Moonen

1963

Netherlands

Moonen is a boutique yacht builder from the Netherlands, specializing in custom superyachts with steel and aluminum structures of 30 to 50 meters. The brand was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in 's-Hertogenbosch, south of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. As a small shipyard, Moonen has always adhered to the low-volume, high-standard process route, and only delivers a few works each year. Moonen's yachts have a distinctive style, and the design focuses on the balance between practicality and aesthetics. Many ship types maintain traditional outlines in appearance, but the details are exquisitely processed and integrated with a modern feel. The brand also has a strong advantage in engineering structure. Most hulls use a solid steel hull and a lightweight aluminum superstructure, which takes into account stability and speed performance, and is suitable for long-distance voyages and long-term life at sea. Moonen's brand value is based on stable engineering quality, meticulous customer communication, and long-term maintenance support for each ship. This makes it have a high repurchase rate and user loyalty in the private custom yacht market.

Background on the Moonen Yachts brand

Brand Origin and History

Founded in 1963 as De Ruiter Shipyard, Moonen Yachts was renamed Moonen in 1981 by a new management team and began building high-end custom steel and aluminium superyachts, with its head office located in Scheldovenbosch, the Netherlands, a city with a strong tradition of shipbuilding that has provided a solid foundation for the development of Moonen. The city has a strong tradition of shipbuilding and has provided a solid industrial base for Moonen's development.

From the very beginning, Moonen has specialised in the construction of superyachts from 30 to 50 metres. Over the past decades, the brand has been recognised by clients worldwide for its quality, quietness and ocean-going performance. Many Moonen yachts have completed trans-oceanic voyages and global cruises, with reliability and durability at the heart of their popularity.

The brand's production facilities

Moonen has a purpose-built production facility in the Netherlands, complete with a modern dockyard, metal fabrication shop and specialised painting facilities. All hulls are designed and built in-house, ensuring that every process meets the highest standards of craftsmanship. This vertically integrated production model allows Moonen to maintain strict quality control and continuously optimise production processes.

Being located in the Netherlands, the site not only provides easy access to Europe's major shipping networks, but also makes it easy for clients to monitor the progress of construction in person. This is an important advantage for many custom yacht buyers.

Brand design and innovation

Moonen's design philosophy emphasises balance and functionality. Long-standing collaborations with world-renowned yacht design firms such as René van der Velden, Studio Indigo and Omega Architects have shaped Moonen's understated yet powerful exterior lines and interior layouts that emphasise space utilisation and comfort.

To enhance sailing performance and energy efficiency, Moonen utilises advanced hydrodynamic technologies in its hull design. The newly launched Moonen 110 series is equipped with a highly efficient propulsion system and hull optimisation for lower fuel consumption and greater cruising stability.

Product range overview

Moonen currently offers two series: the Moonen 110 and the Moonen 120, each of which can be customised to suit the needs of the customer: the Moonen 110, at around 34 metres long, is ideal for long-distance family cruising with four or five cabins, while the Moonen 120 is more spacious and capable of longer distances, and is suited to the private owner or for the high-end charter The Moonen 120

Each of the Moonen yachts has a high range and is suitable for Mediterranean, Caribbean and even global cruising. The stability and manoeuvrability of the Moonen yachts, especially in complex sea conditions, have been praised by professional captains.

Yacht Style

Moonen's style tends to be classic and timeless, with the design focusing more on practicality and comfort than on fashion trends. The brand insists on using high-quality materials such as teak decks, stainless steel details and hand-crafted interior woodwork. The interior design, on the other hand, emphasises natural lighting, large glass windows and open layouts, allowing owners to feel connected to the sea even when they are indoors.

The overall style is suited to a mature and quality of life buyer group, especially those who wish to live aboard for extended periods of time.

Yacht Usage Scenarios

Moonen yachts are suitable for a variety of uses, including family holidays, parties with friends, world cruising and business receptions. Some clients use them for sailing in the Mediterranean in the summer and travelling to the Caribbean in the winter. Long range, stability and comfort are key reasons for choosing Moonen.

In addition, thanks to the brand's high-end customisation capabilities, some clients also use Moonen as a charter vessel for high-end client receptions or specific events, such as annual corporate meetings and wedding parties.

Sustainability

Moonen continues to invest in environmentally friendly technologies. In recent years, the new generation of Moonen yachts has seen significant improvements in engine selection and fuel efficiency, as well as an attempt to use alternative materials to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction process.

Although Moonen is not a pioneer in hybrid yachts, it has achieved good results in optimising traditional powertrains. For example, the use of low-noise, low-vibration propulsion systems allows the yacht to strike a balance between environmental friendliness and the living experience.

Customer experience and brand culture

Moonen's customer-focused service process extends throughout the entire project cycle. From initial design communication, regular reporting during the production cycle, and after-sales support after final delivery, clients always experience a professional and transparent service system.

The brand encourages customers to be deeply involved in every aspect of customisation, with many owners even visiting the Dutch factory during the construction phase to communicate directly with designers and engineers. This highly participatory experience has been an important reason why many customers choose to continue working with Moonen on their second and third yachts.

User Profile and Market Positioning

Moonen's clientele is predominantly from Europe, North America and Australia, with an age range of 45 to 65 years old, and often with extensive sailing experience or entrepreneurial backgrounds. They have a clear need for quality, detail and personalisation, and are less interested in over-design and more interested in a balance of practicality, durability and comfort.

Unlike some brands that emphasise visual impact, Moonen appeals to a group of users who are looking for long-term ownership and deeper use. Customers often purchase Moonen not for ‘display’ but as an extension of their family lifestyle.