19 January 2023
It’s official – the new 50-metre Steel series from Dutch superyacht builder Heesen will feature design by leading London studio Harrison Eidsgaard. The new model was announced at the Fort Lauderdale show in October 2022. The yacht features a Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), and will also be available with Heesen’s hybrid technology, which offers intelligent power management and silent cruising capability.
“Like all new beginnings, this is a very thrilling moment,” enthuses Rick van de Wetering, COO at Heesen. “Engineering such an exciting design is exhilarating and will pose some interesting challenges for our engineers and naval architects. But at Heesen, we enjoy overcoming challenges – our team of smart minds, led by Peter van der Zanden, will deliver another exceptional superyacht.”
Key to the model will be the available volume, which comes in at 499 gross tons. It allows for separate crew routing for discreet service, and six luxurious cabins to accommodate up to 12 guests. The layout will also emphasise indoor-outdoor connection thanks to sliding windows in the main saloon on the main deck. Tender and toy storage forward will also allow for a split-level aft deck terrace overlooking an infinity pool.
The 50-metre Steel series is not the first time Heesen has worked with the Harrison Eidsgaard studio – an earlier collaboration resulted in the award-winning yacht Irisha, which was delivered in 2017. “We appreciate the precision and thoroughgoing organisation of their design processes,” says Van de Wetering. “This new 50-metre Steel series is Harrison Eidsgaard’s interpretation of Heesen’s DNA and our know-how in engineering and building successful series yachts.”
Heesen’s Marketing Director, Mark van Heffen, worked closely with the engineering and production teams to create a detailed brief, which was not only based on experience gained from previous series but also took into account a thorough analysis of the market.
“The design of Heesen’s 50-metre steel exudes confidence,” says Peder Eidsgaard. “In keeping with the company DNA, it translates the fast and sporty look of the aluminium yachts into dynamic and agile forms.
“The profile is not radical or extravagant but refined and timeless. This is a yacht conceived to stand the test of time.”
The keys to a successful layout in a 499GT yacht are simplicity and versatility, Eidsgaard says. “We want to achieve the maximum possible lifestyle space for the guests while ensuring that the crew have the perfect working space to deliver a top-notch experience.
“Features such as the infinity pool, or the unique coffee table on the sundeck, which doubles as an atrium skylight, will be focal points that invite guests to gather together,” he adds. “The sundeck will be large enough to hold up to 20 guests for outdoor dining. Hospitality is such an important element in yachting, and we wanted to ensure that visiting day-guests can be properly entertained too.”
For the next six months, Heesen engineers and the Harrison Eidsgaard team will work together on translating this design into a perfectly engineered superyacht. Construction is scheduled to commence in Summer 2024.