Laurentia

• LOA: 55 m
• Delivered: 2017
• Construction: steel hull, aluminium superstructure, 740 GT
• Beam: 9.6 m
• Draught: 3.2 m
• Exterior: Omega Architects
• Guests: 12
• Top speed: 16.6 knots on trials

The 55 metre steel debut

Delivered in 2017, Laurentia launched Heesen's 55 metre Fast Displacement steel line. Steel gave the design the mass and tankage for serious ocean work, while the Van Oossanen hull kept the ride efficient. She measures 55 metres with a 9.6 metre beam and a 3.2 metre draught, and she carries 740 GT across three decks. The class went on to include several sister deliveries, but Laurentia set the template. She proved the concept that Heesen would repeat with confidence. Owners get a design with real sea time behind it.

For owners, the appeal was a proven combination of range, volume and a settled ride. The boat crosses oceans without drama and hosts a full complement of guests in comfort. On trials she exceeded her contracted speed and reached 16.6 knots. That headroom is the mark of a hull with something in reserve. Owners get a boat that performs above its promise on the water. The extra pace is there when the weather turns.

Omega's muscular elegance

Frank Laupman's Omega Architects gave Laurentia strong, contemporary lines that carry her volume gracefully. The profile is purposeful without looking heavy, a balance not every 55 metre achieves. Long glazing and a well-judged sheer keep the styling current. She looks like the capable ocean yacht she is. The volume is carried with a poise that flatters her length. From a distance she reads as a larger flagship.

Deck areas are generous and arranged for warm-weather living, with a spacious sun deck and a sociable aft cockpit. The swim platform brings guests to the water, and the tender stowage keeps the beach zone clear. Shaded and open spaces are balanced so the boat works from breakfast to a late dinner. The exterior earns its keep in daily use. Sun and shelter are balanced so guests can follow the weather. Heesen's craftsmen executed the complex steelwork cleanly.

The boat that opened Heesen's 55 metre steel chapter, and set a high bar.

Light and contemporary within

Inside, Laurentia carries a light, modern interior that keeps the accommodation bright and easy. The main deck social spaces open to the sea through wide glass, so the horizon stays part of the room. Twelve guests are hosted in comfortable staterooms sized for extended cruising. The layout was resolved for privacy and easy flow between spaces. Every cabin was sized for weeks aboard, not a quick weekend. Storage was planned for the long haul.

The full-beam owner's accommodation makes the most of the 9.6 metre beam. Materials and finishes were chosen for a calm, contemporary feel that suits long stays aboard. Storage and stowage reflect a boat built for real voyages. The interior is a restful counterpoint to her seagoing purpose. Warm woods and soft textures keep the mood calm. The spaces invite long, unhurried days aboard.

Steel for the crossing

The steel Fast Displacement Hull Form is the reason Laurentia crosses oceans in comfort. Twin MTU diesels drive her to a top speed of 16.6 knots, comfortably above the contract figure. At cruising speed the hull is efficient and the ride stays settled in a seaway. The 740 GT volume gives room for the stores and fuel that long passages demand. That capacity is what turns a plan into a genuine crossing. Comfort in a seaway guided every decision.

Steel construction adds reassurance in open water and allows generous tankage without penalty. The engineering was tuned for range and comfort more than outright pace. For an owner planning ocean itineraries, that trade is exactly right. Laurentia was built to be somewhere distant and to arrive rested. She was engineered to shrug off a long crossing. The reward is arriving fresh at the far end.

The owner it suits

Laurentia suits the owner who wants genuine ocean range and generous volume in a 55 metre. She is well matched to long, ambitious itineraries and shoulder-season crossings. The Omega styling means she looks the part in any harbour she reaches. As the first of her class, she carries a note of provenance. Her presence turns heads without trying. Owners enjoy the attention she quietly commands.

She also appeals to buyers who want a full-custom feel on a proven steel platform. The volume supports a large family and their guests in comfort. For an owner who counts the boat by the places it reaches, she makes a strong case. Laurentia is a capable yacht for ambitious cruising. She rewards the owner who plans to use every mile of her range. Her class provenance adds value for a buyer who appreciates it.

Who it is for: The owner who wants ocean-crossing range and 740 GT of volume in the elegant first hull of Heesen's 55 metre steel class.