The rhythm of life
The owners commissioned Van der Valk to build a yacht tailored for three generations of their family—a vessel where the older generation could relax, the younger ones could enjoy water sports, and everyone could come together to entertain friends and have fun, all without getting in each other's way. This meant the yacht needed to feature numerous versatile leisure areas. Storage had to be spacious, and the laundry room needed to be well-equipped and large enough to handle mountains of clothes and towels. The owners, passionate food enthusiasts, enjoy cooking themselves, experimenting with recipes, and delighting their guests with the results. Naturally, the brief included a special request for state-of-the-art galley equipment, ample refrigeration, and a kitchen island for impromptu cooking shows. The galley was fitted with ceiling-integrated exhaust systems to keep food odours out of the salon.
The overarching request was simple: the yacht should feel like a home away from home, allowing the owners to maintain their usual lifestyle.
Safety was a top priority on this family yacht, with high bulwarks along the side decks and carefully designed dividers with colour-coded markings replacing open railings.
The clients were deeply involved in the design process, meticulously overseeing every detail—even contributing to the selection of equipment for the helm station. However, the shipyard didn’t feel micromanaged. On the contrary, they remarked, "It was a pleasure working with clients who invested a piece of themselves into the yacht."
The exterior design was custom-created by Guido de Groot, using the award-winning hull of the 35-metre Lady Lene as a starting point. One of the most intriguing features of both yachts lies beneath the waterline. In the launch video of Lalabe, you can spot a sharp, wave-cutting bow extension, replacing the traditional rounded bulbous bow, which enhances hydrodynamics.
The classic hull shape was also reimagined. Toward the transom, the fast displacement hull flattens, and the keel deepens, allowing the propeller shaft to remain nearly horizontal, improving the efficiency of the propellers. The flatter hull bottom also accommodates vertical stabilisers beside the propellers. The effect is comparable to semi-tunnels integrated into the hulls of some models.
Beneath the swim platform, an innovative Hull Vane is installed, shaped like a bracket. It generates lift perpendicular to the water flow. The horizontal component of this lift creates forward thrust, transferred through the Hull Vane struts. The hydrodynamic profile of the wing is designed to produce thrust that exceeds drag, thereby reducing the overall resistance of the yacht. Additionally, it creates a low-pressure area behind the vessel, suppressing the stern wave, reducing fuel consumption, and lowering noise levels. The Hull Vane also minimises pitch and dampens roll.
The Lady Lene platform proved so successful that the shipyard used it as the foundation for another project—the four-deck, 34-metre One, which underwent sea trials in the North Sea alongside Lalabe this summer.
However, the shipyard insists that Lady Lene and Lalabe are not sister ships. Each boasts distinctive features and can be described as semi-custom. In all three cases, Guido de Groot redesigned the elements above the waterline, with any similarities being more a reflection of the designer’s creative signature.
"Lalabe is yet another fantastic example of Van der Valk’s uniqueness: top-tier Dutch craftsmanship combined with extensive customisation options, allowing owners to fully tailor their yacht to their needs," says Jory Bijker, the shipyard’s sales manager, with enthusiasm.
Lalabe’s design captures the spirit of classic explorer yachts, reimagined with a modern touch. Darkened details and tinted glass give the silhouette a lighter, more elegant appearance.
The yacht’s standout feature is its spacious leisure areas, inviting you to savour every moment.
The swim platform features a submersible central section and a long telescopic gangway that extends from the starboard staircase leading to the cockpit. It’s convenient for stepping directly from the dock into the main salon. Behind the transom panel lies a beach club equipped with a sauna, bar, storage for sports gear, and a large open space that can be customised to the owner’s preferences.
The flybridge is designed to accommodate three distinct leisure areas under the hardtop: a bar with forward-facing seats, a long, curved sofa, and a dining table for 8–10 people. The chairs and table were intentionally chosen to be lightweight and foldable, making it easy to clear space for a buffet or dancing. The forward section of the flybridge houses the upper helm station, while the overhang features a circular jacuzzi.
A central staircase elegantly connects the decks, creating a seamless flow between spaces. The boundaries between interior and exterior are almost invisible, with areas blending effortlessly. For instance, the upper salon on the bridge deck, with its round table, opens directly to the outdoors through sliding glass doors. On either side of the helm station, there are stylish observation balconies, while in front of the windscreen, a private lounge area is furnished with a sofa and two convertible tables. Thanks to high bulwarks, this space is nearly invisible from the shore. The bow area is left open, with only a lightweight metal railing for safety. A jet ski is stored here, ready to be launched by crane.
During their travels, the owners spend most of their time outdoors. As such, a significant portion of the main deck is dedicated to the cockpit, sheltered from both the elements and the sun by the overhang of the upper deck. This area features a dining table and a sofa set.
The owner’s suite, complete with an office and walk-in wardrobe, is located on the main deck forward. This is a notable difference from the layout of Lady Lene, where the master suite occupies the midsection of the lower deck.
Two VIP cabins and two twin cabins are symmetrically arranged on the lower deck. The crew quarters, located forward, are separated from the guest areas by a watertight bulkhead, ensuring privacy. The captain enjoys a comfortable cabin near the helm station, complete with a full office for work and relaxation.
The interior, also designed by Guido de Groot in close collaboration with the owners, reflects a joyful rhythm of life—it’s no wonder the project was initially named Project Samba. The result is a stunning floating oasis, embodying the spirit of a seaside home, with a warm palette of cream and light brown tones, richly textured wood, and curved, comfortable furniture.
Built on time-tested engineering solutions and reliable naval architecture, Lalabe features a fast displacement hull powered by twin MAN diesel engines, each delivering 1,450 horsepower—more than enough to achieve a top speed of 17 knots.
The 35-metre yacht made her public debut on the French Riviera at the world’s premier superyacht show in Monaco, under her new name, Lalabe.
