Aluminium is an excellent construction material for yachts. Aluminium is light, extremely robust, can be formed without tension and is also corrosion-resistant. And in the event of a collision, the aluminium hull tends to have dents rather than holes, which is easy to repair. The advantages for yacht building are obvious.
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Nevertheless, yachts made of light metal are rather exotic on the market. But why? First and foremost, aluminium is considerably more expensive than fibreglass or wood and is also more cost-intensive to process than steel, for example. The material is also very susceptible to electrochemical processes (electrolysis) and must therefore be consistently separated from other metals. This is one of the biggest challenges in yacht building with aluminium. And last but not least: The production of aluminium requires indecently large amounts of energy.
The bare aluminium surfaces are unattractive. Vaan can paint the hulls in all possible colours on request.
And this is precisely where the ambitious concept of Vaan Yachts in Holland comes in. After all, aluminium can basically be recycled as often as required without compromising on quality. The recycling process only requires around five per cent of the energy needed to produce the original material. Vaan Yachts therefore builds its catamarans exclusively from recycled and subsequently refined aluminium.
But that's not all. Vaan is also uncompromisingly committed to sustainable technologies and renewable materials. For example, catamarans from the still young brand are all equipped with electric motors, the deck is covered with cork instead of teak and mats made from recycled PET bottles are used for the interior panelling. These are just a few examples of the many measures taken in this direction.
Alive under sail
Vaan Yachts only ventured onto the market three years ago with the R4. The 13-metre cat was presented in a test in YACHT 8/2023. Four boats of this type have already been delivered and two more are now under construction. With the R5, Vaan is now presenting the upward expansion of the line. The special concept and design remain the same, the boat has essentially only become larger and can be extended in variants with up to four double cabins. In addition, the shipyard based in Hellevoets luis near Rotterdam already has plans for an R6 with an 18 metre hull length and a 24 metre long R8 as projects ready to hand in the drawer.
Due to the stormy winds and high waves on the North Sea, the test with the R5 takes place on the Haringvliet, a sheltered area south of Rotterdam, large enough for an extensive test run. However, the wind there is very gusty, between twelve and well over 20 knots, with strong gusts. The conditions are challenging, but not unsailable. Despite its relatively high weight of 19 tonnes, the Vaan R5 moves quite lively, reacts quickly to the steering and accelerates well. Tacking is also quick and easy. However, the turning angles are at least 100 degrees, which is not particularly good, but not unusual for cruising catamarans without a proven sporting ambition.
Measurement results of the Vaan R5
At an angle of 50 degrees to the true wind, the Dutchman still achieves 7.2 knots, at half wind (90 degrees TWA) the log jumps to 8.4 knots. Due to the extremely inconsistent wind conditions with the strong pushers, the gennaker remains packed away in its storage space under the foredeck for the time being. However, shipyard manager Igor Kluin reports record speeds of up to 14 knots in more stable wind conditions.
Too much rake causes rudder pressure
However, the good overall impression under sail in the YACHT test is clouded by one circumstance: there is an unacceptable amount of rudder pressure on the steering, especially upwind. In fact, the helmsman has to use all his strength to counteract the high windward yaw. In the search for causes, the mainsail is reefed in a little, which is easy to do at the touch of a button thanks to the electric furling boom on the test boat. Although this reduces the rudder pressure, it still remains uncomfortable.
This suggests that the mast on the test ship was set with far too much rake (mast drop). This was later confirmed by the shipyard after an inspection. The designs by Dykstra Naval Architects are otherwise known for their well-balanced sailing characteristics. And the YACHT test with the smaller R4 did not reveal any excessive rudder pressure.
Underway with the R5, a not inconsiderable lateral drift can also be detected by taking a land bearing. On the almost current-free Vliet, the cat visibly shifts to leeward, which is presumably due to the rather small and slender stub keels on which the Vaan cat can easily fall dry. However, the shipyard already has a solution for this. In future, the keels will be fitted with optional integral centreboards that can be retracted and extended electrically at the touch of a button. This additional lateral surface should significantly reduce drift.
Handling is clear
As a special feature, the shipyard builds a V-shaped (V stands for vaan) winch carrier at the stern of all cats. The halyards, reefing and trim lines as well as the mainsheet are guided onto this. On the test boat, the two horizontally installed winches can be operated at the touch of a button at the helm. Of course, this is only one option. The jib sheet and the lines for the traveller are guided on both sides on additional winches on the running deck in front of the steering wheels. They can also be operated electrically on request. Overall handling is clear and easy, even in single-handed mode, thanks to the self-tacking jib. An overlapping genoa is also not offered as an option.
The high rudder pressure in the test is unpleasant. However, this is not due to the boat, but to the mast trim.
The helmsman stands relatively low to the side behind the wheels, but still has a good view of the sails and, thanks to the almost fully glazed cabin superstructure, also forwards in the direction of travel. However, the helmsman needs support and instructions from the crew for mooring and casting off manoeuvres in the harbour. A second engine control lever at the helm on the port side is also highly recommended so that the helmsman can change sides.
In the basic version, the cockpit remains largely uncovered. The short fabric bimini attached to the tarp bracket - the Dutch call it a "spoiler" - offers little protection from the sun, wind and water. A larger bimini with possible extensions up to a completely enclosed cake stand is on the long list of possible options. Thanks to the aluminium construction, the shipyard is also receptive to any special requests from customers.
