Elite Traveler September-October 2018

DISCOVER

elite traveler SEPT/OCT 2018 30 Yachts by Thea Halstead

Amore Mio has an incredible top cruising speed of 30 knots, this is equivalent to over 34 miles per hour

ULTIMATE VELOCITY

Sports yachts pack serious punch. They’re built with performance and speed inmind, and are ideal for those looking to zip around the Riviera or Caribbean— fast. But if you’re torn between a super-speedy vessel and a larger yacht on which you can host parties, entertain your friends and family and spend a fewweeks of the year on board, which do you prioritize? This is where a builder like Heesen steps in. It creates high-performance yachts that can reach incredible speeds, but in the size and finish of a luxury superyacht. So, what performance-enhancing design and build elements go into creating something that behaves like a sports yacht, but looks and feels like a superyacht? There are a few options, but they all involve serious tank testing, years of research and development, and a group of yachting-mad engineers with brains that in no way work like mine. Amore Mio , a 147ft yacht built in 2016, is an example of Heesen taking its technological prowess to meet the needs and demands of a particular owner who uses the vessel as part of a larger fleet. Heesen gave Amore Mio her impressive speed credentials (30 knots) by minimizing the internal volume. Unusual for a yacht of this size, she has no third deck, so she is not only lighter but has a more streamlined shape that is aerodynamically perfect to speed around in like a rocket. For some of its larger superyachts, such as 229ft Galactica Super Nova and 180ft Laurentia , Heesen turned to industry experts Van Oossanen Naval Architects who developed a Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF). This FDHF is basically a hull that has been designed and built to cut through the water in the optimumway to reduce drag and anything else that will slow her down. It not only ensures a yacht can move faster, but it also makes the journey smoother and encourages fuel efficiency (a term you don’t often hear in yachting circles). Another innovation that Heesen uses is the Hull Vane. This harnesses waves to produce power. As the yacht moves forward, the water flowing over the wing produces lift and thrust and helps propel her along. So whether you’re after a smaller sports yacht, or something that offers a bit more space, builders like Heesen incorporate advanced technology to ensure that you don’t have to sacrifice speed for comfort. Contact Mark Cavendish, director of sales and marketing, welcome@heesenyachts.com, +31 412 665 544, heesenyachts.com

Above: Heesen’s Amore Mio , a 147ft yacht, can reach speeds of 30 knots thanks to a minimized internal volume and advanced engineering

TAKE THREE/// SPEEDY JET SKIS

KAWASAKI’S JET SKI ULTRA 310LX We’re not sure what we love most about this model — the serious power, the sporty look or the Jetsound audio system allowing you to listen to music while you’re on the water. From $17,999, kawasaki.com

YAMAHA’S FX CRUISER SVHO Its super-vortex high-output marine engine delivers increased power and torque. The power-to- weight ratio also helps with fuel efficiency. From $15,999, yamahawaverunners.com

SEA-DOO’S RXP-X 300 Made for serious jet skiers, the Rotax engine behind this delivers 300hp and offers riders activity- specific modes: Touring, Sport and Eco, so you can tailor your ride to your mood. From $15,399, sea-doo.com

Photo Kurt Arrigo, Dick Holthuis