New LeVen superyacht range unveiled by YachtCreators
YachtCreators has unveiled the new LeVen range of shallow-draft superyachts, specifically designed for coastal cruising.
Superyacht company YachtCreators has teamed up with entrepreneur Lucas Silva to launch a new range of 27-metre luxury vessels known as LeVen Yachts, featuring the Voith Linear Jet propulsion system.
Designed and engineered by Vripack and constructed by the Van der Valk shipyard in the Netherlands, the LeVen range has a draft of 1.4 metres to enable cruising in shallow waters – such as in the Exumas region of the Bahamas.
YachtCreators’ marketing director Whitten Whit Hall told Superyacht Investor: “We created LeVen for yachting families who crave connection with nature, and access to difficult-to-reach exotic destinations – like the Exumas – without sacrificing superyacht comfort and amenities. LeVen is the only superyacht in her class with a 4’6” shallow draft, making her the Ultimate Exumas Superyacht. ”
The range is the first in the world to implement the Voith Linear Jet propulsion system, which features the Voith Inline Thruster (VIT). The compact propulsion system is said to not need a shaft or a gear unit and has a rim-driven propeller, powered by a permanent-magnet electric motor. “This minimises vibrations and noise emissions and simultaneously makes the drive unit powerful and highly responsive,” according to Voith. The Voith Linear Jet (VLJ) has few moving parts; making the system robust and easy to maintain.
All-round controllable propulsion
There is also the option of fitting a Voith Inline Propulsor (VIP), which swings out and rotates by 360 degrees. The design is said to combine the advantages of the VIT with those of all-round controllable propulsion and protection for the propulsion system when operating at shallow drafts.
LeVen Yachts are equipped with a purpose-designed and patented hard chine slide hull, which directs water flow in a way that resembles “water going down a slide”. YachtCreators said: “Compared to a planing hull, the design affords LeVen certain key advantages, such as: improved ride quality, reduced pounding, and no bow rise as the yacht gets up on plane.”
The hull design combined with twin MTU 12V2000 engines, enables the yachts to reach speeds of more than 26 knots. Cruising at 23 knots the yachts have a range of 400 nautical miles.
Equipped with a lithium electrical system, the superyacht’s battery banks can power everything on-board through a series of inverters, enabling silent ship operation. Replenished from multiple sources – including solar panels on the hardtop – the battery can operate the entire yacht in silent mode for up to eight hours in day-time mode and up to 12 hours in night-mode, including air conditioning.
‘A new propulsion option’
YachtCreators founder Barin Cardenas said: “LeVen began as a dream of island living, but it’s evolved into so much more. We’re introducing a new propulsion option to the yachting industry, the layout redefines the use of onboard space, and new tech has been added without complicating the user experience. We have indeed created the ultimate Exumas superyacht.”
Designed for active yachting families, the range features a sports deck and transformer platform capable of accommodating a 4.5-metre tender, cranes, jet skis, fishing equipment and paddleboards. Built entirely from renewable aluminium the RINA-classed yacht features a 650-square-metre sundeck with a 9-metre hardtop, housing solar panels.
The first LeVen hull will be delivered to the Van der Valk shipyard in the Netherlands for fitting on September 24th, ahead of her global debut on October 30th at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Meanwhile the LeVen launch follows award-winning designs such as the 37-metre M/Y Nono, the 50-metre Prime Megayacht Platform and the 15-metre catamaran Nisi GTX50 Cata.
