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Camper & Nicholsons and Feadship: A Legacy of Expertise in the World's Finest Superyachts
From pioneering Jon Bannenberg commissions to landmark Feadship sales, explore more than four decades of collaboration between Camper & Nicholsons and the Dutch shipyard.
From the early Jon Bannenberg commissions to some of the Dutch shipbuilder’s most ambitious projects, Camper & Nicholsons has enjoyed a relationship with Feadship spanning more than four decades. Senior sales broker Alex Lees-Buckley looks back on the yachts that have marked their association.
In 1949, in a café in Amsterdam, one of the world’s leading superyacht manufacturers started as it meant to go on. Over coffee it was decided that two Netherlands shipbuilders should collaborate, rather than compete. The shipyards of Van Lent and De Vries, along with De Voogt naval architects, would share their know-how to offer clients the highest quality and most technologically advanced yachts possible.
The plan worked. Today the First Export Association of Dutch Shipbuilders, or Feadship for short, produces yachts that herald the future while holding their value like no other marque.
In 1949, in a café in Amsterdam, one of the world’s leading superyacht manufacturers started as it meant to go on. Over coffee it was decided that two Netherlands shipbuilders should collaborate, rather than compete. The shipyards of Van Lent and De Vries, along with De Voogt naval architects, would share their know-how to offer clients the highest quality and most technologically advanced yachts possible.
The plan worked. Today the First Export Association of Dutch Shipbuilders, or Feadship for short, produces yachts that herald the future while holding their value like no other marque.
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Azteca
Four decades ago, Camper & Nicholsons started their long relationship with Feadship. George Nicholson, company chair at the time, placed orders for 44.8m Azteca and 46.6m Paraiso; one at the Van Lent yard, the other at De Vries. Once again, Feadship was happy to collaborate on design and tech. George proposed the duo be designed and built in aluminium by the legendary Jon Bannenberg, to whom Camper & Nicholsons had given his first yacht commission a decade earlier. The prowling lines of Azteca and Paraiso, combined with interior comfort and unrivalled seakeeping, set the scene for larger, grander yachts. Such was the owner's enthusiasm for the two yachts that he reportedly asked Feadship to build another eight.
During the same era, Camper & Nicholsons senior sales broker Alex Lees-Buckley crewed on Feadships as a young sailor. “I realised they were in a different league,” he starts. “Rather like a Riva, which dominated the smaller yacht market in those days.”
Alex first visited the historic Feadship shipyards in the late 1980s during his inaugural years as a yacht broker. “I witnessed the precision that went into the construction, all driven by rigorous management and a work ethic throughout the yards’ workforce that remains to this day.”
During the same era, Camper & Nicholsons senior sales broker Alex Lees-Buckley crewed on Feadships as a young sailor. “I realised they were in a different league,” he starts. “Rather like a Riva, which dominated the smaller yacht market in those days.”
Alex first visited the historic Feadship shipyards in the late 1980s during his inaugural years as a yacht broker. “I witnessed the precision that went into the construction, all driven by rigorous management and a work ethic throughout the yards’ workforce that remains to this day.”
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Sea Sedan (now Sea Huntress)
Alex’s subsequent career would both act as a catalyst and a timeline for Feadship’s huge expansion. Alex’s first sale of a pre-owned Feadship was La Belle Aire in 1988. “Selling my first Feadship, the 33.5m built as Prosit II in 1972 at Van Lent, was a milestone as it is in any yacht broker’s career.” His first new build contract was signed with De Vries for the delivery of the 43m Sea Sedan in 1993.
Thereafter orders flowed to Feadship from various Camper & Nicholsons brokers. “In the 1990s the two Feadship yards produced an average three or four yachts a year at an average length of around 50m,” says Alex. “At the time this was deemed to be a very healthy order book and much admired by their competitors!”
Several owners have purchased multiple new or used Feadships. “One particular case is Sea Sedan,” continues Alex. “I recently resold her for the fifth time, an industry record, I believe.” Acquired by a Hong Kong-based client represented by Camper & Nicholsons senior advisor Carmen Lau, the yacht was purchased sight unseen, such is the relationship between broker and client. “We also strive to stay close to our clients, keeping their yachts under management or in our charter fleet.” Now renamed Sea Huntress, the Feadship has come full circle and is once again offered for sale with Camper & Nicholsons.
The Dutch shipyard also offers a certificate of authenticity attesting that every aspect of the boat, from the top of the mast to the bottom of the keel, is correctly maintained and safe. Such factors remove any doubt from a Feadship’s resale value. The administration of a Heritage Fleet for Feadships aged 30 years and older (Azteca and Paraiso are both members) further safeguards the legacy of the brand.
“In addition, Feadships are built by clients seeking perfection and with the will to maintain them to the highest standards,” says Alex. “Invariably the client will have a large budget and will attract a first class captain and crew.”
