In the world of high-performance marine engineering, every decision counts. From hull geometry to driveline configuration, from composite layup methods to propeller pitch angles, the small decisions compound to make or break performance. And at the forefront of this space is Valder Yachts, a New Zealand-based project driven by a singular goal: to build one of the fastest, most efficient luxury powercats on the water.
Back in 2019, offshore powerboat champion Wayne Valder decided he wanted a powercat unlike anything else on the market. Born and bred in New Zealand and no stranger to high speed, Valder was after a boat that wasn’t just luxurious — it had to be seriously fast. And he wasn’t interested in incremental gains. He wanted a clean-sheet design. To do that, he assembled a team of some of New Zealand’s best-known names in custom boatbuilding and marine design.
The naval architecture came from Roger Hill, long regarded as a master of high-performance multihulls. The build was entrusted to Scott Lane Boat Builders, known for handcrafted custom yachts that blend technical precision with traditional workmanship. Together, the team set about refining and evolving a platform based on Hill’s earlier 17- and 18-metre foil-assisted cats.
At the heart of the Valder Yachts concept is the use of asymmetric planing hulls paired with advanced hydrofoil and surface-piercing driveline technology — a combination rarely attempted in pleasure boating, let alone in this class of powercat.
Propeller testing and surface drive development
Over recent weeks, the team has been immersed in surface-piercing propeller testing, a critical phase in validating the driveline. Surface-piercing drives are a specialised propulsion system in which the propeller operates partially above the water’s surface while the vessel is underway. Unlike traditional submerged propellers, these systems rely on controlled ventilation — the managed ingestion of air — to reduce water resistance and create the right amount of slip.
It’s a delicate balance. Too much ventilation, and you lose thrust. Too little, and the propeller bogs down. The engineering team has been meticulously adjusting pitch, diameter, and ventilation settings across the RPM range to find the sweet spot — the optimal point where thrust, slip, and efficiency converge.
Early results have been promising. Each configuration trial offers insights into cavitation performance and low-speed acceleration, both of which are being carefully tuned without compromising top-end speed. With every data set, the team gets closer to a driveline package that delivers blistering performance, confident handling, and the efficiency expected in a luxury-class powercat.
To aid this process, shrouds are placed above the propellers during testing. These help maintain separation between air and water above the blade tips, ensuring proper ventilation characteristics can be observed and adjusted without unwanted turbulence or interference.
What makes a surface-piercing driveline special?
To the layperson, this might all sound highly specialised, but it boils down to physics and efficiency. Surface drives reduce drag by keeping part of the propeller out of the water. Because less of the prop is submerged, there’s less wetted surface area, meaning reduced friction. These systems are especially useful for high-speed craft and have become popular in offshore racing, military interceptors, and performance cats.
But when combined with hydrofoil technology, as in the Valder project, the effect is magnified.
Foiling: Flying above the water
A hydrofoil is essentially an underwater wing. As water flows over the curved upper surface of the foil, it travels faster than the water below, creating lower pressure above and higher pressure below. This difference creates lift, raising the hull of the boat out of the water.
The benefits are profound. With the hull elevated, wave-making resistance and skin friction drop dramatically, allowing for higher speeds with less power — and in turn, improved fuel efficiency. It also results in a smoother ride in rough water, as the hull slices through fewer waves.
Foiling systems can be either fixed or adjustable. Some rely on computerised trim systems, while others — especially surface-piercing foils — can be self-stabilising, reacting naturally to changes in load and sea state without active intervention.
The hull design plays a critical role here. Valder’s team uses an asymmetric hull shape, which allows the foil to be mounted lower without compromising hydrodynamics. By bringing the inner chine closer to the keel line, the design improves foil placement and efficiency — positioning the foil deeper in the water while maintaining optimal hull form for planning performance.
Foil construction begins
While driveline testing continues, the engineering team is also well into the next big milestone: building the actual carbon foil that will lift the yacht.
First up is the creation of a CNC-machined MDF plug, which serves as the mould’s master form. This is followed by the infusion of a full carbon fibre mould, a high-performance approach that offers strength, rigidity, and extreme precision.
Full carbon fibre moulds are not common in boatbuilding due to their cost, but they offer serious advantages in performance applications. These moulds are:
- Lightweight, which makes handling easier during the build process
- Thermally stable, enabling them to withstand high curing temperatures without warping
- Corrosion-resistant, extending lifespan and reliability
- Dimensionally accurate, thanks to their rigidity
- Customisable, perfect for complex foil shapes with tight tolerances
Although expensive upfront, carbon moulds are cost-effective over time — especially for projects demanding high repeatability and quality.
With the mould complete, the foil itself will be built using pre-preg carbon fibre layup. This process involves layering sheets of carbon fibre fabric already impregnated with resin (hence “pre-preg”). Unlike traditional wet layups, where resin is manually added, pre-preg ensures consistent fibre-to-resin ratios and results in a stronger, lighter component.
Pre-preg carbon is typically cured in an autoclave or oven under vacuum, allowing for maximum consolidation and minimal voids. It’s a method widely used in aerospace, automotive racing, and elite sports equipment — and now, in this advanced foiling yacht.
Hardware and support structures
To support the foil, P20 steel will be used for the struts and mounting hardware. P20 is a toughened tool steel known for its machinability, strength, and polishability. It’s ideal for components requiring both structural load-bearing and precision fit, and the material has already been ordered. Machining is scheduled to begin shortly.
What’s next?
With foil construction underway and driveline testing yielding positive results, Valder Yachts is now entering a new phase of development. This is where design theory meets real-world application. From surface-piercing efficiency to hydrofoil lift and carbon construction, the integration of these elements is what sets the Valder concept apart.
Ultimately, the goal is to deliver a next-generation, foil-assisted luxury catamaran capable of speeds and handling characteristics rarely seen outside of race boats — yet with the comfort, craftsmanship, and reliability expected of a handcrafted New Zealand-built motor yacht.
For those who follow marine innovation, this project offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain. It’s one thing to talk about performance on the water — it’s another entirely to see the engineering that makes it possible.
As the team at Valder Yachts puts it: “Every element is designed to deliver speed, efficiency, and a true sense of control on the water.” There’s more to come, and no doubt, this is a story worth watching.
