DUTCH DESIGN

DUTCH DESIGN ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE ART PARTNERSHIP WITH RAN ORTNER

Acclaimed artist Ran Ortner will create ten custom ocean-inspired interpretations of Soundings No. 3 for Sea Rover vessels.

Dutch Design, the marine innovation studio behind Sea Rover, the world’s only wellness-first yacht, has exclusively partnered with celebrated artist Ran Ortner, who will create custom interpretation of Soundings No. 3, for each of the ten Sea Rover vessels. Born from a shared affinity for the ocean and its rhythm, the collaboration will bring Ortner’s distinctive exploration of water into the heart of every Sea Rover, with each piece conceived specifically for the vessel and integrated as a core interior component.

Founded by American businessman and longtime yacht owner Scott Blum and led by award-winning designer Bernd Weel, Dutch Design created Sea Rover as a new approach to life at sea, bringing the features and amenities typically associated with a 300-foot yacht into a carefully considered 140-foot vessel without compromising comfort. Designed around wellness and active living, Sea Rover brings together a carefully selected group of partners and collaborators, including Savoir, PENT., In Common With, Audo Copenhagen, CeramicaH and Michael Anastassiades, with additional interior elements from Loro Piana and Moore & Giles. With every partnership intended to contribute meaningfully onboard, Ortner’s art represents a natural extension of Sea Rovers’ philosophy.

For each Sea Rover, Ortner will create a 36’’ x 132’’ triptych of Soundings No. 3, with all ten works stemming from the same composition but executed individually so that no two are identical. Positioned along the main wall of the vessel’s central living space, where the family room, dining area, and galley meet in an open-plan layout, the installation will become a defining visual presence within the yacht. Rather than traditional canvas, the triptychs will be created on honeycomb aluminum, selected for its structural integrity within a marine setting. Developed specifically for the project, Ortner’s process involves 50 layers per work, creating depth and dimensionality beyond a traditional application.

For Ortner, whose large-scale paintings have long examined the movement and meditative qualities of water, bringing Soundings No. 3 aboard Sea Rover places his subject within the very environment that has continually inspired his practice. His career has included exhibitions at Marlborough Gallery, Phillips Museum, and Robert Miller Gallery in New York, and in 2009, his painting Open Water No. 24 received first place at the inaugural ArtPrize competition. Reflecting on the commission, Ortner notes, “I’m captivated by the symphonic complexity of the ocean. There is something dreamlike in being held by a vessel, and still surrendered to the sea’s greater rhythm. When art and the spaces we inhabit are woven together with care, and given breath by the surroundings, beauty made inseparable from life.”

The collaboration between Blum and Ortner is rooted in a relationship that predates Sea Rover itself. Introduced many years before the vessel was conceptualized, Blum became a collector of his work, developing a longstanding appreciation for the artist’s ability to capture both the ocean’s physical power and emotional stillness. As Sea Rover began to take shape, the opportunity to bring Ortner’s interpretation of the ocean aboard felt like an extension of both that longstanding connection and Dutch Design’s broader vision for creating a new way to live well at sea.
“Having lived with Ran’s work for years, I have always been struck by the way he captures both the energy and tranquility of the ocean. With Sea Rover, we have been intentional about creating an environment that keeps you connected to the water rather than separated from it, and Ran’s work felt like a perfectly aligned part of that vision,” shares Blum.

DUTCH DESIGN UNVEILS INAUGURAL SEA ROVERTM PROJECT

GROUNDBREAKING WELLNESS-FOCUSED YACHT SHOWCASES ULTIMATE LAYOUT WITH
FEATURES OF A 300-FOOT YACHT IN AN ACCESSIBLE 140-FOOT DESIGN

A new era in yachting emerges as Dutch Design announces its first project, Sea Rover. Setting a new standard in the industry, this 42.5-meter vessel contains an unparalleled blend of thoughtful features typically reserved for 300-foot yachts in an innovative 140-foot design. A limited series of just 10 vessels, the venture is the shared vision of
an active yacht owner, Scott Blum, and award-winning Dutch yacht designer, Bernd Weel, with wellness and lifestyle at the core of their approach.

A solid steel and aluminum vessel created utilizing Dutch design, Sea Rover is the world’s only wellness-first yacht. Its California-inspired minimalist interior evokes tranquility and understated elegance, utilizing best-in-class wood, stone, earthen-toned textiles and other high-end natural materials to create a beachy and casual ambiance for the timeless vessel.
Instantly recognizable on the water, long lines and clean surfaces create a contemporary aesthetic with no superfluous details. Sea Rover is defined by the singular line that sweeps aft from the vertical bow to the amidship arc and then curves back and downward to the stern. This simple but elegant shape allows for entire walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. Every element on Sea Rover serves a purpose, creating a true classic that sets a new standard in yachting.

The Catalyst

Dutch Design was first conceptualized by founder Scott Blum, a seasoned yacht owner who envisioned a more holistic experience at sea. He was unable to find a vessel that matched his desire for a healthy, balanced lifestyle. So, he decided to create his own. Having worked with
Weel to build his previous boat, he was confident the two could collaborate to bring Sea Rover to life. A creative journey with many design iterations over the course of 4 years, they took the time to sculpt and shape their approach, tapping Blum’s deep understanding of “Life at Sea.”

