Dutch custom boat specialist
Steeler Yachts, founded in 2002 by Hans Webbink, builds top-of-the-range yachts. After starting out building small boats, the Dutch shipyard has become a specialist in custom and semi-custom boats between 15 and 25 meters. The Steeler 50, presented at Boot Düsseldorf 2024, was born out of demand from owners wishing on the one hand to reach the Mediterranean from the yard in the Netherlands, by crossing France via the canals, and on the other hand to be able to embark on a transatlantic race. To meet these demanding requirements, Steeler designed a boat with the appropriate features: a limited width of 4.93 meters for the locks, a folding mast for the bridges, and greater sailing autonomy, thanks to an aluminum superstructure for lightness, 600 L diesel tanks offering a range of 2,200 miles at 5 to 6 knots, and the highlight of the installation, an auxiliary propulsion system using a 13 m2 kite managed on an automatic winch. With this system, proposed by Germany's WINGit, the launch reaches speeds of almost 5 knots.
Outdoor living space
As soon as you step onto the spacious aft deck, you'll notice the attention to detail and the consistency with the long-distance cruising program, including river cruising. Protective rollers save you from shocks in locks. A ladder, elegantly integrated into the thickness of the platform, will be useful to the bather at anchor, while the well-dimensioned bays will accommodate a good-sized tender.
Climb 4 steps to reach the attractive exterior cockpit with its large table, which can be closed by a bimini, discreetly integrated into the bench seats.
The wide gangways, sheltered from the sea with their high bulwarks, lead to the generous foredeck. Here, you can enjoy navigation from the bench seat, facing the road.
In just 5 minutes, the crew can install the small aluminum mast and shrouds to raise the kite's pull point. Connected to the captive winch, neatly integrated into a below-deck locker, the kite will propel the boat forward with the force of the wind.
The comfort of a top-of-the-range cruiser
From the aft cockpit, you enter the superstructure, whose jack-raised roof can be raised slightly to provide ventilation in hot cruising areas.
A large long galley is located on the port side, opposite a saloon with an L-shaped bench seat. Vast bottle cabinets, varnish and elegant white upholstery set the tone for a top-of-the-range layout.
Forward of the saloon, a helm station, with its large radius-wheel helm and 3 screens, invites long hours of quiet navigation and watchfulness. The guillotine window facilitates communication with the crew and lock keeper.
Below deck, there is a guest cabin forward and a large owner's cabin aft. Each has its own comfortable bathroom. A third space has been retained on this boat to serve as an office.
The engine room will feature two 600 hp Volvo D8 shaft-driven machines.
The Steeler 50, in the version presented, costs around 2 million euros.
