Yacht Class n°28 (march-april-may 2022)

MULDER YACHTS

Her profile is unmistakable, this open hard-top has a bit of a lobster look, generally appreciated and undeniably elegant. From the shape of the hull to the exterior and interior design, she boasts only Dutch signatures. A guarantee of reliability and quality

Written by: Alain Brousse – Photos : Olga Dromas

Europe can boast of being the world’s leading continent in terms of shipyards of motor yachts over 20 metres. And their competence is recognised worldwide. Among the nations won over by yachting, the Netherlands easily ranks among the top five shipyards, not only in terms of number of brands and models, but also in terms of quality. And Mulder definitely falls into this category of shipyards putting quality first.

A seductive profile

Mulder Shipyard was founded in 1938. Today, it boasts three production sites, all located in Leiden, near The Hague. At the helm: Dirk Robert Mulder and his son Nick, for whom the sea and yachting are deeply anchored passions. The Mulder range extends from 15 to 45 metres and includes: flybridges, such as the 36 metres we tested in Yacht Class n°18, but also and above all open hard-top units with a lobster look. This vintage look Mulder opted for at the beginning of the third millennium is present on its latest addition, the Favorite 2200, that was launched earlier this year and will be sailing along the Spanish coast. Like the 36 metres, she is entirely built of aluminium. Undoubtedly, her silhouette, with its straight bow and sweeping curves towards the stern, has its aficionados. Hats off to designer Guido de Groot, famous for his motor and sailing yachts. The Favorite 2200 cannot go unnoticed, in a good way… Among her assets, let’s start first with the exterior comfort.
One barely realizes that the Favorite 2200 features a sundeck. However, the clue given by the discreet inverted windscreen prompted us to take a look at this 28.50 m2 space from where, thanks to the starboard helm station, one can enjoy sailing in the open air. The opposite side houses a three-person settee. At anchor, the salon (six comfortable places) will be appreciated for snacks or meals. There, a bimini offers sun protection, a simple system inadvisable in navigation. Barely less spacious, the 22 m2 cockpit is no less convivial. The dining area is on portside against the bay window and protected by the sundeck. Aft, overlooking the swim platform, traditional dining area with a U-shaped sofa for six surrounding a varnished teak table with a telescopic leg to transform it into a sunbed. The foredeck is lined with teak slats like the side decks and features a semi-circular sunbathing settee.

A cruising range of over 2 000 miles 

or a 22.50 metre boat like this Favorite, interior layouts prioritizing family cruising were expected. Thus, six people can sleep belowdecks in three en suite cabins of satisfactory size: 15 m2 for the forward master cabin and 11m2 for the two double cabins amidships. The lower deck is also large enough to accommodate a half-open galley (6 m2), on starboard, located just before the master and facing a lounge with a sofa for six passengers wishing, for example, to watch a movie on the screen fitted there. 
On this model, there is no skipper’s berth, but considering that the Favorite 2200 is a semi-custom yacht, this is definitely an option. Let’s now go one level above to appreciate the conviviality and ergonomics of the main deck. From the cockpit, a starboard glass door leads to this bright space, with a discreet decoration: dark brown oak flooring, beige and light grey for the sofa and armchair fabrics. The dining area (for six guests) is forward on portside, at the level of the starboard wheelhouse where is located a direct access to the side deck. To reach the helm station on the sundeck, the helmsman will have to use the practical cockpit staircase.
Before letting this sportfly-like open hard-top navigate in the Mediterranean Sea, note that she is equipped with a pair of 1 000 hp Volvo D13 diesel engines with shaft-line propulsion, which allow her to reach 22.30 knots at full speed. At 17 knots, she can sail 2 150 miles without refuelling. A very interesting range for a yacht of this category.