Galactica Super Nova (70m)
| LOA | 70,07 m |
|---|---|
| Manga | 11,9 m |
| Arqueo bruto | unos 1.200 GT |
| Velocidad máxima | 30 nudos |
| Autonomía | unas 4.000 nm a 12 nudos |
| Motores | dos diésel MTU sobre hélices más un tercer MTU de jet de refuerzo |
| Casco | FDHF de aluminio y superestructura |
| Diseño | exterior de Espen Oeino, interior de Sinot |
Un récord para el astillero en 2016
Cuando el Galactica Super Nova se entregó en mayo de 2016 era, con 70 metros, el mayor yate que Heesen había construido nunca. Demostró además que la Fast Displacement Hull Form podía crecer de tamaño sin perder filo. Una velocidad máxima de 30 nudos lo situó entre los superyates más rápidos de su clase en cualquier parte del mundo. Para el astillero fue a la vez un hito de tamaño y una declaración de prestaciones. Esa velocidad máxima lo sigue colocando a la cabeza del campo de los 70 metros una década después.
Su importancia está en realidad en el techo que elevó. Alcanzar treinta nudos con un casco de aluminio de 70 metros es una proeza seria de arquitectura naval y de control de peso. Mostró al armador que Heesen podía llevar la idea del casco rápido al territorio de los buques insignia. Todo lo que el astillero hizo después a 80 metros se apoya en lo que demostró el Super Nova. Su entrega dio a Heesen la confianza para planear cascos rápidos aún mayores.
Treinta nudos con una línea de propulsión poco habitual
El Galactica Super Nova debe su velocidad al casco FDHF de Van Oossanen y a una hábil disposición de la potencia. Dos diésel MTU mueven hélices de paso fijo y un tercer MTU alimenta un jet de refuerzo para la punta. Ese esquema le permite mantener un crucero económico con los principales y recurrir al jet cuando el armador quiere los 30 nudos completos. Los motores principales rinden unos 5.765 hp cada uno. El jet permanece parado durante casi toda la navegación y solo se gana el sueldo en lo más alto del rango.
La FDHF es lo que hace utilizable esa velocidad. Mantiene baja la resistencia en todo el rango, así que es eficiente a un crucero de 12 nudos y sigue pudiendo esprintar. A ese crucero cubre unas 4.000 millas náuticas. Pocos yates de 70 metros pasan de una travesía tranquila a treinta nudos con esta limpieza. Esa mezcla de alcance y ritmo es rara en un yate construido de forma tan clara para la velocidad.
Uno de los 70 metros más rápidos del mundo, con un jet de refuerzo para 30 nudos de verdad.
Espen Oeino, esculpido para la velocidad
Espen Oeino International firmó el exterior, y su perfil hace evidente el ritmo desde cualquier ángulo. La superestructura es larga y baja, esculpida para parecer que se mueve incluso amarrada. Los grandes acristalamientos y unas líneas tensas le dan una planta decidida y atlética. El diseño ha envejecido bien, que es la marca de una mano disciplinada. El estudio de Espen Oeino es conocido justo por este tipo de línea segura y deportiva.
El exterior aporta además equipamiento real a lo largo de toda su eslora. Amplias cubiertas solárium y un beach club en condiciones cerca del agua dan a los invitados sitio para repartirse. El estilismo nunca deja que el desorden de cubierta rompa el trazo limpio del perfil. Aquí forma y función conviven con comodidad. Un beach club abre la popa al mar para nadar y para trabajar con los tenders sin complicaciones.
Sinot bajo cubierta
Sinot Yacht Design creó el interior para doce invitados entre un camarote del armador, una VIP y otras cuatro suites. El estilo es sereno y contemporáneo, y usa materiales naturales para suavizar la evidente potencia del yate. El volumen de un casco de 1.200 GT da espacios sociales generosos sin que resulten cavernosos. Es un contrapunto reposado a las prestaciones que hay en el casco. El camarote único del armador y una VIP se acompañan de otras cuatro suites de invitados para una dotación completa.
La luz es un tema constante en las zonas de invitados. Los ventanales grandes y las plantas abiertas mantienen el mar presente desde cualquier asiento, y los acabados se mantienen lo bastante discretos para que manden las vistas. La distribución sirve tanto al uso familiar relajado como a las reuniones más numerosas. El trabajo de Sinot aquí se lee atemporal antes que de moda. La contención mantiene el foco en el agua y no en la decoración.
Velocidad seria para un armador exigente
La historia de ingeniería es la línea de propulsión combinada de diésel y jet de refuerzo, una elección poco habitual que ofrece a la vez economía y una punta alta. Todo está construido para proteger esa cifra de treinta nudos manteniendo sensato el consumo en crucero. Es un yate de propulsión convencional y no un híbrido, hecho a la medida de un armador que valora el ritmo puro. Los sistemas están dimensionados para un buque insignia exigido a fondo. El jet de refuerzo es la pieza que convierte un crucero rápido en un yate de treinta nudos de verdad.
