Heesen Yachts in the Netherlands is revealing details about Santosha, a 187-footer that is the first hull in a new class of high-speed aluminum builds from the Dutch shipyard.

Previously known as Project Akira, this yacht’s design was first revealed at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show. Heesen’s team then began construction of the yacht on spec, with delivery expected this autumn.

The owners who purchased the build took the interior design in a direction different from what Heesen originally planned. The yard worked with interior designer Harrison Eidsgaard to include sustainable materials—including recycled wood, performance leather and “art silk” carpets—along with what Heesen calls “a carefully curated art display” on board.

Peter Wilson, who is acting as the owners’ representative, stated in a press release: “Our collaboration with Heesen on this project has yielded an excellent result. Collectively, we have been working as a cohesive team, with each party doing their utmost to achieve a world-class superyacht—one that is distinct from her peers. This was our second project with Heesen, and we look forward to many more in the future. Once delivered, I have no doubt that the clients will enjoy Santosha to her fullest.”

Some additional details about Santosha that Heesen just revealed include accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms, a glass elevator, a 375-square-foot beach club, and a master bathroom inspired by the Garden of Eden, including a bas-relief snake. Heesen describes the master suite as an “owners’ apartment” that’s 750 square feet in size with a study.

Exterior design on this yacht is by Omega Architects. Heesen is projecting a 22-knot top speed. Range is expected to be 3,900 nautical miles at 13 knots. Gross tonnage is 780. The power package is twin MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines.

To allow for shallow-water cruising in regions including the Bahamas, draft on Santosha is about 7½ feet.

“Santosha is a yacht designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life, combining elegance with practicality and meticulous attention to detail with a relaxed ambience,” Heesen’s chief commercial officer, Mark Cavendish, stated in a press release:. “It stands as a true testament to Heesen Yachts’ commitment to excellence and innovation in yacht building.”

What does Santosha mean? The yacht’s name is Sanskrit and serves as a reminder to “remain happy under any circumstances or be contented with what we can achieve,” according to the shipyard. A lotus will be the yacht’s logo.

Take the next step: click over to heesenyachts.com

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Heesen Yachts in the Netherlands has sold Project Venus, a 55m Steel model that is already under construction and well on its way toward its delivery date.

The owner previously owned a Heesen, and is coming back to the yard for this build.

“Returning to Heesen was an easy choice for our client,” says sales broker Rupert Connor of Luxury Yachts. “We know that their high-quality standards and desire to exceed our needs will result in yet another fabulous build. There is no other shipyard in the world where you can sign for a yacht in June and they deliver in 10 months a high-quality yacht customized to our needs. Their revised 55m platform offers a best-in-class layout and engineering platform. Our whole build support team is thrilled to be working with Heesen again.”

Silvia Margutti of Luca Dini Design and Architecture is handling customization of the interior design to reflect the owner’s taste and lifestyle, with enough time left in the build schedule to make alterations of that nature. Heesen’s team says it expects to launch Project Venus this coming January, even while incorporating any changes that the owner would like to see in the interior décor.

The shipyard can project such a fast launch date because construction on Project Venus began back in November 2022, as part of Heesen’s overall business plan to minimize the time between a yacht’s sale and its delivery.

The steel hull, an iteration of van Oossanen Naval Architects’ FDHF design, was fabricated at Talsma in Friesland, also in the Netherlands. Heesen’s team will build and install the interiors.

Project Venus comes in at 760 gross tons.

Also happening at Heesen Yachts: The yard has joined the hull and superstructure on Project Sophia, a 164-fdvoot yacht that is currently for sale with delivery scheduled in the first quarter of 2026.

Project Sophia is a fast-aluminum design with exteriors by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects and interiors by Cristiano Gatto. The yacht has a hard-chine, shallow-draft hull designed by Heesen’s in-house naval architects.

A recessed propeller tunnel keeps draft at 7 feet, making the yacht usable in the Bahamas.  Twin 16V 4000 M65L MTU engines are already installed, with Heesen projecting a top speed of 23 knots and a trans-Atlantic range of 3,100 nautical miles at 11 knots.

