Interview by: Leona Caanen
Publication: SuperYacht Times
As Moonen Yachts begins construction on the tenth hull of its Moonen 122 Martinique, the milestone offers more than a numerical achievement. It represents a moment of reflection and refinement for a platform that has steadily matured into one of the Dutch yard’s most assured offerings. Now in its tenth iteration, the 37.4-metre fast-displacement yacht demonstrates how continuity, collaboration and considered interior design can elevate a proven series without losing its identity.
At the heart of that evolution sits Moonen’s collaboration with Vripack Yacht Design. The Dutch studio, responsible for the interiors of the 122 Martinique, approaches the tenth hull not as a reinvention, but as a natural continuation of a design philosophy rooted in usability, longevity and emotional connection to life on the water.
For Marnix Hoekstra, co-creative director at Vripack, interiors begin not with materials or colour palettes, but with the people who will inhabit the yacht. “We always start with understanding how people want to live onboard,” he explains. “That is not about trends. It is about behaviour, movement, comfort and how spaces support a certain rhythm of life.”
That mindset has guided Vripack’s involvement across the 122 Martinique series, allowing each hull to remain recognisably Moonen while offering owners meaningful scope for personalisation.
Designing from the inside out
Vripack’s approach to the 122 Martinique interiors is deliberately holistic. Rather than treating the interior as a decorative layer applied after-the-fact, the studio works closely with Moonen from an early stage to ensure spatial flow, sightlines and functionality are embedded into the yacht’s architecture.
“Good interiors are never just about how something looks,” Marnix says. “They have to work instinctively. You should feel comfortable moving through the yacht without thinking about it.”
Natural light plays a central role in that experience. Large windows, particularly in the owner’s stateroom, establish a strong visual connection with the sea, reinforcing the sense that the interior is an extension of the surrounding environment rather than a retreat from it. The tenth hull retains the series’ hallmark full-beam owner’s stateroom, located on the forward main deck and offering 180-degree views and a feeling of openness unique for a yacht of this size.
Material selection further supports that connection. Vripack’s concept for the 122 Martinique blends American pine woods with Emperador marble and Italian leather, balancing warmth with restraint. The palette is calm and timeless, intentionally avoiding decorative excess.
“We are very careful with materials,” Marnix notes. “They have to age well and feel good over time. You are not designing something that will be replaced in a few years. This yacht should still feel relevant decades from now.”
A platform refined through experience
For Moonen Yachts, reaching the tenth hull marks a significant point in the lifecycle of the 122 Martinique. According to Nicky van Zon, Manager Director at Moonen, each new build benefits from the cumulative knowledge gained across the series.
“By the time you reach a tenth hull, you really understand how owners use the yacht,” he says. “You know which spaces are most important to them and where small refinements can make a big difference.”
That feedback loop has shaped subtle interior evolutions over time. While the overall layout remains consistent, details are continually reassessed, from storage solutions and crew workflow to how spaces transition from formal to informal use throughout the day.
“The beauty of the 122 Martinique is that it gives owners a very solid foundation,” Nicky adds. “From there, they can personalise the interior to suit their lifestyle, whether that is focused on long-range cruising, entertaining or family use.” The goal with the 122 Martinique series is to create a design where, until three months prior to delivery, there is still space for a client to step in and customise the yacht. Albeit the earlier the better, as Marnix notes, “the ideal spot is twelve months pre-delivery, there’s enough of a base that clients understand the ambition of the designers, but enough space and time to customise.”
This balance between consistency and flexibility is central to Moonen’s collaboration with Vripack. The interior concept establishes a clear design language, while still allowing room for interpretation and adaptation on a hull-by-hull basis.
Collaboration as a design tool
The relationship between Moonen and Vripack is defined by geographical and philosophical proximity. Both companies share Dutch roots and a pragmatic design culture that prioritises function alongside aesthetics.
“That collaboration is essential,” Marnix says. “We are not designing in isolation. We are constantly exchanging ideas with Moonen, with the engineers, with the build team. The best interiors come from that dialogue.”
Nicky echoes that sentiment, highlighting the value of having an interior designer who understands the realities of yacht construction. “Vripack knows how Moonen builds yachts,” he explains. “They understand what is possible within the platform and how to push it without compromising quality or performance.”
For the tenth 122 Martinique, that collaboration is particularly important as the yacht enters the early stages of construction. With delivery scheduled for June 2027, the project offers future owners the opportunity to engage early in the interior customisation process.
“Owners can really make it their own,” Nicky says. “That is one of the strengths of building at this stage. You are not choosing from a catalogue. You are shaping the interior together with the yard and the designer.”
Interiors designed for life at sea
Ultimately, the interiors of the tenth Moonen 122 Martinique reflect a shared belief that good yacht design should be quietly confident. There are no overt gestures or short-lived trends. Instead, the focus remains on creating spaces that support life onboard, whether crossing oceans or enjoying time at anchor.
“We want people to feel at ease,” Marnix concludes. “If you step onboard and immediately feel that everything makes sense, then we have done our job.”
As Moonen Yachts continues construction on this milestone hull, the tenth 122 Martinique stands as a testament to the value of continuity in yacht design. Through long-standing collaboration and a disciplined interior philosophy, the series demonstrates how evolution, when handled with care, can be just as powerful as reinvention.
The Moonen 122 Martinique YN208 is set for delivery in June 2027. For sales enquiries, please contact Moonen’s Global Sales Representatives:
Matthew Stone (US)
Email [email protected]
Mobile +1 954 854 6153
Richard Gray (UK)
Email [email protected]
Mobile +44 771 709 8415
