Heesen Yachts has begun building what will be the Dutch shipyard’s most powerful yacht to date. Project Skyfall features a flexible propulsion package with waterjets and is to be delivered in 2023.
Construction kicked off on October 1 at the shipyard in Oss, the Netherlands, after the owner’s representative laid a 450 BC Greek coin on the keel. The profile of the yacht was penned by Dutch designer Frank Laupman of Omega Architects.
SkyFall will harness 22,000 hp from four MTU 20V 4000 engines, driving four Kongsberg S90 waterjets. The outer engines, compliant with the latest Tier III environmental regulations, drive steerable jets, while the centre engines operate fixed units. With less back-pressure and a slightly higher power output, the centre engines will be used solely for high speeds. Waterjet drives lower the yacht’s draught to less than 3 metres and reduce vibration by 40 per cent compared with traditional shafts and propellers.
37 knots
Thanks to its lightweight aluminium Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), complete with course fins and interceptor trim plates, SkyFall will reach an extraordinary top speed of 37 knots in light load conditions. Its efficient FDHF hull will also deliver a much smoother, flatter ride compared to a conventional semi-displacement shape, while its extra volume offers plenty of space for equipment and amenities. 3 gyro-stabilisers will keep the yacht comfortable at low speeds.
4 suites on the lower deck will accommodate up to 10 guests, while the owner has reserved the entire aft section of the bridge deck, with a large aft-facing suite opening onto a private terrace, complete with whirlpool spa and a seating area.
The main deck features a conversation area and alfresco dining on the aft terrace. Large sliding doors connect the outside with the indoor seating area and a large bar amidships. With tenders and a wide range of water toys conveniently stowed in the tender garage, the lazarette in the stern is fitted out as a beach club with a wellness area, a “fishing cave” with stowage for 40 rods, and a multi-tiered swim deck.
‘Project SkyFall forced us to think out of the box and look for smart engineering solutions,’ comments Peter van der Zanden, design and development manager at the shipyard. ‘At Heesen, we enjoy putting our thinking caps on, to find ingenious solutions to challenging requests from our clients.’