And below deck?
In the saloon, the Vaan R5 surprises with an open and rather sober-looking interior design. In addition, there is an extremely functional layout with the seating area and lowerable table on the one hand, and the huge galley with large work surfaces and plenty of storage space on the other. There is not much more here.
What catches the eye are the huge, almost uninterrupted windows in the superstructure, which allow a magnificent all-round view. Because aluminium catamarans hardly twist even in rough seas, Vaan can use long windows with genuine double glazing. They offer perfect sound and temperature insulation. In fact, the saloon is wonderfully quiet even at sea.
Variants with three or four cabins are possible for the extension. In both versions, however, there are only two toilet rooms, each of which is additionally equipped with a very spacious and separate shower room. Vaan builds boats primarily for owners and not for the charter business. In this respect, the number of wet rooms is not relevant, but their functionality is all the more so.
The interior is generally beautifully built, right down to the last detail. The plywood components come from an external supplier and are optionally covered with real wood or laminates in all possible colours. The customer can therefore also decide on the look below deck to suit their taste. In addition to the good workmanship, the many ventilation options in all living areas and the many easily accessible storage compartments are also pleasing.
Prices of the Vaan R5
The disillusionment comes with an upscale base price of just under 1.78 million euros gross for the basic version of the Vaan R5 ex works.
- Base price ex shipyard: 1.779.050 €
- Price ready to sail: 1.787.080 €
- Comfort price: 1.884.580 €
- Guarantee: 2 years
Status 2025, how the prices shown are defined, read here!
That is undoubtedly a lot of money for a catamaran of this size. However, it is difficult or even impossible to categorise the boat in terms of price in a possible competitive environment because there are no directly comparable boats with similar concepts.
Vaan Yachts: Green pioneering achievement
Vaan Yachts in Holland was founded in 2021 by Igor Kluin and his partner Nienke van 't Klooster and production is based in Hellevoetsluis near Rotterdam. The brand currently builds three to four boats per year. An additional production hall on the company premises is currently used as a service centre for maintenance and winter storage, but could soon also be used for the final production of new boats. A production capacity of up to twelve new catamarans would be possible in the medium term.
Each Vaan catamaran consists of around 75 percent aluminium in the form of post-consumer scrap (PCS). This is aluminium scrap that is returned to the recycling cycle by the consumer. PCS can be, for example, car licence plates, road signs, window frames or similar. The material is crushed, melted in a furnace and additionally alloyed with other metals or chemical elements. Depending on the addition, the aluminium becomes stronger, harder or more malleable, which is particularly important for the production of yachts in round frames.
Only aluminium plates of the 5083 standard are used for Vaan catalytic converters. This alloy with magnesium is particularly corrosion-resistant and therefore ideal for shipbuilding. The material is also known for its good weldability, which facilitates the processing of complex structures in yacht building. Incidentally, Vaan Yachts builds its boats with continuous glass wool insulation as standard and has found a way of attaching these mats to the structures in such a way that they can be removed again later and recycled separately - just like the rest of the boat, at some point.
YACHT review of the Vaan R5
The Vaan R5 is a boat for a life on the water with a clear conscience. The cat is robust, independently designed and, above all, has one thing in common: a consistently sustainable construction.
Design and concept
Sustainable construction
Robust aluminium construction
High price in comparison
Sailing performance and trim
Agile sailing characteristics
One-handed handling
Lots of drift on the wind
High rudder pressure (test ship)
Living and finishing quality
Beautiful finish
High sleeping comfort aft
Many usable storage spaces
Equipment and technology
Electric motors as standard
High-quality equipment
Cardanic control
The Vaan R5 in detail
Technical data of the Vaan R5
- Designer: Dykstra N.A.
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 14,94 m
- Total length: 16,00 m
- Waterline length: 14,85 m
- Width: 7,99 m
- Depth: 1,35-2,00 m
- Mast height above WL: 24,90 m
- Theor. torso speed: 9.4 kn
- Weight: 19,0 t
- Mainsail: 80,0 m²
- Self-tacking jib: 45,0 m²
- Code Zero: 120,0 m²
- Machine (electric): 2 x 15 kW
- Fuel tanks (aluminium): 1 x 600 litres
- Fresh water tanks (aluminium): 1 x 600 litres
- Holding tanks (aluminium): 2 x 60 litres
Hull and deck construction
Construction made of seawater-resistant aluminium (5083) welded in a round frame over a mallen frame. The material thickness for the hull and deck is 6 millimetres, and up to 30 millimetres in the keel area.
Motorisation electric only
Two electric drives are planned, each with an output of 15 kW, optionally from Oceanvolt, Torqueedo or RIM Drive. Hydrogeneration systems can also be realised as an option.
Rig and sail
Classic catamaran rig from manufacturer Seldén with Diamond bracing. The furling boom as on the test boat is available as an option (surcharge from 56,000 euros). A simple sail set (full battened main and self-tacking jib) is included as standard.
Shipyard and distribution
Vaan Yacht, 3224AT Hellevoetsluis (Holland); www.vaan.yachts
The competition of the Vaan R5
There are only a few aluminium catamarans. GRP is more common.
