The latest megayacht available from Heesen Yachts is about a year from completion. Project Ayla just saw her hull and superstructure come together this weekend, in fact.
The all-aluminum yacht, also known as hull number YN 18250, measures 163’4”. She’s the latest in Heesen’s semi-displacement series of that size. It’s also worth noting that Heesen has built 36 megayachts exceeding 131 feet, nearly all semi-custom. Due to employing a proven hull design, the shipyard expects a top speed around 23 knots at half load. Twin MTU 16V 4000 diesels provide power. Project Ayla should also see a range of 3,100 nautical miles at 12 knots, enough to cross the pond each cruising season.
A few things should catch buyers’ attention. The styling, by Omega Architects, is in keeping with the familiar Heesen family looks: a sleek and sporty profile. Project Ayla has a good balance between indoor and alfresco areas for 12 guests, too. The nearly 754-square-foot sundeck is sure to get good use, boasting a bar, dining area, and of course a hot tub surrounded by sunpads. The dining area up here is one of three outdoor eating spots aboard, too.
Since the shipyard just welded the hull and superstructure together, there’s time to personalize all of these spaces. Heesen tapped Cristiano Gatto Design to create a suggested interior. If your tastes gravitate toward simplicity with a bit of sumptuousness, you may want to preserve Gatto’s ideas. He drew inspiration from Jean-Michel Frank, the famed French minimalist designer. (On an interesting side note, Frank is credited in some circles with creating the Parsons Table.) Whether you keep Gatto’s concept or collaborate with him to create your own, you get a full-beam (29’5”) owner’s suite on the main deck and five guest staterooms. Among the latter, the VIP is full-beam, too. Nine crewmembers are housed aboard as well.
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