Heesen has announced that the hull and superstructure of YN 19850 were joined together at the shipyard in Oss on Saturday, 16 January. The 50m Project Sapphire is the second in the new semi-displacement 5000 Aluminium Class, a fast-cruising design of under 500GT which follows from the successful Satori Class. 



For this new class of vessel, Heesen’s in-house team of naval architects created an optimised, low-drag hull design with a reduced transom depth and propeller tunnels to allow for a shallower shaft angle. Together, these refinements have led to efficiency gains of some 12%, while a draught of just 2.15m makes Sapphire the perfect yacht for exploration. The in-house team was supported by Van Oossanen Naval Architects, who carried out the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tests.



Frank Laupman of Omega Architects has created a shape for the new 5000 Aluminium Class that is unique yet elegant and represents the culmination of a ten-year programme of design development at Heesen. 



Project Sapphire’s ultra-efficient hull shape is perfectly complemented by two MTU 16V4000M65L ‘green oceanic’ engines, fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units to reduce NOx emissions. Particulate filters on the generators augment the environmental package, while a pair of interceptors will guarantee an optimal dynamic trim at high speeds. With a top speed of 23 knots and a range of 3,100 nautical miles at 11 knots, Sapphire will be ideal for both island hopping and longer passages. 



Italian designer Cristiano Gatto has created a refined and elegant interior design. Twelve guests can be accommodated in four spacious suites on the lower deck and a master stateroom forward on the main deck.



Project Sapphire is on schedule for delivery in June 2022.

Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminium and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.

Credits: Heesen

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