Together, they developed creative solutions to solve real issues uncovered within the yachting experience, delivering what they consider to be the ultimate vessel.
Said Blum, “I’ve seen firsthand the demand for a new lifestyle at sea, one that encourages activity and wellness. Sea Rover is for the owner who likes to wake up and jump in the water; works out, goes diving, uses all the toys. It’s integrating travel with total well-being – something that has never been done before on a boat. For those who become owners, this is a tremendous investment that will hold its value over time.”

Added Weel, “There was no timeline when we were creating Sea Rover. We looked at the details several times during the design process, and we made them better on each iteration. We really focused on what is valuable and needed on board to create a design that is super clean, classic, Dutch and will stand the test of time. We’ve condensed the grandeur of a 300-foot megayacht into something more intimate, without compromising on the features or the experience.”

Unique Innovations

Sea Rover is designed around amenities that enhance the yachting experience for the active owner. The spa, gym and sport court are on the bridge deck of the yacht, rather than tucked away below. As a result, owners and their guests can have workouts, yoga sessions and spa experiences with a 360-degree view of the sea. The gym is outfitted with the finest equipment from brands such as Technogym, Peloton and Pent. Dual hot or cold plunge, jacuzzi, sauna, an infrared therapy wall and dedicated massage area encourage relaxation and rejuvenation for
total body wellness. An immense sport court showcases a pickleball court and basketball hoop, and can be used for outdoor workouts, as well as paddle tennis or volleyball. This area can also store large toys, tenders and a car, ensuring there’s never any lack of activities for guests to enjoy.

A sizable beach club with 270-degree views features foldable platforms on both sides of the vessel, creating an expansive swimming platform that spans the stern of the yacht. Replete with a dining table and sunbeds, guests can easily access the water or launch their favorite watersports equipment. The beach club also holds a day head, wet bar and large cabinets for ample storage to hold any water toy imaginable.
Eating well is a primary focus on board. A grand room merges the dining and entertaining spaces, with the galley and dining room positioned adjacent to one another on the main floor to encourage interaction between the chef, crew and guests. Large glass panels showcase panoramic views, so owners can savor their surroundings whilst enjoying their favorite meal.

The galley is equipped with top-of-the-line Miele appliances and a Sub-Zero refrigerator, while the pantry is within arm’s length, right next to galley for easy crew or guest access.
A central staircase serves as a backbone of the design, running from the top deck through to the bottom. It starts with a cubed glass table on the sundeck, letting natural light flow into all the decks below. This in-house designed Sky View Stairwell is unique to Sea Rover and brings sunshine into what have traditionally been dark living spaces.
The owner’s cabin is forward of the main deck with large glass panels for expansive views. The full beam cabin and bathroom incorporates one of the largest closet areas in the industry as well as an extremely large bathing area including a Japanese onsen-style tub and steam room. Four additional guest cabins contain ample storage space and direct access to the aft beach club via the unique engine room passage.

The crew total is 9, which includes 4 double cabins, and 1 separate Captain’s cabin located behind the main bridge with a desk. At Blum’s request – and an important part of his philosophy as a yacht owner – each room is finished to the same premium standards as the guest cabins with identical finishes, materials and door thickness to maintain the comfort and happiness of the team. The large crew area includes a laundry room, crew mess, and eating area that holds up to 9 so the entire team can spend time together. All spaces have port holes and large storage
cabinets.
Blum and Weel also took the time to cleverly find new solutions for storage as they designed Sea Rover, doubling or even tripling the closet space over an average yacht of the same size.
Luggage storage has been built to handle 12-16 large trunks or suitcases, freeing up cabin space for guests and crew onboard.

The Engine, Exposed

On display in a creative design twist is the engine room and wheelhouse. Typically hidden away from guests on traditional yachts, they are instead incorporated into the onboard experience on Sea Rover. The engine room, lit with LED lights to show off high-end components, features a unique glass hallway for guests to use as passage from guest rooms to the beach club when at anchor and to view the impressive technical heart of the vessel. The wheelhouse is spacious, with a freestanding, state-of-the-art bridge console and 2 large couches to maximize panoramic views and encourage interaction with the captain, making guests part of the journey.

The Owner Experience

An exclusive series of 10 semi-custom Sea Rovers will be constructed by Dutch Design, with the owner able to select finishes and colors for the interiors. Each will be built to the highest industry standards. Interested owners are invited to experience the Dutch Design headquarters in Amsterdam to meet with the team and spec their vessel.
An historic original canal house that has been tailored around Japanese minimalism, the unique building is more than a showroom; it’s a sanctuary of wellbeing and tailored artistry designed to mimic the aesthetics and materials of the Sea Rover. Created as a living space for potential owners to experience firsthand what their yachting experience will ultimately feel like, they are invited to stay in and utilize the space any time they are in Amsterdam. A concierge service is also available, which includes limousine service, museum and restaurant bookings, and tours of Holland to round out the high-touch owner journey.