Heesen the Dutch shipyard have launched the hull number YN 19055 at their facility in Oss on schedule.
Known during her build as Project Castor she will sail as Solemates for an owner whose previous Solemates, the 60 metre Lurssen build dating from 2010 ,was sold in 2014. Since that time the owner has been without a superyacht
The yachts handover was not at all delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to the drastic measures adopted early on, both in production processes and in the offices at Heesn they managed to introduce the necessary physical distance and were therefore able to carry on working following the Dutch governmental guidelines with as little disruption as possible. By halving the number of employees working in the shipyard at any one time and by working in two shifts, the builders did not lose productivity and if anything increased their flexibility.
Rupert Connor from Luxury Yacht Group who represents the owner, comments: “We have been beyond impressed with how the Heesen team adapted to the pandemic. They have adjusted their working hours to increase social distancing yet retain optimal man hours on our project and preserve an on-time, high-quality delivery which is no small feat in these challenging times.”
At 760GT, Solemates is the most voluminous 55 metre currently offered by a Northern European shipyard. Powered by two MTU 8V 4000 M63 diesel main engines, she will reach a top speed of 15.5 knots and will boast a range of 4,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 13 knots. This impressive performance is possible thanks to the proven design and engineering platform that sports the progressive FDHF (fast displacement hull form) hull devised by the Dutch naval architects; Van Oossanen. The Heesen 55-metre FDHF Steel offers exceptional seakeeping qualities coupled with more frugal fuel consumption compared to any other yacht in her class.
Twelve guests are accommodated in six staterooms, with the master suite located forward on the main deck. Four spacious guest cabins (two double and two twin) are on the lower deck, while the VIP is on the bridge deck. Solemates is the first in the class to offer the new layout configuration.
Having changed her name to Solemates, Project Castor was delivered to her Owners in August 2020 after rigorous sea trials in the North Sea and will be available for charter in Croatian waters for the remainder of the year.