Watch: Project Sparta’s hull turning
Construction of of the 67m steel Project Sparta continues to proceed on schedule. Heesen says that at the end of April, the completed hull was turned the right way up to allow engineering fit-out.
Sparta’s hull was assembled at Talsma in Franeker, the Netherlands, a specialist yard, which has undertaken steel fabrication for Heesen since 2008 as the risk of chemical cross-contamination makes it technically inadvisable to weld both steel and aluminium on the same site.
Both her exterior and interior are by Winch Design.
“The turning of the hull marks a special moment in the construction of this exceptional project, and brings with it a great sense of pride and accomplishment to all involved,” says Jim Dixon, director of Yachts & Aviation at Winch. “It is always a pleasure to watch our designs turn into reality, and we look forward to following the next stage of her development in Heesen’s capable hands.”
With an internal volume of approximately 1,200 GT, Project Sparta is the world’s largest steel Fast Displacement Hull Form motoryacht currently in build. Given her plumb bow design, hull designers Van Oossanen and Heesen’s own naval architects researched numerous spray rail options to keep the deck dry in all conditions, with computational fluid dynamics simulations complemented by tank testing at the Wolfson Unit in Southampton. Powered by two MTU 12V4000 M65R diesel engines, Sparta will reach a top speed of 16 knots, with a transoceanic cruising range of 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots.
