Heesen Yachts: 55 metre Steel FDHF sold with Arcon Yachts

This is the second yacht sold in Spring 2021 by the Dutch shipyard. Project Gemini’s construction was started as a speculative venture, the latest yacht in Heesen’s successful program to provide time-poor clients with shorter delivery times on a selection of superyachts built to the highest standards of design, engineering and Dutch quality.

By beginning the build with an optimized engineering and construction schedule before the client steps in, Heesen can undertake to deliver a superior product on a defined date. Depending on the stage at which the client joins the process, the yacht can be customized to suit his individual taste and lifestyle. With excellent organization and time management to back up its supremely professional workforce, and the reliability of the shipyard’s supply chain, Heesen is able to deliver its yachts on time and on budget - even in these challenging times.

With her Dutch pedigree, reduced delivery schedule, large internal volume, and excellent fuel efficiency thanks to her Fast Displacement Hull Form, Project Gemini immediately grabbed the attention of her new owners. Negotiations and a sales agreement were soon concluded.

Konstantin Kolpakov of Arcon Yachts comments: “We are delighted to work with Heesen on yet another exciting project. We have been impressed by the flexibility of the shipyard in accommodating the client’s requests, and have enjoyed working with Heesen’s new CCO, Friso Visser, and his experienced team.”

He added: “Heesen’s sales and marketing people provided us with excellent material to help us familiarize our client with this magnificent yacht. And despite the travel restrictions, they managed to arrange a visit for the buyer to see the yacht under construction. This was a crucial experience, as our client was able to appreciate in person the superb levels of organization and quality that this Dutch shipyard delivers.”

Heesen’s 55-metre Steel class, whose exterior lines are by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, perfectly balances outdoor and indoor spaces and emphasises the connection between the two with large floor-to-ceiling windows and open bulwarks. The concept’s design excellence is more than skin-deep: beneath the waterline lies an ultra-efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form, the latest iteration of van Oossanen’s patented, low-drag design. With two IMO III-compliant MTU 8V 4000 M63 engines, Project Gemini will achieve a remarkable top speed of 15.5 knots, with an impressive trans-oceanic range of 4,500 nautical miles at 13 knots.

Twelve guests will be accommodated in six staterooms, with the 82-square-metre owner’s apartment located forward on the main deck, spanning the full beam. Four guest cabins can be found on the lower deck, and there is a private VIP cabin on the bridge deck.

An elegant and distinctive interior scheme characterised by geometric shapes and concepts has been drafted for Project Gemini by Luca Dini Design and Architecture, the first time this renowned Italian studio has partnered with Heesen.

“We were glad that our proposed interiors for Gemini found such immediate favour with the client, so close to the delivery date - this doesn’t always happen with a speculative build!” says Luca Dini. “But we still had time to tailor the details to the client’s needs, especially with regard to the choice of freestanding furniture, fabrics and craftsmanship. The result is stunning. It was a pleasing outcome for everyone.”