50-metre Project Nova was unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show as the latest Fast Displacement Hull project from Heesen, but with a twist.

Mark Cavendish, sales and marketing director at Heesen, says: “Project Nova, unlike Galactica Star, is not designed for exceptional high, speeds but instead uses the ultra efficient and easily driven hull form at the lower speeds typically associated with traditional displacement hulls but with vastly lower fuel consumption.”

Excluding generators, cruising at 12 knots Project Nova has a fuel consumption of only 98 litres per hour, and at 10 knots an amazing 57.5 litres per hour. “She also has a maximum speed of 16.3 knots, which is no slouch for a displacement yacht and demonstrates that we haven’t achieved this performance by installing a pair of outrageously small engines!” says Cavendish.

Using the hybrid propulsion system, Project Nova can cruise at 9 knots using the generators alone, at which the consumption is predicted to be a staggering 45 litres an hour.

“Not just satisfied with producing an ultra efficient, low fuel burning yacht, we wanted to go one step further and add a new dimension of fuel efficiency and super quiet cruising,” says Cavendish.

The hybrid propulsion system allows for very little disturbance from the noise of the engines underway. In hybrid mode at 9 knots, the decibel levels in all the guest cabins will drop to just 46 decibels, and 48 in the dining area.

Also striking is the yacht’s exterior design by Frank Laupman at Omega Architects. “We wanted to build a yacht closer to a beach villa in style with a more intimate connection with the sea and the nature,” says Cavendish.

Project Nova’s plumb bow and use of glass are contemporary and in keeping with the technology below deck.

The interior by Sinot Design is clean and mirrors the modern exterior lines, and includes an owner’s suite, five guest staterooms, lower and upper deck salons, and gym and hammam. She will cruise with nine crew.