"Galactica Super Nova", this rather elaborate name has a history. The name "Galactica" has accompanied Heesen since 2007, when the shipyard in Oss, the Netherlands, launched its 50 metre long flagship of the same name, a semi-displacement vessel with a top speed of 26 knots, which Frans Heesen sold to a Russian owner a year later. "Galactica" is currently called "Red Sapphire" with a new owner. A 34-metre-long semi-displacement boat, also made of aluminium, was launched in 2012 and ran one knot faster: "Galactica Plus". Success is fun, but it can always be topped. It has been a good three years since BOOTE EXCLUSIV announced the delivery of the "Galactica Star". At 65 metres, Heesen handed over his longest project to date to the owner in the summer of 2013.
The Dutch shipyard had already been focussing for years on the slim, sleek and, with three decks above water, comparatively flat and semi-displacement crack under water. However, the principle of the semi-displacement boat cannot be fully utilised. Physics sets the limits here. With the 55-metre-long "Quinta Essentia", Heesen delivered the largest aluminium construction of the semi-planing hull type to date. So the shipyard had a hull form called Fast Displacement Hull developed, a fast displacement hull "with a strikingly sporty look" of the exterior, as was written about "Galactica Star" in BOOTE EXCLUSIV at the time. During test runs at five Beaufort, the Fast Displacement from the Van Oossanen design office even exceeded the contractually agreed 27 knots by 1.8 knots.
Van Oossanen's hydrodynamics experts even calculated the hull of the new "Galactica" with the addition "Super Nova" with a contractual guarantee for 30 knots. This contract dates from December 2013.
Heesen worked on this project, codenamed "Kometa", for over 30 months. Together with all the preparations and test phases of the hull construction before the sale to the owner, the development of the "Super Nova" took 41 months until delivery. Instead of Bannenberg & Rowell, this time the owner and shipyard engaged Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design from Eemnes in the Netherlands to plan and design the interior. Sabrina Monteleone and her interior design label Sabrina Monte-Carlo took care of the decoration.
The "Super Nova" test runs on the North Sea before delivery to the owner also took place in spring this time. Like its predecessor, "Galactica Super Nova" exceeded the contractually agreed maximum speed, this time by 0.3 knots, so that the fast displacer reached 30.3 knots. The design also demonstrated its smooth running and excellent manoeuvrability. For propulsion, Heesen chose two MTU engines on the sides with propeller drives from Schaffran and a central jet booster from Rolls-Royce in the middle. An MTU high-speed 4000 series engine also operates in front of him. Heesen has now installed this configuration with a total output of 12,040 kilowatts in a large yacht for the first time, with the result that the latest "Galactica" reaches its maximum speed of 30 knots from a standing start in just 75 booster seconds. This makes her one of the fastest superyachts.
But what is actually behind the term FDHF, Fast Displacement Hull Form? As speed increases, the hull of a displacement hull builds up increasing resistance, which limits the speed. Even beefed-up kilowatt packs cannot prevent this. The yacht remains trapped in the self-built wave system and reaches a limited and rather low speed. "With the FDHF, however, we achieve lower resistance across the entire possible speed spectrum, from slow sailing to a theoretical 34 knots." How is that possible? "There are critical factors," explains hydrodynamics expert and Van Oossanen Managing Director Niels Moerke, "including the shape of the hull and the bulbous bow, the position and shape of the rail-like spray rails on the outside of the hull and the stern with the shapes of the transom and the water break." The effect of the right design: "Despite the greater length compared to 'Galactica Star', the slimmer hull achieves a higher performance potential." And what effect does the booster have on the design and performance?
"The owner demanded a top speed of 30 knots. The best way to achieve this goal was to supplement the two standard drives with shafts and fixed propellers with a third with a Roll-Royce booster. This meant we avoided the need to use complex controllable pitch propellers." And how do fixed-pitch propellers and jets fit together? "This combination is the result of trials and tests as well as a careful choice of propeller design and driving modes. The booster jet does not complicate the construction or handling of the yacht." According to the architects, the shipyard carried out a feasibility study. However, modifications were not necessary for the practical work. Heesen was the first shipyard to recognise the superiority of this technology.