Accommodations are for 12 guests in five staterooms, including a main-deck master.

Take the next step: head over to heesenyachts.com

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Owners in the market for a superyacht with charter potential may want to consider At Last, a 144-foot Heesen tri-deck superyacht listed with Denison Yachting and priced at $4.5 million. The 1990 build has an aluminum hull and a five-stateroom layout that accommodates 11 guests.

“At Last offers an unparalleled level of comfort, with a contemporary interior designed by the renowned Tui Pranich,” says Denison Yacht Broker Bobby Giancola, who previously worked aboard the 144-foot Heesen. “The expansive design creates a bright and relaxed atmosphere throughout the yacht, perfect for unwinding in style.”

Outdoor entertainment spaces on board At Last start on the bridge deck since the cockpit on this yacht is dedicated to stowing water toys. A layout that Giancola says, “[minimizes] noise and disturbance when retrieving these items. This thoughtful design means there are no large cranes on the bridge deck aft or sundeck, enhancing the relaxed ambiance on board.”

The sundeck has four distinct social spaces starting with the hot tub aft, which is surrounded by a lounge pad. A second lounge pad is forward with a bar and dinette amidships. The bridge deck also has two exterior entertainment zones: an alfresco dining space on the aft deck as well as settee lounge seating forward on the Portuguese bridge.

Sleeping accommodations on board At Last include an on-deck owners’ stateroom and four guest staterooms belowdecks. The on-deck owners’ stateroom is full-beam with a king berth on centerline.

The yacht’s interior was refit in 2014 by international designer Tui Pranich. The skylounge has  seating aft and a four-stool bar forward and to port. Seating here includes a sofa to starboard and two lounge chairs positioned around a coffee table. A second sofa is forward  and to starboard. The pilothouse is forward, beyond the captain’s cabin.

At Last‘s salon also has lounge seating aft with a C-shaped sofa, three lounge chairs and a coffee table. A bulkhead forward separates the formal dining space from the lounge area.

For chefs who have a desire to please everyone’s palate, the galley has an array of meal-prep appliances, including:

• Viking Professional 6-burner glass cooktop 
• Two Wolf ovens 
• Viking microwave 
• Three Hatco heat lamps
• Two True refrigerators
• True freezer
• Two refrigerator drawers

Twin 2,735 hp MTU 12V4000 diesels installed in 2009 are paired to Kamewa waterjets, allowing At Last to carry a sub-seven-foot shoal draft. This setup allows the yacht to hit a reported 17-knot top speed with a 13-knot fast cruise. At 10 knots, the 144-footer has a reported 2,400-nautical-mile range.

Other notable features on board At Last include:

• (2) Furuno 120-mile radar w/ARPA
• Compass: Sestrel magnetic compass
• Chartplotter: Northstar N2 6100i
• Automatic Pilot: Sperry Marine Navipilot AD11
• GPS: Northstar 6100
• Furuno GPS/WAAS Navigator GP-32
• Navtex: Furuno NX500
• Depth Sounder: (1) Furuno RD-30 Depth
• Wind: Furuno F1-50 display
• (1) Marvel 48-bottle wine refrigerator
• (1) U-line 24-bottle wine refrigerator

Where is At Last located? The yacht is currently lying in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  

Take the next step: contact the listing agent, Bobby Giancola, 321-750-7776

Quick Specifications

• Length Overall: 144′
• Maximum Beam: 27’2″
• Fuel Capacity: 19,569 Gal.
• Draft: 6’10”

The post For Sale: 144-foot Heesen Yachts Tri-Deck appeared first on Yachting.

After just over three years of design and building, Heesen Yachts christened and delivered its 164-foot YN 20350, MY ALP with a maiden voyage from the Netherlands to its new owner in the Mediterranean.

