2011 is proving to be a very busy year for Heesen Yachts, with a total of seven deliveries in 12 months – the highest number in the last 10 years. This Dutch shipyard’s current order book now stretches into 2014, with 11 yachts from 40 metres to 65 metres in design or construction.

MY Aurelia (YN 15737) tenth in the 37-Metre class. Her unusual colour scheme (pictured) from Dobroserdov Design was inspired by the Owner’s passion for racing cars. After two weeks of poor weather, Aurelia has been tested in the North Sea and is now ready to welcome her Owner aboard for his first cruise before being available for inspection at the next Cannes Festival de la Plaisance from September 6th to 11th.

Of these yachts, 64% are of aluminium, confirming that the production of vessels in this light and strong metal is the core business of this world-renowned shipyard.

The seventh delivery of 2011 will take place in late December when YN 15555, the first 55m displacement yacht, will join the Heesen fleet.

The first delivery to take place this summer is the largest Heesen to-date:
YN 14955, the 55m semi-displacement MY Quinta Essentia.
During the sea trial MY Quinta Essentia reached the notable speed of 25 knots at half load, exceeding the contractually-required speed of 24 knots. Her maiden voyage from the Dutch port of Hellevoetsluis to the romantic island of Capri (taking six and a half days at an average cruising speed of 16 knots) proved that her hull, designed and tank tested by Heesen Yachts in house naval architects in consultation with Van Oossanen & Associates, delivers both seaworthiness and fuel efficiency. With her striking colour scheme, developed by the Owner in close collaboration with Dobroserdov Design, Quinta Essentia will certainly not pass unnoticed at the Monaco Yacht Show, where she will be on display at Quai de l’Hirondelle from 21 to 24 September.

The 47m displacement MY Ariadna (YN 15347) is the seventh yacht in Heesen’s award-winning 47-Metre class. For her interior, the Owner briefed Frank Laupman from Omega Architects to take inspiration from the Moscow Ritz-Carlton hotel. The owner also requested that his suite should be on the upper deck aft, to provide added privacy and to benefit from the magnificent panorama of sea views. The opulent master bathroom is organized around a freestanding classical bath, whose 24-carat gold-plated taps are complemented with Swarovski knobs, while to ensure privacy without compromising the spatial quality of the room, frosted glass doors were selected for the shower room and the toilet. The VIP cabin, located forward on the main deck, shares its size and finishes with the master cabin. The guest cabins, each embellished with unique, classically-styled table and floor lamps, are traditionally positioned on the lower deck.

YN 15850 is the second vessel in the new 50m all-aluminium class with a Gross Tonnage of below 500GT. Its interior design is by Frank Laupman from Omega Architects and Star Design Ltd, the design company of the yacht’s Owner, who selected the Italian furniture manufacturer Domusnova to bring his ideas to life. Notable features include the electrically-powered, expandable dining table constructed from from glass that occupies the aft part of the main saloon, and the fireplace in the upper saloon. The Owner chose an Awlgrip traffic grey hull colour to contrast with the white of the superstructure and the stainless steel details.