From her curved mahogany lines to her custom fabricated drivetrain, she is the epitome of craftsmanship and engineering. Designed by Michael Peters Yacht Design, the boat is a stunning example of the level to which wooden boats can ascend. In typical Van Dam style, Alpha Z is built to the highest standards in modern laminated wood construction. The 3/4″ hull bottom is double-planked with two layers of Okoume plywood. The 9/16″ hull and deck are triple-planked with the third skin being Honduran mahogany, hand selected for both grain pattern and color.

A custom fabricated windshield defines the front of the cockpit. Its curves are made from a double layer of 1/4″ glass. There is no frame of any sort, and it is held in place by a concealed retaining ring under the dash. The meticulously hand carved dash is made from a single piece of specially selected Honduran mahogany. The dash is accented by a custom designed and hand built steering wheel and houses state-of-the-art electronics. The driver has fingertip control of all mechanical and electrical functions which are within easy reach.

More than just a pretty face, Alpha Z boasts a top speed of approximately 95 mph, powered by a custom Keith Eickert V8 engine that drives an Italian BPM surface drive, paired with an Arneson chainbox.

Watch a video produced by The Distance of Ben Van Dam explaining how the boat’s compound wood curves are built.