ALP belongs to Heesen’s 50-meter semidisplacement series, and work on this vessel began on May 3, 2021. According to a news release from the yacht builder, celebrations began on June 10 in Hellevoetsluis, South Holland, where ALP was berthed following the successful completion of extensive testing in the North Sea.

Heesen boasts that ALP is built for fast cruising, comfort and luxury. Weighing below 500 gross tons, ALP hits a reported top speed of 23 knots and is Bahamas friendly with 7 feet of draft. Sara Gioanola, Heesen’s public relations manager, told Yachting in an emailed statement that the company is most proud of ALP’s shallow draft and top speed paired with a 12% improved hull efficiency compared to its previous 164-foot vessel.

The release states that Heesen is one of the few shipyards in the world that can build aluminum hulls in-house.

“Aluminium welding is a rigorous discipline that requires a combination of education, technical skills, focus and stamina,” the emailed news release states. “Precise engineering, exact construction, and effective project management ensure that the weight control meets the strict requirements without any compromise on luxury.”

The vessel features generous outdoor spaces for entertaining guests, a large sun deck with a whirlpool bath and sun pads, a fully equipped bar and dining area. Five staterooms comfortably accommodate 12 guests. There are five cabins for up to nine crew. The exterior lines, penned by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, portray speed and sportiness with an elegant appeal.

Roughly 380 square meters of interior work was done by Cristiano Gatto Design. Additionally, Heesen’s fine cabinet-making company based in Winterswijk, allowed accommodations for last-minute personalization requests from the client.

Gioanola told Yachting that this is Heesen’s third yacht sold in collaboration with Superyachts Monaco.

“We truly enjoy their professionalism and knowledge,” Gionola said.

Mark Cavendish, Heesen’s chief commercial officer, also thanked Superyachts Monaco for their collaboration on this project.

“This time-honoured maritime tradition not only forges a bond between the vessel, the shipyard, the crew, and the sea but also invokes a sense of pride and anticipation for ALP’s future journeys,” Cavendish said in the emailed news release. “On behalf of everyone at Heesen, I would like to express our gratitude to Jim Evans and his team at Superyachts Monaco for their exceptional collaboration on this project.”

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Heesen Yachts delivered the newly finished YN 20150 Cinderella Noel IV to its owners on Saturday, April 20, according to a press release from the company. The delivery comes after intensive tests in the North Sea proved successful even during torrential weather.

Yacht consultants Zucker & Partner, with its team, advised and guided the owners throughout the many decisions taken during the 41 months of lead time. The owners collaborated closely with Heesen’s engineers and the Luca Dini Design and Architecture team to realize their ambition of building a yacht for extended cruising in the Scandinavian archipelago and Norwegian fjords.

Cinderella Noel IV proved more than a match for rough weather conditions during its three days of sea trials in the North Sea.

“The weather worsened during the course of the tests and we ended up with wave heights increasing to 2.6 meters and wind speeds up to around 30 knots,” said shipyard captain Bob van Zundert in a press release from Heesen. “Conditions were perfect to test the handling of Cinderella Noel IV. Her swift responses to helm and throttle commands in rough sea conditions generated a lot of confidence. It is a privilege to have clients on board during the tests, and we enjoyed letting them see what their new yacht is capable of.”

Built by Heesen’s engineering platform as a smart custom yacht, the vessel was christened by its owners, shipyard employees and subcontractors last December. The 50-meter, round-bilge steel motoryacht features a hybrid drivetrain that can draw on diesel engines and electric motors for both propulsion and hotel needs. This hybrid system allows for silent cruising and minimal vibration to enhance comfort levels on board.

The Cinderella Noel IV sports twin MTU 8V4000 M63 (IMO Tier III) main engines, each coupled to a water-cooled, 135 kW Danfoss electric motor on the same propeller shaft. Three available cruising modes offer options for flexible power management as well as redundancy.

Stefan Zucker and Sven Stark, the clients’ surveyors and project managers, spoke about their clients’ enthusiasm for the yacht and its building process.

