Heesen Yachts introduced the YN 15437, a 121 foot semi-displacement motor yacht named Aurelia, way ahead of the scheduled release.
With the project being managed by Nakhimov, Aurelia is the tenth yacht in the 121 foot class built by this successful Dutch shipyard. This all-aluminium hard chine beauty, propelled by two impressive MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines can reach a speed of up to 30 knots!
As an addition to this power it was styled by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, who gave it a sleek and elegant design with a paint scheme inspired by Gulf Racing colours, with the number 10, which signifies the fact that it is the tenth yacht in this class, painted on its quarters which inspired the same decal on the 14 foot Castoldi tender by Dobroserdov Design.
In fact the whole yacht is inspired by racing cars: the name that she bears is a tribute to the first ever GT Lancia Aurelia. The theme is carried out throughout the whole vessel with all the cabins named after racing car designers. Nakhimov introduced Bannenberg & Rowell to the Owner who was impressed by the richness of materials and elaborate details that characterize the style of this design firm and decided to hire them to create Aurelia’s interiors.
Aurelia perfectly exemplifies the ability of Heesen Yachts to fully customize a yacht. While the other 37 metre vessels sport five cabins, the Owner of Aurelia wanted to offer more comfort to his guests and more space for his crew, so designated a guest cabin for the captain and made more room for the laundry. Comfort on board, especially when at anchor, is improved by a pair of Seakeeper gyro stabilizers that are incredibly efficient under all conditions and require no through-hull fittings.
The main salon is divided in two; a dining area with a large rounded table and a cozy lounge space with an L-shaped sofa, two design armchairs and a fire place (by Australian company Eco Smart) that uses Bio Ethanol — a wonderful piece of design. “We gave it a pretty low level streamlined style, slightly masculine… inspired by the Dunhill cigarette lighter aesthetic” says Simon Rowell, from Bannenberg & Rowell.
Eight guests can be accommodated in Aurelia’s four cabins. The master suite is traditionally located forward on the main deck and the three double guest cabins — all with ensuite shower rooms — are positioned on the lower deck. Bertone (orange Lamborghini), Pininfarina (red Ferrari), and Zagato (green Aston Martin) are the race car designers who inspired the décor of the guest cabins.
Guests can enjoy life at sea in three exterior social areas: the partially sheltered aft cockpit; the vast sundeck with its comfortable sitting area and convivial bar; or can take the sun on the large mattresses located in front of the wheel house.
Aurelia will be on show at the Cannes Festival de la Plaisance in September 2011.
Specifications of the Aurelia superyacht:
Naval Architecture: Heesen Yachts
Exterior Designer: Omega Architects
Exterior Paint Scheme: Dobroserdov Design
Interior Designer: Bannenberg & Rowell Design
LOA: 37,30 m
Beam (maximum): 7,50 m
Draft extreme (50% load): 2,20 m
Displacement (50% load): 155 tonnes
Fuel capacity: 30.000 litres
Fresh Water capacity: 8.000 litres
Maximum speed (light load): 30 knots
Range at 12 knots: 1.900 Nm
Main engines: 2 x MTU 16V4000M90, diesel engines
Stabilizer:2 x Seakeeper Model 21000 Gyro stabilizers
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Related links:
Heesen Yachts
Nakhimov
Dobroserdov Design
Omega Architects
Bannenberg & Rowell Design
Photo: heesenyachts.nl, dobroserdovdesign.com