Power
Masters to Watch: Esmée van der Putten & Sim Bleijenberg
MASTERS speaks with prominent figures from the business world, including Esmée van der Putten & Sim Bleijenberg from Revolt Custom Boats. "With this RIB, optimal enjoyment comes first. Not only in comfort, but also in performance: the Comfort reaches speeds of 130 km/h, is seaworthy, extremely manoeuvrable and has unique handling characteristics."
MASTERS will be talking to prominent figures from the business world, including Esmée van der Putten & Sim Bleijenberg from Revolt Custom Boats. “With this RIB, optimal enjoyment is number one. Not only in terms of comfort, but also in terms of sailing itself: the Comfort goes very fast – 130 km/h –, is seaworthy, extremely manoeuvrable and has unique sailing characteristics.”
Photography John van Helvert
Text Bart-Jan Brouwer
Sporty and exclusive
Esmée: “I grew up with boats from an early age. We had a motor boat that went to Spain on a trailer during the summer holidays. From this passion I started the company Revolt Custom Boats. There was an immediate click. Together with Sim and a number of partners, we are responsible for everything regarding the Revolt Custom Boats brand. It has always been a dream to set up a boat brand and now we have been given this unique opportunity to tackle this together. Furthermore, I am mainly responsible for marketing, events and some sales, but I am actually involved in everything in the company. John Biesheuvel is the founder of Revolt. He is well known in the RIB racing world. He started Revolt from this hobby and passion. He is very good at building boats and the whole technical side of things, but he could use some help in the marketing and sales aspects. The latest line has been available since April this year, the Revolt Comfort 47. The boat is a combination of sportiness and exclusivity, built down to the last detail: from spacious seats to a sun deck where you can enjoy optimal comfort. With the latest Triple Mercury Verado 600 hp V12 engines, the best has been brought together in a boat that can do everything. From strolling on the Côte d'Azur, or traveling with your friends at 130 km/h to the next destination. You can enjoy all the luxury with chilled drinks in the wet bar on board. It can be fully customized: color, upholstery, layout, engines... The customer for whom we made this first model asked us to make a very 'thick version'. The profile of our customer Lover of cars, boats and luxury. This example, for example, contains sixteen speakers, a luxurious toilet and even underwater lighting. Nothing is too crazy. Do you want gold taps or diamonds in the roof? We'll arrange it. Everything is possible."
Unique sailing characteristics
Sim: “With this RIB, optimal enjoyment is number one. Not only in terms of comfort, but also in terms of sailing itself: the Comfort goes very fast – 130 km/h –, is seaworthy, extremely manoeuvrable and has unique sailing characteristics. Normally a RIB tends to bounce sometimes, but the balance in this boat is unprecedented. The Twin-Stepped deep-V hull allows the boat to cut through the waves like a knife. The hull is shaped in such a way that it can handle everything from flat water to rough waves. The Comfort is 14,50 meters long and only 3,40 meters wide. Ranker means less friction and therefore more speed. The Mercury engines can be controlled via Joystick Piloting. You have complete control over 360°: you can sail the boat sideways without a bow thruster, rotate it around its axis, moor in tight spaces without worrying about wind or current. Accelerate, switch and steer: everything at the tips of your fingers. But you can also choose other motorcycle brands, that is completely up to the customer: we only make the boat to order. The person we built this copy for actually wanted to mount four 600 hp engines behind it. That is typical for our audience: it has to be extreme. The Comfort is not limited to 1800 hp, but is limited to the width of the engines.”
Experience days
Esmée: “What is also very special about this boat: at a speed of 100 km/h it seems as if you are only going 50 km/h. In most waters here you are not allowed to sail fast, which is why we will certainly market this boat abroad. We are fortunate that our shipyard is located on the Hollands Diep: there you can immediately go full throttle. It is impossible to describe in words what you feel when you cut through the water in the Comfort, you really have to experience it. We therefore organize small-scale events for people who are seriously interested experience days. We also organize community & boat trips for our regular customers. And in winter the 'cold claws tour': then we map out a nice route, we all go out on the water, use the boat for what it was made for, have something to eat somewhere and go back. In this way we bring together people who share a passion for boats and can thus exchange experiences.”
All-rounder
Sim: “The boat has the best sailing characteristics, but you have to know what you are doing. If you buy a Ferrari, you also need to know how to drive it. That is why we also offer boating training for the buyer, to learn the skills/operations of the boat and to be well prepared to go on the water. It's such a bizarre machine, an all-rounder, as long as you know what you're doing. I have the advantage that I have always been able to sail a lot of boats since I was a child. My father comes from water sports and has many friends with boats around him. I was always the kid who got to take the boats everywhere. I have driven every example above 100 km/h, but I have never experienced this. You are pressed into your seat when you push the throttle down. Not normal! On the water I sometimes come across boats that want to compete with me, then I press the accelerator pedal with two fingers in my nose and then it squirts away. In short: the Revolt Comfort 47 is my favorite and I can't wait to share this unique experience with you.”