“We have hardly experienced such intense involvement of clients ever before, showing so much enthusiasm and enjoyment for the yacht and appreciation for everybody of the build-team,” Zucker and Stark said in a press release from Heesen. “Heesen succeeded perfectly to integrate these enthusiastic owners in the production procedure and milestones.”

The yacht’s interior is decorated in a Scandinavian aesthetic with white, greige and taupe soft furnishings with high-gloss Indian rosewood and dark oak soles. Fine-leather panels crafted by Foglizzo Atelier depict antique sea charts of the owners’ favorite cruising areas. Additionally, the yacht has a glass-bottomed pool and large aft cockpit screens for the upper deck and main deck.

“It has been a pleasure to build Cinderella Noel IV and work so closely with her owners on a yacht that fits them like a glove and can take them safely wherever they want to go,” said Heesen COO Rick van de Wetering in a press release from the company. “During the past 41 months, we have built a strong bond with our energetic clients and their teams, and we will miss them in the yard. We look forward to their updates on the great adventures they will have aboard their wonderful yacht. On behalf of everyone at the shipyard, we wish them fair winds and following seas!”

Take the next step: heesenyachts.com

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Heesen Yachts has announced the sale of YN 20350, the 50m fast cruiser Project Jade.

Project Jade was lauded by Netherlands-based Heesen as building on “Heesen’s legacy of fast, hard-chine aluminum yachts.” The yacht was listed for about $44.9 million and is the third Heesen vessel sold by SuperYachtsMonaco in the past decade. 

“We are overjoyed to congratulate the client on entrusting our shipyard with building his new yacht. This sale not only showcases the exceptional quality of Heesen yachts but also confirms our strong relationship with the brokerage network,” said Chief Commercial Officer Mark Cavendish in a news release. 

The all-aluminum superyacht, which comes in at 499 GT, can accommodate 12 guests in five staterooms, including an owner’s suite on the main deck forward. The guest cabins — two doubles and two twins — are on the lower deck. The yacht can host nine crew members. 

The yacht’s interior was designed by Cristiano Gatto and the exterior was designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. 

Project Jade has large outdoor spaces, including a sundeck with a whirlpool, a terrace and beach club. The yacht is outfitted with mirrors and tempered glass inspired by the sky and splashes of green to evoke its namesake, Jade. 

The yacht can reach up to 23 knots and is IMO III compliant. The hull was “meticulously designed and engineered by Heesen’s in-house naval architects” to provide a comfortable experience for guests. 

Project Jade will be delivered to its owners in Q2, Heesen said. 

“Our client is extremely happy with his purchase of such a fantastic yacht and looks forward to his first cruise,” said SuperYachtsMonaco founder Jim Evans.

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Heesen Yachts in the Netherlands has delivered Hull YN 20255, which has been christened Iris Blue.

The 180-foot motoryacht is the first one in the shipyard’s restyled 55-meter series. Its revised exterior lines are by Omega Architects, with interior design by Luca Dini Design & Architecture. There’s a new layout aboard the 760-gross-ton yacht, with six staterooms for guests.

Iris Blue has Heesen’s steel Fast Displacement Hull Form, with a reported top speed of 15.5 knots. At 13 knots, the yacht has a trans-Atlantic range of 4,500 nautical miles, according to Heesen.

Sea trials prior to delivery were conducted on the North Sea, where Heesen says Iris Blue met all the required specifications: “During the second day of trials, the yacht was tested in rough sea conditions, with waves up to 1.7 meters [5 feet, 7 inches] from north to northwest, and westerly to north-westerly winds with gusts up to 28 knots.”

Even in those conditions, the shipyard says, the yacht handled similarly to those that have preceded it: “ Iris Blue proved to be highly responsive, accepting steering commands immediately. The use of large rudders in conjunction with a powerful steering unit makes for a very quick reaction, as does the high pitch of the propellers. The overall effect instils great confidence in the captain when maneuvering in strong wind conditions.”

Frank Laupman of Omega Architects was also the original designer of the series, which had vertical windows. He said that for this redesign, it was time to make an evolutionary step.

