Measuring 147’6” (45 meters), here’s Heureka, launched at Holland Jachtbouw last week.
Heureka was known under the name YIII during construction. She’s the successor to two previous high-performance sloops from Holland Jachtbouw. Both of those sailing superyachts were designed by Dixon Yacht Design. Heureka continues the working relationship.
Shortly after launch, Heureka was fitted with her mast. She’ll set out on sea trials shortly, too. Heureka was commissioned for light-air, Mediterranean cruising. Her telescopic lifting keel means draft ranges from 12’8” to 19’3” (3.9 to 5.9, respectively).
Speaking of that keel, it’s interesting to note that it was designed and built so as to not interfere with usable interior space. The photo at left, taken at the yard last summer, reveals how it’s done. There’s an exterior box housing it. Holland Jachtbouw’s build team readily admits it will create a bit more drag than a traditional lifting keel. However, the shipyard says it’s something previously incorporated on smaller sailing yachts. Holland Jachtbouw’s in-house engineering department worked out the particulars.
That same in-house department is responsible for Heureka’s double-hinged transom door. It becomes an extended swim platform when lowered. The engineers further created a hidden bimini and dodger system that deploys when needed. On a related note, every megayacht built by Holland Jachtbouw gets an in-house project manager and design assistant.
Heureka’s interior is still taking shape. Rhoades Young Design was tapped for a simple, streamlined look. The full-beam (29’5”, or 9 meters) master is accompanied by guest staterooms forward. The crew is housed aft.
In the meantime, Holland Jachtbouw is continuing construction on another sailing yacht. She’s a 151-foot (46-meter) sloop. Naval architecture is from Tripp Design, and interior design is by Rhoades Young Design. She was commissioned as a world cruiser. Launch is expected next year. In addition, another J-Class yacht is in build. Sailing aficionados and J fans alike surely recall that Holland Jachtbouw is the builder behind the recent J Class yacht Rainbow. The new J project, simply referred to as J8, is from the drawing boards of Hoek Design. J8 is based on an original design by the late Frank Payne from 1937 that was never built.
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