In 2023, the Nordhavn 80 series saw the delivery of Lady Di, the first unit with an interior designed by Vripack. This collaboration, initiated in 2018, combines Dutch design with the ruggedness of Californian long-range explorers. Vripack's design philosophy emphasizes comfort and safety, giving Lady Di a blend of robust capability and elegant Scandinavian style.
Owner Mike Kugler, a long-time Nordhavn enthusiast, previously owned a Nordhavn 63 and sought a modern interior for his new Nordhavn 80. Vripack’s design met this requirement, influenced significantly by Kugler’s mother, who prefers contemporary aesthetics.
The Covid-19 pandemic prevented Kugler from visiting the yacht during its construction. His first look at Lady Di was upon her delivery in California. However, Kugler and his family had a comprehensive design session at Vripack’s studio in the Netherlands, where they finalized the yacht’s interior details, including textiles, marbles, and finishes.
Lady Di's interior diverges from Nordhavn’s traditional nautical American style, featuring muted woods, neutral tones, and accents of daffodil yellow and midnight blue in the sky lounge. The main saloon focuses on a contemporary, family-centric aesthetic.
A notable addition to Lady Di is a hot tub on the flybridge, which proved useful during the yacht's maiden voyage to the Sea of Cortez. Kugler, who previously piloted his Nordhavn 63, now enjoys the stability and comfort of the larger Nordhavn 80 with a professional captain on board. He plans to explore the Pacific Northwest and Alaska in summer 2025.
Kugler expressed satisfaction with the Vripack-designed interior, noting that it matched the initial renderings perfectly without requiring any changes. The fifth hull in the Nordhavn 80 series is currently under construction and will feature another Vripack interior upon completion.
Vripack is a yacht-design studio with a portfolio that represents over 7400 designs, made strong through its extensive naval architecture and engineering experience. From the moment they opened their doors in 1961, Vripack studio’s approach to design has been governed by the playful interaction between form and function.
Credits: Vripack