“We opted for a larger expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass, without mullions in the main saloon,” he stated in the shipyard’s press release. “Then, we took the opportunity to give a slightly more aggressive look to the profile by using continuous sheets of tinted glass. The horizontal lines stretch the optical length and balance the air draft. The result is beautiful: We retained the family look and feel, but gave it an elegant touch.”

With the updated interior layout, the 840-square-foot owners’ stateroom now has a veranda to starboard, along with walk-in closets.

In addition, the sundeck is larger, with a bar around the hot tub forward. On the main deck, the central atrium is wider with a revised design of the main staircase. There’s also an additional companionway from the wheelhouse deck up to the sundeck, to ease crew access for guest service.

The yard sounds quite proud: Niels Vaessen, Heesen CEO, stated in the press release: “Heesen 55-meter Steel is a unique and very competitive design. We believe in this proven design platform, and have worked with Omega and Luca Dini on creating a yacht that meets the refined tastes of clients who appreciate Dutch quality with a shortened delivery time. Iris Blue is a wonderful addition to our fleet, and we wish the owners and her crew many days of happy sailing.”

Take the next step: visit heesenyachts.com

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Heesen Yachts in the Netherlands has launched Project Oslo24, a 164-foot yacht that the shipyard calls a “smart custom” build that balances quality, customization and delivery time.

Christened Cinderella Noel IV, the yacht has a steel hull with exterior design by Clifford Denn, who has had his own firm in France since 2003. Denn has worked on numerous Heesen builds including the 164-foot Omaha, the 164-foot Triton and the 131-foot Lionshare.

Cinderella Noel IV has an owner who is an experienced cruiser, so Heesen merged Denn’s ideas with the owner’s wishes. Some examples include reinforced insulation for cruising in northern climates, heated soles, winter tents and mosquito nets. The yacht also has an “elevated standard” in the crew area, along with a separate crew outdoor deck, to attract a highly trained team.

Another owner request was for a second steering position on the flybridge, where the owner likes to drive the yacht himself. Heesen installed stairs from the flybridge to the wheelhouse to connect these two navigation spaces.

Cinderella Noel IV also marks Heesen’s first installation of a hybrid propulsion system. That technology, along with the yacht’s mast for navigating bridges, and its channel navigation lights for transiting canals and locks, indicate a substantive cruising itinerary in the years ahead. For instance, the owner’s plans include an exploration of the northern fjords.

“Heesen’s Smart Custom solution represented the perfect starting point for an experienced yachtsman to concentrate on the important details for him and his family,” Stefan Zucker, the owner’s representative with Zucker & Partner, stated in a press release. “ Cinderella Noel IV is a testament to Heesen’s intelligent approach, allowing this family to create their dream machine with the certainty of a result which would have taken considerably more time and cost to build individually without being sufficiently tested.”

Interiors are by Luca Dini Design and Architecture. The firm is based in Florence, Italy, and has worked with numerous superyacht builders, including ISA, Wider, Rossinavi, Columbus and Tankoa. Additional projects with Heesen include two 180-footers: Reliance and Venus.

On Cinderella Noel IV, the interior design brief was for extended family cruises with his and hers spaces to work. The design firm added sliding partitions to make interior areas more versatile.

“This project has been a unique experience, driven by the owner’s passion and the shipyard’s expertise, with every detail analyzed and agreed with the clients,” Silvia Margutti of Luca Dini Design and Architecture stated in the press release.

Heesen describes the décor as “quiet luxury and Scandinavian chic.” White, greige and taupe soft furnishings contrast with high-gloss Indian rosewood and dark oak soles. Pops of color are deep blue and musk green. Leather panels by Foglizzo Atelier depict antique sea charts. Vertical and horizontal ripples in the woodwork emphasize the connection with nature. Furniture is from Cassina, Paola Lenti and Toso, among others.

When will Cinderella Noel IV be delivered to the owner? Heesen expects the handoff to take place in March.

