Heesen launches Project “Sophia”

March 2026

Heesen has launched YN 21150, known as Project Sophia, a 50 m all-aluminium yacht, at its facility in Oss.

The yacht is designed to combine relatively high speed with a shallow draft, enabling access to cruising areas that are less accessible to larger yachts. With a maximum speed of 23 knots and a draft of 2.15 m, the vessel is suited for operations in regions such as the Bahamas. This is achieved through a hard-chine hull form with recessed propeller tunnels. According to the yard, this design results in an efficiency gain of around 12% compared with previous hull forms. Project Sophia has a gross tonnage of 499 GT and complies with IMO Tier III requirements.

The propulsion system consists of two MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines, providing a range of approximately 3,100 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 11 knots.

Interior outfitting was carried out in-house at Heesen’s cabinetry workshop in Winterswijk, allowing the yard to retain control over production processes and scheduling. The yacht’s layout includes a beach club with storage for water sports equipment and bicycles, as well as direct access to a fold-down swim platform. The sundeck features a wind protection system designed to improve comfort during operation.

Project Sophia is finished in a grey hull coating by Awlgrip. Following the launch, commissioning and sea trials in the North Sea are scheduled. Delivery is currently planned for June 2026.

Peter van der Zanden, Director Design & Development and Engineering, commented: “At Heesen, we believe that smart naval architecture underpins a yacht’s true value. With Project Sophia, our engineers have improved hull efficiency by 12%. This is more than a technical metric; it translates directly into lower fuel consumption and a quieter, more enjoyable experience at sea. The result is a highly optimised yacht that reflects our Dutch heritage of building for performance.”