There's nothing quite like traveling the world and experiencing new cultures, but even the most intrepid explorers occasionally feel homesick. Heesen Yachts has set out to eliminate homesickness by letting the well-heeled take their home (or one of them, at least) along on their travels. The YN17850 Home superyacht is designed as a luxurious 164-ft (50-m) hybrid retreat for the fuel-conscious billionaire.
Although superyacht owners are unlikely to be concerned by the price of fuel, Heesen has worked to make sure the Home sips at its diesel instead of swigging. Power comes from a pair of 600-kW (805-hp) engines, which are smaller than you'd expect from a yacht of this size, made possible in part by the efficient Fast Displacement Hull design from Van Oossanen Naval Architects.
Along with the diesel engines, the Home has a pair of water-cooled electric shaft motors making a combined 254 kW (340 hp) of power. Top speed is more than 16.3 knots (19 mph, 30 km/h) in diesel only mode, and a handy nine knots (10 mph, 16.6 km/h) in "silent cruising mode." Having the option to run on combined diesel and electric power makes this the world's first Fast Displacement yacht with hybrid power.
With a maximum fuel capacity of 45,000 liters (11,888 US gal) and fuel consumption of 98 l/hour (25 gal/hr) in diesel mode or 45 l/hour (12 gal/hr) in hybrid mode, the Home has a max cruising range of 6,840 km (4,250 mi). According to Heesen, that's a handy 805 km (500 mi) more than the owner originally demanded.
Aside from what's happening under the skin, the Home is also a very pretty piece of design on the outside. The slick profile is the work of Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, who has given the boat a vertical bow and long, sweeping spray rails, while the floor-to-ceiling glass windows make for an airy interior.
Inside, designer Cristiano Gatto has worked to make the cabin feel bright and sophisticated with matte two-tone finishes throughout. There's space for 12 passengers in the six cabins, with four separate decks including the top sundeck. Gatto told Boat International the owner demanded a white, grey, silver and burgundy color palette, while freestanding furniture features throughout.
The rooftop sundeck is home to a (presumably well-stocked) bar, and there's a spa on board as well. Given there's space for 12 guests, there's also an area for dining and entertaining. After all, what good floating home doesn't have a dedicated area for dinner parties on the high seas.
Having put the Home through its first sea trials, Heesen has handed it over to the owner, but it will be on display at the Monaco Yacht Show between September 27 and 30.
Source: Heesen Yachts
