35m Armada A115 Design Targets Speeds Above 40 Knots

Vanguard Dutch Marine has introduced the Armada A115, a 35-metre aluminium semi-custom sports superyacht design with a projected maximum speed above 40 knots. The 13 October 2026 announcement identifies Netherlands-based Phathom Studio for exterior and interior design and Humphreys Yacht Design for naval architecture, while describing a platform intended for construction at a Dutch shipyard selected for each project.

The A115 is a newly presented design rather than an already delivered yacht. Published figures remain targets until a completed vessel undergoes certification and sea trials, and the builder has not named a specific construction yard, launch date or first-hull delivery in the announcement. That distinction is central to assessing what the new project actually promises.

A 35-metre yacht with a different performance brief

Many superyachts in the 30-to-40-metre bracket prioritise enclosed volume and long-range comfort. The Armada A115 takes a different direction, pairing an aggressive low-profile silhouette with a projected maximum speed beyond 40 knots and an intended cruising speed of around 25 knots.

Such targets demand careful balancing of structure, machinery, underwater geometry and total installed weight. High-speed operation can also materially affect fuel requirements and noise control, making it important to distinguish the ambition shown in early design documents from the results of sea trials undertaken on a finished yacht.

The naval architecture behind the project

Humphreys Yacht Design is credited with the naval architecture, while Phathom Studio has responsibility for exterior appearance and the proposed interior arrangement. The partnership separates performance-related engineering responsibilities from the visual and spatial design programme, although the two disciplines must continue to inform one another.

An aluminium yacht targeting high speeds needs a hull, propulsion installation and structural package that can withstand its intended duty. Designers and engineers have to address seakeeping, weight distribution, strength, fatigue and onboard comfort together. None of those assessments can be verified from presentation renderings alone.

Power and performance targets

The disclosed specification refers to MTU 16V 2000-series propulsion and a design brief above 40 knots at maximum speed. The report does not confirm a final certified engine configuration or independently measured performance, and it would be premature to publish a tested top speed as though the project were already on the water.

For potential owners, it matters how a yacht behaves at normal cruising speeds as much as at the headline maximum. Range, operational noise, fuel availability, trim, manoeuvring and maintenance access can determine whether a high-performance superyacht is enjoyable on practical coastal passages rather than only during short demonstrations.

Guest arrangement and crew complement

Accommodation plans provide for eight guests, including a full-beam owner's suite, with space for an estimated five to six crew. At this length, the division between guest accommodation and technical space needs careful resolution if substantial propulsion machinery is installed.

Planned guest capacity is only one part of the equation. Owners should ask how cabins are served, where the crew sleeps, how supplies are loaded and whether storage remains sufficient for extended voyages. Semi-custom freedom is most useful when changes do not compromise access, safety or the working environment.

Bow lounge and an elevated flybridge

Forward-facing sofas and a central lounge with an integrated jacuzzi form part of the bow arrangement. Higher up, the flybridge carries an exterior helm and additional seating, creating separate environments for moving between social activities, watching the coastline and taking in views from above.

At high speeds, open-air areas must be designed around wind exposure, secure seating and clear operating procedures. An exterior helm can be especially useful when manoeuvring or enjoying settled conditions, but an owner should still verify sightlines, instruments and the protective arrangements available in less favourable weather.

Contemporary interior design direction

Phathom Studio's interior concept uses materials including natural stone, linen and leather, with panoramic glazing and details influenced by automotive design. The description suggests a contemporary residential experience rather than a conventional formal superyacht interior.

Materials selection will ultimately be constrained by weight, fire requirements, durability and practical maintenance in a marine environment. Early proposals do not establish the exact installed finishes of a delivered yacht; any selection by a future owner would need to be developed through the contractual specification and approved engineering package.

A distributed building model

Vanguard Dutch Marine says Armada is not bound to a single construction facility. Instead, it proposes selecting a Dutch shipyard for individual projects while retaining its role as contracting counterparty and central coordinator from design development through construction, delivery and after-sales service.

This operating model can give the client more choice, but it also makes clarity over contracts and responsibilities essential. Prospective owners should confirm who carries warranties, which yard is responsible for construction quality, how changes are agreed and how regulatory compliance is documented before signing a build agreement.

The Armada identity and what comes next

Armada is presented as an independent yacht marque from Vanguard Dutch Marine, rather than a direct continuation of the smaller VanDutch range that the company originally developed. The new line brings the company's design background into a larger size category with different construction, crewing and engineering demands.

No sale of a first hull or fixed production timetable has been announced in the material reviewed. The substantive October news is the unveiling of the 35-metre design and its prospective specifications; readers should expect confirmation of a builder, contract, construction milestones and measured performance before treating it as a completed superyacht.