Each week we place a spotlight on one of the world’s finest superyachts for charter. This week BOATtakes a closer look at the charter credentials of Heesen's 55-metre Laurentia, a hugely elegant vessel with remarkable cruising capabilities...
Delivered in 2017 and a finalist at the World Superyacht Awards in 2018, Laurentia is a fine example of the work at Heesen. Her interior, designed by Miami-based Radyca, is an elegant assortment of cream and taupe with light wood and intricate lighting that lifts the space. During the build, the owner’s brief conveyed that the interiors should feel sophisticated, but not corporate, to achieve an interior that is warm, cosy, and relaxing.
Tucked into the design, however, are fun elements such as a champagne or tapas bar and an impressive aft deck cinema with a double-sided projector, allowing guests to watch movies from both the saloon and the aft deck at the same time. She also has a hot tub out on deck, and a large, air-conditioned beach club to work out (or explore the toy box) by the water.
Key Features
Sleeping up to 12 guests in six cabins, including a master suite, a VIP suite, two double cabins and two twins (plus two Pullman berths), Laurentia is hugely spacious with several communal areas that do well to draw the light inwards. A core factor in the design is drawing the outside in with its huge floor-to-ceiling windows and glass automatic doors. Alongside this, Laurentia’s deck space is hugely impressive, with plenty of space to lounge out on deck, sipping cocktails and bubbling away in the Jacuzzi.
Out on deck, guests will find everything they need to bask in the sunshine with a Jacuzzi, sunbeds, a sit-up bar and shaded al fresco dining. The upper deck aft has space for dining and more lounge areas, in addition to those on the main deck aft. But it’s not all wide and open as there is an intimate Portuguese bridge seating area on board, hidden on the upper deck.
Heesen, along with Van Oossanen Naval Architects shook the industry up when it introduced the patented Fast Displacement Hull Form. This 55-metre series (of which Laurentia is the second hull), was the first to implement it on a full displacement yacht and the results in performance are remarkable. Besides efficiency and low resistance, the studies into this hull configuration also focused on comfort, especially rolling at anchor.
Her exterior is the work of Omega Architects, which has a long affiliation with Heesen. Well-balanced and simplistic, her profile is characterised by seven rectangular windows in the hull. Another defining feature of the exterior styling is the original “shark tooth” design detail of the wheelhouse overhang.
Life on board Laurentia
With a crew of 12, led by Captain Steve, guests have noted that Laurentia excels in big occasion charters as well as family getaways thanks to her versatile entertainment credentials. Calling to this theme, her main saloon strikes a balance of soft formal spaces, which are both calming and relaxing.
Fitness has also been a core focus on the amenities on board, not only with a fully stocked gym, where guests will find a rowing machine, bike, weights and boxing equipment, as well as a 1,400-litre swim jet pool.
Performance-wise, Laurentia benefits from long range capabilities with a capacity of 4,500 nautical miles at 13 knots, or cruise speed at 15 knots. She is powered by Twin MTU 8V 4000 M63 diesel engines.
Three tenders
Jacuzzi
Anti-jellyfish pool
RYA training centre for jetskis & waverunners
Waverunners
SeaBobs
eFoil
Kayaks
Stand up paddleboards
Wakeboard
Wakesurf
Waterskis
Inflatable tows
Scuba diving equipment
Fishing gear
Snorkelling gear
Laurentia is available to charter with Burgess with a weekly rate from $400,000
Read More/Charter yacht of the week: Galileo, the 55m intrepid explorer concealed in elegance