GA L ACTICA S TA R
GA L ACT I CA S TA R
GALACTICA STAR Sleek lines, an innovative hull and superb space design ensure that Heesen’s largest launch yet is a worthy flagship
words: Tim Thomas photography: Jeff Brown/ Superyacht Media; David Churchill
GA L ACTICA S TA R
Approaching Galactica Star from the sea as she lies to anchor
The combination of bulb and hull design (right) has made for a yacht that is both fast, and very efficient at cruise speeds. The foredeck spaces, including seating area and helipad, are perfect for relaxing
near the Monaci lighthouse, Sardinia, is an alluring moment. Having followed her build from early designs, enjoyed her keel laying ceremony, and been offered tantalising glimpses of her taking shape over the last two years, to see her sleek lines in the flesh against such a stunning backdrop is a real thrill. As the yacht’s J Craft chase boat approaches the stern, however, there is a new focus – not the generous bathing platform, but what lies beyond it. When Heesen laid the keel of what is now Galactica Star there was no mistaking its importance, not only for the yard itself but also as a proof of concept. The largest Heesen built to date, she uses the patented Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) developed by Dutch naval architect Van Oossanen & Associates. The principle was simple: draw a slender hull with a bulb to take the concept into fast semi-displacement speeds with highly efficient cruising capability. Add distinctive lines – drawn by Frank Laupman – that recall the Heesen signature look but which have evolved into an exciting new profile, and throw in a huge beach club and you have a 65 metre yacht that excites on every level.
That excitement had mounted right from the sea trials earlier in the summer. ‘Sea trials are always a special occasion and of course there is usually a slight feeling of tension,’ says Perry van Oossanen, one of the key naval architects on the project. ‘In this particular case – the first time our FDHF concept was being tested for real – there was maybe a bit more tension than usual.’ He shouldn’t have worried. The design iterations were finalised through extensive CFD analysis by Van Oossanen’s in-house specialists, and through model testing at the Wolfson Unit in Southampton, UK. ‘During the sea trials,’ Van Oossanen continues, ‘the maximum speed (averaged over a number of runs) was 28.8 knots, and in one particular run we maxed out well above 30 knots. Our calculations in the design phase had indicated 28.9 knots, and during the trials there was of course a feeling of great success. After we had analysed the results of the trials and corrected them in detail for the effects of wind, waves, current and water depth there was an extremely good correlation between our calculations and the reality.’ The yacht has proved herself not only in top speed, though. ‘The first day of trials, the sea was pretty rough,’
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The huge beach club offers seating, a bar and entertainment along with a hammam and sauna. The port platform is used for guest disembarkation leaving the aft platform for sunbathing and swimming
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enthuses her captain. ‘As a sea boat, she handles well. Going into a 1.5 metre swell at between 20 and 25 knots, she was comfortable, and from the bridge you feel like you’re doing 12 knots. She’s really quiet and comfortable. All the sound measurements were way below target. Moreover, she’s really efficient at slower speeds: at 15 knots we burn 400 litres or less of fuel an hour. She does get thirsty at the very top end, though – around 2,500 litres an hour at maximum speed.’ As I step on board at the stern, it is very quickly apparent that this is a special yacht for more than just her hull form. Beyond the large bathing platform, a gaping, atmospheric beach club invites you to relax. Dappled secondary light through the glass base of the
aft deck pool creates shimmering patterns on the deck, and beyond a large seating area, served by a bar to starboard and with a second large fold-down platform to port, offers a spot to watch films or enjoy the epic sound system that has been installed throughout. Forward, the bulkhead hides doors to a sauna, dayhead and engine room access. The main deck aft continues the theme of luxurious living and inside-outside concepts. A large aft pool peeps out from under the dramatic sweep of the superstructure arch line, while forward a generous part-shaded seating area forms a magnificent entertaining space. These large outside areas are continued elsewhere too. Forward on the bridge deck a spacious seating and table area – www.boatinternational.com <#r#>
GA L ACTICA S TA R
