After intensive sea trials, Heesen Yachts has delivered YN 19150 Amare II, formerly known as Project Electra, to its owners. The yacht builder’s second hybrid yacht measures 50 metres and stays just below the 500 gross tonnage threshold.
The sea trials took place over three days earlier in May on the North Sea, in sea state 2 with an average wind speed of 3 Beaufort. During the sea trials, Amare II exceeded the contractual speed by 0.9 knots reaching a top speed of 17.2 knots in diesel mode, and 10.2 knots in silent mode, with noise and vibrations in line with the specifications.
Amare II is the second in Heesen’s hybrid series with distinctive exterior lines, such as a vertical bow with spray rails, by Omega Architects. The yacht features a lightweight aluminium Fast Displacement Hull Form to reduce fuel consumption. Devised by Van Oossanen and engineered by Heesen’s in-house team, the hull was welded to the highest tolerances at Heesen’s facility in Oss. The Dutch shipyard’s in-house luxury cabinet maker company, Heesen Interiors, crafted the furniture penned by Italian designer Cristiano Gatto.
Hybrid propulsion
The hybrid propulsion system combines diesel and electric propulsion, which offers greater flexibility in power management and improved performance as well as cruising in near perfect silence with zero vibrations. The vessel offers four different cruising modes:
- Hybrid mode: up to nine knots at noise levels of 46 dB. Two water-cooled DC electric shaft motors of 127 kW each quietly power the yacht. The benefits are silent cruising and higher manoeuvrability in close quarters.
- Economic Mode: nine to twelve knots with main engines on and generators off. Ideal for longer passages, the economic mode offers frugal fuel consumption (at 12 knots the yacht burns just 98 litres per hour) and extended generator service life.
- Cruising Mode: twelve to fifteen knots. This is the traditional mode, where the diesel engines drive the yacht’s propellers and the generators provide the hotel load.
- Boost Mode: to achieve the max speed 16.3 knots, the generator-powered shaft motors are brought into service alongside the main engines to give an extra kick of power.
Covid-19 challenges
Heesen states that delivering a superyacht during the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenge, but that the company succeeded ‘thanks to the swift reorganisation of the in-house work schedule, which was adapted to meet governmental regulations and ensure the safety of all staff and suppliers involved in the operations.’ Tests at sea were performed with minimum crew in order to guarantee the necessary physical distancing and extra safety measures were put in place.
Captain Brenden Scott, an experienced Heesen captain, arrived in the Netherlands just prior to the lockdown and in time to supervise the completion and fine-tuning of the yacht. He succeeded in putting together a full crew to run Amare II for the coming summer season. The yacht is privately owned and will cruise in the Mediterranean for the summer season.
Accommodation
Twelve guests are accommodated in five lower deck suites and a master stateroom on the main deck forward. The interior design by Cristiano Gatto integrates organic shapes that emphasise the indoor-outdoor connection by way of deep and low furniture. Guests are invited to fully enjoy the many panoramic vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows.
