting ports in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, and San Remo. In January, Summer was one of the highlights of boot Düsseldorf.
Reflecting on the experience, Nick Mulder confidently states that the yacht’s first season was flawless—exactly as one would expect from a true aristocrat of the yachting world.