The part-shaded aft seating and pool area perfect for enjoying a cocktail in the is divided between seating to starboard on the main deck is evening breeze – leads to a large area and a bar to port. magnificent, cosseted by that acts as a dancefloor and doubles as The main deck offers the master suite the swooping buttresses of the superstructure and a giant sun trap – as well as being used forward, with a full-beam bathroom, leading directly to the as a touch-and-go helipad. The upper office area and generous dressing main saloon area aft deck offers outside dining, while the rooms. Aft, past the foyer, the main sundeck includes an aft spa pool, bar saloon area has been cleverly designed and dining area amidships under the around the minor intrusion of engine radar arch, a buffet station and forward seating and room ducting to create three distinct but connected sunning spot. spaces. Forward is the formal dining area, and aft the The interior does not disappoint either, in spite of comfortable seating area leading to that generous the fact that, at just under 1,000GT, she does not offer aft deck, while between them lies a bar to port and quite the volume, perhaps, of some of her similarly comfortable armchairs in front of a working fire to sized sisters. There is access to the interior stair from starboard – a club area, if you will. the sundeck through a sliding hatch, operated by pushThe four guest cabins are located on the lower button. Once inside, the layout will be familiar – deck, with two aft doubles that offer forward sofa captains cabin and bridge forward on the upper deck, seating areas, and two forward doubles that maintain with a starboard VIP cabin offering splendid views generous space in spite of the relative restrictions of through large windows to starboard, and a snug sitting the hull form. The crew area is forward of this, with room to port converting to an additional guest cabin the tender garage located one deck up in the forward with a full en suite shower room. Aft, the upper saloon part of the hull.
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GALACTICA S TAR
Notable is the interior styling, conceived by the Bannenberg & Rowell studio. Here, rather than changing colours, materials and themes from space to space, the entire interior is a coherent, yet interesting, whole. ‘It is a deliberately uniform, unified, knocked back interior,’ explains Dickie Bannenberg, ‘even to the choice of the marbles – there’s only two or three, and they have that striated, almost woodgrain effect. The key materials used throughout are brushed spruce, Macassar ebony, a lot of polished stainless and nickel, rippled sycamore for the doors, and some pretty judicious use of silver carbon fibre (known as Texalium).’ It is not just the limited number of materials and colours used that strikes, though, but the way they have been put together. Stainless strips form funky patterns in the floors, which then snake up the walls to form a reflected pattern in the deckheads. ‘There’s a lot of fine metalwork that acts almost like a wireframe for the <#l#> www.boatinternational.com
interior,’ Bannenberg continues. ‘That’s the idea.’ Bannenberg & Rowell was also commissioned to help select the various artworks on board, which complement and contrast with the muted palette. ‘It was just fantastic for us,’ Bannenberg enthuses. ‘The interior lent itself perfectly for great striking pieces of art so we spent a few days going around London galleries and private dealers just acquiring pieces with specific areas in mind.’ Of note are the futuristic hints, such as in the design of the bedside tables and that subtle use of silver carbon fibre in areas you might barely notice, such as cubby holes in the bathroom cabinets. Loose furniture has largely been custom built by Heesen and Sinnex (which also did the interior fit-out) with just one or two signature pieces appearing in the main areas. The art and style continues through to the exterior design, and those sweeping lines that make Galactica
The upper saloon is divided between port bar and starboard seating. Art adds a thrilling touch, such as the giant print of model Naomi Campbell (above). The muted colour palette follows a unified theme throughout
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GALACTICA S TAR
The main saloon flows beautifully from forward dining – with its watchstrap inspired bulkhead pattern – through the club area to the aft seating space that leads directly to the aft deck
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GALACTICA S TAR
