At Heesen this week, the construction team made a start on the 67-metre Project Sparta. The Dutch shipyard announced the sale of the new-build project to an experienced charterer exactly one year ago. The owner will take delivery of the new superyacht in 2023.
Photo: Heesen YachtsThe owner’s team added a Greek coin featuring Poseidon to the keel during the laying ceremony. “The keel laying is a milestone in the construction of Sparta and we cannot wait to see this project take shape!” comments build managers Arcon Yachts.
Photo: Heesen YachtsThe 1,200 GT Project Sparta is the largest steel-hulled displacement motor yacht built by Heesen to date. Van Oossanen is behind the efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form, whereas Winch Design put together both the interior and exterior designs.
Photo: Heesen Yachts"The Fast Displacement Hull Form of Project Sparta, combined with the sleek design by Winch and the optimised building methodology by Heesen, makes this yacht really stand out in terms of performance and efficiency. With engines quite typical for a yacht this size, she will easily reach her contract speed and outrun other yachts of this size and power, both in speed and range," explains Perry van Oossanen.
Notable features in the design include a transom area that with a stepped aft deck and a 6.5-metre infinity pool. By incorporating a raised pilothouse, Winch Design has given the yacht a bold and sporty profile. An offset spiral staircase encircling a glass elevator serves all three decks. 
Photo: Heesen YachtsThe yacht's layout reflects the lifestyle of the owner, who is appreciative of the full-beam main saloon and the indoor dining area that connects to the sheltered aft deck terrace. Also on the main deck are the four guest staterooms, two of which can be transformed into a full-beam VIP room thanks to a sliding partition.
The owner has reserved the entire bridge deck for himself, with two suites and an outdoor dining and lounging area on a private terrace. Up on the sundeck, guests can enjoy the bar, Jacuzzi and large sun pads whereas down on the lower deck, guests will find a wellness area, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, gymnasium and the crew quarters.
Photo: Heesen Yachts“Once again we are delighted to have a very collaborative and decisive client with a clear lifestyle brief” commented Jim Dixon, Director of Yachts at Winch Design. “The arrangement of the vessel seamlessly connects the activity of water-side living at the aft ‘terrace’ with the calm and beautifully-coloured interior.”
A crew of fourteen and two staff will be able to navigate around the yacht via purposefully-designed walkways on all three decks and the forward garage where the tenders and toys stowed and launched via the gull-wing hatches.
Powered by two MTU 12V4000 M65R diesel engines, she will reach a top speed of 16 knots, with a transatlantic cruising range of 4,500 nautical miles when travelling at 12 knots.