Yachting

The interview: Dutch Design’s Scott Blum on the world’s first ever wellness-centric yacht, the Sea Rover

Dutch Design has unveiled the Sea Rover, a groundbreaking 42.5-metre superyacht that redefines luxury by placing wellness at its core. Billed as ”the world’s only wellness-first” superyacht, it integrates high-end fitness equipment and wellness features. Scott Blum, founder of Dutch Design, talks us through the Sea Rover’s innovative, wellness-centred design and how it sets a new standard in luxury yachting.

Boulevard: How did your experience with yachts and boating in your entire life inform your decision to start the Sea Rover?

Scott Blum: I’ve been racing laser boats and sailboats since I was 10 years old. I’ve always had a boat, from wake surf boats and Hinckley Picnic boats to a couple of superyachts and some tenders. So I’m pretty much a boat guy.

[I realised in recent years] there just wasn’t a boat available that fit my lifestyle. I’m currently running twin yachts. One is called ‘Playa’: it has a big deck and it has a basketball court, a gym and even a spa. It’s like a sports boat. And then we have another boat called ‘Casa’, which is a home boat for people to stay and live in. I just took those two boats and put them into one boat, the Sea Rover.

We tried to make the design as small and efficient as possible, but we didn’t want to compromise on any aspect that a 300-foot boat would have— so we designed the boat from the ground up. We started at 35 metres, but we couldn’t make it work. We finally ended up with 42 1/2 metres, which worked well.

The smaller length didn’t fit everything and we didn’t want to compromise on any aspect of the boat. We didn’t want to have a small galley or a small crew quarters because making a happy crew is super important to me. So the boat has a very large crew cabin, a large mess hall and they also have a gathering spot.

We didn’t feel any pressure during the four years it took to design the boat. There was no real time crunch, which allowed us to focus on creating the perfect vessel. That’s why we call it the ultimate yacht.

Blvd: What are some of your personal highlights of the boat? And is it true that you are building just 10 Sea Rovers?

Blum: Yes we’re only building 10 boats, so they actually hold their value, allowing people to invest in something that will truly retain its worth. There are very few boats out there that are worth as much or more than what was originally paid for them—it’s not a long list. Only a handful of well-maintained vessels have appreciated in value, including mine. A couple of Feadships in particular come to mind. Those 110 to 115-foot models have held their value over time. But beyond that, most boats lose about 30 per cent of their value the day they’re delivered.

It really comes down to supply and demand. Many shipbuilders just keep producing boats regardless of market conditions. There’s rarely a true series—it could end up being one of a thousand—and that kind of volume makes it hard for any individual boat to maintain its value.

When it comes to the highlights for the Sea Rover, the main one is that the boat is based around activities, whether it’s dining, sports or spa. We didn’t design it to be a boat where people are just lounging, partying and drinking. It’s a boat for those who value time and want to make the most out of life.

We have a spa on the main deck, which is different from other boats as it is usually buried deep below a boat in very small quarters. Then we have a massage room and steam room with red light therapy and cold or hot plunge. We also have a full gym on the main bridge deck.

Blvd: Are all these boats customisable?

Blum: The only thing we allow for customisation is the interior finishes, including wood choices in three or four different colours, carpets, loose furniture, and fixtures. For fixtures, we use Dornbracht, offering five different finishes, so customers can select their preferred option. When it comes to stonework, they can choose any stone from our designated vendor’s selection. But that’s essentially it—there’s no option to move walls or reconfigure the vessel’s layout. That’s why we describe it as a semi-custom yacht.

Blvd: Who is your target audience for these boats?

Blum: Maybe someone that has a very large yacht that wants a second boat based in Florida, and who doesn’t want to move it from the Mediterranean to Florida all the time. Someone who wants to have a boat that can get in any nook and cranny, has a low draft but has full amenities on it.

We’re trying to build a boat that’s unique in the industry. So we want something that can go in the Bahamas and to the Caribbean, but is based in Florida—that’s the ideal boat.

Blvd: You mentioned there’s quite an extensive wellness aspect on board—are you partnering with any specific brands or suppliers for the equipment and amenities?

Blum: Yes, we’ll be filling it with Pent, Technogym and Peleton equipment. We’re also using Odin for the plunge pools and Dornbracht for the fixtures—I don’t think there’s one product on the boat that’s not the best of its category. There’s been no compromise in the design.

I’m building these things for passion—I want to know the owners and I want them to know that they’re making an investment that should hold its value. We’re not cutting any corners. I’m actually going to take one of the boats myself.

Blvd: Was the concept of having a wellness retreat on the water intentional? Do you feel that being on a boat creates a different effect or impact on the overall wellness experience?

Blum: Based on my experiences, many people come on the boat and all of a sudden they want to get in shape because they’re in their bathing suit—maybe they’ve been stuck behind a desk, so all of a sudden, they start swimming in the morning, taking walks and working out, which they normally didn’t do before. They start feeling more obligated to be in better shape.

And also, there’s nothing better than water—it’s healing, refreshing, and hydrating. It brings mental clarity and a sense of calm. Water is life, and if you can immerse yourself in it and enjoy it, it’s always going to be beneficial.

Blvd: Do you think this is going to set a trend in wellness yachts? Is that something that you’re hoping for?

Blum [00:14:07]: Absolutely it’s already happening in hotels. Many top hotels, like the One&Only Royal Mirage and the Four Seasons, are built around their spa and wellness offerings. There are also newer brands, like the hotel chain Siro, which focus entirely on wellness, catering to travellers in major metropolitan cities so they can maintain their routines while away from home.

I’m suggesting the owner of the Sea Rover become a charter operator, because if they did, it would be a huge draw for someone who wants to spend a week or two on a boat. Imagine saying, ‘I’m going to eat healthy, work out, and focus on my well-being’—all while enjoying breathtaking views of the sea instead of the land.

Blvd: How do you see the future of wellness yachting evolving? What trends are you seeing that customers are looking for in 2025 and beyond?

Blum: We’ve opened the door for wellness yachts in the industry because no one has really focused on this before. I imagine we’ll probably be copied, as many in the yachting world can be a bit traditional in their thinking and not always very innovative. But replicating what we’re doing won’t be easy—everything on the Sea Rover is the best of its kind, from the steel hull and aluminium superstructure to the wood floors and high-end finishes.

So if someone wants to follow our approach, it will be because the market is asking for something different—not just the usual modern style. Our beach lifestyle aesthetic, inspired by California minimalism, focuses on earthy tones and natural materials. That’s a stark contrast to the more common modernism or the standard Italian furniture often seen on yachts. This ‘California lifestyle’ is something we’ve embraced in all our homes, and we want to share that unique vision with others.

I’m also seeing a trend where owners are downsizing. Many who once thought they wanted a 300-foot yacht often realise the challenges that come with it—like needing a crew of 24, sometimes even two crews rotating on and off, depending on the schedule. The cost of running a boat that size can be enormous, and I think a lot of owners are moving away from that. They’re looking for something more intimate but without sacrificing quality. I believe the era of the massive yacht is fading. A good example is the owner of the largest yacht ever built, Eclipse, who significantly downsized his boat, going from around 650 feet to 250 feet.

Go further with Dutch Design’s Sea Rover.

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