In April, Heesen Yachts announced that Dutch entrepreneur and yachting enthusiast Laurens Last had completed his acquisition of the shipyard. The plan is for strategic expansion in key international markets. “I am honored to take the ownership and ensure the brand continues to flourish for generations to come,” Last announced.

It’s a significant undertaking, given the speed with which Heesen continues to sell and turn out new builds. So far this year alone, the yard announced the sale of the 180-foot Project Angelica and 164-foot Project Orion, delivery of the 180-foot yachts Solemates and Serena, and launch of the 180-foot Project Agnetha.

According to Heesen, yachts in this size range have defied market downturns in other categories. Buyers, the yard says, “are increasingly drawn to vessels that are as versatile and efficient as they are comfortable and stylish.”

Solemates, the most recent delivery, certainly fits that description. It’s the second Heesen for this owner, with significant interior customization by Luca Dini Design and Architecture. Heesen’s team says the interior was transformed enough to feel bespoke, with features such as a redesigned main staircase with acrylic panels embedded with gold flakes and crystals.

“The latest Solemates reflects an evolution of an already great product,” says Rupert Connor of Luxury Yacht Group. “The team at Heesen should be complimented on their willingness to constantly improve their product with every single iteration of their designs.”

That’s what is required for a brand to flourish, the new yard owner says, for many generations to come.

Project Frida

The 180-foot Project Frida is in build now and scheduled to launch this year. Interiors are by Luca Dini Design and Architecture. Heesen describes the style as reinterpreting “classic yacht design through a modern lens.”

Project Agnetha

Accommodations are for 12 guests in six staterooms, with a 925-square-foot master.

The post Updates and Recent Launches from Heesen Yachts appeared first on Yachting.

Boat-show attendees often stop our staff on the docks and ask, “What’s the best boat to get?” And the answer we give is always the same: It’s the one that gets you on the water.

That said, there are six boatbuilders that have brand-new designs, and they are ready to help clients find the boat that gets them on the water next.

Your passion might be long-range summer cruising with the family to exotic ports of call. It might be ripping off to the local sandbar at light speed for a day trip on a Sunday afternoon. Either way, there’s a boat for the mission at hand.

And when it comes to features such as foldout decks, beach clubs, glass-walled spas, inboards, outboards, custom furnishings and foredeck lounges, they’re all available and a whole lot more.

Pardo Endurance 72

The Pardo Endurance 72 has a warped hull form that’s designed to work with Volvo Penta IPS propulsion. There are two engine options: IPS1050 or IPS1350 diesels. With the l350s, the builder reports a maximum cruising range of 900 nautical miles at 12 knots, making the Endurance 72 a fit for those who have a desire to visit far-flung waypoints. Belowdecks, there are four staterooms, including a full-beam owner’s space aft and a VIP amidships with an athwartships berth. Two twin-berth guest staterooms are forward. The yacht’s modern interior has satin-finish gray walnut, which is found in the soles, ceiling panels and more.

Grand Banks 62

The Grand Banks 62’s sweeping sheerline creates an ageless profile, while beneath the yacht’s stately visage is a thoroughly modern motoryacht. Powered with 900 hp straight-shaft Volvo Penta D13 diesels, the 62-footer has 30-knot speed with a 27-knot fast-cruise speed. The yacht—running on the Malaysian builder’s V-Warp hull design—has a reported 2,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. Other engine options include 1,000 hp D13s and IPS1200s. The yacht is constructed with resin-infused E-glass as well as carbon fiber in the superstructure, decks and bulkheads. The Grand Banks 62 also comes in a sky-lounge version.

Tankoa Diamond Binta

Diamond Binta’s owner is a previous Tankoa client, having built the 164-foot Binta d’Or, but it was time to go bigger and create a yacht with longer range. Enter this 190-footer. Tankoa partnered with Francesco Paszkowski Design to create the yacht, with Margherita Casprini on the interiors. Notable design elements include a beach club with a glass-walled “treatment room” that allows light into the space when the yacht’s side decks are lowered and the transom is open, as well as a guest companionway belowdecks with panoramic views. This corridor also passes an open engine room for a view of the yacht’s various systems.

