A month aboard Azure with Floris and Maria
by Zeelander Yachts 17 Jul 10:29 PDT
Zeelander 5—Azure © Zeelander Yachts
Zeelander speaks with Floris Koopmans, son of the founder, about his maiden voyage aboard the Zeelander 5 Azure. Part romantic escape, part field research, and part homecoming, his journey from Fort Lauderdale to Sag Harbor offers a fresh, personal look at life with a Zeelander.
"For the first time, I wasn't just watching a Zeelander being built—I was living on one."
After nearly 8 years spent in marketing at the Zeelander shipyard, Floris Koopmans recently moved to the United States to lead business development for the brand. But instead of taking an office, he took the helm.
The opportunity came in the form of a traded-in Zeelander 5—Azure—recently exchanged by a loyal owner who had just taken delivery of his brand-new Zeelander 6, also named Azure. Rather than sending a delivery captain to reposition the yacht, Floris saw an opening: "We thought—why not live on it, experience it, and build the brand with boots on the ground?"
So began a one-month journey along the East Coast of the United States. Onboard with Floris was Maria Di Benedetto, his partner in life and now also in work—having recently joined Zeelander as a marketeer after time at Amels.
Becoming Captain
"This was the first time I truly captained a Zeelander for weeks on end. It was new to me—and I've grown up on boats. But the day-to-day of running, docking, and living aboard a 48-foot yacht? That was different."
The couple cruised from Fort Lauderdale to Sag Harbor, passing through iconic stops like Charleston, St. Augustine, New York City, and well-traveled refueling ports like Coinjock. To ease the transition into full-time yachting life, Floris brought in Adrian Brown—Zeelander's after-sales specialist and a veteran captain.
"Adrian knows the Zeelander 5 inside and out. Every day was a masterclass—fuel systems, navigation, maintenance, and even proper knot tying for Maria. It was like bootcamp meets road trip."
Living Onboard: The Zeelander 5 As Home
"The boat is marketed as a weekender or a dayboat. But we've now lived on it for over a month—and honestly, it's perfect for two"
With dynamic positioning, joystick control, a generous shower, and separated head, the couple quickly found their rhythm. Maria, who had minimal experience helming, was docking the yacht solo by the end.
Floris smiles: "The marina staff would always look at us like we were pros. But it's just that easy to handle."
What truly stood out was the versatility: "You can open the sunroof, slide open the aft window, and the salon transforms into an open summer boat. But when it cools down—or gets buggy and humid at night—you close everything and enjoy perfect climate control, inside a cozy, quiet salon."
In marinas like Chelsea Piers, known for their heavy ferry wake, the SeaKeeper gyro stabilizer proved a game-changer. "The boat stayed stable and quiet—even at night. It's incredibly comfortable to sleep on. And on gentler nights at mooring, I actually like to turn the stabilizer off, just to be rocked to sleep like a baby."
Why a Small Yacht Might Be the Ultimate Freedom
Perhaps one of Floris' most powerful reflections was a metaphor:
"It's like trying to get a table for two at a restaurant—you'll always find a spot. Try showing up with eight people, and suddenly it's a problem. The Zeelander 5 is like that. It's small enough to be spontaneous. You can dock anywhere, explore any town, take last-minute detours. That's freedom."
They visited three marinas in New York alone—North Cove, Liberty Landing, and Chelsea Piers—just to explore different parts of the city. "We made plans as we went. The boat never limited us—it opened up more."
Unexpected Discoveries
As they cruised, nature put on a show. "We saw dolphins racing the bow, alligators in the intercoastal, and spinner sharks leaping from the sea. At one point, we thought we'd spotted a lost fender—turned out to be a sleeping turtle."
Every moment on the water brought a surprise. But it wasn't just about nature. "What really struck me," Floris said, "was how boating is embedded in American culture. In the Netherlands, I humbly argue, we build the best boats. But in the U.S., people use them. Every dock had families heading out for a sunset cruise or fishing run."
It reinforced a belief that Zeelander belongs on these coasts.
Favorite Stops
Among many highlights, two destinations stood out.
Wrightsville Beach
"It was like stepping into a postcard. Families everywhere, people kitesurfing, paddle boarding, kids jumping off docks. There's a tight community there—and it felt incredibly welcoming."
New York City
"The contrast couldn't be bigger. You're anonymous again. But to dock your yacht in Manhattan and have access to all that energy—it's a special kind of magic."
Charleston also left a lasting impression: a town steeped in history and southern charm. "We didn't get to explore as much as we wanted, but even just cruising past its waterfront and antebellum homes felt cinematic. I'd love to come back and take it slow."
And then there was Coinjock—a delivery stop more than a destination. But for me, it marked something special. Adrian had told me, "You're not truly a captain until you've made the crossing and had the Captain's Cut." We made it just in time, docked beside another Zeelander, and split the last steak on the menu. That's the night I earned my stripes.
Lessons in Range and Perspective
One of the more surprising discoveries for Floris came while calculating fuel range.
"At 6 knots, the Zeelander 5 gets 4.3 nautical miles per gallon. That means a range of 2,279 nautical miles. That's exceptional for a yacht this size."
This wasn't just theoretical—it was practical. "If you wanted to do the whole intercoastal slowly, peacefully, on a single tank—you could. That's wild."
And while Floris had always seen Zeelander as the pinnacle—having grown up with them as his reference point—this trip added perspective. "When Zeelander is all you know, that becomes your baseline. But once you're out there, cruising for weeks and seeing what else is on the water, you realize just how exceptional they really are. You kind of feel like a celebrity entering a marina—people give you thumbs up, take pictures, compliment the design. It made me proud."
A Journey of Two
For Floris and Maria, the trip was more than a product test.
"It's a character builder," Floris reflects. "You share tight quarters, rely on each other, problem-solve, discover new places together. We were colleagues, partners, crew—and we never once felt cramped."
It also helped Maria fall in love with the boat—despite having been prone to seasickness before. "She's never once been seasick on the Zeelander. Not even in rough seas. That says a lot."
What Comes Next
The trip wrapped up in Sag Harbor, where Azure now waits for her next adventure—or new owner. Floris will continue his mission to expand Zeelander's presence in the U.S., now with deeper firsthand knowledge and plenty of stories to share.
"I've always been drawn to the water—whether it was sailing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, or diving. But I never quite understood my father's obsession with the intercoastal. Growing up, I'd join him for boat shows in Florida, but most of what I saw were big parking lots, supermarkets, and service yards—not exactly inspiring scenery.
This trip changed that.
Now, having cruised the length of the coast, I see what he meant. The intercoastal is breathtaking—one of the most beautiful cruising routes in the world, in my opinion. It's peaceful, varied, full of character, and endlessly scenic.
One day, I'd love to do it all again. Slower this time. And if I'm lucky, I'll do it alongside my father."
For those dreaming of doing something similar, Floris has just one piece of advice:
"Don't send your captain. Take the trip yourself. Go slow. Leave space for spontaneity. That's where the magic is."