Heesen's 50-metre Book Ends has been meticulously cared for by her American owner – a long-standing Heesen client – since her delivery. So much so that, in honour of his beloved superyacht, he established a restaurant named Book Ends in Viareggio, Italy. But as the owner has decided to sail on to new horizons, the renowned motor yacht is now available on the market, presenting an opportunity for prospective buyers to acquire a superyacht built by a leading shipyard. Originally known as Project Sapphire, Book Ends is a member of Heesen's esteemed 50-metre aluminium semi-displacement series and was showcased at the recent Palm Beach International Boat Show 2024.
Fast and efficient
Book Ends is a thoroughbred racehorse in the superyacht world, reaching an impressive top speed of 23 knots, aligning with Heesen's sporty DNA. What drives this superyacht is not sheer power but astute engineering. Crafted by Heesen's in-house naval architecture team, Book Ends features a low-drag, ultra-lightweight aluminium hull, boasting a reduced transom depth and propeller tunnels, facilitating a shallower draught angle. All of this brings efficiency gains of around 12 per cent.
Beyond speed, Book Ends adheres to sub-500GT compliance with IMO Tier-III regulations, adding to her efficient, fast-cruising design. The vessel's ultra-efficient hull shape is paired with twin MTU 16V4000M65L "green oceanic" engines, incorporating Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units to curtail NOx emissions.
Elegant aesthetic
Renowned designer Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, a long-standing collaborator with Heesen, created a unique and elegant exterior for Book Ends – a design that is a culmination of a decade-long program of refinement at Heesen. Laupman's ingenuity is evident in the superstructure, where the optical focus aligns with the yacht's actual centre of gravity, resulting in a visually balanced and aesthetically pleasing boat. This design approach, termed the "integrated hull and body design" by the designer, was initially introduced in the 65-metre Galactica Star (now Illusion). The simplistic design of Book Ends is further accentuated by chiselled, sharper edges adorning all surfaces.
A go-anywhere superyacht
Book Ends strikes a perfect balance between spaciousness and manoeuvrability. With a reduced draught of just 2.1 metres, the superyacht is not only spacious but also adept at accessing shallow waters, making her an ideal choice for cruising destinations such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean and small Mediterranean ports. Beyond her agility for quick island hops, Book Ends demonstrates remarkable capabilities for long passages, boasting a cruising speed of 11 knots and an impressive transoceanic range of 3,100 nautical miles.
Ample onboard areas
With the interior design penned by Cristiano Gatto, Book Ends accommodates up to 12 guests in five luxurious staterooms. The master suite on the main deck forward stands out with a marble en suite bathroom, a separate study and an expansive walk-in wardrobe, whilst two doubles and two twins on the lower deck provide additional spacious accommodations. Whilst Gatto was originally appointed as the interior designer by the shipyard, the owner, who is an experienced yachtsman with a keen eye for design and contemporary aesthetics, contributed a unique touch to the interior. He commissioned bespoke loose furniture for both indoor and outdoor spaces and personally selected the art collection that enhances the yacht's interior.
Book Ends also offers a wealth of outdoor spaces for owners and guests to relish in life at sea. The beach club, with its multi-purpose tender garage adjoining the swim platform, provides an intimate setting close to the water. This area can also be transformed into a gym, a lounge area or an entertainment space, ensuring Book Ends caters to every aspect of onboard comfort and leisure. The main deck terrace hosts a generous sunpad area, perfect for relaxation, and ample space for sunbathing on the spacious sundeck. Al fresco dining finds a picture-perfect spot on the bridge deck aft, followed by post-dinner relaxation on the L-shaped sofas.
Book Ends is currently asking €42,000,000. To find out more information, contact Heesen today.
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