Marlow 65 Avalon

There’s a certain sophistication in symmetry when looking at the lines of the Marlow 65 Avalon—the way the sheerline creates a stout yet sinewy appearance. The motoryacht’s superstructure, generous with its glazing, visually lowers the profile to create a runner’s look. Viewing the yacht bow-on, the vessel appears broad-shouldered in a ready stance to take on the sea. This three-stateroom yacht can cruise at 8 knots or shoot along at 25-plus knots when time is of the essence. Inside, the salon has an open floor plan. There is also an atrium lounge aft, creating a climate-controlled indoor-outdoor space for relaxing with friends.

Hinckley 41

The Hinckley 41 is an entertainment platform from end to end. The cockpit, which can be protected with a SureShade awning, has a C-shaped settee to port and an aft-facing seat to starboard, both with stowage underneath. There is also an L-shaped settee to port with the helm to starboard under the hardtop. The foredeck lounge has a U-shaped settee for even more guests to stretch out. Power options for the Hinckley 41 include triple 350 hp or triple 400 hp Mercury V-10 Verados. With the smaller outboards, the yacht builder reports about a 46-knot top hop. The larger outboards reportedly offer a 52-knot top-end speed.

The post Five New Yachts for 2025 and Beyond appeared first on Yachting.

A general rule of interior design is that a neutral palette is the safest bet. This is especially true if a yacht owner intends to advertise for charter. Tans and beiges are considered the least offensive to the most people, which is why variations of them appear on so many yachts. Add pops of color, sure—go crazy with reds or purples in the easily replaceable pillows—but keep the base basic.

The owner of the Numarine 37XP Oculus had much different ideas. “The owner requested something contemporary and quite masculine, with bold colors and contrasts,” says Enrico Lumini, co-founder and design director of Hot Lab. “That’s why we immediately opted for the most classic contrast—black and white—playing with smoked mirrors, wood paneling and significant glossy surfaces to create reflections and shadow effects.”

As an example, the bar in the upper salon has three backlit onyx panels that are cream, gold and black. The stools are stitched leather, and the bar includes metallic mesh. All of it feels like what might be inside a modern men’s club.

Note the dark-stained sole in the photo at left of the main deck. The wool carpeting swirls with an organic pattern of grays. Squid-ink black is in the marble, and cushions in the main seating area are about as far as possible from pinks or greens on the color spectrum.

“Our collaboration with Hot Lab has always been about pushing boundaries and creating interiors that redefine luxury and functionality,” says Ömer Malaz, chairman of Numarine. “With each project, from the 32XP to the new 45XP flagship, we’ve raised the bar for what is possible in yacht design.”

Practice Makes Perfect

Hot Lab handled interiors on other Numarine builds before taking on Oculus. The experience gave designers the advantage of knowing how every inch of the model could be maximized with various materials and finishes.

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Sirena Marine didn’t seem to have plans to build superyachts back in 2008, when the Turkish company entered into a partnership with Azimut-Benetti to produce yachts for the Italian behemoth. Sirena eventually turned out hundreds of motoryachts and sailboats, including three well-known models for Azimut Yachts.

Then, in 2015, Sirena developed its own motoryacht line, with the Sirena 64 and the Sirena 58 both making their debuts in 2017. The yachts were well received, and more models followed, with today’s lineup starting at 48 and going up to the recently introduced flagship Sirena 118—the first model in a larger composite line for the builder.

Hull No. 1 is expected in 2026, launching Sirena into the world of superyachts. Naval architecture on the Sirena 118 is by Germán Frers, with interior design by Cor D. Rover, both industry heavyweights.

The yacht will have Sirena’s trademark plumb bow that creates enough volume for a VIP and as many as four guest staterooms on the lower deck, with the owner’s stateroom on the main deck forward. That owner’s space can be spread across two decks, with a spiral staircase leading down to a relaxation area near the water.

Projected top speed is 16 knots with standard power, or 21 knots with the optional package, for island hopping just about anywhere.

Coming in 2026

Constantinos K. Constantinou, the head of Sirena Yachts USA, says the Sirena 118 is being built with “intelligent design, flawless engineering and sleek, modern aesthetics,” all combined with a passion for the yachting lifestyle.

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Anybody who has followed the world of superyachts on a regular basis has heard about a shipyard turning a hull. Some yards start construction with the hull upside down to make welding and other tasks easier. A yard then slides the hull out of the construction shed, uses cranes to flip the hull over, and returns the hull to its spot inside so construction can continue.

