Earlier this week, Heesen invited journalists to its yard in Oss, The Netherlands to celebrate the keel laying for its largest build to date, the 263-foot (80.07-meter) Project Cosmos. Though Heesen has established a reputation for groundbreaking builds, it may conquer its biggest challenge yet with this design. How do you build a very large yacht to be light enough, yet stiff enough, to reach an efficient cruising speed of more than 20 knots and a top speed near 30 knots?
Heesen appears to have found the answer by combining several innovative engineering approaches. They start with naval architect Van Oosenanen’s Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF). The FDHF, which Heesen has employed in seven models already sold, was designed to perform better than conventional displacement and semi-displacement hull forms at all speeds. Simultaneously, it does so with increased comfort and seakeeping abilities.
Next, Heesen created a construction method to add stiffness to the lightweight aluminum hull. The shipyard patented it as the Backbone, which is what it resembles in form and function.
A Rolls Royce variable-pitch propeller design and the Promas system, which integrates the propeller and rudder in a single unit, are also aboard. Project Cosmos requires a slightly deeper draft, and is slim beneath the waterline, with verticals in the aft ship area that create an optimal flow of water towards the propellers. Four MTU 4000 M73 engines, which create more than 19,000 horsepower, round out this engineering feat. The construction and design teams tank tested a model with this equipment earlier this year to ensure success.
Project Cosmos, which CEO Arthur Brouwer proudly calls “the world’s fastest and largest aluminum boat,” features exterior styling and general arrangement by Winch Design. Jim Dixon (director, Yachts and Aviation) and James Russell (associate, Yacht Exteriors) from Winch Design (both pictured) watched with the journalists as the symbolic welding of coins took place. It signifies good luck for the construction. Winch Design’s contributions include a fully rated helipad that transforms into an outdoor cinema. It also designed a 26-foot-long (8-meter-long) pool with contra-flow jets. Furthermore, Winch Design customized a limo tender that reflects Heesen’s sporty tradition yet also blends futuristic looks.
Journalists were able to envision the elegant, bright interiors from Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, too. Natural textiles and light stone create a soft, pale palette. Some high points are a water vapor fireplace, as well as sculptural glass panels overhead creating a skylight effect. The beach club contains a sunken, walk-around bar. In addition, Project Cosmos has a spiral staircase reminiscent of opening flower petals. A main-deck master stateroom, four guest suits on the lower deck, and a bridge-deck VIP accommodate 12 people. Eleven cabins, meanwhile, hold 19 crew.
Project Cosmos sees delivery in April 2022.
Heesen Yachts heesenyachts.com
Van Oossanen Naval Architects oossanen.nl
Winch Design winchdesign.com
Sinot Yacht Design & Architecture sinot.com
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