‘four turbos on each engine kick in at different stages of power demand. We go from zero to 28 knots in 60 seconds’ Star both sleek and striking. ‘You see a lot of highcomfortable for the engineers. The powerplants volume yachts from other shipyards,’ says Frank behind the yacht’s impressive performance are two Laupman from Omega Architects. ‘I really wanted to MTU 20V 4000 M93L engines. ‘The “L” equals high design a much lighter 65 metre, elegant and sporty, power, like a GTI sportscar,’ explains her chief fitting into the “Heesen niche”. The concept started as engineer. ‘There are four turbos on each engine that a vertical bow design, which I already had before we kick in at different stages of power demand. We can were briefed. By integrating the aft overhang with the go from zero to 28 knots in just hull, I knew that the ratio of the body and the rest of 60 seconds.’ the superstructure would change and influence the The galley is located inboard amidships to port, perception of scale. It took us a long time to figure with a window through to the crew side passage that out. At the same time, we created this insideoffering a good amount of natural light. Aft of this is outside space on the main deck aft around the pool. the stewardesses’ main deck station, backed by two It adds a protected area with half light, which you large wine coolers. One deck down, the crew areas would really need in a yacht of this size. One of my could perhaps be a little larger, considering the favourite elements is the sporty “helmet” design of amount of usage the current owner intends for the the superstructure and the consequent detailing of yacht, but while deck access to the forward tender the exterior glued glass, which we did together with garage is a little awkward there is also a stair running the Heesen team. She has exactly the right amount from the forward end of the crew quarters direct to of innovation.’ the tender bay, meaning the crew can The club area (above) The theme of a well thoughtprepare the tenders and toys without features an alcohol fire through yacht continues to the main disturbing guests who may be making that lends a warm glow technical and crew spaces. The engine the most of the forward exterior in the evenings. Subtle changes in flooring, from room includes a fan cooling system seating areas. wood to marble and even through the bilge, which means The team will be making one or two carpet inlays, add interest that even under way the mechanical tweaks – for example, the Seakeeper spaces remain cool enough to be gyro stabilisers are a little <#l#> www.boatinternational.com
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GA L ACT I CA S TA R
The main stair (left) and the master bathroom underpowered and will be uprated to a Ibiza for another cruise with the owner. (above right) use similar high speed of revolution, and the entire It is not hard to see why he loves this marbles with a distinct AV system is being upgraded by VBH to yacht so much: whether it’s her chic, woodgrain pattern. The master suite itself a system from California Audio interesting interior or those grand deck includes an office and Technology with full iPad control – but spaces, or simply the option to cruise wonderful contemporary on the whole the yacht has proven a with high economy or get somewhere touches in the furniture design such as the considerable triumph right from launch. quickly if he’s in a hurry, Galactica Star bedside tables If you wanted further evidence of this, is a worthy flagship for the Heesen yard. consider that her owner stepped on As we leave her the following day, board as the yacht left Rotterdam and didn’t get off for swinging to anchor in another glorious Sardinian bay, all six weeks. As we tour her grand spaces and enjoy her eyes are fixed on her until she finally More on seductive lines – and, of course, revel in the magnificent drops out of view. There aren’t many beach club – the crew are busy preparing to take her to yachts that hold that allure.
iPad
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GA L ACTICA S TA R
The sundeck area includes a spa pool, dining, buffet station and seating, and can be accessed direct from the interior
A midships VIP cabin on the upper deck offers spectacular views, while a small snug sitting room to port doubles as a spare guest cabin
The prodigious beach club is one of the highlights of the yacht
A forward sunlounging space could double as a dancefloor. It is also a touch-and-go helipad
The bridge uses standard equipment including Transas charts and AIS radar on five screens. Visibility is good all round
Four guest cabins on the lower deck include two larger doubles with proper seating areas
The forward tender garage can be accessed either from the foredeck or via internal stairs from the crew area
ga lactica star Heesen Yachts LOA 65m LWL 57.5m Beam 11.3m Draught 3.1m
Speed (max/cruise) 27 knots / 14 knots Range at 14 knots 4,200nm
Gross tonnage 985GT
Bowhruster HRP 165kW, electrically driven
Engines 2 x MTU 20V 4000 M93L
Stabilisers 5 x Seakeeper Gyro,
Displacement 560T
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model 2100, zero speed
Owner and guests 12
Generators 2 x Kilo-Pak 175kW; 1 x Kilo-Pak 99kW; 1 x KiloPak emergency genset
Crew 13
Fuel capacity 90,000 litres
Construction Aluminium
Freshwater capacity 30,000 litres
Tenders 1 x J Craft chase boat; 1 x Castoldi rescue tender
Classification ABS @ A1 Yachting Service @ AMS Large Commercial Yacht Code LY2 / MCA Naval architecture Van Oossanen Naval Architects; Heesen Yachts Exterior design Omega Architects
Interior design Bannenberg & Rowell Builder/year Heesen Yachts/2013 Oss, The Netherlands t: +31 412 66 55 44 e: sales@heesenyachts.nl w: heesenyachts.nl