Out of love for water sports, Bernhard van Oranje founded Waterdream in 2012, which designs and builds high-quality, handmade premium aluminum boats. After a range of sloops and a Venetian Tender, the focus is now on the California line: dayboats with sublime design and ultimate living comfort. "We think from the experience, put space and style first and do not want to compromise in this. "Text: Bart-Jan Brouwer
Online editing: Natasha Hendriks
"I grew up with water sports. My grandparents had a boat; my parents had good friends in Friesland, where we went every summer and spent time windsurfing, water-skiing and sailing on the lakes; and from the age of 12, I went to summer camp in Canada, where all I did was water sports."
"For me, that's the ultimate form of relaxation. When I'm on the water, I'm completely off for a while. It's the easiest way to let go of everything. My first house in Amsterdam was a houseboat, we had our first boat there, a little two meters long with outboard motor. In the evenings after work, Annette and I would often go out on that little boat for a while, the two of us, it was just enjoyable. To me, water has something magical."
"Of course it's nice to have a business you can put your passion into, but it has to be about something. Since I have lived in Amsterdam, I have owned a variety of boats: RIBs, sloops, beautiful classic wooden models. I needed that experience and knowledge to know what could be better about boats. Often a boat becomes more of a worry than a pleasure. I always dreamed about making a difference in this. In 2012, I was ready to launch my first sloop, the Waterdream S-800. With that, in my eyes, I created something that wasn't there yet: multifunctional - you can do anything with it, from cruising to waterskiing -, maintenance-free, with lots of space and a central position for the helmsman, so that he is really part of the whole. In terms of layout, functional way of thinking and sailing characteristics, it was something new."
"In the sloop range we currently have boats with lengths of 5.50, 7.40, 8.50 and 11 meters. In all, the basic idea and sailing characteristics are the same. The S-550 has practical advantages because of its small length and width, such as accessibility and finding a mooring; the S-740 appeals to a broad target group and is the sloop that is sold the most; the S-850 is seaworthy and, in addition, you can wakeboard behind it. The S-850 is the fastest sloop in the world; and with the S-1100, I wanted to see to what extent you could stretch the sloop in such a way as to maintain the sturdy features, but make it more comfortable and more beautiful in terms of design, which I don't think a sloop is fundamentally. The S-1100 offers sleeping facilities, a hot water shower, generator and in the back seat space for three surfboards, among other things. It is a mini-yacht with the robustness of a sloop. With these four sizes we tap all the boxes and the sloop line is finished as far as I'm concerned. Of course, we can still personalize the boats on demand and there is a choice of inboard, outboard and electric motor. Something for everyone."
"Even the 52-footer is still super-sized. Most other brands start with a 40-footer and stop at 55 feet. So our second boat measures up to the largest day boat of a lot of other brands. That's a market segment that's already developed, whereas the 65-footer playing field is a super niche in which it's harder to penetrate. With the 52' we have a product with which we can drive everyone crazy, in terms of speed - faster than 40 knots -, economy, durability and, of course, design and functionality."
"The 52' is the most spacious, economical and the most durable boat, and I think it's the most beautiful - but that's taste. It has the largest deck space of any boat in that class, which is also maximized because you can sink all the tables, and it has a garage that can accommodate a tender boat or jet ski, for example. The boat offers accommodation for five people, who can simply stand upright in the two-meter-high cabin. In an innovative way, the boat is fully equipped to provide all conveniences. Because our yachts are semi-custom, we can choose a level of finish that you really only find on superyachts. On the other hand, I try to keep the boat as low-tech as possible, because - especially on salt water - everything is put to a huge test. So no fancy frills, that can only break down. But it does have a lousy anchor mechanism, because people soon anchor three or four times in one day. From the aluminum hull to every detail, the material has been well thought out. That makes our boats low maintenance and 80 percent recyclable."
"A lot. For big brands, it usually means a 15 to 20 percent increase in sales of the model in question. But for us, above all, it's an important recognition. I can think I'm doing something innovative, but if I'm the only one, that doesn't really shoot up."
"Of course. You can calculate that on paper, but doing it is of course the final confirmation. With the crossing from Flushing to London, I wanted to prove that the S-850 is seaworthy. Already twice I had postponed that trip because the weather was not good. Finally we went to Breskens with a trailer. It was supposed to be nice weather, but it wasn't at all: there was wind force 6. The water sprayed five to six meters over the boat. We were completely soaked in no time. After two hours of pounding on the waves, we could still see Vlissingen behind us - we couldn't go faster than 25 km/hour. I was still thinking: this is not going to be it. But in the end we made the crossing in seven hours. That was really a victory. And with that we proved that that boat can do anything."
"On sloops there is quite a low margin, in the long run you cannot build a brand on that. Moreover, it is primarily a local product. It makes no financial sense to set up a distribution network abroad for the S-550 or S-740. We also wanted a day boat for a target group in the higher segment, which looks beyond the canals and lakes. With the California line we have created something truly unique in its class. If this does not succeed, I will stop Waterdream."
"First, the design. From nose to back there is a curve in it, which is not interrupted by any window or rail. The California is the epitome of minimal aesthetics, almost a sculpture. We started with a 65-footer. Its design took two years, construction one year. When you see a picture of the California 65', you think it's a speedboat - that's how beautiful the proportions have become! But at twenty meters, it is the largest day boat out there. 'Day boat' sounds a bit derogatory, because of course you can sleep heartily on it, but the concept is very much focused on outdoor living. Which brings me to the next point that makes the California so unique: functionality. In terms of comfort, the width of the boat is much more important than its length. We took that into account in our development. The entire width is used for living comfort. Not only the space offered makes the layout of the California unique, but also the central arrangement of the steering console. I don't know of a single motor yacht on which you steer in the middle. Almost all powerboats have two or four seats with 20 screens in front of them. That takes up 20 to 30 percent of the boat space for something you only need while sailing. Sailing is only a small part of the fun. Anchoring, lying still, opening a bottle, the flow of air: that's much more important. Of course there is a garage on the California, so you have all the room you need to bring your toys. And we make all the boats so that you can sail them on your own, with a joystick. We think from the experience, put space and style first and don't want to compromise in that."
"My ambition is to make Waterdream a complete water sports lifestyle brand. It's all about maritime life and everything that comes with it. We therefore design practical, quality clothing and cooperate with various brands of water gadgets. As a dealer, we make the ultimate water toys available to our customers: seabobs, supplanks, eFoils, stand-up jet skis... I try to think beyond just a boat, it's part of service and the experience."
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