Heesen Yachts has completed the hull turning of Project Sparta, a 67-metre, 1200-GT Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) motoryacht. Right now, it is the largest such yacht currently in build. Engineering fit-out will now begin for delivery of the yacht in 2023.
On April 29, the completed hull was turned right way up. Sparta’s hull was assembled at Talsma in Franeker, the Netherlands, a specialist yard, which has undertaken steel fabrication for Heesen since 2008 as the risk of chemical cross-contamination makes it technically inadvisable to weld both steel and aluminium on the same site.
Winch Design created both the interior and exterior design of the yacht. Project Sparta incorporates a raised pilot-house, with a reverse sheer connecting a powerful bow and a stepped aft deck area with a 6.5-metre pool.
‘The turning of the hull marks a special moment in the construction of this exceptional project, and brings with it a great sense of pride and accomplishment to all involved,’ says Jim Dixon, director of Yachts & Aviation at Winch. ‘It is always a pleasure to watch our designs turn into reality, and we look forward to following the next stage of her development in Heesen’s capable hands.’
Also read: Heesen Yachts begins construction of Project Sparta
Spray rails
Given its plumb bow design, hull designers Van Oossanen and Heesen’s own naval architects researched numerous spray rail options to keep the deck dry in all conditions, with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations complemented by tank testing at the Wolfson Unit in Southampton. Powered by two MTU 12V4000 M65R diesel engines, Sparta will reach a top speed of 16 knots, with a transoceanic cruising range of 4500 nautical miles at 12 knots.
Also read: Heesen to deliver six superyachts in 2021