El Galactica Super Nova encaja con un armador que de verdad quiere velocidad en 70 metros y no piensa transigir en ello. Valora la capacidad de dejar atrás un temporal o simplemente de llegar primero, respaldada por volumen y confort de buque insignia. Pocos yates de esta eslora ofrecen esta mezcla, lo que lo mantiene deseable años después de su entrega. Para el comprador centrado en la velocidad sigue siendo una referencia. Lleva una década sosteniendo esa reputación con muy poco que le haga sombra.
Motores y sistemas
| Engines | Two MTU 20V 4000 M93L wing engines with fixed pitch propellers, each rated about 4,300 kW (5,766 hp), plus one central MTU 16V 4000 M93L engine driving a Rolls-Royce booster waterjet, rated about 3,440 kW (4,613 hp), combined over 16,000 hp. Consistent across Heesen's own spec page and Boat International. |
|---|---|
| Top speed | Conflict across sources: 30 knots per Heesen's current spec page and several directories, 30.3 knots per the widely cited Boat International sea trial report and an unofficial 32.7 knots at full load per Yachts International magazine. |
| Cruising speed | Conflict across sources: 12 knots per Heesen's own spec page and Yachts International, 14 knots per a Romeo United Yachts brokerage listing and 18 knots per a 2026 YachtCharterFleet listing under the name Gaja, which may reflect different operating profiles or a post refit figure. |
| Range | 4,000 nautical miles at 12 knots cruising, consistent across Heesen's own spec page, Boat International and Yachts International. |
| Hull form | Van Oossanen Fast Displacement Hull Form, aluminium hull and superstructure, credited with cutting resistance versus a conventional round bilge hull of similar size. |
| Fuel and water tankage | 89,000 litres fuel and 25,000 litres fresh water, consistent across Heesen's own spec page and the brokerage listing. |
| Stabilisers | Quantum extendable zero speed stabilisers, two fins, confirmed by Heesen's own spec page and the brokerage listing. |
| Tenders and toys | A forward tender garage houses tenders including an amphibious Quadski at delivery. A later charter inventory under the name Gaja lists a Boesch 750 Portofino de Luxe tender, a Narwhal SV-480 rescue boat, two Sea-Doo jet skis, a Yamaha WaveRunner, two Seabobs plus water skis and towables, describing a different point in time to the original build. |
| Notable features | A six metre swim jet infinity pool with glass panelling and hydro massage jets, a roughly 146 square metre beach club with 44 square metres of folding platforms, a nine metre foredeck cinema screen that converts to a nightclub setup, a Man Overboard Rapid Reaction System with automated buoys and a glass walled central elevator. |
| Gross tonnage, crew and guests | Conflict: 1,200 GT and 16 crew per most build era sources, 1,130 GT and 15 crew per Boat International's current directory entry under the name Gaja. Guest capacity is consistently reported as 12 guests in 6 cabins. |
Lo que cuentan armadores y tripulaciones
Top speed came easily and the ride stayed smooth in a head sea
Captain Chris Guy described the delivery sea trial handling: "We did a speed run for the boss. On the main 20V MTUs alone we reached 26 knots." "We go from zero to top speed [30.3 knots] in 75 seconds." On a 1.5 metre head sea he said: "Last night we had a 1.5 metre sea against us and we were running at 15 knots. There was no slamming. None!"
Chris Guy, Captain of Galactica Super Nova, quoted in Boat InternationalInterceptors add a real knot of speed at full RPM
Confirmed through onboard testing that at full RPM the interceptors add roughly one additional knot of top speed.
Jan Kamstra, Yacht Engineer on Galactica Super Nova, quoted in Boat InternationalThe single jet, fixed prop layout hitting 30 knots is a genuine engineering achievement for this size
"Thirty knots is a great thing for a boat this size, especially with the simple fixed props and a single jet."
Perry van Oossanen, naval architect, Van Oossanen Naval Architects, quoted in Boat InternationalInterior design was kept consistent deck to deck with deliberate material shifts
On the interior scheme: "Every space is consistent. The detailing is the same, bridge to main to beach club, but there is a shift in materials and ceiling style to define each space."
Paul Costerus, Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design, quoted in Boat InternationalThe AV and entertainment system was engineered in from the start rather than added later
On the ten screen, multi zone audio visual system fitted across three decks: "We were able to work with the engineering team right from the start."
