Just recently, Heesen Yachts launched the elegant 35 meter superyacht Galactica Plus. Designed by Frank Laupman from the Netherlands-based Omega Architects, her exterior look shows off sleek, curvy lines and a sportive, slender silhouette with plenty of personality.
Speaking to Captain Tripp Hock, Galactica Plus’ story unfolds: “The yacht was a replacement for the owner’s previous 29 meter Heesen, so we were lucky to have clear guidance from the beginning: she wanted to keep the same General Arrangement, while updating the interior for something fresh and modernizing the equipment on board. The only significant difference was moving the tenders from the flybridge into a garage, thus resulting in a few more meters length”.
Captain Hock continues “It had been a long time since Heesen built a boat this small, so we often shared a laugh when they would struggle to remember how they did things in the old days… None the less, when I count the systems and equipment on the owner’s other much bigger boats, they did manage to squeeze just about every system into a much smaller space”.
With added length, a refreshed contemporary interior and lots of modernised equipment added, Galactica Plus initially might have been planned as a recreation of an older superyacht, but she undeniably has a distinct personality and style all of her own.
Upon boarding, Galactica Plus’ warm, friendly and gracious nature becomes instantly apparent. There are some unconventional features with regards to the layout to be found on board, such as the port side location of the guest entrance and atrium. This was achieved, mainly because Galactica Plus will be primarily located at the owner’s seaside holiday home in the Ukraine, where port side access is necessary.
The main saloon boasts a warm, generous and modern design scheme that can be described as near minimal. With a colour palette of predominantly light tones and a selection of soft, warm blues and blue-greys, the main saloon introduces the inviting appeal that can be felt throughout the vessel. Consisting of a spacious lounge and open yet cosy formal dining area, the saloon is all about stylish comfort and modern hospitality. The lounge has big, modern sofas, with light grey upholstery, and plush cushions, all surrounded by generously sized windows that present guests with impressive vistas and allow the flow of ample natural light. The lighting scheme is delicate and modern, adding a subtle oriental touch that perfectly suits the overall style of contemporary tranquillity.
The dining area fore offers a similar ambiance, with a large dining table surrounded by modern chairs in a blue-grey upholstery. Overall, the atmosphere of the main saloon is particularly feminine, pleasant and friendly, with a luxurious elegance and intimacy that will undoubtedly make every guest feel right at home.
Moving fore, one can discover the first of four lush guest suites on board, in the form of an exquisite, full beam VIP suite. A soft, warm and light modern style offers a welcoming ambiance with luxurious yet subtle materials such as medium coloured walnut veneers, combined with light flooring and ceilings. With pieces of art personally selected by the owner and the addition of distinct yet sober chrome hardware and mother-of-pearl inlays found in joinery, found throughout the vessel, Galactica Plus is a vision of eloquence and a lush, personalised elegance which can be enjoyed throughout. Big panoramic windows add light and vista views, perfectly framing the warm, comforting and vibrant design of this VIP. From sleek woodwork and cabinetry to plus carpeting, soft lighting and an overall sense of contemporary luxury. Similar to the spacious stateroom, the VIP’s en suite is large and light yet showing a distinct modern finesse. Chic, minimal and eloquent, the en suite is a picture perfect example of subtle, modern luxury.
Overall, Galactica Plus offers guest accommodations for a company of 8 guests. Somewhat unusually, the layout places the master suite on the lower aft deck, along with one double and one twin suite. Originally, the brief from the owner was to build a replica of her previous yacht, a 28-metre semi-displacement yacht, which had been intensively used for many years. Updating the original concept to modern standards, Galactica Plus is the large, more voluminous and distinctly more luxurious result. With speeds of up to 27 knots, garage tender storage and larger crew areas, among other pluses, her extended LOA definitely achieved the desired result.
Similarly styled to the main deck VIP suite, the lower deck master boasts a distinct style of modern elegance. Showing off a pleasant chic, feminine and contemporary finesse, the master offers a wonderfully spacious, generous and intimate accommodation. An atmosphere of privacy and soft luxury welcomes every guest, in great style. With a big stateroom, luxurious en suite and ample storage space, Galactica Plus’ master suite offers a spacious, light and, above all, private setting. The latter is particularly due to the uncommon but convenient way the layout of guest accommodations has been designed.
Obviously, in addition to her lush interior areas, Galactica Plus offers her guests a wonderful collection of exterior spaces and toys, allowing guests to partake in some exciting and invigorating outdoor living. Toys available are a flyboard, jetsurf, freestyle waterslide and skyscout, among others.
As Captain Hock points out, “the owner’s son and I both have an interest in finding new and exotic toys to try.” This enthusiasm is obviously reflected in the toys found on board Galactica Plus. With regards to deck spaces, She offers a wonderful aft deck lounge, including al fresco dining area, and a great sun deck which offers guests a large sunbathing area with comfy armchairs and sun loungers, plus a great panoramic al fresco dining area with awning.
Looking back at the build process, Captain Hock concludes “I like the structure at Heesen, where instead of having a Project Manager, you generally have access to the whole building team. That means instead of having to relay your questions though a Project Manager, you can approach directly the person who is responsible for that area – saving a lot of time in the long term…”
The result is an inviting, contemporary chic, wonderfully charming superyacht, with plenty of style and an appealing personality.
Heesen Yachts
+31 (0) 412 66 55 44
[email protected]
www.heesenyachts.nl
Omega Architects
Frank Laupman
+31(0)487 51 88 89
[email protected]
www.omega-architects.com