Laurentia

The sea trial was pubblished in Superyacht 59 – Autumn 2018

“Laurentia” hit the water in 2017, she’s a steel built 55 metre superyacht of 740 gross tonnage formerly known as project “Alida”.

When Heesen Yachts delivered “Azamanta” back in 2015, they were the first shipyard in the world to have built a steel yacht over 50 metres with a Van Oossanen FDHF (Fast Displacement Hull Form). Two years later with that record still deep in their minds Heesen Yachts did it again. They launched sister ship “Laurentia”, of identical exterior design initialled by Omega Architects with the superstructure’s silhouette resembling a “shark’s tooth” by way of underscoring the power and speed this yacht possessed, just like her predecessor therefore, except for the all white hull and topsides.
The real difference is to be found in the layouts and interior décor which on board of “Laurentia” were carried out by Radyca, a well known studio based in Miami at the head of which there’s designer Ramon Alonso who oversaw the work according to the owner’s wishes.

“The objective was to deliver a clean no frills; plain décor yet refined and capable of evoking a relaxing; elegant atmosphere” tells Ramon Alonso.
This result was attained thanks to neutral colours of the fine fabrics deployed and to whitened oak and wengé essences applied in diverse hues, grey and mole grey skins, woollen carpeting and light suede texture offset by White Arabesque and Grecale marble. The owner’s large suite is very bright thanks to large vertical window like panels situated forward in the bow section running full beam across the main deck, a study corner; walk in wardrobe/dressing room, a small relaxing lounge and a large bathroom with separate bath tub and shower unit complete the picture. Designed to host up to 12 “Laurentia” sports five cabins each with a dedicated bathroom. Two of them are VIP, two are twins, and a third runs full beam across. The crew’s quarters are accessed independently where there’s room for 12 crew in six cabins which become 14 if we take into account the captain’s situated next to the helm controls station.
The interiors convey a sense of relaxation also thanks to the décor adopted but also thanks to entertainment gizmos some of which working off repeaters installed in the external lounges.

The main deck hosts a large saloon which leads to an elegantly decorated dining area with a seating capacity for twelve. Forward of this we find a picturesque staircase leading to both the night quarters situated along the lower deck or up to the helm controls station, beyond which we find a bright sky lounge offering a panoramic view, comfortable seating, a coffee table and bar cabinet which leads outside to a terrace with a convenient sun awning.
“Laurentia” also offers an amazing sun deck with a Jacuzzi tub contoured by loads of sun pads, an area with sun beds and forward of this further spot shaded by the hard top which is an ideal place in which to enjoy a meal away from onlookers’ eyes specially when berthed in a port.

The beach club aft in the stern area is fully equipped and relaxing at the water’s edge. It was specially devised with Heesen’s technical team to fit around Van Oossanen’s fast displacement hull. During sea trials “Laurentia” exceeded the shipyard’s expectations by reaching a top speed of 16.6 knots.

Text by Daniele Carnevali – Photos by Jeff Brown

For further information: Heesen Yachts

The sea trial was pubblished in Superyacht 59 – Autumn 2018