Yesterday Maarten and I had a chance to step aboard of what is perhaps the sexiest yacht at this year’s Cannes Boat Show. Heesen were nice enough to give us a detailed tour of the 37 metre superyacht Aurelia. Powered by two MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines, she is an all-aluminium hard chine vessel with the ability to reach a maximum speed of 30 knots. Styled by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, her sleek and elegant lines are enhanced by a paint scheme inspired by Gulf Racing colours, with a number 10 (which doesn’t only refer to racing but also to the hull number) on her quarters. Dobroserdov Design repeated this decal on the 14 foot Castoldi tender to celebrate the owner’s true passion for sports and racing cars.
In fact the whole yacht is inspired by racing: the name that she bears is a tribute to the first ever GT Lancia Aurelia. The theme is carried out throughout the 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 customise a yacht. While the other 37metre 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 cosy 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.
Heesen Yachts
+31 (0) 412 66 55 44
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http://www.heesenyachts.nl