That’s the case with the 65m Callisto, a former BOAT International Awards finalist built under the stewardship of Camper & Nicholsons in 2006. Following a refit at Feadship’s Amsterdam facility to mark her fifteenth anniversary, she was sold to new owners and subsequently joined the Camper & Nicholsons charter fleet under her new name, Nectar.
Thanks in large part to Alex Lees-Buckley, no yachting agency has ordered more Feadships than Camper & Nicholsons. “I’ve been fortunate to broker and deliver nine new build Feadships,” he explains.
Thereafter orders flowed to Feadship from various Camper & Nicholsons brokers. “In the 1990s the two Feadship yards produced an average three or four yachts a year at an average length of around 50m,” says Alex. “At the time this was deemed to be a very healthy order book and much admired by their competitors!”
Several owners have purchased multiple new or used Feadships. “One particular case is Sea Sedan,” continues Alex. “I recently resold her for the fifth time, an industry record, I believe.” Acquired by a Hong Kong-based client represented by Camper & Nicholsons senior advisor Carmen Lau, the yacht was purchased sight unseen, such is the relationship between broker and client. “We also strive to stay close to our clients, keeping their yachts under management or in our charter fleet.” Now renamed Sea Huntress, the Feadship has come full circle and is once again offered for sale with Camper & Nicholsons.
The Dutch shipyard also offers a certificate of authenticity attesting that every aspect of the boat, from the top of the mast to the bottom of the keel, is correctly maintained and safe. Such factors remove any doubt from a Feadship’s resale value. The administration of a Heritage Fleet for Feadships aged 30 years and older (Azteca and Paraiso are both members) further safeguards the legacy of the brand.
“In addition, Feadships are built by clients seeking perfection and with the will to maintain them to the highest standards,” says Alex. “Invariably the client will have a large budget and will attract a first class captain and crew.”
That’s the case with the 65m Callisto, a former BOAT International Awards finalist built under the stewardship of Camper & Nicholsons in 2006. Following a refit at Feadship’s Amsterdam facility to mark her fifteenth anniversary, she was sold to new owners and subsequently joined the Camper & Nicholsons charter fleet under her new name, Nectar.
Thanks in large part to Alex Lees-Buckley, no yachting agency has ordered more Feadships than Camper & Nicholsons. “I’ve been fortunate to broker and deliver nine new build Feadships,” he explains.
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Callisto (now Nectar)
In 2009, he delivered the largest Feadship ever built by volume at the time, the 2,242GT, 76m Ocean Victory (now Ebony Shine). She features an outstanding interior by the late Alberto Pinto, who designed interiors for a wide range of private jets including the 747, five-star hotels and palaces. Following his delivery, “Feadship delivered ten larger vessels over the next five or six years”, says Alex, finally breaking the 100m barrier in 2015.
Another project was 55m Kahalani in 2010. Her owner was so delighted that he flew in members of Britain’s Light Infantry Buglers to serve as a guard of honour during her launch. Unusually, she coupled a classic Feadship profile with an ultra modern interior by Rémi Tessier, a former cabinetmaker who has styled some of the greatest yachts on earth. “The style contrast works remarkably well,” says Alex. “I was excited to have introduced Rémi to Henk de Vries and thus began the Tessier/Feadship relationship.”
Alex’s tenth project is an 80m to be delivered at De Vries in 2026.
Feadship began with a conversation over coffee between shipbuilders who believed they could achieve more together. More than seven decades later, that spirit of collaboration remains. The yachts have grown beyond anything their founders could have imagined, but the relationships behind them have proved every bit as enduring.
Another project was 55m Kahalani in 2010. Her owner was so delighted that he flew in members of Britain’s Light Infantry Buglers to serve as a guard of honour during her launch. Unusually, she coupled a classic Feadship profile with an ultra modern interior by Rémi Tessier, a former cabinetmaker who has styled some of the greatest yachts on earth. “The style contrast works remarkably well,” says Alex. “I was excited to have introduced Rémi to Henk de Vries and thus began the Tessier/Feadship relationship.”
Alex’s tenth project is an 80m to be delivered at De Vries in 2026.
Feadship began with a conversation over coffee between shipbuilders who believed they could achieve more together. More than seven decades later, that spirit of collaboration remains. The yachts have grown beyond anything their founders could have imagined, but the relationships behind them have proved every bit as enduring.
YACHTS FOR SALE
FEADSHIP YACHTS FOR SALE
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SEA HUNTRESS
€23,750,000
1997 55.00M 6 Cabins 14 Guests
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CALYPSO
$9,995,000
1978 (2025) 38.40M 5 Cabins 11 Guests
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NEREUS
$4,750,000
1969 (2022) 31.10M 3 Cabins 6 Guests
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