A Zeelander 5 has been delivered to Hawaii, marking the first Zeelander yacht to reach the islands. The vessel, named Koa, features a striking Royal Night’s blue metallic and pearlescent white color scheme. Departing from the Netherlands, Koa’s epic 13,000-mile journey took it down the European and African coasts, across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, and northward to Vancouver. From there, it was transported to Seattle on a low-loader, with a barge completing the final 2,800-mile leg to Hawaii.Despite the distance and challenging conditions, Koa proved its seaworthiness. Captain Tony Joyce recalled the treacherous journey, noting that the yacht encountered 10- to 14-foot seas and winds peaking at 35 knots. The yacht’s robust design and hydrodynamic efficiency allowed it to endure these extreme conditions, including waves breaking over the bow and occasional submerging. Remarkably, Koa remained watertight throughout the journey, with no water ingress reported.Koa is also the first Zeelander yacht to be equipped with solar panels, featuring four 40W units embedded in the curved coachroof. These panels proved highly productive in Hawaii’s climate, compensating for the absence of shorepower and conserving battery reserves.Beyond its ruggedness, Koa reflects the personal touches of its owner, with an interior dominated by exclusive leathers. Although predominantly used for day trips, the yacht has been busy exploring Hawaii’s coastline, with activities ranging from whale watching and scuba diving to fishing and picnicking. The yacht has drawn significant attention locally, with visits from the US Coast Guard and interactions with a US nuclear submarine during multilateral naval exercises.Floris Koopmans, Zeelander’s business development manager, expressed pride in Koa’s delivery, highlighting the yacht’s performance under challenging circumstances and the skill of Captain Joyce. This milestone underscores Zeelander’s global appeal and the reliability of its designs, even in the most remote corners of the world.Credits: Zeelander
April 10, 2025