Dutch yard Heesen has announced the delivery of the 55-metre superyacht Solemates following successful trials in the North Sea. The yacht will soon be available for charter to "select clients" through Luxury Yacht Group, with a public debut scheduled for this year's Monaco Yacht Show.
The yacht was sold in June 2024 to a "distinguished yacht connoisseur" and repeat Heesen client, represented by Rupert Connor from Luxury Yacht Group. Previously known as Project Venus, there have been many yachts to bear the Solemates name, including a 60-metre Lürssen, a 52-metre Feadship and, most recently, a 36-metre Mulder.
Read More/Brave and bold: inside Heesen's new 55m in-build Project Venus"Heesen’s exceptional quality standards and unwavering commitment to exceeding expectations ensured that Solemates would be another extraordinary build," Connor said. "The construction process was, once again, a pleasure, as their project team enthusiastically embraced our requests."
Solemates is characterised by her slender steel hull, which was built by Dutch shipyard Talsma as an iteration of Van Oossanen Naval Architects' ultra-efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF). Meanwhile, Silvia Margutti of Luca Dini Design and Architecture spearheaded the yacht's custom 760GT interiors, with vibrant colour schemes made up of lime greens, teal and baby aqua blue. BOAT International was offered a sneak preview of the original interior design proposals in April 2024.
One of the yacht’s defining features is the redesigned main staircase, adorned with acrylic panels embedded with gold flakes and crystals. Other highlights include an 82-square-metre owner's apartment, a sundeck with a Jacuzzi and a beach club with a sauna, a bar and direct access to the water. Solemates is also a suitable size to navigate all Mediterranean ports.
"[The project's] seamless teamwork also allowed us to create unique features; the atrium, for instance, is a real work of art and provides a stunning 'wow factor' that truly differentiates Solemates within her series," added YN 20655 project manager Ralf Oortman.
Solemates is also expected to make an appearance at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2026.
According to BOATPro, Heesen has 11 yachts currently on order or under construction, the largest of which is the 57-metre Project Setteesettanta.
Read More/Watch: Construction progresses on Heesen's full-custom 57m Project Setteesettanta