Simon Wittenberg takes a look at the sale of Heesen Yachts’ 50-metre Project Sapphire, also known as YN 19850.
Project Sapphire, a 50-metre all-aluminium semi-displacement superyacht built by Heesen Yachts, has been sold to a previous Heesen owner. Bob and Amy Book from the USA will take delivery of YN 19850 next summer, their second acquisition in four years from the Dutch shipyard.
They purchased their previous 47-metre “Book Ends”-named yacht (also known as YN 17947 or Project Ruya) in 2017, which then went up for sale with a price tag of around €26 million. Thom Conboy, Director of Sales at Heesen USA in Fort Lauderdale, worked closely with Heesen’s headquarters in Oss to finalise the agreement with the new owners for Project Sapphire in less than two months.
The 50-metre fast-cruising class is the first vessel of its kind under 500 gross tonnes (GT) to meet IMO Tier-III regulations. The low-drag and ultra-efficient hull design with a reduced transom depth (the flat vertical section at the rear of a yacht) resulted in efficiency gains of around 12%. Furthermore, the draft of only 2.15 metres makes Project Sapphire the ideal yacht for exploring shallow waters in the sunshine.
The Heesen yacht is propelled by two MTU 16V4000M65L ‘green ocean’ powerplants, which come complete with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units to lower nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions. The top speed of Project Sapphire is 23 knots, reflecting the yacht’s sporty character.
Twelve guests are accommodated in five cabins, with the owner’s stateroom on the main deck and four guest suites (two twins and two doubles) on the lower deck.
Italian designer Cristiano Gatto and his team are working with the client and his family to further personalise the interior to suit their tastes and lifestyle. This includes the creation of bespoke loose furniture, the careful selection of artworks, and the introduction of a lighter, brighter aesthetic to the flooring and upholstery, with a hint of functional practicality.
Whilst visiting the shipyard to see their new Heesen under construction, Mr Book explained that, with a seven-foot draft and a top speed of 23 knots, the boat was perfect for cruising in the Bahamas and the Mediterranean.
Friso Visser, CCO of Heesen Yachts, added that it was a great pleasure to deal with such an experienced client for the purchase of their second Heesen and that they were privileged to be once again entrusted to build a yacht that would allow the Book family to spend many happy days at sea.
Heesen Yachts and Project Sapphire – Where and How?
For more information on Heesen Yachts and Project Sapphire, visit www.heesenyachts.com.
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