Side x Side: VanDutch 56T vs. Halo 57
Comparing the market’s hottest boats: VanDutch 56T vs. Halo 57
Who doesn’t love a good comparison between the seasoned vet and the unproven rookie? See Jordan vs. Kobe. Although VanDutch and Halo aren’t yet omnipresent, who’s to say the future won’t bless us with such a battle? Halo may be new to day boating, but it dons quite the pedigree. Their 57 is the product of famed designer Bill Dixon and built at the Alia super yacht facility in Antalya, Turkey. And the opponent? VanDutch is a brand with plenty of pedigree itself, yet the 56T is a model relatively new to market. Today, we put them to the eye test to take the market’s temperature on who will reign supreme.
You decide: VanDutch 56T or Halo 57?
VanDutch 56T
Halo 57
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Profile Design
Possibly the most subjective of our topics, profile design is a matter of personal preference. While they share a similar length and bow angle, their styles elsewhere clash magnificently. Do you prefer the timeless flow and singularity of the VanDutch 56, or the modern, edged personality of the Halo 57?
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
At an Angle
Rise above the freeboard to reveal our first major difference: closed vs. open bow. The macro day boat category has trended towards open bow, as users prefer hotel rooms to sleeping cabins on overnight trips. VanDutch, to its credit, stuck with the closed bow as part of its genome. Competitors like Pardo, Vanquish and Fjord chose otherwise. They’ve decided to limit their interior space in trade for additional bow seating. The mass-market seems to agree.
Editor’s Note: Don’t overlook the windshield from this angle. VanDutch’s famed windscreen protects a limited portion of the opening under the hard top, while Halo’s windshield fuses completely and gives the captain full protection from the elements.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
From the Back
From this angle you can see how a collection of small design differences results in a macro change.
Safety first: A well lit entryway doubles as a beautiful feature.
For reference, the VanDutch 56 beam sits at 14.8 ft against the 15.5 ft of the Halo 57.
The Halo 57 features thinner gunwales (vertical wall enclosing the cockpit), yielding wider walkways and a larger overall cockpit. So, why would you have thicker gunwales? For VanDutch, they provide quick access fender storage, something Halo lacks. Halo users have to store fenders in the sun pad’s storage hatch, accessed by way of an electric hatch door. That hatch door is a tad slow.
Last note: the steps. That small first step on the VD56 is a new addition from its 55’ predecessor. Little bit awkward. It may cause one or two unexpected tripping events. Keep a hold of mom’s hand as she boards. The Halo 57 steps are deeper, easier to manage, and have track LED lights for night cruising.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Cockpit Lounge SEATING
The similarities are striking. Identical seating and cushion layouts. So where are the differences? The VanDutch 56 has a lengthier bench seat (bow to stern) and a deeper setback. The Halo seats use a thicker cushion foam and a more intricate stitch pattern. The defining difference? Halo uses a track system to move seats inboard/outboard depending on your layout preferences. Those tracks are discreetly placed and never exposed regardless of the bench placement.
For storage, VanDutch uses the underbelly of its bench seats as the boat’s main storage compartment, on both sides. That storage is quite large, made possible by the seats being built into the deck mold. Alternatively, the largest storage with Halo is underneath the aft sun pad, where fenders, toys and safety equipment share a space.
Let’s quickly mention the hard tops. You’ll prefer the sturdy structure and underbelly of the Halo hard top, featuring inset LED strip lighting, built-in speakers, and an extendable aft sunshade which hides away when not in use.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Cockpit Bar Area
To the naked eye, the Halo bar setup is superior. Before making your decision, remember, the VD56 hosts a full kitchen down under. Back upstairs to the cockpit, Halo reigns supreme, with horizontal storage drawers, large fridge, ice maker, substantial counter space, a sink and optional grill. These components are slightly customizable. The countertop components hide neatly under edged white doors suspended by premium gas shocks.
While the VD56 bar is functional, you’ll be thankful there is a full setup downstairs. The bar door has previously been made of glass, which can be a hazard if anyone sits atop. The glass also welcomes unwanted heat to the paint of the sinks. Its recommended to request an opaque bar door if you’re building new: composite is preferred as acrylic can warp in the heat. For all my chefs, an electric grill is optional.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Cockpit Table
You might be saying ‘Why does a table get its own section?’. On these boats, the table is the anchor of the cockpit. The center point. The table dictates so much about when and how your guests interact.
VanDutch limits the table’s size to maximize movement about the cockpit. It’s smaller stature plays better for a cocktail cruise than a dinner party. The table has a few cupholders, but the best feature is the integrated refrigerator. Keep in mind this fridge doesn’t have a drain, so don’t plan to fill it with ice. Although the table size is a plus for movement, it disappoints for dining. You’ll probably dine inside, if you’re dining at all. VanDutch was never known for its culinary application.