Many shipyards nowadays make this process look easy, but it’s not—especially when you’re talking about the hull of a supersize sailing yacht. That was the case when Royal Huisman in the Netherlands turned the hull on the 280-foot build known as Project 410.

When it launches, this yacht is expected to be the world’s largest with a single mast. That’s one heck of a big hull to turn, and the builder reportedly got it done in one try.

“In a seamless maneuver, four cranes lifted and turned this masterpiece midair over the adjacent canal,” the shipyard reported after the turning was complete. “The upright hull will be placed on a cradle and moved back into Hall 2, her home until completion.” With this significant step completed, the team will now proceed with developing onboard systems, outfitting and more.

Perhaps even more mind-bending is that as large as this hull section is, it’s still missing the bow, which is also under construction and will be attached during the next phase. Sister company Rondal is simultaneously building the carbon boom, mast and integrated sailing system.

It’s all in a day’s work, says Jan Timmerman, Royal Huisman’s CEO: “Four of the world’s 10 largest sailing yachts are either built by or under construction at Royal Huisman: Athena, Sea Eagle, Project 410 ‘85m New World Sloop’ and a second supersize sailing yacht.” Each one, he adds, exemplifies the advantages of large sailing yachts over motoryachts, which he says lack the thrill of hoisting sails while cutting through waves.

Yes, That Photo Is to Scale

Project 410 is a 280-foot yacht that dwarfs all the people and some machinery at the Royal Huisman shipyard. In order to build the aluminum hull at the facility in Vollenhove, the Netherlands, the construction hall shown at right had to be extended. Frers Design is responsible for naval architecture on the ambitious project.

It Takes Two

Whereas most yachts have one belowdecks accommodations level, Project 410 is being built with two. The project has been highly secretive, with Wetzels Brown tapped to work on the interior design. The yacht is engineered by Royal Huisman’s in-house team. The fact that this project even exists came to light at the 2022 St. Barths Bucket Regatta, and the Royal Huisman shipyard has been mum on most details ever since. That’s one reason why the turning of the hull was so notable; in order to achieve the turn, the hull had to be brought out into daylight, where images could be captured. Four cranes lifted and turned the hull over an adjacent canal, revealing the fact that there are two accommodations levels inside the part of the yacht that will be mostly below the waterline. After the turning was complete, the hull was placed on a cradle and moved back into the construction hall. That’s where it is expected to stay, shrouded in mystery, until launch.

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The Austin Parker shipyard in Italy began a new phase of development in 2019, with a goal of offering forward-looking models and product lines. That goal is now being achieved in partnership with designer Fulvio De Simoni and the firm Pininfarina, which collaborated on the launch of the Unica 58 power catamaran and the recent introduction of the Iconica 100 navetta design.

“We need to anticipate trends, imagine new ways to use onboard spaces, and define a distinctive style that identifies the shipyard,” says De Simoni, who also has worked with Pershing, Rossinavi and other yacht brands. “Collaborating and sharing ideas with such an important partner has certainly been stimulating, and I believe that together we are creating projects of great quality.”

The Iconica range is intended to have some of the largest dimensions in its class, with large windows, a two-level aft entrance, and a beach club that has direct access to the guest staterooms belowdecks. The owner’s stateroom is on the main deck with a private terrace.

“We focused on identifying and addressing the missing features in the current market, ensuring our new products stand out by providing unmatched comfort and performance,” says Daniele Mazzon, head of nautical design at Pininfarina.

The Unica 58 power catamaran also has large windows and a sizable master stateroom, along with similarly stylish furnishings inside and out. In addition to sharing architectural cues, both ranges are conceived with sustainability in mind. Austin Parker’s team says energy-efficient systems and solar panels are part of these yachts’ standard design briefs.

The post New Builds from Austin Parker appeared first on Yachting.

Heesen Yachts in the Netherlands makes so much news about yachts starting construction, being sold and having owners take delivery, it can be hard to keep up.