Ameet Sarvayia, Chief Technical Officer, VBH (AV integrator), quoted in Boat International
Lo bueno y lo que conviene vigilar
Puntos fuertes
- A genuinely novel propulsion layout at deliveryTwo MTU wing engines with fixed pitch propellers plus a third central MTU engine driving a Rolls-Royce booster waterjet, a first time configuration for a yacht this size when she was built, paired with Van Oossanen's Fast Displacement Hull Form.
- Genuinely fast for her size classReached 30.3 knots on sea trial against a 30 knot contract, with zero to 30 knots in about 75 seconds. She was the largest and fastest yacht Heesen had built at the time, outrunning the yard's previous flagship Galactica Star at 28 knots.
- Peer recognised design and engineeringWon the Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 50m and Above category at the 2017 World Superyacht Awards, with further recognition at the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show.
- Reported good sea keeping despite the speed focusThe captain describes running at 15 knots into a 1.5 metre head sea with no slamming, an unusual claim for a fast displacement hull this size, though it is a single first hand account rather than an independent test.
A tener en cuenta
- Ownership history is a major diligence item, not a footnoteBuilt for Vagit Alekperov, president and CEO of Russia's Lukoil, who was placed under UK sanctions in April 2022. The yacht stopped transmitting AIS after leaving Tivat, Montenegro that March, required by law to run at all times for a vessel this size. Boat International's own current directory now lists her under a different name, Gaja. Independently verified reporting (The Daily Beast, Yahoo News, Wikipedia's list of yachts affected by Russia sanctions) confirms the sanctions date and the AIS blackout; a prospective buyer or charterer needs full, independently verified beneficial ownership and title history before proceeding, not marketing material.
- Published specs do not agree with each other, even among reputable sourcesTop speed is variously reported as 30 knots on the current builder spec page, 30.3 knots in the widely cited Boat International sea trial account and an unofficial 32.7 knots at full load in Yachts International magazine. Cruising speed is reported as 12, 14 or 18 knots depending on source. Gross tonnage appears as both 1,200 GT and 1,130 GT. No single number should be taken as authoritative without checking a current spec sheet.
- A specialised, non standard drivetrainThe mixed fixed pitch twin engine plus centreline waterjet booster arrangement is unusual for a yacht this size. A buyer should confirm parts availability, service history and refit costs for the Rolls-Royce booster jet specifically, since it is less common in the field than conventional shaftline or pod propulsion.
- Now approaching a decade old, under an unclear current name and registrationDelivered in 2016. A 2026 charter listing refers to her as Gaja, ex Galactica Super Nova and notes a 2026 refit; Boat International's directory records the same name change. A buyer or charterer should confirm which name, flag and management company currently apply and what the refit scope covered, rather than assume continuity with the original 2016 build.
Información práctica
| Charter rate | Reported at EUR 750,000 per week low season and EUR 800,000 per week high season plus expenses for the Mediterranean season, May to September, under the current charter name Gaja, per YachtCharterFleet. |
|---|---|
| Sale asking price | Listed for sale at EUR 75,000,000 jointly through Burgess and Arcon Yachts, also cross listed by Romeo United Yachts. Some value trackers estimate market value around USD 80,000,000. The original 2016 build cost was not found in any named source and should not be assumed. |
| Current name and status | Built and delivered as Galactica Super Nova in 2016. Boat International's directory now lists her under the name Gaja, with Galactica Super Nova recorded as a previous name. She appears simultaneously listed for sale and for charter in different trackers; a buyer should reconcile directly with the listing brokers before assuming availability. |
| Ownership and sanctions diligence | Original owner Vagit Alekperov of Lukoil was UK sanctioned in April 2022. The vessel went dark on AIS tracking off Montenegro shortly before. Any transaction should be preceded by independent legal and compliance due diligence on current title and beneficial ownership, which is not disclosed in brokerage marketing. |
| What is not published | No named source discloses the original 2016 build price. No independent, non owner, non yard sea trial or long term ownership review was found beyond the Boat International feature. Current mechanical condition, refit scope and maintenance history beyond the noted 2026 refit are not publicly detailed. |
| Booking and access | Charter and sale enquiries go through named brokerages: YachtCharterFleet listed agents for charter and the Burgess and Arcon Yachts network for sale. There is no public direct owner booking channel. |
Design
| Diseño exterior | Espen Oeino (Espen Oeino International) |
|---|---|
| Interiorismo | Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design (Sander Sinot) |
| Arquitectura naval | Van Oossanen Naval Architects / Heesen (aluminium Fast Displacement Hull Form) |
Para quién es: Un armador con mentalidad de prestaciones que quiere 30 nudos reales en 70 metros con volumen y confort de buque insignia, y al que no le importa llevar una línea de propulsión convencional de mucha potencia para conseguirlo.