Yacht Review: Newly Restyled Heesen 47M

This full displacement vessel started on speculation as Project Ruya, says the builder. She is the 13th in Heesen’s newly restyled 47-metre class designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. “Her classic-yet-contemporary design embodies everything we stand for at Heesen, combining such a striking, luxurious interior with state-of-the-art engineering and naval architecture.

Experienced owners have had 17 prior yachts

“A well-engineered steel hull with bulbous bow provides smooth and safe cruising in all sea conditions up to a top speed of 15 knots, with a transatlantic range of 4,000-nautical-mile at 12 knots.

“Guest and crew spaces have been improved over the years, thanks to the feedback of owners and captains. As we believe that happy crew make happy owners, we work with captains and engineers to constantly improve our yachts.

Immaculate interiors were customised by London-based Bannenberg and Rowell to reflect the Book Ends buyers’ lifestyle tastes

“For example, Book Ends wheelhouse is handsomely furnished to create an efficient working environment for the captain and his team. Her state-of-the-art bridge has been designed by our in-house experts, and built and installed with meticulous care and attention, keeping in mind any future maintenance requirements.

“We build with this degree of forethought. Book Ends has been built to exceed the latest MCA regulations for crew working space and accommodation.

“The galley, considered the heart of a yacht by some, has a very efficient and ergonomic layout, which we have perfected over the years thanks to the feedback of expert chefs who have worked on Book Ends’ sister ships.

“With large windows and separate crew corridor, this galley is the perfect set-up for preparing delicious meals in a safe and practical working environment with plenty of storage and work surfaces.

“Her engine room embodies all the knowledge we have acquired in 40 years of superyacht building. Spacious and perfectly Dutch organised, it offers the engineer easy-to-access equipment for efficient operation and maintenance.

Another lounge and some features

“The owners and guests can enjoy the interior space at its best, as we have optimised the 499 Gross Tons in five spacious staterooms. Book Ends interior was designed by London-based studio Bannenberg & Rowell, which offered the experienced owners – who have owned no less than 17 yachts – the perfect base to personalise spaces to their taste and lifestyle.”

The owners themselves comment that Book Ends is the culmination of a lifetime of yacht ownership and “the inevitable step as our vessels continue to grow in size and scope.”

“As experienced and knowledgeable owners, we took our time finding the right yacht after selling our previous 40-metre. I had famously said of the 40-metre that ‘this is the last boat we are ever going to need’ and while that yacht was used well over two and a half years, I had always dreamt of spending a summer in the Med.

“Our next yacht needed to be something with greater stability and range. Finding the full-displacement, steel hull and 4,000-nautical-mile range of the Heesen 47-metre Steel proved to be the perfect fit.

“We were quite discerning in our requirements, in everything from style to performance and storage to quality. We appreciated also the consistency of the proven platform of the Heesen 47-metre class.

“The expanse of windows in the yacht was an attraction, as we enjoyed how light and bright it made the interior. I had looked at comparable boats by another builder, which I found to be very boxy and dark inside by comparison, though it was technically bigger.

“Despite taking delivery near the build completion, we put our own stamp on the project, changing our design details and making it our own.

The only compromise we made, because it was too far along to change, was having only one bathroom in the master rather than his and hers.

“There is an impressive amount of storage on board. Usually your crew will be complaining there’s not enough storage, but we have more storage than they’ve been able to fill. The storage afforded and the overall headroom and spaciousness in the crew areas was a draw for us as the crew is a part of the family. So it was important they have comfortable accommodation and be able to move around the boat with ease.

We enjoyed the Mediterranean season, visiting as intended, and look forward to many more weeks aboard

“The sky lounge is our refuge, an especially calming area with curved walls, a circular lifted ceiling and a round rug, floating together in perfect harmony. It’s really Zen with this circular ceiling, circular table and circular rug. We made a few changes but not many. It’s a very soothing space.

“The outdoor spaces cannot be overlooked. The sundeck is incredible. We have parties, we host friends and family. I rarely do business entertaining on the boat. It’s not a business tool for me.

Yachting is our sanity.

“Book Ends is an entirely private yacht. We have enjoyed the Mediterranean season, visiting as intended, and spending time with family and friends while discovering new cruising grounds. We look forward to many more weeks spent onboard, in our sanctuary from the outside world.”

Words by Joe Lim | Images courtesy of Jeff Brown and Tiziano Canu

*** This article is republished from Issue 42 of Yacht Style.