Superyacht projects Azuro and Margarita near launch at Heesen

4 February 2014

Two yacht projects begun on spec by Heesen Yachts are launching in Oss, The Netherlands, in time for the summer cruising season.

Projects Azuro and Margarita are sisterships to award-winning yachts Satori and Lady Petra, respectively. At 499GT they are both spacious but come in just below the important 500GT threshold in terms of maritime regulations.

Beyond this, the two yachts are very different. The 47m steel and aluminium displacement yacht Margarita, 10th in her class, tops out at 14 knots but has a 4,000nm range. ‘Margarita is an evolution of her class,’ says Mark Cavendish, sales and marketing director of Heesen. ‘We have subtly changed the superstructure to make it more contemporary. Most importantly we’ve replaced traditional windows and their mullions with continuous glued glass, which gives a much more modern style.’

She boasts four lower-deck guest cabins and a master suite forward in the main deck. Her interior by Omega Architects is a rich combination of walnut, oak, silks, linen and leather (above right).

Azuro meanwhile, is a 50m semi-displacement aluminium yacht with a top speed of 23 knots, although she also has a respectable range of 3,100nm at 11 knots. ‘You’ve got speed but still it’s a solid comfortable yacht with rich interiors,’ says Cavendish. ‘The owner doesn’t forsake anything in his lifestyle for speed because of the lightness of the boat.’

The interior is by Francesco Paszkowski, who used mainly teak, limestone and leather, modulated by a sophisticated lighting system (below). The yacht also has an impressive five lower deck cabins as well as a master forward on the main deck. ‘You need less volume below the waterline to support the lighter weight of aluminium,’ says Cavendish, ‘so you end up with more usable – above the waterline – space.’

Azuro is due to launch in March, ready for delivery at the end of May. Margarita will hit the water in April, ready for delivery at the end of June. Superyacht project Margarita has now been sold by Heesen.

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