Now the fourth Heesen 50m Aluminium Semi-Sisplacement yacht afloat, Project Sophia was developed by Heesen’s in-house naval architecture and engineering team.
Inside Project Sophia
Project Sophia’s interior spans approximately 324 square meters and was built entirely at Heesen’s dedicated cabinetry workshop in Winterswijk, part of the shipyard’s vertically integrated production approach. Managing the interior construction in-house gives the yard direct control over craftsmanship, materials, and installation throughout the yacht for sale.
The design follows a contemporary palette built around sage greens, mustard accents, and warm bronze tones. These colors are used across the yacht’s living spaces to create a calm visual flow between interior rooms and the surrounding seascape. Large windows bring natural light deep into the main deck salon and guest areas, reinforcing the connection with the water outside.
This contemporary interior is shaped by a palette of sage greens, mustard accents, and warm bronzes, arranged to create a deliberate sense of flow between the yacht and the surrounding ocean landscape."
- Heesen
One of the central outdoor social areas sits on the main deck aft, where a shallow pool is positioned with floating sun loungers that face directly toward the horizon. The space functions as both a relaxation area and a visual focal point at the stern.
Accommodation is arranged for up to 12 guests across five staterooms. The configuration typically includes a main deck owner’s suite supported by guest cabins on the lower deck, creating a layout suited to both private cruising and extended stays aboard.
Outdoor Living Across 250 Square Meters of Deck Space
Outside, Project Sophia provides roughly 250 square meters of exterior living space spread across multiple decks. The layout prioritizes open-air lounging areas designed for both relaxation at anchor and comfortable use while underway.
The beach club forms a key part of the yacht’s design. Configured as an activity-focused hub, the space includes dedicated storage for wakeboards and land exploration bikes and opens directly onto a fold-down swim platform that connects guests with the water. This arrangement turns the stern into a practical launch point for watersports and excursions ashore.
Above, the sundeck is designed as a social gathering space with seating, sunpads, and an adjustable windbreaker system. A sliding-door windbreaker allows guests to continue using the deck comfortably even while the yacht is cruising at speed.
The exterior of the motor yacht for sale is finished in a distinctive Whisper Grey paint scheme by Awlgrip, giving the yacht a modern and understated appearance.
High-Speed Performance with Improved Hull Efficiency
Performance is a defining part of Project Sophia’s design. The yacht is built on a refined hard-chine semi-displacement hull with recessed propeller tunnels, a configuration developed by Heesen’s naval architecture team to improve both speed and efficiency.
According to the shipyard, this hull form delivers a 12 percent improvement in efficiency compared with previous designs in the same size range. That gain translates into lower fuel consumption as well as reduced noise levels while cruising.
Peter van der Zanden, Heesen’s Director of Design and Development and Engineering, explained that the naval architecture work was central to the project’s goals. The improvements in efficiency, he noted, lead to quieter operation and greater cruising comfort alongside lower operating costs. The yacht remains under the 500 gross tonnage threshold at 499 GT and meets IMO Tier III emissions standards.
Project Sophia is on the market with Heesen and is currently asking €47,900,000.
Following her launch at Heesen’s Oss shipyard on 14 March, Project Sophia will move into the final commissioning stage. Engineers will complete system testing before the yacht begins sea trials in the North Sea. Delivery is scheduled for June 2026, positioning the yacht to enter service in time for the Mediterranean summer season. She joins sisterships Alp, Infinity and Aquamarine X.
A Look Into Heesen's Order Book
According to YachtBuyer MarketWatch, the largest yacht database in the world, Heesen currently has 9 yachts either in build or on order. Project Sophia sits below three significantly larger builds that point to the yard’s wider range across size, speed, and layout. The largest is the 60.4m Project Ceres, a steel displacement yacht due in 2029, with 1,060GT of volume, six guest cabins, and a 4,500nm range at 13 knots.
Just below that is the 57m Project Setteesettanta, a full-custom aluminum build scheduled for 2026, notable for its four-deck arrangement, 920GT interior volume, private owner’s deck, and 4m infinity pool aft. Also in build is the 56.7m Project Evita, due in 2027, which brings a faster 22-knot top speed, a 780GT interior, and a main deck aft pool in place of a traditional beach club.
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