Heesen Yachts - sale project Sapphire!

Project Sapphire will be the newest BookEnds motor yacht to join the Heesen fleet. Following the successful sale of their 2017 47-metre Heesen motor yacht of the same name, Bob and Amy Book have returned to the Dutch shipyard for their second Heesen yacht in four years.

Thom Conboy of Heesen USA worked closely with the team in Oss to close the deal in just under two months. The Heesen signature of speed with a shallow draft and unparalleled Dutch quality and precision that characterises Project Sapphire helped to expedite the sales process.

Heesen’s 50-metrefast-cruising class is the first of its kind below 500 GT to comply with IMO Tier-III regulations. An optimised, low-drag hull design with a reduced transom depth – a design refinement conceived by Heesen’s in-house team of naval architects – has resulted in efficiency gains of around 12 per cent. A draft of just 2.15 metres makes Project Sapphire the perfect yacht for exploring shallow waters. Her ultra-efficient hull shape is seamlessly complemented by two MTU 16V4000M65L ‘green ocean' engines, fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units to reduce NOx emissions. With a top speed of 23 knots, she perfectly embodies Heesen’s sporty DNA.

After visiting the shipyard in August to walk through the boat while under construction, and seeing the team who built their first Heesen, Mr Book said: “We knew we were in good hands”. Commenting on the boat itself, he added: “The technology is amazing; think of it as a 50m semi-displacement hull design with a seven-foot draft and a top speed of 23 knots. This boat is perfect for both the Bahamas and the Med. Needless to say, she is beautiful, sexy, spacious, stable and fast!”

Twelve guests are accommodated in five cabins, with the owner’s stateroom on the main deck forward and four guest suites (two twin 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 for both exterior and interior, the careful selection of artworks and the introduction of a lighter, brighter aesthetic to the flooring and upholstery, with a hint of functional practicality.

Friso Visser, CCO of Heesen, comments: “It was a great pleasure for me and the whole Heesen team to deal with such an experienced client for the purchase of his second Heesen. We are honoured to once again been trusted to build the yacht that will take this family on many happy days at sea.” 

Project Sapphire is currently under construction and will be delivered to her owners in Summer 2022.