Heesen 50m Steel Rivals

Which yacht is best for you? As always, it’s all about personal choice. Some people choose a yacht on its characteristics (incidentally the 50m has won 1 award, most recently for "Displacement Motor Yachts 499GT and below, 45m and above"). Some people choose their yacht based on its power credentials and the displacement hull of the 50m delivers speeds of up to 15 knots.

Accommodation

If accommodating guests overnight is your main concern, then the Heesen 50m which offers well-appointed accommodation for up to 10 guests with its 5 cabin layout option does not match its rivals. Many of its competitors including the Benetti 50M Oasis and Westport Yachts Westport W172 offer slightly more guest accommodation sleeping up to 12 guests in 6 cabins, making them better choices for those seeking to maximise the number of family and friends they can sleep onboard. However, for maximum comfort for the owner, the 50m features a full-beam master cabin with an en-suite bathroom, a study and full-standing headroom and all cabins have dedicated en-suite bathrooms for family or guest convenience. Equivalently, the Riva 50Metri and Wider Yachts Wider 150 also offer 5 cabins, but with facilities for 10 guests, however they still offer an exceptional level of comfort for family or group vacations.

Performance

When it comes to cruising speed, the Heesen 50m has been designed for those not in a hurry, with the slowest cruising speed of the group at 12 knots and a top speed of 15 knots. The Heesen 50m emphasizes stability and comfort over outright speed and its target audience will be those who enjoy the journey over the destination. The title for the fastest cruising speed goes to the Westport Yachts Westport W172 which has an impressive cruising speed of 19 knots powered by its twin 2,682hp Caterpillar 3516E A02 engines and can reach a top speed of 21 knots. This is closely followed by the Sunseeker 50M Ocean with a notable cruising speed of 19 knots and top speed of 20 knots.

Unique Characteristics

Each yacht also brings unique features to the forefront. The Westport Yachts Westport W172 impresses with its extensive range of 5,000 nautical miles, ideal for long voyages. The Gulf Craft 175, Sunseeker 50M Ocean and Wider Yachts Wider 150 all feature shallow drafts for yachts of this size, allowing them to navigate waters inaccessible to deeper vessels. The performance of the Westport Yachts Westport W172 is especially impressive, with a top speed of 21 knots and cruising speed of 19 knots. The Gulf Craft 175 has an impressive gross tonnage of 780GT, the largest of the competitors here.

Summary

Despite stiff competition, the Heesen 50m Steel stands out with notable features and design elements. These yachts cater to a wide range of preferences and needs, making the choice a matter of personal taste and specific requirements in the world of luxury yachting.

When considering a new (or indeed used) yacht, it’s certainly important to wonder about the alternatives in the Heesen Steel range or indeed its competitors. Browse our hand-picked selection of 12 competing models.