Wellness on the Waves

Four years on, after collaborating with Dutch naval designer Bernd Weel, Blum’s Dutch Design unveiled his plans for the Sea Rover, the “world’s only wellness-first yacht.”

A swimming platform spans the stern. Guests can get on the water with wave runners, water skis, kite boards, and stand-up paddle boards, and grab snorkels and scuba gear to dip below the waves.

For those who’d rather stay on board, there’s a dizzying array of deckside exercise opportunities: a sports court offering basketball, volleyball, badminton—and, of course, pickleball—plus facilities for yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and barre. As Blum points out, “Sea Rover is for the owner who likes to wake up and jump in the water; works out, goes diving, uses all the toys.”

The less energetic can fish.

The spa, which will feature cold and hot plunges, a steam room, and massage space is also located on deck—and has 360-degree ocean views. “It is incredibly special,” says Blum.

“Wellness and prioritizing health shouldn’t have to stop, or momentarily halt, just because your environment changes. These vessels are a home away from home for their owners and should be an extension of their lifestyle.”

The wellness angle aside, the focus on on-board activities may be a smart move given the trend reported by yacht vacationers—particularly in the Bahamas, dubbed “the shark-diving capital of the world”—of the predators trailing vessels. Although attacks are rare, some would rather get their marine-based exercise while looking at the sea, rather than in or on it.

At 140 feet, Sea Rover is—deliberately—considerably shorter than the typical marine megastar. (These often span 400 to 500 feet. Mark Zuckerberg’s $300 million superyacht Launchpad measures 387 feet, Jeff Bezos’ Koru, taps out at 417 feet, with Dilbar, belonging to Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, currently considered the world’s largest, stretching to 511 feet.)

But Blum feels that owners are moving away from such massive vessels. They cost enormous amounts to run and often can’t be docked in highly desirable marina spaces. “We’ve condensed the grandeur of a 300-foot mega yacht into something more intimate, without compromising on the features of the experience,” says designer Weel.

Sea Rover’s minimalist interiors can accommodate up to 12 people—in a main suite, four doubles, and a separate captain’s cabin. (The nine specialized crew are housed in similarly luxurious quarters—at Blum’s insistence.)

The first series will be limited to just 10 boats—one of which Blum intends for himself. “The entire project was inspired by my needs as a long-time yacht owner,” he says. “So, I’ve infused much of my perspective into this.

“At 10 years old I was already racing laser boats and sailboats. I’ve always had a boat—from wake surf boats and Hinckley Picnic boats to superyachts and tenders.” And he places a premium on mindfulness: “It’s the way I, like many others, choose to live my life. A healthy body results in a healthy mind; it’s an important principle that’s really grown in popularity over the last 10 to 15 years.

Prospective buyers are invited to Dutch Design’s historic canal house headquarters in Amsterdam (city tour included) to personalize their vessel with bespoke finishes. Blum says he already has clients lined up—although declined to share the sticker price. “Cost is exclusively and confidentially outlined to qualified buyers.”