Halo has a separate strategy: twin convertible tables. Each bench has its own folding table on an electric high/low actuator, and it only takes flipping them open to connect both tables into a massive dining table (pictured above). The hinged locking system takes some getting used to, but overall, its a great feature.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Swim Platform
Both platforms are within 7 inches of each other, so we can get picky on minor differences. First—and maybe most visually notable—is the convex bend of the VanDutch transom verses the concave bend of Halo. Halo’s concave bend lends more space and a greater perception of safety for the subconscious. The Halo steps feel slightly safer as well, with larger foot placements and LED track lighting.
Turning to features, both offer hydraulic swim platforms (Halo not pictured) which are controlled via fixed panel and mobile remote. Both have collapsable swim ladders, centered at the back of the platform. Last, Halo accessorizes its platform with two bonus cleats, latch locks and an insert for a fresh water shower.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Transom
A day boat’s transom may be one of the most defining elements of its usability. It defines the vessel’s best boarding & entry route, access to water, and the primary lounging location. Coincidence? Not at all. This style shared between the VanDutch 56 and Halo 57 is seen throughout the category on leaders like the Vanquish 58, Pardo 50, Fjord 53, Maori 54 XL, Wally 58, Bronson 50, and more. Needless to say, its a popular style. So how do these transoms differ?
Like all its models, the VanDutch 56 transom is a full-width step up, guiding you to a low-profile sun pad sitting atop the engine room. The VD56 sun pad is made of three classic cushions, which hide a small toy storage built into the mold. Controls for the swim platform and air compressor are hidden in the fender boxes.
Unlike VanDutch, the Halo sun pad sits higher off the floor and features a unique honeycomb cushion design. That honeycomb design has sold a boat or two all by itself. The higher pad height allows for a larger storage compartment underneath, but kills the low-profile connection to the water that subconsciously attracts you to the VanDutch style. Enter the cockpit either port or starboard, up overhanging steps which illuminate the floor in the evenings; a real showstopper. Swim platform and toy storage hatch controls are hidden behind a small swinging door on the port side.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Helm
For all the beauty shared between these boats, neither helm will have you drooling. They both relish in function over form, serving up similar features, just dressed down differently. Regardless of the functional similarities, there are important distinctions to help pick your winner.
VanDutch helms are always port side, helping you go port-to-port easily; Halo’s helm is starboard side. I’ve heard people naysay the port side helm, simply because its unique. I disagree.
VanDutch lacks any protected storage at the helm, a surprising oversight, while Halo has an easy access dry storage compartment. Otherwise, what you see in the images is what you get.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Bow
I love these pictures simply because they share the exact same angle. It gives us a unique ability to compare differences.
From the deadrise all the way up through the bow stem and down the freeboards towards the transom, the similarities are striking. So what’s different?
Halo’s anchor hides within the bow’s fiberglass and releases forward, while VanDutch’s anchor hatch opens upward. Halo’s system is arguably cooler, but the easier access of the VanDutch anchor system is a notable bonus for safe operation. We get a good view of the difference in windshield design as well, VanDutch leaving some open air while Halo is fully enclosed. User preference…
Most obvious… the bow seating. It was already mentioned above, but here (and in the next section) you really get a chance to visualize the pros/cons.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Cabin
So you like the bow seating of Halo? Scope out the interiors before you make your final decision. The biggest bonus of the VanDutch 56 is its interior space. There’s no better day boat interior on the market. But will you use it enough to justify the purchase?
The Halo 57 cabin is standard with a master cabin and private en suite.
Besides having better blueprints, VanDutch has (arguably) a better cabin.
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Head(s)
The Halo 57 includes a master en suite plus a day head, while the VanDutch 56T has a single full bathroom. The VanDutch bathroom may slightly exceed Halo in style (imagery for either is not the best), but in the end, its a matter of personal preference. All in all, the effective difference here is whether you' value a day head AND a private master bathroom (Halo) or if a single full bathroom will do (VanDutch).
VANDUTCH 56T vs. HALO 57
Pricing
The VanDutch 56T base price sits at $2,066,000, and fully optioned finishes about $2,500,000.
The Halo 57 starts at $2,700,000, and fully optioned finished just under $3,000,000.
In closing
For the stylish day boater, the VanDutch 56 and Halo 57 will answer a lot of needs, but the choice of which is better requires a deeper dive. The build quality between the two is distinct. Performance is comparable. Finishes touches will depend on your taste and needs.
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Meet the Contributor
Reed Nicol is a founder, entrepreneur and licensed yacht broker with a wealth of industry knowledge. He is the founder of PilePad and Valid Vessel, previously working as an executive and sales director for VanDutch. Read more about Reed’s marine journey, his love of helping 1st time boaters and his entrepreneurial spirit here.
Reed Nicol [Licensed FL Yacht Broker #11926]
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