Heesen's pride in the practical realisation of the FDHF concept from the offices of the Van Oossanen designers is unmistakable. "The concept reduces resistance by 20 per cent," says Heesen boss Arthur Brouwer. This reduces fuel consumption. This in turn and the aluminium construction influence the weight of the yacht right from the start. The result: "30 knots at top speed, an economical cruising speed and a range of 4000 miles." We were able to see for ourselves how efficiently the hull actually works in combination with the drive package during a short test drive from Monaco to Nice. "At a cruising speed of 15 knots, we consume just 450 litres of diesel per hour," explains Captain Chris Guy, as he sensitively pushes the command buttons forward to get more power onto the waves. This means that the 645-tonner travels more economically than many 25-metre semi-gliders. It is also impressive how effectively the XT stabilisers from Quantum reduce the rolling movements of the 70-metre yacht at anchor and while underway.
The owner and shipyard commissioned Espen Øino with the styling so that the visual appearance of the "Super Nova" would match its performance. His final "Super Nova" exterior is very similar to that of the "Star" predecessor with its look by Omega Architects. Mastery is in the nuances. Øino stuck to Heesen's genes for the flat, slender and fast cracks and added a few elements. "Heesen came to us with precise framework conditions that we could modify within a given time frame. We provided the concept and details," says designer Andrea Bonini. Øino's most obvious development can be seen in the superstructures from the bridge deck to the sundeck. There is no overhang above the bridge windscreens. He designed the side glazing of the rooms to be as large as possible. "We simplified the design language." An essential part of the briefing for Øino was the treatment of the typical "Galactica" features at the stern. The owner wanted the striking aft arches of the "Star" superstructure to be genetically preserved on the main deck. "We therefore harmonised all other elements of the styling with this stern section."
The lifestyle racer's Sundeck briefing included increasing the headroom to 2.50 metres, more protection from wind and weather and a better view than on the "Star". "The sundeck is now closed with sliding windows at the front and sides. At 30 knots, this protection is necessary," says Andrea Bonini. The companionways aft on the port and starboard sides between the main and sundeck now also offer more protection from the weather. The foredeck serves as a helipad for touch-and-go manoeuvres. The furnishings also allow for informal dining, and in the evening a projection screen helps transform this deck into a spacious open-air cinema. And by the way: "Making displacers faster is also one of my interests as a designer. The fast displacement concept is fascinating. In these busy times, you can experience more in less time. This will appeal to a large number of owners," says Øino. Contemporary technology is also available to owners and guests in the safety systems. Heesen's Rapid Reaction System includes alarm buttons at all important positions on each deck for a man-overboard event. When activated, self-inflating signal markers immediately drop into the sea - an excellent solution at 30 knots of speed. A marker lights up on the plotter in the wheelhouse and an acoustic alarm informs the bridge. Even families with children feel at home here.
This also applies to the interior. The briefing called for a beach club feel, inside and out. The rooms are united by a common style with subtle differences. A light and airy interior was required. Sander Sinot and his team therefore developed largely monochrome room designs with subtle colours. Because they only differ in nuances of colour, they are made of different materials that vary in their surface structure from matt eggshell to silky to high-gloss. Leather forms the interior basis. The leather variations range from naturally embossed stingray skin to soft, smooth calfskin. Leather appears on panels in wooden frames made of bleached and stained wengé and silver oak. Sinot chose pure natural fibres for the carpets and white Thassos marble and light grey Calacatta Luccicoso combined with onyx details for the bathrooms.
"The choice of interior materials," says Sander Sinot, "reflects the relaxed and casual lifestyle of the owner. The ambience is unobtrusively moderate, but with a high-quality finish." Fortunately, there is no trace of brazen glitz and lavish glamour. The staircase and lift are among the highlights of the interior. "Steel, nickel, chrome, wood and leather form an architectural spiral." At the owner's request, the interior divides the saloon on the main deck into three compartments. Aft, guests serve themselves at a self-service bar and settle down in a seating area. The upholstered furniture in the centre with a large monitor attracts film buffs. Heesen installed another key position for owners and guests in the stern: the actual beach club aft with a portside balcony. As the tenders are parked in the foredeck under the helipad, this area does not have to make do with the rest of the lazarette. There is plenty of space behind the engines for the bar, loungers and hammam. Following the 2016 summer season in the Mediterranean, Heesen presented its latest flagship to a wider audience for the first time at the Monaco Yacht Show at the end of September.
Meanwhile, the shipyard is fine-tuning the "Galactica" sequel. With the "Vesta" project, it is scratching the 75-metre mark, again with a near-displacement hull. We can be sure that Heesen will top the 75 slim "Vesta" metres with the next project. Success is fun.
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
