Superyacht, Boat Review by NAVIS Magazine.
A Modern Fairytale; Heesen’s 55m Laurentia
When we take a step back to the elements, the ingredients for the good life suddenly become clear; laid back living heightened by simple luxury and a stunning backdrop to enjoy the finery that the shores of Miami and St Tropez has to offer. This is the allure of Heesen’s 55m Laurentia.
With a name that echoes of ancient European fairytales, Laurentia is more than a whimsy. Boasting strong muscular lines, a shark-tooth detail overhanging the wheelhouse, racing stripe indents, and a streamlined steel hull that cuts across the ocean like butter, Laurentia is made to stand out in some of the world’s most exclusive ports of call.
This is Heesen’s largest steel hull to date, and pardon the pun, but it was all hands-on deck when it came to architectural discussions about how to hit those maximum stats in terms of speed, shape, and volume, alongside capturing that beautiful balance between having a yacht that is stable without being too rigid in form. Large rudders, powerful steering, and high propeller pitch all come together to work in harmony – even when fair winds turn into a tempest.
Major Surgery for a Nearly Finished Ship
The ship was nearly at the finish line when the new owner swooped in and saw potential. But he wanted a change. The yacht was beautiful but too busy, and the haven he dreamed of was a relaxed summer hangout. A mile-long wish-list was drawn up, and it was agreed that if Heesen could deliver by the summer, then the owner would sign.
Heesen had two years to deliver their masterpiece and rumor has it, it was one of the most intensive builds curated over scores upon scores of shared WhatsApp messages between owner and on the ground team. The owner never once visited the shipyard to see the progress, but instead picked one of the worlds most reputable European yacht names and chose a canvas nearly completed before bringing in a remarkable riot of expert designers and architects to finish the job.