The shipyard’s announcements this year began back in January with the delivery of the 180-foot Iris Blue. Just one month later, in February, the yard announced the sale of the 164-foot Project Jade. In April, the 164-foot Cinderella Noel IV was delivered to its owners, followed in June by delivery of the 164-foot ALP. One month after that, in July, Heesen announced the sale of the 180-foot Project Venus, about a week before the joining of the hull and superstructure on the 164-foot Project Sophia. Then the 180-foot Project Agnetha was announced for sale in late July, the same month that Heesen announced the naming of the 187-foot Santosha (formerly Project Akira), which was on track for delivery before the end of this year. In August, Heesen launched the 180-foot Serena, with delivery expected to take place to the owners this month.

And the year’s not even over yet.

“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,” says Rupert Connor from Luxury Yachts, which represents the owner of Project Venus. “Their revised 55-meter platform offers a best-in-class layout and engineering platform. Our whole build support team is thrilled to be working with Heesen again.”

The trick is in Heesen’s ability to offer not just fully custom builds, but also semi-custom designs that the shipyard starts building on spec and then usually sells to the owners with enough time left to customize interiors, in particular. Peter Wilson, the owner’s representative on Santosha, also is a return collaborator with the shipyard for that and other reasons. “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,” Wilson says. “This was our second project with Heesen, and we look forward to many more in the future.”

The earlier that owners commit to a project, of course, the more expansive their customization requests can be. On Serena, which began construction in spring 2022 and should be delivered this month, the owners got involved early enough that the bar areas on the main deck and in the sky lounge could be outfitted in bronze. The atrium was redesigned to span three decks and then adorned with hand-blown glass and hand-sculpted metal light fixtures by John Pomp. In other areas, the interior was filled with light woods in velvet finishes, smoked eucalyptus, bronze metal accents, soft fabrics and leather. Amazonite marble inlays added elegant, colorful accents, while chevron-patterned wood panels enhanced the vertical surfaces in the atrium and lobbies.

And again, it was not the first project for an owner’s representative working with Heesen. In this case, according to Richard Kaye of Arcon Yachts Monaco: “Following the successful delivery of Reliance in 2023, Serena marks the second yacht in Heesen’s 55 class that we have had the pleasure to sell and project-manage. We are delighted to continue our close partnership with Heesen Yachts, fellow experts in the superyacht industry.”

By many accounts, the yard’s formula is winning fans for all the intended reasons. As Kaye puts it: “Serena is special within the boundaries of building a superyacht on a proven platform, offering a personal touch while benefiting from a reliable base.”

New Chief Commercial Officer

After 16 years with Heesen Yachts overseeing the sales of custom and semi-custom builds, Mark Cavendish is retiring. Heesen’s new chief commercial officer is Ruud van der Stroom, who most recently worked at Keppel Offshore and Marine and the Damen Shipyards Group. Earlier in his career, he trained as a Dutch Royal Navy officer and studied naval architecture.

Increasing Middle East Demand

Heesen Yachts recently welcomed Hisham Abushakra as the shipyard’s agent for the Middle East. The yard says the region has a thriving community of high-net-worth individuals who are showing increasing demand for premium yachts. “Heesen Yachts is committed to establishing a strong presence catering to their specific needs and preferences,” the shipyard announced.

The post New Builds from Heesen Yachts appeared first on Yachting.

Plenty of people order explorer yachts these days, but some owners intend to do more serious exploring than others.

In the case of the Darwin 86 Empire from Cantiere delle Marche, all indications are that the American owner fully intends to stick his bow into some challenging scenarios. Parts of the hull are built with bulletproof steel plates. The yacht has an ice belt at the waterline, along with reinforced rudders for icy conditions. The shipyard also installed what it describes as “a sophisticated anti-intrusion system” to further enhance security.

All of those features help to put the exterior paint job into perspective. It gives Empire the look of a working boat as opposed to a comfortable cruising yacht—which is exactly what the owner and guests have on the inside. Interiors are by Alessandro Massari, with custom-made furniture and pieces from top brands such as Poltrona Frau and Poliform. The master stateroom spans the full beam amidships on the lower deck, with guest space in a VIP and two twin-berth staterooms that are outfitted with Pullmans. Crew quarters for a complement of four are forward on the main deck, connected to the wheelhouse for easy access. On the upper deck, there’s a gym (well-equipped for fitness enthusiasts, according to the shipyard), along with a relaxation area that connects to the outdoor deck.