Take the next step: go to heesenyachts.com

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With the winter yacht charter season about to kick into high gear in the Bahamas and Caribbean, several top management companies have welcomed notable motoryachts into their fleets.

Perhaps the largest yacht in this category is Samsara, a 290-foot Oceanco that recently joined the Y.CO charter fleet. Brokers are now accepting inquiries for winter charters in the Bahamas and Caribbean (and for summer 2024 bookings in Greenland and Iceland) at a lowest weekly base rate of $1.1 million.

Samsara is a 2015 build that most recently was refitted in 2023, with accommodations for 12 guests in seven staterooms. This yacht has a private owners’ deck, swimming pool, gymnasium, massage room and hair salon, along with an elevator for guest use. “Her seven-cabin layout is ideal for multigenerational groups or two families traveling together,” says David Price of Y.CO Charter Management. “It offers the flexibility to suit many kinds of charter groups.”

Meanwhile, over at Edmiston, two notable yachts have joined the charter fleet.

First is Wayfinder, 223-foot powercat that Astilleros Armon built in 2021. This yacht has an unusual layout, with 11 en suite staterooms (nine singles and two with twin berths) for 12 guests, along with quarters for 20 crew. It can be booked as either its own charter yacht or as a support vessel for more traditional charter yachts.

Wayfinder has an open aft deck with a helipad that doubles as a pickleball court. This yacht also has belowdecks storage for six tenders and four Sea-Doos. The lowest base rate to book a week in the Caribbean is $300,000, with inquiries also being accepted for the Mediterranean and other destinations in summer 2024.

Also new to the Edmiston charter fleet is the 164-foot Home, a 2017 Heesen that will be in the Bahamas this winter at a lowest weekly base rate of $245,000.

Home accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, and charters with nine crew. Interiors are by Cristiano Gatto—Edmiston describes them as “crisp, light-filled and Ibiza-inspired.” For outdoor fun, the complement of tenders and toys includes a 34-foot Jupiter towed tender, a 21-foot Williams jet tender that can reportedly hit 35 knots, Sea-Doos, standup paddleboards, skis, inflatables, snorkeling gear and scuba equipment.

And, last but not least, IYC has added the 162-foot Christensen Remember When to the charter fleet, with bookings available this winter in the Bahamas at a lowest weekly base rate of $230,000. It’s a 2011 build that was most recently refitted in 2020, with accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms. An elevator services all four decks, and the full-beam main-deck master has a private office.

Is it too early to call for summer 2024 yacht charter bookings? Nope. In fact, IYC also just welcomed the 90-foot Sanlorenzo SAL to the charter fleet. It’s a brand-new build for 2023 that’s currently accepting bookings for the West Mediterranean, Croatia and Montenegro in summer 2024.

Take the next step: head over to y.co, edmiston.com or iyc.com

The post New Options for Winter Yacht Charter appeared first on Yachting.

Heesen Yachts in the Netherlands says it has joined the hull and superstructure on the 180-foot Project Venus, which is for sale with delivery expected in the second quarter of 2025.

Project Venus is part of Heesen’s 55 Steel series. Power is a pair of MTU 4000 M63 engines, with a projected top speed of 15.5 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots. At cruising speed, range is expected to be 4,500 nautical miles, enough for trans-Atlantic cruising.

Luca Dini Design and Architecture is handling interiors on Project Venus. Accommodations are for 12 guests in six staterooms, including a main-deck master that spans more than 880 feet and has a private, starboard-side veranda.

The sundeck encompasses nearly 1,200 square feet with a hot tub, a bar and a lounge area protected beneath a hardtop. Sun loungers are aft. Alfresco dining is one level below on the bridge deck aft, and there’s a beach club off the main deck that includes a sauna, a day-head, a shower and a bar.

Is Project Venus the first time Heesen has worked with Italian designer Luca Dini? Not even close. Project Venus is the fifth collaboration between Heesen and Luca Dini.

Take the next step: go to heesenyachts.com

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