Photography by Dick Holthuis for Heesen Yachts
06 July 2017
Heesen has delivered the latest motor yacht to be built by the Dutch shipyard, M/Y Home, which is the first Fast Displacement yacht fitted with a hybrid propulsion system.
On 1 July, the 50-metre aluminium superyacht, project name Nova (YN 17850), was handed over to her owners after five days of intensive sea trials in the North Sea.
Although she is 50 metres in length, Home has a displacement of under 500gt and a shallow draft, making her a superb platform to explore waters that would be inaccessible for other yachts with a deeper draft.
During the sea trials, Home exceeded her contractual expectations, reaching a top speed of 16.3 knots in diesel engine propulsion mode and nine knots in ‘silent cruising mode’ via the innovative hybrid propulsion system. This system comprises twin 127kW water-cooled DC electric shaft motors, offering a near-silent and vibration-free mode of transportation.
For efficiency, Home offers some impressive stats. At 12 knots in diesel propulsion mode, her engines draws 98 litres of fuel per hour (excluding generators) and in hybrid mode at 10 knots this figure drops to just 45 litres per hour, an exceptional rate for a yacht of this size.
Heesen is renowned for its meticulous attention to weight reduction and Home is an effortless embodiment of this,” said Heesen in its delivery announcement. Being lighter than predicted, she is the perfect demonstration of Heesen’s signature capabilities.”
Home will be making her first official appearance at the Monaco Yacht Show in late September and will no doubt be one of the hottest tickets for those looking to see the best and brightest in yacht design and construction.
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