Cantiere delle Marche says Empire has a top speed of 11.6 knots with a fuel consumption of about 38 gallons per hour. Cruising speed is 10 knots, with a range at that speed of 4,000 nautical miles. Power is a pair of 400 hp Scania engines. The yacht is also equipped with sodium-lithium-chloride batteries for energy efficiency.

Darwin Line: Traditional Explorer Style

Previous launches in the Darwin line include the 102-foot Galego in 2017 and the 102-foot Babbo in 2016. A flagship Darwin 115 is also available from Cantiere delle Marche, with all the models’ exteriors by Hydro Tec. The yard says the flagship model has a range of 5,000 nautical miles at a speed of 10 knots, with a top hop of 13 knots.

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How do you store compressed liquid hydrogen on a superyacht at the equivalent of minus-423 degrees Fahrenheit?

This was the toughest question Dutch builder Feadship faced as it set out to create Project 821, the world’s first hydrogen-cell superyacht. “The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world,” says Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship director and CEO at Royal Van Lent Shipyard.

Hydrogen fuel cells offer great promise for combustion-free cruising, with only electricity and water as their byproducts. But unlike with vehicles and spacecraft, the technology is new to recreational yachts. Weight isn’t the problem because hydrogen is light, but safely storing it on a vessel requires a double-walled cryogenic tank in a dedicated room. According to Feadship, it takes eight to 10 times more space to store hydrogen than the energy equivalent in diesel fuel.

Project 821’s size, at 390 feet long, made it a good candidate to test the technology. The tank on board holds about 4 tons of hydrogen, with the system able to provide a week’s worth of silent operation at anchor, or navigating at 10 knots while leaving harbors or cruising in protected marine zones.

All of that was achieved in addition to the kind of luxury that Feadship clients demand. The yacht’s design is by RWD, with owner representation by Edmiston. It has the most hull openings of any Feadship to date, with 14 balconies. Guest amenities include an elevator and a library.

“We have now shown that cryogenic storage of liquefied hydrogen in the interior of a superyacht is a viable solution,” Verkuyl says. “Future innovations on fuel cells and onboard reforming of methanol to hydrogen are on the near horizon.”

New Horizons

There were no regulations for hydrogen storage and fuel-cell systems on a superyacht, so Feadship, along with Edmiston and Lloyd’s Register, developed appropriately scaled equipment, protocols and safety regulations as part of the build.

Record-Setter

Project 821 is also the largest motoryacht ever launched in the Netherlands. It is about the same length as Feadship’s Launchpad, but with 30 percent more volume.

The post Project 821: The World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht appeared first on Yachting.

When it comes to insurance costs, boaters who fish offshore are learning that extra outboards feed into a stereotype.

“You’re expected to go fast and run the boat like an idiot,” says Tim Derrico, director of sales at HMY. “If you buy an upper-30- to 50-foot center-console fishing boat—especially the fishing boats, more than the cruising boats—they figure you’re going to run offshore and go fast to get where you want to go. You can get insurance, but it’s challenging.”

The difficulty with finding affordable policies has become so acute that insurers are now suggesting that some boat owners forgo windstorm coverage. The logic is that if the owner is well-off enough to pay cash for the boat, then he’s also in a position to self-insure and have a captain with a solid hurricane plan to get out of the way of storms.

“You can cut your insurance in half,” Derrico says. “They’re going to require you to have a hurricane plan, so have that plan anyhow. Just make sure you can get the boat to a safe place where you’re not going to be subject to direct wind or storm surge. Worst case, maybe you get a little dock rash or break some antennas or bend your riggers.”

Other owners are reducing insurance costs by purchasing smaller boats, especially in areas where insurers see the most risk from big storms. “In Florida, for sure,” he says. “You can sell a 60-foot boat in Florida, and the insurance would cost you five times as much as the same boat in New York or Connecticut.”

Anyone shopping for a boat, Derrico adds, should look into insurance costs before anything else: “When you’re ready to buy another boat, on top of the list, the first thing you start dealing with should be insurance.”

Safe Space: How to Be Prepared

Insurers recommend that boat owners haul out their boats, if at all possible, ahead of an incoming storm. Of course, with a major storm, this means there’s usually a crush of people trying to get haulout services at the same time. The best-prepared boat owners prepay to reserve the service, or for a space at an upriver marina or canal considered a good hurricane hole. It’s important to do what the policy requires; insurers will hold a boat owner to a written hurricane plan.

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