Sale of Heesen's 50m Project Sapphire Confirmed

By Freya Cottrell

Dutch shipyard Heesen has announced the sale of its 50m Project Sapphire. The sale of the all-aluminium semi-displacement superyacht has garnered the shipyard commercial success as she moves into the hands of her new owner; an experienced yachtsman and previous Heesen client.

Characterised by unparalleled Dutch quality and Heesen signature of speed with a shallow draft, it is no wonder that the sale of Project Sapphire was completed in under two months. Thom Conboy of Heesen USA worked in close collaboration with the Dutch team in Oss to close the deal with the 50m motor yacht’s new owners; Bob and Amy Book.

An experienced yachtsman, Bob Book returned to the Dutch shipyard for the purchase of his second Heesen yacht in the space of four years. Whilst visiting the shipyard in August, he commented on Project Sapphire: “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”. After viewing the superyacht under construction and meeting the team who built his first Heesen yacht he added: “We knew we were in good hands.”

As part of Heesen’s 50m fast-cruising class, Project Sapphire is one of the first of her kind below 500GT to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III regulations. These regulations monitor the environmental impact of superyachts and other large vessels. 

Heesen’s in-house team of naval architects have produced an ingenious low-drag hull design for Project Sapphire. This ultra-efficient hull shape is complemented by her MTU 16V4000M65L Green Ocean engines and together they have optimised the yacht’s efficiency by up to 12 percent, whilst at the same time cutting her NOx emissions.

The interior of the superyacht features accommodation for up to twelve guests in five cabins. The owner’s stateroom and the four double guest suites can be found on the main deck forward. The interior design of the yacht is in the capable hands of Cristiano Gatto and his team who are working in close collaboration with the owner and his family to ensure that their newest acquisition reflects that family's tastes, personality and lifestyle. 

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 be entrusted 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. 

"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 be entrusted to build the yacht that will take this family on many happy days at sea"

Friso Visser, CCO of Heesen

Expand

"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 be entrusted to build the yacht that will take this family on many happy days at sea"

Friso Visser, CCO of Heesen
By Freya Cottrell