About this tender
The Zeelander Z55 is the larger sister to the Z44 and the boat that established Zeelander as the segment-leader for Dutch boutique motor-yacht building. At 17m and 5m beam it is 27 percent longer than the Z44 with twice the volume, and it carries the same intentional design language: continuous sheer, signature stern, and a level of finish quality that holds up against any small Italian or Dutch yacht at twice the length.
Engine options run from the standard twin Volvo Penta IPS 950 (725hp each), good for 32 knots, through 900hp IPS variants in the mid-30s, up to the twin IPS 1350 package at 1,000hp each which produces speeds approaching 42 knots. The build is GRP core-infusion vinylester laminate, a serious laminate specification that justifies the long-term value the boats hold on the brokerage market.
We treat the Z55 as a credible alternative to a chase tender for owners who want a separate, larger sport vessel rather than a pure tender programme. Six cockpit seats with 360-degree views, the right size for sailing without a captain, and easy berth-finding compared to anything bigger. Zeelander's positioning as 'boutique boatbuilding' is genuine; the construction notes and the build quality back the marketing.
Highlights
The four details we'd point out first to a captain who hasn't seen one on the water yet.
GRP core-infusion vinylester laminate hull, the level of construction Zeelander has built its reputation on. Phenomenal degree of finishing across materials and detail work. Used values reflect the build; Z44 and Z55 both hold value better than the segment average because the underlying construction is honest and survey-friendly years on.
Twin Volvo Penta IPS 950 (725hp) is standard, giving 32 knots top end. 900hp variants reach 35 knots. The IPS 1350 option at 1,000hp per side gets the Z55 to almost 42 knots, which is sport-cruiser territory in a 17m hull. IPS pods give the low-speed manoeuvrability and high-cruise efficiency that match the boat's brief.
Cockpit laid out around six seats with continuous 360-degree visibility, a deliberate design feature that reflects how owners actually use the boat. Sailing without a captain is the design brief; the layout supports that without creating compromises elsewhere. The 17m length is also the practical ceiling for finding a typical Mediterranean berth.
Specifically positioned as the next step for Z44 owners. 27 percent longer, twice the volume, same design language and build philosophy. Owners moving up keep the Zeelander feel: the finish, the ease of operation, the visual consistency with the smaller boat. The Z55 is a credible step rather than a different programme.
Gallery
The full specification
Specifications, prices, availability, and performance figures are supplied for guidance only and remain subject to confirmation by the yard, seller, broker, survey, contract, and final specification.
Questions, answered
Last call · Available
Zeelander · Groot-Ammers, Netherlands
Tell us about your yacht, your programme, and the missions Z55 needs to handle. We come back within 48 hours with a written assessment - fit for the brief, lead time, and trade-offs against alternatives in the same band.
Prefer to talk? +44 (0) 77180 88055 · other ways to reach us
From the library
