Galactica Super Nova, by Heesen: Gallery

Imagine a nearly 230-foot yacht having enough speed to pass you practically in a blink. Next, imagine a same-size megayacht engineered to make a transatlantic or transpacific crossing with fuel left in reserve. Normally, you’d have to imagine two different boats. But, thanks to Heesen Yachts and Van Oossanen Naval Architects, they are one in the same. Galactica Super Nova is capable of both, and more.

Galactica Super Nova, the largest Heesen delivery, employs the Fast Displacement Hull Form created by Van Oossanen. She builds on the success of Galactica Star, previously the largest to use the hull design. The design lets yachts enjoy fuel efficiency throughout the speed range, not only at lower, displacement speeds. At half load, Galactica Super Nova reportedly hits 29.9 knots. She gets a boost, literally, from a Rolls Royce central jet. At 12 knots, she reportedly has a range of 4,000 nautical miles.

Wherever those miles take her, she offers more places to relax than you can count on your fingers. The intimate skylounge opens up fore and aft to become a huge indoor-outdoor party deck. The foredeck can go from a sunning zone by day to a cinema by night. (It can also be the landing and departing location for the helicopter.) The beach club can be a private enclosed oasis, or gain nearly 474 square feet (44 square meters) of alfresco space from folding platforms. A total of 3,843 square feet (357 square meters) of usable deck space is aboard.

Among the owner’s must-haves for Galactica Super Nova, though, was the waterfall-equipped pool (at top). The pool—an infinity pool, even better—is nearly 20 feet long (6 meters long). Jets in the sides massage shoulders and arms. And just for fun, it has long swathes of glass in the bottom, acting as skylights for the beach club.

Inside, Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design ensures a relaxed atmosphere for 12. Leather and stone are prominent, but so are metals. They are especially prominent in the spiral stairway and elevator lobby. Steel, nickel, and chrome, plus wood and leather, lend flair.

Come along for a tour. Be sure to note the complex shapes to her styling, from the Espen Øino studio. Some detailed, architectural photos let you appreciate how intricate it is.